Putting a breeding plan in place for successful cattle production
FAST FACTS
Feeding and animal health programmes for cattle should be developed around a breeding plan.
The mating season should ideally occur within a three-month period, as this improves uniformity in all the later stages of development.
At the start of the breeding season, cows should have a condition score of around 3,5, while bulls should have a score of between 3,5 and 4.
According to Prof Frikkie Neser of the Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences at the University of the Free State, the fundamentals for cattle and sheep farming are the same: you need a predetermined and fixed time frame for breeding. Using this as a reference point, you can then develop a strategic feeding and health programme to complement it. However, you need to have control over where your bulls or rams are at any given time.
“Before you
