Beef cattle production and management
Practical Action
swallowing and could cause the drench to enter the lungs. The resulting pneumonia can be fatal.
Dosing guns should be checked periodically for accuracy.
Dipping
Tick control (spraying / plunge dipping)
Correct dip must be used
Follow dipping intervals
Dipping programme should be planned according to accaracides used
Cattle being dipped
Weighing
Weighing of different classes of cattle at various
stages is essential for the efficient management,
supplementary feeding and selection of cattle.
However, weighing shouId be kept to the minimum
that is necessary, and often only a sample of each
herd need to be weighed. If a sample is weighed, this
should be at the same marked sample of
approximately 30 herd or 10% of the herd whichever
is the greater. Animals should be weighed at the same
time of day under conditions as constant as possible.
To estimate the weight of an animal without weighing
it
Make the animal stand on level ground and put a measure (or use a piece of string and
measure it against the ruler on this book) round its body just behind the front leg.
Estimated weights of animals
Distance round the
body in cm
70
75
80
90
100
120
140
160
180
190
Approximate weight
of cattle in Kg
40
45
50
70
98
150
232
330
485
558
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