RUGGING OF CATTLE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20272, 14 August 1937, Page 26 (Supplement)

RUGGING OF CATTLE.

ADVANTAGES OF SYSTEM. For humane reasons the rugging of dairy cattle during cold weather is to be commended, but it is also richly s worth while upon the score of economy. Rugging at night time is always advisable and upon bleak, cold days rugs j should not be removed. It. is a mis- ■ take, however, to leave rugs on cattle ' during warm, sunny days. 'l’ho rugs are not needed at such time, and indeed much of the benefit, of rugging is lost if used injudiciously.. The chief economic advantage of ruggfng is derived from the retention , of a large amount of animal heat . which otherwise would need to he maintained by the consumption of ad- | dltional food. Excessive loss of animal heat is reflected in a corresponding | decrease in milk yield. Rugging is therefore a distinct economy measure, I which Is all the more valuable when nutritious, well-balanced pasture is I at a premium and supplementary feed- f Ing with expensive concentrates is i Strongly made canvas rugs arc oh- i talnabie at a very reasonable price, \ but effective rugs may be easily made < from old corn-sacks. The natural j grease of llie cow’s skin soon makes i 11 to inside of tho sack waterproof. ( The need for rugging is not so great \ if cattle have access to a well-slid- . tered paddock at night time, in ad- j ditlon to the humane and economy as- f poets of rugging, the effect upon Hie s health of the animals is also consid- f era Id e. Colds, chills, tubercular ( troubles, and to a degree mamniitis .. may 2>.' prevented by affording efficient protection from inclement weather. j When rugs are kept on continuously a certain amount of dialing is inevitmay sometimes result. When the rugs v arc taken off they •should bo hung in to sweeten and dev. £