CATTLE

PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION

Leahcim Dela Salde

II-BSABE-A
CATTLE
 Large ruminant animals with horns and
cloven hoofs, domesticated for meat or
milk, or beasts of burden.

Cattle

Beef cattle for meat Dual purpose cattle

Dairy cattle for
production for beef and milk
milk production
 RAISING CATTLE
Things to consider before starting cattle
production

 Breeding stock (1 bull – 25 cows)

 Housing and equipment

 Feeding

 Health management
BREEDING STOCK
 Breeds for cattle production may be local
(indigenous) or foreign (exotic).

Mating
Mating takes place when the cow is on heat.

Heat is repeated every 21 days.

The main sign of heat is that the female

mounts other cows and allows others to mount
it. It becomes restless and the vulva becomes
red.
 COWS BULLS

They should have well They should have well

developed udder and teats developed testes of equal size

They should have large hind They should have very strong
quarters hind legs

They must be docile and have They should be very active

good mothering ability and not shy

They should have good body They should have good body
conformation conformation.
HOUSING AND EQUIPMENT
 Simple housing made from locally available materials may
be used for construction of kraals.
 Materials required for housing include bamboo tree
branches wood scantling and thatch, floor space for
housing is 2.5-3m2 per cattle.
 The site for housing should be located on the outskirts of
the town and have adequate supply of water. It should be
well ventilated.
FEEDING

* Cattle are ruminant herbivores so they feed mainly on grass

* For semi intensive system, cattle are sent out to graze during the
day
*Pastures may also be developed to feed the animals
*About one acre of developed pasture may be adequate for matured
cattle a year.
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Improved health management requires regular cleaning of
kraals and vaccination of the animals against scheduled
diseases.

foot & mouth disease Anthrax

 Brucellosis

Lumpy skin Rinderpest

HUSBANDRY PRACTICES
 Castrate males at 3-6 months

 Trim hoof when required

 Dehorn/disbud at 1-2 months old

 Clean kraals and pens daily

 Dip/spray against ecto-parasites frequently in the

wet season.

 SSDeworm young animals regularly

PRODUCTION PARAMETERS INVOLVING
IMPROVED BREEDS (CROSSBREEDS)

Gestation period 9 months

Age at weaning 3-4 months

Litter size 1

Calving index 1

Fertility rate 70%

Age of first mating 2 years

Thank you !