Cattle handling and beef breeding best practice

Thursday 25 February 2010

TWENTY eight farmers attended a day organised by Myerscough College on Improving Beef Breeding and Cattle Handling Systems at a farm near Chorley in Lancashire.

Host farmer Emma Armstrong is in the process of updating her handling system and, like many others at the event, was keen to hear the reactions from other farmers and the speakers on design and best practice at this Livestock Programme demo event.

A safe cattle-handling system is a requisite on all farms. However, the main problem that often arises is the layout of the system in ensuring it works as simply and efficiently as possible.

This was covered by cattle handling specialist Miriam Parker, who has spent many years designing handling systems all over the world. Her presentation covered the three aspects of simple cattle handling systems, the people involved, the cattle and the equipment used.

Presentations were also given by Jude Roberts from Lambert, Leonard and May vets (Emma’s vets) on improving bull fertility, and Clive Brown from Eblex on using EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values) for stock selection.

Cattle Handling

Miriam Parker explained why it was easier to handle cattle in smaller groups; how they react when handled with someone they trust i.e. the person that feeds them, to someone who always brings discomfort i.e the vet, and how cattle move easier into a crush if they cannot see someone who they see as a threat.

Those at the event were given glasses to wear to highlight exactly what cattle can see and how it affects their movement, as they are constantly looking at the ground to ensure it is stable to walk on, and move easier when walking up a slope rather than down.

The length of the race is also very critical if it is too long as when cattle stand for longer then 10 minutes behind another one they become very agitated and harder to handle.

A second event held three months later on the farm looked specifically at Cattle Handling Systems and the Do's and Don'ts of Design,

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Estimated Breeding Values

The presentation by Clive Brown from Eblex, looked at the benefits of choosing breeding stock, using their Estimated Breeding Value as a guide to the selection process. He highlighted the different traits, how they are measured, the terminal sire index and the effects it can have on gross margins when choosing a terminal sire.

It also showed that by creating a breeding plan, setting breeding goals and a strategy would bring long term benefits, stressing you can’t judge breeding stock by the ‘eye’ alone and you should choose those traits that will affect the business the most long term.

>> Flick through Clive Brown's presentation on breeding strategies

Bull Fertility

Jude Roberts’ presentation underlined the fact that some bulls are sub-fertile – which means they will eventually get all the cows in-calf but often over a longer period than is ideally required.

On most livestock farms the bull is only 2% of the breeding stock, but provides 50% of the fertility.

Jude recommended testing all bulls four weeks before using them or at least annually, prior to a sale, going out on hire or if a problem is suspected.

She stressed the bull needs to be in good health and that sperm collection is a fairly simple process. The bull is stimulated with a rocket whilst standing in a crush, the sperm collected and then examined under a microscope on the farm.

The sperm are checked to ensure they are moving around correctly, there are no abnormalities and there are sufficient numbers. The semen is also checked for white blood cells which would show if there is any sign of infection.

>> Download the Bull Health and Fertility handout given to the group on the day

The group of beef farmers that attended thought the demo event was "first class" and are keen to return to the farm in May to carry out a more in-depth group workshop with Miriam Parker on designing cattle handling systems.

(Carrs Billington and McVeigh Parker kindly sponsored the event and provided a selection of handling equipment and associated livestock products. Carrs also supplied a raffle prize)

Are you looking to improve or redesign your cattle handling system?

Or have you recently improved your handling facilities? Why not post your comments or pictures on our forum and share your experiences with other farmers looking for ideas. CLICK HERE