194 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



form a complete ration for the young calf, since they do 

 not supply the necessary nutrients in a form readily di- 

 gested and assimilated. 



To produce satisfactory growth when feeding a calf 

 meal, it is best to use the meal as a supplement to milk, 

 rather than a complete substitute for it. It is doubtful if, 

 under average conditions, good gains will be made unless 

 some milk is fed until the calf is about sixty days old. 



When the calf is about four weeks old, it will begin 

 to nibble at hay and grain. A good quality of clover or 

 alfalfa hay should be placed in easy reach of the calf at 

 this age. 



As soon as the calf begins to eat grain, it should have 

 free access to the following mixtures: 



30 pounds ground corn or hominy, 

 30 pounds ground oats, 

 30 pounds wheat bran, 

 10 pounds oil meal. 



Corn silage can be fed as soon as the calf will eat it. 

 Silage will not be consumed to any great extent until the 

 calf is two months old. It is important that the silage is of 

 a good quality. 



The calf must also have free access to clean water 

 after it is a few weeks old. This is very necessary, since 

 water is just as essential an element entering into the feed 

 of the calf as any other feed. 



In order that the heifer calf will develop into a good 

 cow, it must be kept growing from birth to maturity. 



The age at which a heifer should be bred will vary 

 somewhat in the different breeds. The smaller breeds can 

 be bred a little younger than the larger breeds. The state 

 of development must also be taken into consideration. 



Heifers that have been slow in developing should not 

 be bred as soon as those that have developed more rapidly. 

 Normally developed animals should be bred at the follow- 

 ing ages: 



Holsteins at the age of 19-21 months. 

 Aqrshires at the age of 18-20 months. 



