CRUELTY TO BOBBY CALVES.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19659, 20 August 1935, Page 9

CRUELTY TO BOBBY CALVES.

(To the Editor.) Sir. —I was rather surprised to read the letter of Mr E. M. Masters under the above heading, and I do not know why he should have been moved to an effort to maintain the respectable appearance of the bobby call' industry. Referring to recent statements which have been made, about cruel treatment of the calves, he admits Lhat “there is some truth in the statements.” He refrains from making any favourable comment on the efforts which have been made to point out this cruelty. Mr Masters'seems satisfied that it rests with the law to enforce certain provisions mentioned by him, which he believes would eliminate the cruelty; but let, us •consider the solutions he puts forward. The first is [hat “all calves must be fed on new milk for five days before being taken as bobbies.” How can the age of calves be proved, or what feeding they have had? I have known of calves being sent away not 24 hours old- The appearance of other calves betrays' the fact that they have been kept waiting for the lorry a day or two without food, several hours of Lhat time being spent tied to a fence on Ihe roadside, where the ground is wet, and perhaps muddy, and where there is no protection from the bleak winds and cold rain. Discomfort becomes more acute in every respect when they are cn route on lorry and rail. As reports show, a number of calves die from cruel treatment before they reach their destination. Yet 'calves have wonderful endurance. I have worked among dairy herds for about 11 years, so know something about what 1 am speaking of- 1 have seen a newly-born calf which was lost for over a week during cold, wet weather, during which lime it had only gras-s to live on, and though it was puinlully thin when found it was still strong and well Mr Masters says there is also a provision that no milk or cream is to be sent to a factory! until four full days after calving. 1 say this is another provision impossible to enforce, though lire idea he a good one. _ Some cows give suspicious-looking milk for a week or more; others, especia.ly heifers, for only a day nr two. The point is that though the provision be complied with it does not, usually mean that four days’ milk is fed to the bobby calf. Mosl farmers save lheir heifer calves, which are fed on ail the procurable colostrum, or perhaps it goes to the pigs. Mr .Masters says a further regulation should lie that all calves must be sent to tiie nearest works. Even if they arc, how much will it avail with the' present compulsory railing system. which prevents lorries in many instances from delivering direct to the works and causing the animals long delays en route? This system surety reveals the height of callousness on the part of the Government. Yet Mr Masters concludes by saying: “Tlieretoi'c, all that is necessary is to rigidly enforce present regulations. There is no need to go further.” Alas for Mr .Masters’ realism!— 1 am. etc., H. E. HANSEN. Orini, August. IS. 1935. /