ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16869, 5 February 1929, Page 4

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

SELECTION AND CARE OF DAIRY HEIFERS (By the Department of Agriculture.) Now that, herd-testing is carried out very extensively, the farmer of today is in a good position to cull and select the heifers in the herd from a definite knowledge of the productive qualities of their dams. Before the advent of herd-testing selection was carried out under difficulties. Type and constitution were the chief factors in selection, and no doubt many Otherwise good calves were destroyed on account of the above limiting factors.. However, it must be remembered that herd-testing, although giving very valuable information, cannot bo depended upon by itself. The best selection can only be made from a considered combination of the results of the test, from type and constitution.

The constitution of the young stock must be maintained at all costs, otherwise neglect of this factor is sure to lead to disaster sooner or later. If constitution takes a prominent place in selection, and the young heifers are given an ample supply of food during their early life, the difficulties met with in calf rearing are reduced to a minimum. Such troubles as scours are usually overcome by I strict attention to cleanliness, and the maintenance of growth by a good supplv of food. A set-back in the early life of the heifer calf is a serious matter, weakening the resisting powers of the body and leaving the calf exposed to the attack of parasites and even tuberculosis. It is rather remarkable when one considers the position of the early life of the voting of our beef breeds in j comparison with that of our dairy: heifers. The former is allowed to suckle the dam until the weaning stage, and the milk thus obtained is by far tin.' best foundation food for the voung animal. The dairy heifer, on the other hand, is only allowed whole milk-for a very short and very often inadequate period. It is a matter of economy that this course has to be taken, but the fact, should not be overlooked, and such substitutional foods as available should be given in a clean manner and in sufficient, quantity to maintain growth throughout the early months. When it is considered that a five-year-old dairy animal yields so much more food for man in the production of cheese, butter and milk than a beef animal of a similar age, the importance of feeding the young dairy heifer cannot be too strongly emphasised. The young heifers in the herd are selected from dams with a milk record backing and even from grandams whose record can be studied. The sire of the young stock should also be selected from a family noted for production. Selecting the best heifers and mating with a young sire with a butter-fat backing, the standard of production in a herd can be gradually built up. The sire should have constitution.and be able to transmit constitution to the young. It is fatal to develop milking properties if constitution is neglected. As the members" of a herd are more contented and yield better returns when dehorned, this operation can be more easily carried out on the young heifer. It is easier to prevent the growth of horns than to remove them later.. All that is necessary in the young calf is to paint the horn button wiVh caustic potash. The caustic stick in wrapped in paper to protect the fingers of the operator. The horn button is moistened and the caustic applied until a raw spot is produced. Care should be taken to see that the caustic as not too moist, as the surrounding skin is liable to be ulcerated if the caustic comes in contact wit#it. The best age to apply the caustic is whet the calf is a few days old.

After the weaning stage is reached the young heifers can be turned on to pasture till early winter, when they require additional food, such as ensilage, or roots and hay. If concentrates are available, from one to two pounds daily will greatly assist the young animal in this important period of its early life. The animal requires sufficient food to keep it growing throughout, these early months. Crushed oats as a concentrate have given as good results as any other foodstuff. • The majority of heifers arc bred from at an early age, in many cases before full growth and maturity have been reached. Such early breeding is detrimental to growth and in some cases in the smaller breeds is done with,this object in view. Although early' breeding is carried out with a view to developing the milking qualities, a certain amount of judgment is necessary, laking into consideration each individual in the herd. Undersized and poor-conditioned animals require more time to complete their growth. It is always better to wait rather than breed at too early an age. The demands on the food supply if such a course is taken are very considerable. The animal must provide for her own bodily growth and also for the developing foetus. Unless a very plentiful supply of good food is allowed, growth is retarded and tttO heifer during her first lactation period has not the reserves necessary ' to carry her over the season. (To be Continued).