Cattle farming

29/07/2022

Dairy farming has been part of agriculture for thousands of years. Dairy cows are bred specifically to produce large quantities of milk.

Dairy cows are required to give birth to one calf annually in order to produce milk for 10 months of the year. They are usually artificially inseminated within three months of giving birth.

Dairy cows can often only produce very high milk yields for an average of 3 years, after which they are slaughtered and the meat is normally used for beef.

29/07/2022

SELECTION OF DAIRY CATTLE
Proper selection is the first and the most important step to be adopted in dairying. Records are the basis of selection and hence proper identification of animals and record keeping is essential. Cross-breed animals with exotic inheritance of about 50 percent are preferable. This preference is based on comparison of the performance of the animals with different percentage of exotic inheritance. Fifty percent of the native germplasm is helpful to retain the adaptability, heat tolerance and disease resistance traits of local animals, in cross breeds. The utilization of the Zebu (Sahiwal) germplasm in the formation of breeds like Australian Friesian Sahiwal (50% of Holstein and 50% Sahiwal) and its international recognition as a breed for the tropics is an example.
Maintaining animals sustainable to the situation is the best policy. Bringing animals from different agro-climatic conditions causes problems due to non-adjustment in many cases. In case, purchase becomes absolutely essential it should be from similar environmental conditions as far as possible.
General selection procedures for dairy breeds
Selection of dairy cows
Selecting a calf in calf show, a cow in cattle show by judging is an art. A dairy farmer should build up his own herd by breeding his own herd. Following guidelines will be useful for selection of a diary cow.
whenever an animal is purchased from a cattle fair, it should be selected based upon its breed characters and milk producing ability
History sheet or pedigree sheet which are generally maintained in organized farms reveals the complete history of animal
The maximum yields by dairy cows are noticed during the first five lactations. So generally selection should be carried out during First or Second lactation and that too are month after calving.
There successive complete milking has to be done and an average of it will give a fair idea regarding production by a particular animal.
A cow should allow anybody to milk, and should be docile.
It is better to purchase the animals during the months of October and November.
Maximum yield is noticed till 90 days after calving.
Breed characteristics of high yielding dairy cows
Attractive individuality with feminity, vigour, harmonious blending of all parts, impressive style and carriage
Animal should have wedge shaped appearance of the body
It should have bright eyes with lean neck
The udder should be well attached to the abdomen
The skin of the udder should have a good network of blood vessels
All four quarters of the udder should be well demarcated

13/07/2022

Cattle Farming - Animal Husbandry
Animal Husbandry
Cattle Farming
Farm Management
Since time immemorial, animals have been an integral part of our food. They have been used to obtain food like milk, eggs, meat, etc. Other than the food, we use them even for some basic requirements like wool, silk, labour, etc. The population has reached its peak, especially in a country like India. The population explosion has led to greater demand for basic requirements such as food, shelter, clothing, etc. To meet the increasing requirements and demands we need to apply a greater effort. One such effort to meet the food demand is animal husbandry. Animal husbandry includes cattle farming, poultry farming, fisheries, apiculture, etc. Here we will learn about cattle farming.
Animal Husbandry
Animal husbandry is the science of farming animal livestock. It includes caring for, breeding and management of livestock. Animal husbandry is a large-scale business where animals that provide us food are reared, bred, sheltered and cared for in a farm or in regions which are specially built for them. Animal husbandry was initiated with cattle farming. Under cattle farming, livestock such as cows, goats, buffalo, sheep, etc. is reared. Later, animal husbandry was even extended to poultry farming, fisheries, apiculture, etc. And this extends a helping hand to the increasing needs of the generations.
Cattle Farming
Cattle farming involves the rearing and management of two types of animals- one group for food requirements like milk and another for labour purposes like ploughing, irrigation, etc. Animals which provide milk are called milch/dairy animals. For example, goats, buffalo, cows, etc. Animals which are used for labour are called draught animals.
Since dairy animals are cared for and bred for milk, we need to improve milk production to meet the requirements. The period after the birth of a calf, when a cow starts to produce milk, is called the lactation period. We can enhance milk production by increasing this lactation period. But along with milk production, quality must also meet. Dairy farm management is the management of the milch animals with the goal of enhancing the quantity and quality of the milk produced. For this reason, high-yielding and disease-resistant breeds are developed.
For example, foreign breeds like Jersey, Holstein-Friesian, and Brown Swiss, have long lactation periods while local breeds like Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, and Gir are known for their disease-resistant trait. The breeding of these two varieties helped us to enhance the quantity and quality of the milk produced.
Farm Management
Cattle farming is not all about milk or meat production. It also comes with some responsibilities. To meet human requirements, we need to take good care and need proper management of livestock.
Shelter
In cattle farming, animals are maintained in a strictly hygienic manner with proper housing. For maintenance, we need to follow some routines.
Animals and their sheds need to be cleaned at regular intervals.
Animals should be brushed regularly to remove the dirt and bugs in their body.
The shed should be well-ventilated and roofed so that animals are protected from rain, heat, and cold.
A proper drainage system should be there to remove animal waste.
Food
Food requirements of animals are also a part of cattle farming. To maintain high-yielding and disease-resistant breeds, they must be provided with an adequate water supply and nutrient-rich fodder regularly according to their needs. In cattle farming, two factors are considered regarding the food of cattle. The food that is provided must keep the animals healthy as well as should meet the farming requirement. Hence, animal feed includes roughage (high fibre content) and concentrates (high proteins and nutrient content). In addition to this, supplements containing micronutrients are also provided to animals. An adequate proportion of these rations promote healthy and high-output animals.
Cattle Farming
Disease Management
The third responsibility of cattle farming management is to maintain disease-free breeds. Animals are not an exception to disease. They also suffer from numerous diseases. This may affect the health as well as productivity of animals; even cause their death. Parasites, bacteria, and viruses are the major villains here. These microbes infect the cattle externally as well as internally. Vaccination is the one solution for the protection against bacterial and viral infections.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q.1. The other name for Splenic fever is
FMD
Anthrax
Cowpox
Mastitis
A.1. The other name for Splenic fever is Anthrax
Q.2. Name the largest part of the ruminant stomach.

