EARLY BREEDING FOR DAIRYING.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2784, 1 May 1911, Page 3

EARLY BREEDING FOR DAIRYING.

AN INTERESTING OPINION

" The 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 theoretical point of view, there is something to be, said in support of this opinion, but, nevertheless, practice goes to prove that heifers are not prejudicially affected in their growth or constitution by beine bred from a comparatively early age provided that they are in a nicely for- , ward condition at the time of service and during the time they are. in calt kept liberally. Under the circumstances, early breeding—within reasonable limits, of course —would not appear to entail any ill-effect 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 heiier are in an undeveloped state, but when she is bred irom and becomes in-calf, the development ot 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 subsequent calling into play of the milksecreting organs in the calving clown heifer also serve to develop them, and in this way her milking powers are in-

creased

" Whilst early breeding from an immature heifer thus does not entail any unfavourable consequences in so far as the heifer herseli is concerned, the same cannot be said with regard to the offspring which sh<^ produces as the result of such 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 inferior in breeding value to those produced by cows which have reached maturity, and it is not advisable to retain such calves for breeding purposes. Better they should go ior veal. No doubt when the heifer is put to an old bull a great deal is done in the way of improving a call dropped, early, but very often it is inadvisable to breed from a adult bull, as his weight is gen-

erally very great,

"In heifers which are not bred from

until a comparatively late stage the milk-secreting qrgans are allowed to remain dormant too long, and do not develop to their full extent, because when a heifer approaches maturity these organs are no longer stimulated to further development by 1 breeding. Cows intended for dairying purposes should certainly not be allowed to get unduly old before put to the bull.

" The 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 in milk, owing, no doubt, to the deterioration of the grass. There is nothing like a good supply of grass for maintaining milk yield. Of course, there must alvvaya be a gradual tailing off in the quantity and quality of milk, but that diminution is greater where the herbage becomes scanty and dry than when it is abundant and supplemented by green forage. No better plan can be adopted with dairy farmers than reserving pastures where this is possible, or supplying such suitable forage corps as can be grown with confidence and success. A nitrogenous diet is the one most needed by dairy cows, and this is supplied by yonug grass and clover, whilst the use of succulent foods now and again is good. If a cow has to rely chiefly upon a large quantity of poor herbage or watery food the milk will become correspondingly poorer in solids, notable butter-tat."