Kazakh white-headed: characteristics of the breed and what calves look like

Farms focused on the production of meat products often choose Kazakh white-headed cows for breeding. Cattle owners consider this breed to be one of the best. The livestock is distinguished by high productivity and unpretentious care. Animals are not afraid of the harsh climate, they easily adapt to different conditions.

History of origin and prevalence

Work on breeding white-headed breed continued for 20 years. In Kazakhstan, a special base was created for these purposes. Breeders for crossing chose local cows and breeding Hereford bulls.For the next attempts left the best animals. Hard work paid off. The breed was officially approved in 1950. Scientists who took part in breeding activities were awarded the state prize, first of the Kazakh Republic, and then of the USSR.

Meat-oriented animals can spend time grazing all year round. Every day they cover about 30 kilometers. The dairy type of cows is also unpretentious in care. Livestock is transferred to enhanced nutrition in winter. This helps keep milk yields high.

The new breed is widespread in Kazakhstan and different regions of Russia. Cows are purchased by livestock complexes in Mongolia and Uzbekistan, and Belarusian farmers breed them. The climate of these countries suits undemanding animals.

Appearance and characteristics of the breed

Kazakh white-headed cows have a number of characteristic features that give importance to the breed. Animal Distinctive Features:

1. White color, which is present in the coloration of the head, belly and at the tip of the tail. The rest has different shades of red.
2. Sturdy, barrel-shaped torso.
3. Due to the large weight, the limbs of animals are short. This length of the legs gives stability during movement.
4. The condition of the coat varies with the season. In winter, the coat becomes thick and wavy, in summer it looks like other cows.
5. Thanks to the elastic skin, the animal easily gains and loses weight several times during the year.

Calves reach 250 kilograms by 8 months of age. An adult bull weighs about 900 kilograms, while cows weigh more than 500.

Milk production indicators depend on the type of animal:

1. Beef cows produce about one and a half tons of milk a year.
2. Meat and dairy milk yields reach 2.5 tons.
3. Dairy varieties allow you to get up to 6 tons within 365 days.

The fat content of the drink is 4.8%. The meat is juicy and tasty, with a characteristic marble layer of fat.

Pros and cons of the Kazakh white-headed breed

White-headed cows combine the best qualities of Hereford bulls and Kalmyk breed.

Pros and consAbility to eat pasture for a long timeAdaptability to different climatic conditionsRapid weight gainMeat quality, especially marbled beefDisease resistanceHigh offspring survival rateElastic skin, which after processing is used to obtain quality productsNeed for extensive pasturesCows do not let anyone near the calves because of the developed instinct of motherhoodThere have been cases when the meat lost marbling for unknown reasons.

The Kazakh white-headed breed has many advantages, and breeders are working to eliminate the shortcomings. Therefore, cows kept at home rarely live to be 25 years old. Livestock enterprises are constantly culling individuals in order to increase productivity.

Subtleties of content

The best conditions for the breed, farmers consider the free keeping of cows on pastures. Animals easily move over considerable distances. The impressive reserves of fat contribute to the preservation of weight. The calves stay with the rest of the livestock. The offspring always has the opportunity to receive the necessary portion of mother's milk.

The arrangement of sheds in pastures makes conditions more comfortable. Bedding made of straw, which is not removed, but only added with new portions of hay, helps to keep warm in winter.

This technology:

1. Does not require large expenses for the maintenance and upkeep of animals.
2. Reduces the cost of rearing young animals.

Cowsheds are also suitable for housing the Kazakh white-headed breed. The arrangement has a number of features:

1. The calf pen is being set up in the middle of the room.
2. Litters are placed around the perimeter of the building, and places for feeding are in the center.
3. Calf cows are kept in separate fenced areas.

This method makes it easier for the farmer to care for the animals and control the livestock.

Meeting plan

Fresh grass, hay and straw form the basis of the diet of white-headed cows. Meat-type animals tolerate roughage well. Stud bulls are supported with grain and legumes. The necessary level of nutrients in the body is supported by the use of vitamin complexes and bone meal.

