EARLY BREEDING FOR DAIRYING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1110, 25 April 1911, Page 10

EARLY BREEDING FOR DAIRYING.

'AN INTERESTING OPINION. "T,ho opinion is not infrequently expressed," says an article in the "Farmer and; Stockbreeder" (London), "that early breeding is to. be 'avoided in young heifers, and that this practice has a very detrimental effect upon the ■ultimate growth of the heifer, and not only that, but it is contended that the constitution is seriously impaired.

"No doubt, looking at it from a theo.retioal point of view, there is something >to be .said in support of this opinion, but," nevertheless, practico goes to prove.that heifers are not prejudicially affected in their growth or by being bred from at a comparatively* early, age provided that they are in a nicer ly forward condition at the time of service and during the time they are in caif ■kept liberally. Under the circumstances, early breeding—within reasonable; limits, of course—would not appear to entail any ill-effects upon young heifers. ■'. ■

, "Early breeding,' as is well known, tends to promote the milking,powers in cattle to a very great extent, and the reason why this is so is not very far to seek. The milk-secreting organs in the young, immature heifer are in an undeveloped state, but when sho is bred from and becomes in-calf, the development of these organs is naturally much stimulated, in consequence of .the maternal functions being thus brought into activity- at an, early stage. They respond readily to the stimulus, while the'siibsequent calling into play of the milk-secret-ing organs in the calving down heifer also (serves to develop them, and in this way her, milking powers are increased. .-■ ."Whilst early breeding from-an immature heifer, thus does not entail any unfavourable consequences in so far as the Jieifer herself is concerned, the same canriot bo said T/ith regard to the..offspring which, she produces as the .result of suoh an. early'calling into play of the maternal functions, and a careful record should be kept of all stock thus raised, with full details as to date of service, etc., in order to avoid deterioration. It is a well-known fact that calves bred from immature heifers are physically interior, .in breeding value to those pro'-ducedby,-,cows which have .reached; ma-turity,-and it is not advisable; to retain such calves for breeding purposes. Betr tor they should go for veal. No doubt when' the heifer is put to. an old bull a great deal is done in the way of improving a calf dropped early, but very often it is inadvisable to .breed from an adult bull, as his weight is generally very great. ...•-. "In heifers which are not bred from until a.comparatively late stage the , milk-secreting organs are allowed to remain dormant too long, and do not develop to their full extent, because when a heifer approaches' niaturity ..these organs are. no, longer stimulated .to further development by breeding. , Cows intended for:dairying purposes.should certainly Jiot,be allowed tb get unduly old before being put to the bull. ' '" '"1 he. influence, of extra food on the dairy cow is .very marked. •.. During; the months of'autumn, it is'quite'usual for cows to fall off their yield iii milk, owing, no doubt, to the deterioration of tho grass. There is nothing like a good supply of grasl for maintaining/milk, yields,--. Of course,' there' roust. always be a-gradual falling off in tho quantity and quality of milk,' but'that diminution •'is greater where tho herbage becomes scanty and dry than when.it is abundant and supplemented by greenforage. No better plan can be adopted farmers than reserving pastures where this is possible, or supplying such suitablo forage crops as can be. grown with confidence and success. A nitrogenous diet is the one most needed by dairy cows, and 1 this is supplied by young grass and clover, whilst the use of succulent foods now and again is good; If a cow has to rely chiefly u'pon a .large .quantity of poor., herbage or, watery food the milk will become correspondingly poorer in solids, notably butter-fats. ~ . . ~ ' *