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Other than the few bulls needed for breeding, the vast majority of male cattle are castrated as calves and are used as oxen or slaughtered for meat before the age of three years. Thus, in a pastured herd, any calves or herd bulls usually are clearly distinguishable from the cows due to distinctively different sizes and clear anatomical differences.
However, beef cattle can also be bred through artificial insemination, [1] depending on the cow and the size of the herd. Cattle are normally bred during the summer so that calving may occur the following spring. [1] However, cattle breeding can occur at other times of year. Depending on the operation, calving may occur all year round.
A bull is typically ready for slaughter one or two months sooner than a castrated male or a female, and produces proportionately more and leaner muscle. [24] Frame score is a useful way of describing the skeletal size of bulls and other cattle. Frame scores can be used as an aid to predict mature cattle sizes and aid in the selection of beef bulls.
A commercial steer or bull calf is expected to put on about 32 to 36 kg (71 to 79 lb) per month. A nine-month-old steer or bull is therefore expected to weigh about 250 to 270 kg (550 to 600 lb). Heifers will weigh at least 200 kg (440 lb) at eight months of age. 150 days old calf
They may have a few herd bulls and utilize natural mating, but may have no bulls and rely primarily on artificial insemination. [6] Cattle from a cow–calf operation may be sold after they have been weaned to be matured elsewhere, such as at a feedlot, or may be raised to near-slaughter weight and sold at the age of 1–2 years. [7]
The cattle are predominantly a sleek black in colour, but red Brangus are also bred. They have a very low rate of eye cancer, which can be a problem in many white faced breeds. Their head is of a medium length with a broad muzzle and forehead. [3] Australian Brangus are also good walkers and foragers and "do well" in a wide variety of ...
A feral bull being mustered in Northern Tablelands, NSW. A mustering camp with a freshly baked damper. The pack saddles and oilskin coats are drying on the fence. Mustering Corriedales in Patagonia Horses in the outback are not noted for their docility and this adds to the dangers of mustering. Grazing hobbles for horses and cattle hobbles (bottom)
The use of agricultural land to grow feed rather than human food can be controversial (see food vs. feed); some types of feed, such as corn , can also serve as human food; those that cannot, such as grassland grass, may be grown on land that can be used for crops consumed by humans. In many cases the production of grass for cattle fodder is a ...