Dairy Cattle and Milk Production; Prepared for the Use of Agricultural College Students and Dairy Farmers (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 edition. Excerpt: ...bull is seldom kept past three or four years of age. In this country a young bull is generally preferred by the average dairyman, mostly because a young one is easier handled and shipped than an aged one, and perhaps because on account of improper care the aged animal often is an uncertain breeder. There is one danger connected with the aged bull that should be understood and guarded against. This is the possible introduction of contagious abortion into the herd. The greatest precautions should be taken on this point, and unless the buyer is satisfied the bull has not been contaminated with this disease, a young calf should be selected which is free from abortion, even if coming from a herd where the trouble exists. Effect of Age of Dam upon Prepotency of the Bull.--The question of whether a bull which is the first calf of a heifer is as likely to transmit dairy qualities to the same degree as a son of the same cow after she is mature and has made large milk records, is one of importance that remains to be settled. It is believed by breeders of race horses that the racing qualities are transmitted better by mature and trained racing parents. At any rate, it is not wise to select the first calf of a heifer for a herd bull unless the calf is old enough so the heifer has had opportunity to demonstrate her dairy qualities. CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BULL The bull calf designed for breeding purposes should be well fed from birth to maturity. The object in view in making such a recommendation is to allow the animal to develop to its limit. An underfed animal remains undersized, and while his progeny will not necessarily be smaller on account of a characteristic caused in this way, it is impossible to know whether his undersize has been caused...