Show V fl I Select Breeds for r the Climate The farmer should endeavor end to select select select se se- lect suitable animals for his particular lar environment when he buys males to change the character of his home Y stock In buying a bull the mistake if often orten made of selecting one that is better suited for a warm climate whereas he is expected to be most suitable for a cold one For example we saw some thin coated and skinned bulls not long ago in a far northern district where farmers were seeking to improve their bee beef cattle Such b bulls were out of place for they lacked the heavy overcoat necessary to xo such a a bitter climate On the contrary contrary con con- con con- they would have been comfortable comfortable comfortable comfort comfort- able and valuable farther south and there would have given glyen the best results results re re- suits in breeding As a general proposition si on we want long thick close hair I upon the backs of cattle intended to be fed in cold climates This should be kept In mind when buying bulls for f for r use in such a district and it is f folly to buy buy bulls that have been raised raised raised rais rais- ed in luxury fed in warm barns and bred in such an environment that tl they ey no longer grow the heavy winter overcoat that all cattle grew originally originally nally in a state of nature The West Vest Highland and Galloway breeds of Scottish beef cattle are particularly noted for their great coats of f mossy hair under an outer long-haired long cover cover- ing They were originally bred in rigorous climates where they had to withstand a great deal of ot wet as well as snow and bitter cold Their original nal habitat was also extremely windy and barren In such an environment heavy coats were necessary and without without without with- with out them the cattle would have per per- Nature provided th the require- require ats ts of the case and doubtless will will- always do so in time In modern breeding operations however the breeder cannot afford to leave such matters to nature It is better policy to start right rights with cattle fitted for a special special environment If It a long coat coatis is needed use bulls of a heavily coated breed If a short coat and thin hide are considered best bestas as as for Instance Instance In in- stance in warm climates where shelter shelter shelter shel shel- ter is never necessary and where a heavy coat would be a burden there are cattle especially suited for such circumstances and these should be favored rather than the ones selected for the far north This would seem to be a very simple and sensible argument argument m ment ment nt but looking around around we find that it is is- commonly ignored in startIng starting starting start start- ing in the improved cattle business If this is not so so why do we find herds of every known breed of beef beer cattle h in the far north north north-in in one county or in any small One breed of or these thes is doubtless suited for the particular particular par par- district in which it is found but what of the others One breed would be enough for the farmers of the given district and they would r I make a reputation for that variety of r suitable stock and and so in time command command com com- mand profitable prices and a steady f demand At the same time the other breeds would do better elsewhere and if used in their proper environment environ environ- ment went would give ideal results and satisfaction p r Besides looking for tor heavy coats In cattle erttle Intended for cold climates it Is important to select animals showing other signs of robustness On One would ir do dowell well to avoid aboid cattle with long narrow narrow nar nar- row row faces narrow chests small heart heart- girth long legs and cut up flanks or any anyone one of of- these bad points in the thes s j make up of a feeder Choose the hull bull that is low down and blocky ow on on strong short strong-boned strong legs with witha a big heart-girth heart and little if It any depression depression de de- back bacle ot of of the shoulders or at atthe atthe the chine See to it that he has a straight under-line under and well sprung ribs If he has he is not only robust but a good feeder and the exact opposite opposite site of the bull buH that is very long in inbody inbody r body cut up in the flank like a greyhound grey greyhound grey- grey hound and always looking for good I f ji y d food that fails to put meat upon his his his' back Sometimes the heavy coat of hair cloaks a multitude of bad points In conformation See to it then that there is both a good coat and the combination of other good points we have referred to Lastly remember th the importance of selecting cattle suitable suit suit- able to a given district and often ft n these cattle are the ones already predominating predominating predominating pre pre- dominating there This being the case it is a mistake to go far away from home for breeding stock provided provided pro pro- provided vided suitable ones can be found near at hand A. A. A S. S Alexander in Farmers' Farmers Review |