Practical Cattle Breeding.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 8, 27 August 1874, Page 4

Practical Cattle Breeding.

A correspondent of the 'Australasian' says:— -Sir,— -I have long thought that a few practical hints on the breeding of cattle would be acceptable to many of your readers; Not wishing to occupy much of fhe space kindly allowed me in your valuable paper, I make them as brief as possible. There are many who tell us what good cattle are like, and write long articles on the excellent j points and colors of one, and. the beau- | tiful silky coat of another, and whom ! bred by &c; but I have never yet read an article upon how to breed them. For over twenty years I have devoted considerable attention to the breeding of stock, and have successfully accomplished the somewhat difficult task of breeding a good herd frorn^a very bad one. These instructions, if carefully carried out, will enable any person to bring a herd to perfection. Procure a bull, say from three to five years old, not too large, With plenty of animal vigor, sound constitution, and pure blood— l prefer a personal knowledge of his ancestors for pedigree — he should not be too fine. First breed good, then neat cattle. Select, say fifty cows from three to five years old, with large frames, fine heads, horns, and necks, good colors, soft-looking skins, and good tempers. Put them into a paddock • the first year there will be about forty-five calves, nearly equal sexes; castrate the bulls, keep tne heifers until three years old. If on poor country, then put them to a better bull than their sire, and, if possible, as near the same breed or blood. When their progeny appears the nuclus of a herd is formed, and the original cows may be disposed of. If there be sufficient in number cull out the worst, breed only from the best. Keep no young bulls for stud purposes until after the fifth cross, when they may be considered pure. Should there be any defect apparent, or anything unsightly showing in the lot, select a sire preeminently good in that particular part where the others are deficient. Avoid in-breeding as unnatural ; be particular in securing sounti, healthy sires, and in a few years the result ot judicious management will be shown in a fine herd. Durhams, Herefords, and Devons, as they become pure, have a great tendency to fatten, and many of the bes t heifers are barren in consequence. To counteract this as much as possible, put them to the bull when about two years old. Should the calves be reducing them too much from sucking, give them foster mothers. If the mothers are looking worn after rearing a calf or two, let them have a year's rest from breeding. These principles of breeding are suf- • ficient for any general herd, where no j stall-feeding is required. j