30 



Farmers* Bulletin 1135. 



of your herd. It is important that she should have been grown, de- 

 veloped, and fitted for show in a way that will not limit or impair 

 lier usefulness as a breeder, whether kept by the owner or sold. Since 

 there are so many calves that are underfed and improperly cared for, 

 it does not seem necessary to caution against overfeeding or fitting 

 the calf, yet it occasionally happens that the usefulness of a promis- 

 ing breeding animal is very materially lessened by the treatment it 

 receives previous to breeding age. 



A bull calf of desirable breeding and individuality may also be 

 retained for breeding purposes on the home farm to advantage, al- 

 though there are many reasons why a cow or heifer would be a better 

 choice for the purpose. 



A few suggestions as to the feeding and care of older animals are 

 given, but the reader should get other publications giving more of the 

 details if he has decided to become a breeder of purebred beef cattle. 



FEED AND CARE OF THE BREEDING HEIFER. 



It frequently happens that the purebred heifer is well cared for 

 as a calf but when weaned is neglected and required to shift for her- 

 self with the rest of the herd. This is a great mistake. While it is 

 especially desirable that she be fed cheaply, yet the heifer kept for 

 breeding purposes should grow all the time and be maintained in a 

 strong, vigorous condition. As she increases in age, cheaper and 

 more bulky feeds may be used, but they should be fed liberally. 

 Inferior breeding animals are largely responsible for "scrubs," al- 

 though the empty feed rack adds many more to the list. A daily 

 ration of from 15 to 20 pounds of silage, 4 or 5 pounds of legume 

 hay, with a little other dry roughage like stover straw or cheap 

 hays, the amount depending upon the age of the heifer, will be 

 satisfactory and economical. Silage is especially desirable for the 

 heifer, as in the case of other beef animals. If it is not available 

 enough grain similar to that fed to the older calf should be provided, 

 with sufficient roughages to make a satisfactory growth. 



The heifer should be kept on pasture as much of the time as pos- 

 sible. If good pasture is available during the summer no other feed 

 will be needed until late in the fall. 



The heifer may be bred when about 20 months old. The ration 

 after that time should be sufficient for her own growth and for the 

 development of the fetus or young calf. The mineral matter of the 

 ration, as found in the legumes and common salt is important for her 

 at this time, especially the lime, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron 

 content. A lack of these substances will result in a weak, small-boned 

 calf being dropped, and the effort of the cow to supply them from 

 her own body will weaken and stop her growth. Unless well fed and 

 cared for she will be unable at the same time to give sufficient milk to 

 nourish it properly without an additional tax upon her own body. 



