HOW EARLY SHOULD HEIFERS BREED?

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1686, 22 June 1904, Page 62

HOW EARLY SHOULD HEIFERS BREED?

This is a very disputed question on which we can only venture to state die arguments employed on either sides, and the facts that have been adduced in support of them. Up to a comparatively recent period popular opinions in agricultural circles were very opposed to very early breeding; three years old being deemed quite early enough for any heifer to produce her first calf This was based mainly on the assumption that if a heifer be permitted to bear a calf at two years old or before she had time to complete her natural growth, there would be cessation of the latter, with the result of the animal ever after having diminutive form compared to those which had not been allowed to breed so soon. A great many breeders of pedigree stock not only still hold this opinion, but make it a rule of management in their herds. They are often able to point out object lessons to inquirers in the stunted forms of cows, which at an early age took stolen service. Those who hold the contrary opinion plead that heifers allowed to breed as early as they have the propensity to take service for it are invariably found to be the best milkers, and likewise the most regular and prolific breeders. Abundant evidence is afforded to prove this, culled from private registers of breeders, and the testimony of dairy farmers and herdsmen. So far it would appear to be a question for decision between perfect development of the form and symmetrical merit, with attainment of superiority for grazing, the showyards, or the pedigree market, and Obtaining valuable breeders and buttermilk-yielders. Showyard exhibitors and those who breed fashionable and highly-reputed strains of pedigrees have always gone in stronaly for the

former, and based their management thereon, while breeders of the Jersey and other dairy herds, the value of Avhose offgoing stock is very much determined by lacteal prolificacy, are accustomed very fenerally to allow their young heifers to reed as soon as they exhibit the slightest inclination thereto.

But the question does not entirely rest here, for the inquiry to be taken into,consideration in regard to the stunted forms of oows that bred calves at two years old, whether that defect might not haye been prevented partially, if not Avholly, by better feeding. Many breeders are accustomea to keep theii yearling stock chiefly on straiv diet, with a feiv roots or a little oil-cake added. This is very general with ordinary non-pedigree cattle, and not uncommon in some pedigree herds. If such a kind of feeding Avere only calculated to sustain slow groAvth, it would be ill-fitted for immature pregnant animals. Early breeding is similar to early maturity in This respect, both require moderately high feeding from birth until a full stature of growth has been attained.

Moreover, another question arises to mount itself stiffly on the latter fact, and demanding acknoAvledgment that if high . feeding acts in tliis direction beneficially it must of necessity Avork just' as adversely Avhen the heifer instead of being permitted to breed is trained for the showyard as if to Avin prizes Avere its solo vocation. The result that ensues is AA rellknoAvn. Because she Avas not allowed to breed when she Avanted to, she is oblivious to anything of the kind eA r er after, and has to be sacrificed for beef. ±‘ho point of inquiry, then, is not Avhetlier if shoAvyard yearlings Avere allowed to take service tney would not be preserved from their deplorable fate. That may almost be taken for granted, but the supposition has been broached that they would bo /

little, if anything, the Avorse to slioav heifers at tAvo 3 r ears old, Avliether with young calves at foot or pregnant. This can, of course, be only determined by*’ testing the point.