If you’re a cattle owner, you know that managing your herd is a big job. It’s not just about feeding them and keeping them healthy—it’s also about making sure they’re productive, not costing too much to maintain, and not getting sick or injured.
It can be easy to make mistakes when managing cattle. These mistakes can lead to more expenses, making it hard to keep your cattle healthy. But what are some of these mistakes? And how can you avoid them? In this article, we’ll cover five common mistakes that could lead to higher expenses when managing cattle. Read on.
Not Knowing The Right Amount Of Feed For Your Cattle
You should always ensure that you feed your cattle the right amount, so they do not get too thin or overweight. If they get too thin, they will lose their muscle mass, making them weaker and less productive. On the other hand, if they get too fat, their body will be unable to process nutrients properly, leading to health problems such as heart disease or diabetes.
Poor Fencing
Fencing is important because it keeps your cattle in and predators out. The more secure your fence is, the less likely it is that predators will be able to get in and harm your cattle. Poorly maintained fences can also lead to various health problems in your cattle, such as foot rot and internal parasites like worms. If you want to ensure that your fences are working properly and keeping everything out, consider hiring someone specializing in fence maintenance.
Not Knowing Your Herd’s Weight Loss Rate
When it comes to knowing your herd’s weight loss rate, there are two factors: average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). The ADG is how much weight the animals gain in one day, while the ADFI is how many pounds of feed they eat in a day. You should know both numbers because they affect each other. If they’re too low or too high, it can result in an inefficient operation and wasted money on food and labor costs. You can use cattle and ranch management software like CattleMax software to keep easy track of this.
Not Having a Plan for Your Cattle Herd
If you don’t have a plan for your cattle herd, then it’s likely that you’ll end up spending more money than necessary on things like feed or veterinary care without even realizing it.
Here are some of the essential elements of a cattle management plan:
- Cattle inventory (including breed, sex, and age)
- Census data from previous years so you can see how many calves were born and what their weights were at weaning time.
- Feeding program for calving season (including the amount of feed needed for different stages of pregnancy and lactation).
Neglecting Your Cattle Health
Cattle are a lot like people in that they can get sick. And when they do, it’s important to ensure that your herd is healthy and well cared for.
Here are some of the most common problems you might encounter:
- Mastitis – This disease occurs when bacteria from your cow’s udder enter her bloodstream. It causes inflammation and pain in her mammary glands, making it difficult for her to produce milk (as well as causing the milk that does come out to have a bad odor).
- Leptospirosis – This bacterial infection is spread through contact with contaminated water or soil. It can cause infertility, abortions, and stillbirths.
Final Word
Managing your cattle may become costly if you do not take good care of them. You need to feed them well, provide ample space for them to roam around, and ensure that they are vaccinated against common diseases. We are sure the above tips will help you take good care of your cattle and make them healthier.
Leave a Reply