In winter, cows are transferred to silage. To do this, provide a sufficient supply of corn, sunflower and hay. Beets compensate for the lack of sugar in the diet. Newborn calves up to 3 months feed on colostrum. Gradually, the young are transferred to compound feed. From an adult cow, offspring are weaned after reaching 6 months of age. Up to 1 year of age, the daily diet of calves consists of:

Sulfur Phosphates S alt Hay: legumes Grain Straw 1 kg.Beets 2 kg.Concentrated feed 2 kg.Corn silage 8 kg.

6
35
45
1 kg.
About 3 kg.

As you grow older, the number of products gradually increase. Legumes and beets are excluded from the diet of young animals by the age of two, and the consumption of concentrates and sulfur is reduced.

Breeding rules

Cows reach sexual maturity at 1.5 years. For fertilization, natural methods are used. Artificial methods reduce the chance of conception by 10%. For insemination in the herd, 1 male for 35 adult animals or 1 bull for 25 young females is enough.

The survival rate of offspring of the Kazakh white-headed breed is almost 100%. Reproductive properties of the female retain up to 15 years. During pregnancy, animals are fed heavily. Childbirth is easy, without human help. Usually cows bring 1 calf. During their life, animals are able to reproduce up to 15 heads of offspring. Newborns do not require special care. After the appearance of milk, the cow is again ready for insemination.

Offspring are rapidly gaining weight. Calves consume about 1.5 tons of milk. Meat cows are not milked during this period. All products are used to feed offspring. And by the age of puberty, bulls gain almost 200 kilograms. Any difficulties in the development of animals mean errors in feeding or maintenance. In this case, you need to consult a veterinarian.

Disease prevention

Representatives of the Kazakh white-headed breed usually have strong immunity. Sometimes animals are susceptible to infectious or invasive diseases. Some cows have pathologies of the genital organs.

Diseases affecting cattle:

1. Leptospirosis often results in the death of an animal or the birth of a dead calf in pregnant cows. The virus is transmitted with water or through infected individuals. To prevent infection of the entire herd, patients are isolated for the duration of treatment.
2. Catarrhal fever affects the lungs, intestines or nervous system. Pathology occurs when small and large cattle are kept together.
3. Dirt in the room provokes the development of necrobacteriosis. In the initial stages, the problem is eliminated by using antiseptics.
4. Decreased appetite and feverish condition observed in calves with eimeriosis. In addition to treatment, which is agreed with the veterinarian, preventive maintenance of the premises is carried out. The pen for keeping animals is treated with an ammonia solution.
5. Mastitis is the most common disease in breeding cows. Compresses are applied to the diseased udder and massage is done. In severe cases, antibiotic injections are used. Milk after such treatment is unfit for consumption.

Free keeping of animals on pastures often leads to injuries. Small bruises or scratches are treated with iodine or brilliant green. Deep wounds are sutured, this requires the participation of a doctor.

Where to buy

Cows of the Kazakh white-headed breed are highly valued by farmers. Animals are bred by many farms in Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. In Russia, breeding offspring are offered by livestock complexes in the Urals and in the Volgograd region. The price for young animals starts from 120, for heifers - from 150 rubles per kilogram of live weight. Adults are even more valued.

The most expensive - animals with record productivity. These cows are used to improve the quality of the breed.

Recommendations from veterinarians

The optimal number for breeding the Kazakh white-headed breed is considered to be from 400 heads in the herd. Veterinarians recommend:

1. Inseminate cows in spring and early summer.
2. Do not wean calves from their mother within a month of birth. Milk strengthens the immune system of newborns.
3. Clean the barn and treat the premises from rodents.
4. Organize regular animal vaccinations.

Be aware that Kazakh white-headed cows prefer free movement and do not tolerate close pens. Calm and unpretentious in care, animals of the Kazakh white-headed breed are suitable for breeding by novice farmers. Maintenance costs are low and productivity is high.These factors create conditions for profit.

Recommended