Beef cattle production and management
Practical Action
Exchange of calf to cow herds
This involves the removal of calves from their respective dams and introduced into a different
herd of dry cows or heifers. This is done to reduce the effect of stress on calves.
The use of weaner plates
A weaner plate is used in such a way that it prevents the calf from suckling whilst still with the
dam; there is no separation of the dam and the calf. This method is ideal for communal farmers
since there is no need for extra paddocks for the separated calves and dams. It also reduces
stress on calves and the weaner plates can be made from locally available material.
A calf with a weaner plate
Summary
We have observed in this session that the proper selection of bulls and heifers helps communal
farmers to make informed decisions for the proper management of a beef cattle production
enterprise - no matter how small-scale it might be. Also, proper calf rearing reduces diseases
incidence, mortality and improves the quality of meat, milk yield, draught power, economic
returns and food security.
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