FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION 205 



A week or two before the cow is due to calve she 

 should be kept under rather close observation, as she may 

 need special attention when calving occurs. If the cow has 

 been running on pasture, she may continue to do so ; but her 

 condition should be observed at least twice daily. If calving 

 occurs during the winter, the cow should be placed in a 

 clean, roomy, well-bedded box stall. Sometimes the udder 

 becomes so large and swollen that it appears desirable to 

 draw out some of the milk previous to calving; however, 

 this is seldom necessary and should be avoided if possible, 

 because it stimulates further secretion and because the first 

 milk or colostrum is beneficial to the calf. The cow should 

 be kept as quiet as possible and fed a laxative ration, wheat 

 bran and linseed oil meal being especially desirable. The 

 ration should not contain too much roughage, which on ac- 

 count of its bulk adds to the discomfort of the cow. 



Immediately after the cow has calved it is a good prac- 

 tice to give her warm water to drink, and follow this with a 

 warm bran mash, the idea being that if the cow becomes 

 chilled at such a time the afterbirth may not be passed so 

 readily, and the animal may be predisposed to other ail- 

 ments. It is also thought best not to draw all the milk from 

 the udder for a day or two after calving. This may help in 

 the prevention of milk fever. After a couple of days, pro- 

 vided everything is proceeding normally, the calf may be re- 

 moved and the cow placed in the stable with the milking 

 herd. As much roughage may be allowed as the cow will 

 consume, but the concentrates should be fed sparingly at 

 first and gradually increased. With good producers not less 

 than three weeks should be taken to get them up to full 

 feed. The grain fed to poor or medium producers may 

 reach the full quantity a little earlier. Too much concen- 

 trated feed at this time is likely to cause digestive disturb- 

 ances and hinder the reduction of swelling in the udder. In 

 general, it is better to err in not giving sufficient concen- 

 trates than in giving too much. The quantity to be given 

 just after calving will depend upon the size of the cow, her 

 production, and the condition of her udder; and will usually 

 be from 4 to 7 pounds per day. 



