Cattle rearing has remained to be an important form of agribusinesses within the country and region at large. That may be explained by the extensive research that is regularly conducted in a bid to establish more effective ways of livestock management. The aim is to improve the cattle’s welfare which in turn tends to boost the expected yields.
Cattle Handling
This is an essential aspect of livestock rearing, regardless of whether the livestock is to be used for meat or milk production. This has resulted in the design of cattle handling systems that aim at increasing the efficiency with which various operations are performed. For instance, the arrangement system comes in handy during operations such as vaccination and insemination as the animals are served one at a time in a way that reduces the chances of confusion. The systems have also been designed to take advantage of the natural behaviour of cows to increase the efficiency of the process. For instance, round crowd pen systems are used to create a false impression to the animals that they are going back to where they have come from. A good design should also allow a given cow to see other cows in line. The aim is to prevent the cow from panicking, which may cause it to try and turn around.
Nutrition
As with all living organisms, nutrition is an essential aspect of the well-being of cattle. In fact, just like human beings, cows require a balanced diet. Their level of salt intake is quite high, which may be attributed to their regular production of milk. It is essential to ensure that you feed your livestock with other food other than the usual hay and fodder. You may also consider including other supplements into their diet. Water is equally a necessity. Some cow feeds are often dry and rough, which increases the cattle’s tendency to get thirsty. Strive to provide them with clean drinking water to reduce their chances of infections. You may dissolve some mineral salts in the water to encourage them to drink water regularly. A healthy cow is easily noticeable, depending on how lean its fur appears. That is unless it is suffering from a serious worm infestation. In such a case, there may be a need to deworm them. Consult your veterinary on the frequency of deworming the cattle.
Health and Safety
Sometimes, livestock may be infested by parasites such as ticks, which not only deprive them of their nutrients but also result in stress. It is essential to regularly inspect the pens and even the animals themselves to ensure that there is no evident sign of infestation. Any signs of parasites ought to be met with immediate attention. One effective way of keeping your cattle safe from ticks is by observing the hygiene of both the pens and the surrounding area.
At the end of the day, the profits you enjoy from your cattle-rearing business are dependent on how well you manage it. Therefore, it becomes essential to not only ensure the well-being of the cattle but also adopt systems that increase efficiency around your ranch.