A.2. The largest part of the ruminant stomach is the rumen
Q.3. What is Galactopoiesis?
A.3. The maintenance of milk production is referred to as galactopoiesis. This phase needs prolactin. For the milk let-down reflex to be generated, oxytocin is crucial for the response of suckling. Galactorrhea is the production of milk that is irrelevant to the process of nursing.
Q.4. What are the benefits of cattle farming?
A.4. Listed below are the benefits of cattle farming:
Milk cattle are extensively used for milk production
The draught cattle are widely used for the labour in association with streams like agriculture where they are used in carting and irrigation
The cattle farm is known to increase the overall revenue for the farmers and improves their standard of living
The animal waste that is produced can be used as a source of manure for soil enrichment and as a source of biofuel.
It is a source of employment for a huge number of people.
Q.5. Write about the importance of animal husbandry in India.
A.5. Animal husbandry is of paramount importance in India, listed below are some chief points stating its importance:
It provides livestock production
It is an indispensable part of the process of crop farming which significantly contributes to the household food security and community nutrition
Animal husbandry provides some main products such as wool, skin, and mutton that are obtained from the sheep
Milk is produced by cows, buffaloes, etc
It provides a means to curb poverty through a rise in the household income
Crop-farming is formed by an elemental part, the livestock production by participating in poverty elevation via increased income.

