NEEDS OF HERD SIRE

Southland Times, Issue 23047, 14 November 1936, Page 14

NEEDS OF HERD SIRE

Good Feed And Exercise Essential ENSILAGE OF VALUE A point which is not always recognized by dairy farmers is that the herd sire in full service works, almost as hard as the cow in full milk, and in the face of that he requires an equal ration. Unless he is given the necessary amount of good feed the best cannot reasonably be expected of him. In other words, if a farmer stints the feed for the sake of a few pounds a year, he may be a heavy loser as a result. Good pasture, lucerne hay, and some form of concentrate, if not grain, given regularly, will benefit the sire, writes “Cultivator” in The Dominion. If his yard is insufficiently large to provide continuous green picking, it is advisable to supply him each day with green feed in sufficient quantity to enable him to maintain his full vigour, which is most essential.

In some quarters there is an erroneous impression abroad that silage is not good for the bull. This view is without foundation. In cases where prolonged dry spells cause a shortage of natural green growth, a daily ration of up to 151 b of well-conditioned silage serves as an admirable succulent substitute for feeding to the sire. It is inadvisable, however, to exceed this quantity, unless the animal shows signs of falling

away, in which event the balanced ration of ensilage, hay and concentrate may well be increased.

Equally as important a consideration as feed is that of regular exercise. It has been said, and not without justification, that more bulls deteriorate and reach the limit of their effectiveness through lack of exercise than for any other reason. Where unimpaired health and vitality are to be assured, ample exercising of the herd sire is imperative. If this is not obtainable in the yard or enclosure in which the bull is confined, then it must be assured in some other way. There is a rough-and-ready method of keeping the bull fit in vogue on the European continent, which, while it may not be emulated under New Zealand farming and economic conditions, is none the less valuable in emphasizing the necessity for some active equivalent. The peasant in many of the European countries, after feeding his bull well, puts him between the shafts of the farm cart and utilizes him for carting the feed for the members of the herd in other ways dependent on him, and keeps him at the peak of serviceability by haulage tasks of other kinds.