234 



Early Matured Cattle. 



[JULY, 



weaning time comes the change is less sudden, and a check 

 in growth or a loss in flesh is less likely to occur. 



An alternative system is to allow the calf to run with the 

 cow for several weeks, after which they are separated, the 

 calf being allowed to suck three times daily and the cow 

 stripped after the calf has had its fill. This permits a more 

 gradual transition at weaning time, as one of the suckings may be 

 discontinued when the calf is about three months old, another 

 when it is about five months old, and the third when it is 

 six months old, by which time the calf will have become 

 accustomed to eat grain and to drink water. The calf can 

 also be fed with whole milk from the pail. 



The fact that the best results are generally obtained with 

 whole-milk calves does not eliminate skim-milk calves from 

 the range of possibility for early matured beef, linseed meal 

 or some similar substitute being used to replace the fat removed 

 from the milk. Calves thus fed tend to grow in frame rather 

 than to fatten, and they generally require from four to six 

 months longer to acquire the same degree of finish. 



The calf should be so thoroughly accustomed to the use of 

 grain when weaning time comes that milk can be discontinued 

 without any check to growth. From this point the key to 

 the successful production of early matured beef is to hold 

 the flesh already gained and to continue its rapid and steady 

 growth. The method of feeding adopted to obtain such 

 results will depend largely upon the nature of the feeds avail- 

 able and the season of the year. In any case the feeding of 

 young stock requires much more care and attention than is 

 necessary with older cattle. They are much more subject to 

 irregularities of the digestive system, and these are especially 

 liable to follow the feeding of very heavy rations when it is 

 done carelessly. To induce calves to eat the greatest possible 

 amount and yet keep their appetite keen it is necessary to 

 feed them regularly at stated times every day, as stock will 

 become accustomed to eat at certain hours and will often come 

 to the trough at that time through force of habit, though they 

 may not be particularly hungry. They should be fed more 

 frequently than those nearly mature in age. The grain should 

 be given in two or three feeds daily. If it is given mixed with 

 chopped fodder, it is probably better to give three meals daily, 



