CATTLE BEHAVIOUR BASICS: PART 2 Cattle as ruminants: Grazing & milking: Feed intakeBy Dr Clive Dalton Cattle daily routine Pictures of stomachs Milking effects on grazing routine Feed intake. Getting dairy cows to eat more
CATTLE BEHAVIOUR BASICS: PART 1 Origins: Senses: Communication By Dr Clive Dalton Origins and domestication Cattle evolved into about 260 different breeds, types and varieties in different parts of world such as the Buffalo in North America and the Yak in China. Wild ancestors of today’s cattle e.g. the Auroch, were hunted for meat. Early … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, breeding, genetics, principles, normal distribution, genetics & environment, heritability, selection differential, generation interval, genetic gain By Dr Clive Dalton Some important basic geneticsUnderstanding the basic genetics behind what goes on in the cattle yards and paddock has always been difficult for many people to appreciate.The underlying mathematics seem to be the bit … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton IntroductionCattle have served mankind for around ten thousand years, and the ancient herders soon learned that if you treat them well, they’ll reward you with good production and profit. They’ll also stay healthy and provide you with great job satisfaction. Now believe it or not, recent research into the human/animal behaviour … Read more
General hygiene, methods, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intramammary, how to fill a syringe. By Dr Clive Dalton & Dr Marjorie Orr General – hygiene Subcutaneous injection (under the skin) Intramuscular injection (into the muscle) Intravenous injection (into the vein) Intramammary injections (into the udder) Filling a syringe Disclaimer This material is provided in good faith for information … Read more
There is an increasing interest in organic farming around the world as consumers become more concerned about food safety and the over-use of chemicals in farming. Farming using organic principles is seen by increasing numbers of people as a possible solution to these concerns. However to farm cattle organically you will need to be aware … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Albright, J.L.; Arave, C.W.; (1997)The behaviour of cattle.Commonwealth Agricultural BureauISBN 0-85199-196-3 Barrell, G.K. (1984).Beef cattle reproduction.Animal Industries WorkshopISBN 0-86476-002-7 Beef finishing and marketing. (1992). Proceedings of a series of field days for beef producers.New Zealand Meat Board. Codes of Recommendation and Minimum Standards.For the welfare of dairy cattle.Code of animal welfare No.4, … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, the cow, reproduction, oestrus signs and length, short cycle, silent heat, teaser bulls, artificial insemination, drying off, inductions ( abortions) By Dr Clive Dalton When will a cow come on heat? How long does a cow stay on heat? What are the signs of heat in cattle? Cows coming on heat Cows … Read more
Cattle, farming, husbandry, breeds, breeding, methods, stud breeding, performance recording, using records, crossbreeding, inbreeding, linebreeding, interbreeding, grading up, future developments in breeding By Dr Clive Dalton Who to believe?If you believed what some enthusiasts say about their particular breed of cattle, and the promotional advertising and literature produced by breed organisations, then you’d have to … Read more
Agriculture, animal breeding, , selection, breeding plans, practical advice, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, identification, recording, references, coefficient of inbreeding, random numbers, glossary By Dr Clive Dalton Part IV: Breeding in Practice Practical breeding plans This section is about ‘what to do’ in a breeding programme. It can only deal with the general principles as what … Read more
By Dr Clive Dalton Looking at a cow’s teeth When buying or selling sheep, farmers and stock agents always inspect the animals’ front teeth (incisors) to make sure they can eat pasture effectively. It’s called ‘mouthing’ and standard practice is that sale ewes are ‘guaranteed in mouth and udder’ before the hammer falls. Why don’t we … Read more
Dr Clive Dalton Wool, Hides and Skins Cockle: Defect in a lamb or sheep pelt seen as nodules that have developed over the pelt surface. Can be prevented by appropriate dipping. Dressing skin: Woolly lamb skin, which is suitable for processing into leather after all wool has been removed. Fellmongery: Factory or department in abattoir or freezing works where wool … Read more