ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 279 



Experiments with Hand Fed Calves 



Bulletin From the Experiment Station of Kansas State Agricultural 



College. 



From the Kansas Experiment Station a bulletin on hand- 

 fed calves has lately been issued and is of particular interest to 

 dairymen. For the benefit of dairymen of Illinois it is added 

 to this report. The bulletin follows : 



With the advent of creameries, skimming stations, and hand 

 separators, the question of successful and economical raising of 

 calves on skim-milk is one of growing importance and vital con- 

 cern to every creamery patron and private dairyman. As land 

 increases in value, we can no longer afford to keep a cow the 

 entire year for raising one calf to be used as a feeding steer. 



For the last four years the Kansas Experiment Station has 

 almost continuously been conducting experiments in rearing and 

 feeding calves on skim-milk or substitutes for skim-milk. The 

 material given in this bulletin is the result of our experience. 



Care of the Cow before Calving. Strong, thrifty calves 

 cannot be expected from cows that have received poor feed and 

 poor care previous to calving time. The cow must be supplied 

 with wholesome and nutritious feed, containing the elements that 

 are necessary to the proper development of bone and muscle in 

 the fetus. It is better for the cow, and we believe better for 

 her record in the production of milk and butter-fat, if she can go 

 dry for six or eight weeks previous to calving. If it is impossi- 

 ble to dry her up without injuring the udder, continuous milking 

 should be practiced. 



