Cattle breeding: requirements and equipment for keeping

In order for cattle breeding to be successful and profitable, novice breeders need to prepare in advance. This also applies to the creation of the necessary conditions for the life of livestock, and the preparation of fodder, and the profile training of the farmers themselves, especially if before that they had no agricultural experience. Only with an integrated approach will it be possible to successfully grow cattle.

Dairy farm

Choosing the dairy direction of cattle breeding, the farmer should focus on the following factors:

1. Selection of the most productive breed of dairy cattle, suitable for the climate of the region where the farm is located, meeting the tasks set for the farm.
2. High milk yield is the most important characteristic of a dairy herd.
3. Active reproduction.
4. Stamina, minimal susceptibility to disease.
5. Specially prepared room.
6. Feed and hearth systems.
7. Milking machines.
8. Milk storage systems.
9. Heaters for barns and calves.
10. Manure removal and cleaning devices.
11. Fodder storage facilities.
12. Silos.
13. Walk for grazing in warm weather.

These conditions are the basis of a successful business or the creation of a reliable support in the form of a well-organized farm.However, a farmer cannot do without professional training in any case. Even if he did not study as a livestock breeder, the availability of printed and electronic information will help him in his endeavors, will become the basis for success.

Meat Farm

To create a meat farm, a future livestock breeder will need almost the same thing as for breeding dairy cattle. However, the specifics of the process will require the novice farmer to select a meat breed suitable for a particular area, as well as the availability of additional premises for keeping cows with calves, grown and replacement livestock, as well as animals put in for fattening.

It is also important to resolve the issue of slaughtering cattle and selling products in a timely manner, as well as gaining at least basic knowledge about the breeds used. This will help to avoid many complications, diseases and loss of livestock, as well as financial losses, emotional upheavals.

Basic room requirements

The first thing a novice farmer should have is a barn. Its area depends on the number of animals, and the number of premises depends on the type of activity.

For example, keeping breeding stock for the sale of young animals will bring a lot of income, but it will also be costly, because each breed that is bred must be kept in isolation and separated from other animals so as not to get unwanted hybrids.

Russia is a country with a rather harsh climate, so it is necessary to provide comfortable living conditions for cows and calves in winter. To do this, barns must have heating devices, heaters that provide optimal temperatures depending on the time of year. Also, cowsheds should be simple and convenient for cleaning, because cleanliness is one of the important factors in the prevention of livestock diseases.

Equipment required

Each farm, except for a special room, must have the following equipment and facilities:

1. Power supply. If there are frequent power outages or natural disasters in the area where the barn is located, it is necessary to have a backup generator. This will protect animals, especially small calves and pregnant cows, from freezing in the event of a sudden power failure.
2. Water supply. This is important, because in addition to providing drinking water, animals need to be looked after, cleaned, washed rooms, kept milk containers, feeders and other equipment clean.
3. Milking machines.
4. Milk containers for collecting and storing the product.
5. Feeders, feed containers.
6. Dispensers.
7. Tools for cleaning rooms.
8. Stall equipment.
9. Accessories and overalls for service personnel.
10. Cattle first aid kit.
11. First aid kit for people.
12. External and internal thermometers.
13. Silos or pits.

In addition, other additional equipment, instruments and devices may be required in different cases.

Recruitment

For a large farm, it is highly desirable to have your own veterinarian. This is important if the company is located far away, and it will be difficult to call a doctor. Its presence will save the farmer from dozens of cases of livestock disease, and will also become a help during calving.

The following staff must be provided on each farm:

1. Korovnitz.
2. Calf.
3. Cleaners.
4. Milk collectors.
5. Milkmaid.
6. Service workers and so on.

Besides this, it is important to have a professionally trained and experienced leadership team. If the farm owner can also manage the farm, then an experienced specialist must conduct complex accounting. If there are a large number of employees, a personnel department will also be required, and when breeding thoroughbred cattle for the sale of young animals, a specialist in this field.

Further selection of employees is connected with the characteristics and size of the farm, its profile. These may be milkmaids in specialized dairy production or full-time butchers, necessary only if the cattle will be slaughtered for meat directly on the spot.

Needs of acquired livestock

Newly acquired animals need to be quarantined and housed in comfortable, warm, lit, clean and ventilated areas. Cows and bulls need a complete balanced diet, enough clean drinking water and a calm, quiet environment.

Bought cattle can be nervous if they come from afar. At first, this can affect the behavior of animals, as well as appetite, sleep, and milk output. While they are adjusting, they need to be kept quiet, not disturbed unnecessarily, and kept away from other cows, especially those with aggressive behavior.

In order for cattle to feel comfortable, multiply, give milk and increase live weight, you need to make an effort. In addition to living in a dry, clean and warm environment, getting quality feed and plenty of water, cows need people's love and attention. It has long been known that music played in the barn increases milk yield and improves the immunity of calves.So the farmer will also have to study animal psychology if he wants to be successful in animal husbandry.

Diet

Feed cattle abundantly, but do not overfeed. For the most part, the food consists of good hay, fresh grass in the warm season if the cows are grazing on a range or pasture, succulent feed and concentrated products, silage.

The specific diet is related to the age of the animal and the purpose of breeding. The volume of food, its variety and calorie content increase during pregnancy and calf feeding, as well as when fattening cattle for meat.

Most of the animal nutrition is monotonous, often consisting of hay, silage, root crops with the addition of animal feed. If the percentage of the latter in the menu is high, cattle need to drink more water to avoid digestive problems.

Sales of products

Cattle can be raised for meat or dairy products for personal use or for sale. In the first case, they keep up to a dozen heads, putting under the knife young animals at 8 months-1.5 years old or using a dairy herd with replacement animals. In the second case, a solid meat farm will bring profit, which will regularly supply products to the market.

It is more profitable to sell the resulting meat, milk and other products on your own. You can do it at the agricultural market, or you can open your own shop, which involves a different level of expenses.

It is also possible to sell livestock and dairy products in bulk, but cattle are accepted "live weight", which implies a minimum payment.Milk is also bought much cheaper than when sold in the market or in a store. But in doing so, the producer saves himself the complications, including the cost of slaughtering, travel, wasting time selling products, market fees, and so on. Which option to choose is a private matter of the farmer. He must soberly assess the benefits and disadvantages of the options and choose the one that will be closer to the manufacturer.

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