10/07/2022

Quality calf rearing
Rearing a newborn calf can be extremely challenging and requires much patience and commitment. The key to success is keeping the calf in a comfortable environment, well fed and free of sickness.
Calves must be kept in a clean environment with access to a dry and draught free shed area. During wet periods hand reared calves may need to be moved into the dry area until they get used to going there themselves.
Newborn calves
Orphan calves often show signs of dehydration, depression, lack of appetite or scouring. If the calf is to survive, proper care during the first 24 hours is critical.
It is essential for the newborn calf to receive colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk that a mother produces. Colostrum provides passive immunity to disease and helps build up vitamin and mineral levels. The new-born calf should get colostrum within the first 36 hours of birth – either from a mother or artificial sources. A supply of frozen colostrum can be kept in the freezer, while some milk replacers also contain colostrum. Once the calf has received colostrum, it can be fed solely on whole milk or milk replacers. It is handy to have a bottle of colostrum in the freezer to feed newborn calves that may not have drunk from their mothers. Warm it up to 36°C before feeding and if you have ample supply, feed it for the first two days (normally up to 2L per feed), in the morning and evening.
Dehydrated calves
The calf should be rehydrated before getting any milk. Feeding a dehydrated calf with milk often results in scours and possibly death. Electrolyte mixtures are commercially available or can be mixed at home from 1 teaspoon table salt, ½ teaspoon baking soda and 125mL glucose in 1.2L of water. Electrolyte should be fed for at least 24 hours before milk is given.
Teat or bucket feeding
Cattle are ruminants and have four stomachs. At birth, the abomasum or fourth stomach is the only stomach that is functioning. Feeding using teats may be harder work however when a calf sucks, it triggers a reflex which causes a groove in the rumen – the oesophageal groove, to close and direct milk past the rumen and into the abomasum where it is digested. Using a teat may also stimulate saliva production and maintain fluid intake in scouring calves. Teats have to be kept clean and replaced when they deteriorate.
In contrast if a calf drinks from a bucket, the reflex is often not activated and the milk goes into the rumen. As the rumen is not functioning the milk is not digested and ferments causing the calf to scour. If a bucket is used, its base should be placed at least 30cm above the ground to help the oesophageal groove to close. To train a calf to drink from a bucket, back it into a corner, stand astride its neck and place two fingers moistened with milk into its mouth. Whichever method is used, each calf must receive a measured amount of milk daily.
As the calf grows and starts to graze, the other stomachs (rumen, reticulum and omasum) start to develop. Therefore, it is important to provide clean, good quality hay for the calf to eat to help stimulate rumen development.
Controlling sickness
Scouring can quickly lead to death. A scouring calf should be taken off milk for at least four hours and fed electrolytes. If scours continue, treatment with commercial medication may be warranted, in consultation with a vet. Scour medication should be kept on hand as early treatment can mean the difference between cure and the loss of the calf. Isolate sick calves.
Practicing good hygiene and discarding teats as they deteriorate will help control sickness in hand reared calves.
A fresh supply of cool clean water should be available at all times and will help keep calves healthy. Calves will begin to drink water between one and two weeks of age and, by six weeks, may drink 4–5L a day. Feeding milk once or twice a day does not supply enough water. Calves eating meal may foul the water trough necessitating regular cleaning.
Calves need to have contact with other animals whose rumen is developed to allow them to ‘pick up’ microbes that digest the food in the rumen. These microbes are thought to pass from one animal to another by licking and grazing common ground.
Tips for a successful calf-feeding program
Milk replacers should contain at least 20% protein and 10% fat and no more than 10% starch and sugars (sucrose). Milk replacers should be reconstituted and fed as directed by the manufacturers.
Increasing the proportion of powder is often recommended for once-a-day feeding to reduce the total volume required.
When rearing a large number of calves, it is best to draft them according to their feeding habit.
Milk should be given in separate feeds in the morning and evening, preferably at a regular time. As the calf gets older, one feed per day is acceptable – preferably in the morning with access to plenty of cool, clean water thereafter. Split feeding is ideal.
It is essential to practice good hygiene at all times whilst rearing calves.
Do not over-feed calves, especially during their first three weeks of life, as it may cause scouring. As a guide milk should be fed at 10% of the calf’s body weight per day. Thus, a 30kg calf should be fed at least 3L of whole milk per day.
Start baby and weak calves on 250mL of milk, five times a day for the first 24–48 hours and work up to 2L twice a day.
The best milk temperature is between 35°C and 38°C, but it may be fed as cold as 6°C.
Do not suddenly change the quantity of milk being fed.
Always provide clean fresh water.
As calves grow they will drink more, however, milk replacer is expensive. It is often cheaper to supplement the calf with pellets/grain. Make this available to calves all the time. They will gradually increase their intake of a grain supplement as they grow. This will also make them easier to wean.
Solid feed such as good quality hay and concentrates can be introduced in limited amounts from one to two weeks of age.
Weaning off milk
Calves may be weaned successfully at a young age; however, providing some milk up to 12 weeks often gives the calf the best opportunity to grow.
If the calf has been offered solids from one week of age, it might be weaned off milk after five weeks of age.
Weaning should be based on concentrate consumption of at least 650g of meal a day—not on age. As some calves will reach the target consumption earlier, it is best to feed concentrates separately with more than one calf.
Weaning can be abrupt or by reducing milk over a one-week period.
The weaned calf will require intensive management. Poor management and poor nutrition at this early age may result in a stunted calf that will never recover.
Young calves need a diet of 18–20% crude protein with high energy levels of about 11–12MJ.
It is important to clean out old feed, i.e. just keep small amounts at any one time in the feed trough.
Feeding solid feed
The calf should have access to hay and concentrates from one week to stimulate rumen activity. The rumen is usually functioning well by 10–12 weeks.
They can be fed high quality baby calf meals or pellets after about five weeks of age.
Avoid giving excessive green grass in the first 6–8 weeks of age to prevent any digestive upsets.
Concentrates can be introduced by placing a small amount in the milking bucket. As the calf finishes drinking, rub a little concentrate on its muzzle to encourage the calf to taste it.
By three weeks of age, a calf should be able to digest small amounts of grain, meals hay and, where possible, be given access to young green pasture. Feed changes should be introduced slowly.
Depending on the quality of the pasture, supplementary hay and concentrates may be needed until the calf is at least 120kg live weight.
Calf concentrates should be highly palatable, coarse-textured, high in energy (12MJ ME/kg or better) and protein (over 16%) and low in roughage (less than 15%). A simple home-mix could consist of four parts cracked or crushed grain (oats, barley, maize or wheat) and one part linseed, soybean, peanut, copra or cottonseed meal. A small amount of molasses may be added to make the mix more palatable.
Adding a rumen modifier such grain mixes will assist rumen activity and help prevent coccidiosis. Rumen sin can be included, according to the manufacturers recommendations, in premixed meals, pellets and molasses-based mixes. It is not recommended for inclusion in urea-based supplements as it is difficult to mix the small quantities required evenly.
Inappropriate doses of Rumen sin are toxic to calves. Rumen sin is toxic to horses and other monogastric animals.
Calves need both rumen degradable and bypass protein from a natural source such as protein meals.
Non-protein nitrogen sources such as urea are not suitable for young calves.
Good grassy hay is best for young calves—prime lucerne may cause scouring. It should free of mould and weeds.
If pasture is scarce or of poor quality, supplement it with good quality hay.
Rearing a calf can be very rewarding. By following the steps above you should be able to rear a healthy animal that will probably become the farm pet. Contact your local beef advisor for further information or discussion if needed.
For more information on feeding older calves see Weaner supplements.
Rebecca Gunther and Ross Warren, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

