CATTLE MANAGEMENT:

HEIFER SELECTION

TIGANE BONSMARAS

23 JULY 2011

SENWES

AGRI-SERVICES

1. Udders and teats

2. Body conformation

3. Rump and slope

Criteria for heifer selection

3. Rump and slope

4. Skin and hair

5. Body condition

• To get a weaner calf of 230kg, you need some 10 litres of milk from the dam a day.

• Teats should neither be too small nor too large.

1. Udders

nor too large.

• Udders should also not hang too down as they can be prone to injuries.

Udder of a Heifer

Udders of a sub-fertile cow

2. Conformation

• A heifer should never look like a bull.

• A heifer with those features goes to the abattoirs.

• Good heifer-like body is a sign of • Good heifer-like body is a sign of fertility.

• Sub-fertile heifers will look different.

• This is due to hormonal imbalance.

Sub-fertile heifer

Differences

3. Rump slope

• Pelvis slope plays a major part.

• Expulsion of the foetus during calving depends on the slope.

Desired pelvis slope

Undesired pelvis slope

4. Skin and hair

• Skin shows how adapted is the animal to the environment.

• Rough coat usually indicates that the animal is not adapted well.

• Adaptability forms the basis of production in animals.production in animals.

• Failure to adapt, leads to sub-fertility

Rough coat, sub-fertility sign

Winter Lick

Coat of an adapted animal

5. Body condition

• Feeding determines the body condition

• There must be sufficient feed all year round.

• Protein lick should be provided (winter)

• Phosphate lick (summer)

• For animal to reproduce it must be in a good, healthy condition

Bad condition

Well-fed calves

Conclusion

Fertility is the most important aspect in cattle production, so a heifer must be feminine and a bull masculine.

Kea Leboga!!

Castuff Sekgala

083 278 7742083 278 7742