Tips On How To Raise Cattle For Beef - 4 Fundamental Steps That Cattle Owners Need To Know

Raising cattle for beef is different from raising
cattle for dairy products. Each type of cattle
has its own unique requirements for rearing.
There are some important considerations on how
to raise cattle for beef; the same is true in
raising dairy cattle. The following are some of
the most important considerations on how to
raise cattle for beef:

1.) Choose a Beef Cattle Breed - Since raising
cattle is done for its meat, it is only natural
to choose a cattle breed that are best known for
its beef quality. There are literally hundreds of
meat cattle breeds, each one produces a different
quality of meat products. Some of the breeds
known for the quality of its meat include Angus,
Shorthorn, Wagyu, and Hereford cattle.

2.) Production System - There are several beef
productions systems that are adopted by meat
cattle farmers. These systems, listed below, are
basically categorized based on the life stage the
cattle are reared for beef production. Farmers
can focus on a single system or a combination of
some, depending on the goals initially set.

a. Cow-Calf System - Focuses on the production
and selling of calves from a herd of meat
cattle.

b. Seed Stock System - Extensively uses
artificial insemination to produce bulls and
heifers as materials for cow-calf system.

c. Stocker System - Purchasing of weaned
lightweight calves from a producer of meat
cattle calves and then raising the calves until
they reach a certain weight ready for selling.

d. Feeding System - Focuses on feeding to
produce cows that are ready for the market.

3.) Feeding - Feeding constitutes one of the
largest expenses when raising beef cattle,
representing almost 70% of the production cost.
It is self-explanatory on why you should provide
only the highest quality feeds for raising
healthy cows. Cattles raised for their meat
usually have their diet composed of pastures and
stored forages such as hays, baleage, and silage.
However, supplemental feeding of grains and other
special feeds ensures high quality meat.

4.) Facilities - An essential on how to raise
cattle for beef are facilities such as housing,
fencing and handling. A significant amount of
money should be allotted to these facilities.

a. Housing - Cattle doesn't require
sophisticated housings; a stall or an enclosure
would suffice. Just as long as the housing
allows protection from harsh winds and other
inclement weather conditions, it is good.
However, it should be noted that each cow should
have enough dry space to occupy. Grazing pasture
should also be adequate. To ensure healthy
conditions, housing must be kept dry and clean.

b. Fencing - Fences along the boundary of the
farm are necessary to keep the animals from
going astray. Be sure to build fences that are
sturdy and can last for a long time. There are
actually standards on how fences should be built
for cattle farming; it would be wise to consult
these standards.

c. Handling - Another essential on how to raise
cattle for beef is the construction of handling
facilities. These facilities ensure safety for
both the animals and the handlers/farmers.
Handling facilities can aid when it comes to
sorting, vaccination, loading, breeding, and/or
other animal husbandry procedures. Handling
facilities can be as simple as a holding pen
with an alleyway leading to a gate to facilitate
and organize the movement of cows.

Raising cattle is a rewarding task to do; often
full of demands and hard work but nonetheless
enjoyable. It is most satisfying to see all the
hard work paid off when profits from selling
come in. For this to happen, make sure to apply
the consideration on how to raise cattle for
beef listed above.


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Learning about how to raise beef cattle can be an
interesting research and raising cattle for beef
and can really improve the quality of your life.
Arm yourself with enough knowledge on the subject
so you'll be one of the many success stories of
the industry. Just learn more vital tips and go
to: http://www.RaisingBeefCattleGuide.com



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