10/07/2022

Calf rearing
From feeding colostrum and weaning to monitoring growth rates and disease control, our information and resources can help you to manage your dairy calves at this crucial stage.
Rearing dairy heifer calves is the second-largest annual expense for dairy farms, accounting for about 20% of production costs. Yet heifers produce no income until they reach first lactation and, often, no profit until their second lactation. However, with the best management, they will repay the investment in rearing costs with higher milk production and a longer productive life.
Colostrum management
Learn how much colostrum to feed and when, as well as how to collect, test and feed colostrum to make sure the calf gets crucial antibodies.

28/06/2022

In case you are a beginner, here is a step-by-step guide for you about how to start with the cattle farm business, and by the end of this guide, you will be knowledgeable enough about how to go with your business and how to operate it successfully.
Steps to Start a Cattle Farming Business
Before we guide you step by step about your cattle farming business make sure that you have
A sizeable area of land where you can shelter the animals
Think about the particular breed of cattle you want
A boundary wall or fences to protect the cattle
Troughs made for feeding
All types of equipment required for farming
If possible, then a tractor
Once you are sure about these required items, you can move on to how to start your business. So, here we begin.
1. You Need a Business Plan to Start With!
Writing a business plan is essential, as it will help you out in sorting with every aspect. Suppose you want your business plan to be right then. In that case, it must cover the cost of establishment, the cost of purchasing animals, salary for the staff, the cost of cattle maintenance and their food, overheads, and the management of the pastures.
It would be best if you also kept planning regarding the situations of emergency so that it would not trouble you. Also, insurance purchasing for your animals will be a fruitful decision as you do not know what unforeseen occurrences you may encounter in the future. In a nutshell, a good business is the one that will provide you a solution when you are helpless.
2. Choosing a Location for the Farm
One of the most critical factors in cattle farming is selecting the ideal location for your business. Facilities like transportation and edible vegetation are very much required. It is best if you already have land, as purchasing may cost a lot.
Make sure to contact the office of local agriculture to have an idea about the vegetation, type of soil, rate of the stocks market, the capacity to carry pastures, demands of the market, and other criteria.
3. Purchasing of Machinery and Other Required Types of Equipment
You cannot just work with man labor as you require machine power to carry out specific tasks. Always regulate the size of your farm, the type of operation that you will be working on, the condition of your finance, and the facilities like- fencing, a shelter for cattle, feeding them, etc.
The bunks and watering facility is also required to be included.
4. Building Shelters for Your Cattle farming
The shelter is the mandatory factor for your cattle. To keep your cattle safe and secure, you have to build many parlors. In case you are planning on a dairy business, then you will require stanchions with parlors.
Beef cattle require barns for themselves. You do not have to worry about them much.
Water providing source is required to keep your cattle hydrated and your pastures green.
You may also require the installation of plumbing and other irrigation systems for your barn.
You will have to make stands that will hold the cows and other animals. Beef cattle do not require much maintenance, as just sheltering them is enough.
5. Decide the Purpose of Your Farm
Decide on the type of breed of cattle that you want to farm on. The maintenance and budget differ from each breed, so plan accordingly. Most of the time, beginners start it with dairy products or beef.
Raising dairy cattle requires more maintenance and types of equipment in comparison to raising beef cattle. Sort it out before so that you do not get confused.
There are many cattle breeds that you can choose from. However, each cattle has its maintenance and advantages. However, always choose a breed that is readily available in your area. Do not choose something that may not be compatible with the vegetation or even the climatic condition. It is going to be your loss then.
Ayrshire, Jersey, Holstein, and Brown Swiss are some famous and common dairy cattle breeds. These are the breeds that are available almost everywhere.

14/06/2022