Friesian Females.

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6746, 2 January 1932, Page 9

Friesian Females.

JUNIOR CONDITION—MATURE DEVELOPMENT.

Tho Holstein-Friesian World, ol ! November 15, has an article headed: “What Becomes of Our Junior Champions?'’ A series of questions was submitted to the owners of each junior champion for tho 10 years 1919-192 S at fifteen of the leading shows in Canada and the United States. Of special interest are some of the replies to the question, “Was the heifer kept in thin, good, or high condition in calf form?’' Nine were reported as being kept in “thin" condition when young; 18 were listed as “good”; 14 as “high condition''; and four in “good" condition except for “high” condition during the show season.

Of tho Id “high" condition calves, 2 died immaturely, 2 were shy breeders, 3 were poor producers, 1 aborted as a 2-year-old, and was only a fair producer at next calving, 3 were only fair producers, and only 3 wore described as satisfactory cows. From 17 calves kept in “good’' condition, S were listed as show cows at 4 years and older, 3 others as promising 2-year-olds, 3 others as good individuals, 1 freshened with three quarters, 1 other had a poor udder but produced nearly 8001 b of fat, and only one cow was listed as of poor type at maturity. This one, and one of the “show cows” were listed as poor producers. The other 15 were all set down as good producing cows. The 9 calves kept in “thin" condition, 3 listed as show cows; another as a good 2-ycar-old; 2 with poor udders; 2 others as good cows; and another "not a show cow"; 8 were good producers, 1 only fair. Of the 4 listed as kept in good condition except high condition during show period, all were stated to be good producers; 2 were show' cows; ono lost a qua-rter and one had a poor udder. Some Opinions

Haley and Lee, of Ontario: “We are confident that we have ruined dozens of real prospects from high condition and lack of exercise as calves and heifers.”

H. O. Larsen, lowa, says: "My observation as to the effect of calves stuffed during the growing period is that many become saggy, lose their quality, and do not develop into roomy, good feeding cows.” Carnation Farms, U.S.A., says: "High conditioning of heifers is detrimental to good udder development, not so much in shape as in usefulness The policy of keeping heifer calves fat during the growing period has a tendency towards putting too much fat on tho udder, which retards normal functions. 1 ’ J. W. Innes and Son, Ontario, report having’ observed unfavourable effects both from shape of udder and also on the future usefulness and merit of the animal kept too fat during the" growing

period. Several breeders emphasise the tendency to develop "slow breeders” through keeping young stock over-fat. Elrnwood Farms, Illinois, believe that gooc. attention to young calves makes bigger and stronger cows of greater capacity, but stress the necessity. in the easo of heifers in high condition for show periods of letting them rough it under more normal conditions between show seasons. Chapman Farms, Missouri, believe that keeping lieifcrs in high condition makes them grow faster and mature quicker, so that they cau be bred and got into production earlier. Jefferson County Asylum, Wisconsin, believe in keeping their show animals in good condition during ths show season. They say that with this treatment the heifers develop good size, good conformation, dopth, capacity, and are good feeders. They havo observed no unfavourable effects upon the shape of the udder or upon the usefulness or merits of the animal. Pabst Farms report that they have •not observed any particularly unfavourable effects upon the shape of the udder from maintaining heifers in high condition, but they arc inclined to think that breeding efficiency is greater when they aro kept in ordinary condition.

Dr. H. P. Fischer, Minnesota, keeps all his calves in fairly good condition, not quite in show shape, and by doing so he finds that'all the calves that come through in good shape during their calf age always are his largest cows. In other words, large cows are- developed ‘during their first years of life.