There are three basic beef production systems:
1. Cow herd for calf production ( Weaner production)
This system refer to a primary herd of breeding cows that are mated to produce calves. Both heifer and bull calves are produced, whereby some of the following marketing systems can be followed:
- Sold directly from the extensive veld as weaners ( 6 – 8 months of age)
- Heifers are either sold or used as replacement for old cows
- Bull calves are –
- Weaned and sold uncastrated form the veld to a feedlot ( 6 – 8 months of age)
- Castrated and fattened to be sold as steers from the veld ( 18 months and older)
- Young Steers are intensively fattened and finished off to the market ( 18 months and older)
- Sold as steers / Oxen – 3 years and older
2. Pure-breeding
Pure-breeding is done with a specific breed and purpouse to genetically improve that breed. Progeny is classified and sold to either other pure breeders, or to Cow – Calf breeders who are using the purebred bulls or cows in a specific crossbreeding programme, to improve the commercial herd.
Click here for more detail on pure-breeding
3. Cattle Feeders
Cattle feeders can be classified as:
- Speculative beef feeders – This is done either through the buying of steers at various ages and finishing them off to the market, or speculation with cows and calves. Feeding is done either on the veld with supplements or in a more intensive feedlot, or a combination of veld feeding and a feedlot.
- Commercial Feedlots – Weaner calves or young steers are purchased and fattened in an intensive feeding system to be market ready as soon as possible( 4 – 6 months) as slaughter animals to an abattoir.
Selection Criteria
Body and frame size is an important genetic factor in beef cattle production. Historically, size was first estimated by measurements such as height or length. As scales were developed, weight became more common as a measure of size. Measurement and weight are related but their rates of maturity differ.
By 7 months of age, cattle should reach about 80 percent of its mature height but only 35 to 45 percent of its mature weight. At 12 months, about 90 percent of mature height is reached, compared to only 50 to 60 percent of mature weight.
In order to establish a uniform reporting system between breeders, feeders and buyers (Beef marketing agents), a relative simple concept developed over time between role-players. The overall concept of the system is to predict the future mature phenotype characteristics of each calf at a young stage, to determine the calf’s future finishing quality grade.
Introduction to selection
In herd management, you’re continuously confronted with the question: which animals must I select and use to expand my cattle herd. And, which animals should I rather cull or sell.
Selection is the process where you choose certain animals in your herd to become the parents of the next generation of animals.
Have a look at the following video to understand selection better.
So, these animals must grow adequately to reproduce satisfactorily. To match these requirements the animals must be adaptable to the environment. Therefore, you must keep accurate records of each cow’s calving rate to ensure that you don’t keep unproductive animals.
You want to select the best and strongest animals that can procreate the best. This can be done through phenotypic selection, that is, by judging an animal’s physical appearance visually – also known as visual appraisal.
Let’s first look at the female animal, the heifer or cow. As these animals will be the mothers of your calves, it’s very important to select the best to expand your herd. These calves will inherit the traits of the mother.
a. Conformation traits of the cow:
When you look at the conformation or the structure of a good female animal for your breeding herd, her general conformation must be feminine. She shouldn’t look muscular or hefty, but should show feminine muscling. However, you should also consider other traits as well.
Let’s start at the hooves
It must be a strong hoof. A dark or black hoof is preferred to a light, whiter foot.
A dark hoof is less prone to diseases like footrot and is better adapted to rocky or muddy terrain. The size of every cow-heel must be the same.
The hoof toes shouldn’t grow out longer, but should be level to the soles of the feet.
Next you must look at the shape of the animal’s legs
Slender, thin, feminine and straight legs are preferred. You don’t want an animal with thick, lumpy bones. A slender leg is an indication the animal won’t produce calves that are excessively large.
The animal must walk easily and shouldn’t be cow-hocked. Cow-hocked is a condition where the heels point to each other, with the result that they step outwards.
Make sure the animal stands squarely. Both the legs and hooves should point straight forwards. Seen from the side the legs shouldn’t appear too straight and upright. Take note that her hind hooves should step in the front feet tracks.
The next trait to consider is the animal’s udder
You want an animal with a well-developed udder with four functional teats even in size. The udder must be fully developed and produce enough milk to wean her calf. The udder must be well-attached and the teats well-placed. The teats are well-placed when they are situated in the center of the four different quarters.
Next to assess is the hide to see if the hair is smooth
A smooth hide is an indication of the animal’s adaptability to the hot South African climate. Keep in mind that the animal will develop cold winter hair in the season. It is preferable to do selection on hair quality late in the spring when the conditions are warmer already.
Also, remember that the hides of the various breeds differ – they could be smoother or coarser, depending on the breed.
Now we come to the hind quarters
An important point to assess is the rump’s angle. This is the angle from the hipbone to the pinbone. What you want is a slight slope on the animal’s rump.
The pinbones should be placed wide apart to ease calving. It will also facilitate the draining of birth fluids, which in turn prevents infection.
