![]()
Fattening beef cattle involves raising young, adult, and older or disabled cattle with the goal of maximizing daily weight gain while minimizing feed consumption. This process aims to improve slaughter rate, enhance meat quality, and produce a large quantity of high-quality beef. Proper management and feeding techniques are essential for achieving these objectives.
**(a) Management Practices**
1. The best time to fatten beef cattle is during autumn, followed by spring and winter. During summer, if temperatures exceed 30°C, cattle experience increased metabolism and reduced feed efficiency, so it's important to prevent heat stress.
2. Castration of bulls before they reach two years of age can lead to faster growth, higher lean meat percentage, and better feed conversion. Bulls over two years old should be castrated before fattening to avoid issues like odor that can affect carcass quality.
3. Before starting the fattening process, it's crucial to control internal and external parasites using anthelmintics such as albendazole, trichlorfon, and terpene. Also, ensure the premises are clean and disinfected regularly.
4. Limiting physical activity helps reduce energy expenditure and improve weight gain. After each feeding, cattle can be tied to a post or kept in a small area to restrict movement. The length of the rope should allow them to lie down comfortably.
5. Regular brushing improves blood circulation and increases appetite. It’s recommended to brush cattle 1-2 times a day.
**(II) Feeding Techniques**
1. Feed mixing is an important part of the feeding process. Whether feeding separately or mixed, all ingredients should be weighed accurately and mixed thoroughly. Mechanical mixing should last at least three minutes, while manual mixing requires at least three thorough stirrings to ensure even distribution.
2. Dry and wet feeds can both be used depending on availability. A balanced diet should include silage, roughage, protein sources, energy feeds, and minerals. Mixing should be done carefully to avoid fermentation, which can reduce palatability. The ideal moisture level for the mix is between 40% and 50%.
3. Feeding frequency varies, but free-choice feeding (allowing cattle to eat whenever they want) has been shown to improve growth rates and uniformity. Studies show that free-fed cattle gain more weight and have higher slaughter rates compared to restricted-fed ones.
4. Feeding methods should encourage competition without causing stress. Feed should be distributed in portions throughout the day, ensuring that cattle always have access to food. Morning feedings should be larger, as cattle tend to eat more in the early hours.
5. When changing feed, it's important to do so gradually over 3–5 days to avoid digestive issues. Sudden changes can disrupt eating habits and cause health problems.
6. Water is a critical component of a cattle's diet. Cattle obtain water from metabolic processes, feed, and direct drinking. In cold weather, warm water is not necessary—cattle can drink cold water without affecting their weight gain.
7. Pasture grazing can be an effective supplement to feeding, especially in areas with abundant grassland. Grazing from July to October allows cattle to benefit from lush pastures. Careful management, including controlled grazing and supplemental feeding, ensures optimal results.
Timely slaughter is also important—when temperatures drop below 7°C, it's usually the best time to sell or slaughter the cattle.
Sandal Safety Shoes
Sandal Safety Shoes,Yellow Mesh Safety Shoes,Breathe Freely Safety Shoes,Black Suede Microfiber Safety Shoes
Brightway Shoes Co., Ltd. , https://www.brightwaysafety.com