IMMATURE CALVES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1939, Page 3

IMMATURE CALVES

DEVELOPMENT OF VEAL. If a substantial and lasting success in the development of a trade in veal is to be achieved, the greatest care must be given to methods of feeding and the condition in which calves are marketed (says the “Australasian”). The trade has already increased the income of the dairy farmer; hitherto it has been the practice on many farms of limited carrying capacity to kill all calves at birth. Some farmers unfortunately have made a practice of sending calves to the meatworks as soon as they are born, and that accounts for the high percentage of condemnations, of .which the principal cause is immaturity. The milk of a newly calved cow is fed to pigs and poultry, and therefore is not wasted, but it should be borne in mind that this milk would show a better return if fed to the new-born calf than if fed to pigs. The value of this milk is often not so much as a weight increaser as a preventer of weight loss. This is true of the larger breeds. With the smaller breeds its value is, of course, primarily for growth. The law provides for a dressed weight of not less than 401 b and ah age of not less than 14 days. Condemned calves are a direct loss to the farmer, and they also involve the meatworks in loss on account of wasted effort and loss of time. Mature veal is a wholesome food article, while immature veal, which has a laxative effect on the consumer, is not allowed on the market for consumption. This loss, due to immature calves, can be avoided if the calf is fed for a few days on its mother’s milk. The calf should weigh 801 b or more before being sent to the meatworks. This live weight will give a dressed carcase of approximately 401 b.