Check whether the tail is placed correctly and hangs straight down.
When an animal has a straight or flat rump it often coincides with a “baboontail” where the tail curves upright at the base of the tail.
A broad rump ensures a broader birth channel. This will ease calving and there’s more room for an udder to develop. This will enable the cow to wean a bigger calf. Breadth also indicates capacity linked to adaptability.
Now we look at the shape of the animal’s head
She must have a feminine head. It should not be coarse. She shouldn’t have excessively high eyebrow ridges, and her eyes shouldn’t appear red.
Dark pigments around the eyes are preferable. She should also have a broad mouth to take in enough feed. The lower and upper jaws should be equal in length and the incisors should meet the top jaw properly.
Also, look at the size of the navel skin
A longer, prominent navel can be damaged easily and cause discomfort to the animal. When the cow gives birth to a bull, this calf could also have a longer sheath that could easily be injured.
Next, you have to judge the midsection
You want to select an animal that is well-rounded. Here you look at the animal from the topline to the belly. If the animal has enough depth along the midsection, it’s an indication that she’ll have the capacity to absorb enough roughage.
The animal should have a good span between the ribs.
This shows capacity and adaptability. It means the ribs should be widely spaced. You also want the ribs to point slightly backwards. Make sure everything is balanced, because you don’t want to select “potbelly” animals.
b. Conformation of the Bull
Now that you know how to look at the physical qualities of the animal, it’s obvious that you should also select the best bull for your breeding herd. The bull is one of the most important animals in your breeding herd.
Improving your herd depends heavily on your bull. If you select a good bull it could benefit you financially, because you’ll be able to breed better weaners on your farm.
Let’s discuss the physical qualities of the bull’s conformation you must consider when selecting the best animal.
Firstly, look at the animal’s hoof
A darker hoof is preferable to a lighter hoof. If the colour of the bull’s hoof is light, it could have difficulties walking across rocky or muddy terrain.
Next comes the bull’s legs
The legs must walk straight and not at an angle. They shouldn’t have large knobs or thick wrists either.
Now you look at the bull’s reproductive organs
Make sure the bull has two testicles. They must be of equal size and have a uniform appearance. Their size must be the same – the same length and the same shape. If one of the testicles is situated higher than the other, or if it is smaller, it’s an indication that the organs aren’t fully developed. This may be a sign of weaker fertility and that you won’t be able to breed optimally with this bull. The testicles shouldn’t hang too low down either, as it could get hurt and that could lead to fertility problems at a later stage.
When looking at the bull’s sheath make sure it doesn’t hang too low.
An easy way to determine this is to draw a line from the front knee to the bull’s hock. The sheath shouldn’t hang below this line.
The sheath should preferably point forwards and not hang straight down.
Furthermore, the prolapse or foreskin shouldn’t hang out. If there is a prolapse, the bull should be able to control it, and it shouldn’t be too long.
Hide and hair
A smooth rather than a coarse hide is preferable, as in the case of a female animal.
Remember that the animals will develop cold winter hair and that it is advisable to do selection in terms of hair quality late in the spring.
Also, remember that the hides of the various breeds will differ – some will be coarser than others.
Now we assess the bull’s head
It must have a strong head and must be broad between the eyes. It must also have a broad mouth. This is an indication that eating, and drinking will be easy for him. The bull should also have a good dewlap.
The hide of the bull’s neck must also be darker. This shows that the bull has a lot of testosterone and that it will good for breeding.
Shoulders and back
The shoulder bones must not be too prominent, and the shoulder blades should be attached in such a way that they don’t stick out when the bull moves.
The bull must have a strong back and the loin shouldn’t sag when the bull walks.
If the loins do sag when the bull moves it could be an indication that he’ll have difficulties in serving cows.
As in the case with female animals, the midsection of the bull must have depth with a good span between the ribs that slants slightly backwards.
A bull that grazes in the veld must be able to consume roughage, and if it doesn’t have the capacity or depth of body, he won’t be able to take in enough roughage to reproduce adequately and optimally.
The tailhead shouldn’t be too high, either
This is important, because the female progeny of such a bull will also have a high tailhead. The result will be that calving will be difficult for her.
The main objective of a weaner calf system is to ensure high weaner mass, as well as to bring about a high weaner percentage. To reach this objective, the bull that you select for your breeding herd should have good muscling.
Muscles
To identify a well-muscled bull, you should look at its hind quarters, as well as at the inner and outer thighs, as seen from behind.
If the bull is in poor condition, or if it is too fat, it will be difficult to assess the muscling. In this case, you should look at the breadth of the top of a bull’s front leg, the part above the knee, since this part doesn’t accumulate fat and stays relatively constant, irrespective of the animal’s condition.
A well-muscled bull shows that it will produce calves that also have good muscling, and consequently also a good weaner mass. However, be careful that the bull’s muscling isn’t excessively high, or that it’s “double-muscled”, as this could produce big calves at birth.