The aim of beef production is to produce a high quality product with maximum efficiency. Factors that affect the carcass composition and carcass yield are: Weight and age Genotype Gender Growth rate and nutrition Conformation A typical growth curve involves a self-accelerating phase of weight increase from birth to puberty…

It is important to remember that the foundations of udder development are completed within the first 15 months of life. Mammary growth and development is a component of the reproductive process and is affected by hormonal changes that occur as the animal develops. The basic structures of the mammary gland…

The profit-making potential of the modern cow depends on her ability to combine production and type. Functional type enables a cow to produce over a long lifetime. (Holstein Canada) Relative Emphasis for Cows Body weight alone should not be a measure for developmental traits of heifers. Wither height is also…

We most often concentrate on milking cows to meet financial and milk supply commitments and to let the herd replacements take a back seat. Replacement heifers are tomorrow’s profit earners and deserve as much detailed attention as the milking herd. Managing the growth of replacement heifers to achieve sufficient body…

Grouping After weaning, calves should be housed in equal sized / aged groups, ideally one week after milk feeding has ceased. This avoids two major changes in routine at one time. Group calves according to size. Weaning from a machine feeding system is normally reached earlier (as early as week…

Every animal producer needs a disease monitoring and management program. These programs should be monitored with the practicing vet and might consider: Which diseases are present, Which ones can be minimized or prevented, How infections ones are identified and treated, What safeguards are in place to minimize disease spread Minimize…