1. Dairy and beef cattle The Introduction

Before selecting a certain breed the owner should decide on the purpose for which the animals are to be raised. If the purpose is to raise cattle to market as beef, beef breeds are to be studied. If the owner is interested in production milk and butterfat, it will be reasonable to choose the dairy type of cattle.

Selecting individual animals pay attention to the following factors: apperance or type, pedigree, performance and prepotency.

• Apperance or type. The method of selecting animals on the basis of type or outward appearance is of value in noting characteristics that are approved for a particular breed. But unfortunately from outward appearance alone the owner can’t decide which cows are high producers. It doesn’t indicate accurately the quality of offspring that will be produced.

• A pedigree is a record of the names and registration number of the ancestors of a given animal. The main value of a pedigree is that it provides evidence that the certain animal is a purebred.

• The term ‘performance’ means ‘ability to produce’. For dairy cattle, performance or each cow is measured in terms of milk and butterfat produced by her in a given period of time. Performance for beef cattle is measured by rate of gain.

• Prepotency or transmitting ability is the ability to transmit desired characteristics to its offspring.

Moreover, selecting dairy and beef cattle, pay attention to the following factors: health, age, time of breeding, etc.

Exercises

1. Translate the following words and word combinations:

To raise, to breed, dairy cattle (stock), beef cattle (stock), appearance, pedigree, performance, prepotency, to select, to transmit, offspring.

2. Match the verb with its definition:

to raise	to make something
to select	to find the size, amount or extent of something by comparing it with a fixed unit or with an object of known size
to transmit	to have something and look after it
to keep	to send or pass something from one object to another one
to produce	to choose something
to measure	to bring up animals, to increase the amount of animals

3. Make short word combinations and use them in your own sentences (5-6).

to raise	Cattle, characteristic features, breeds, animals, offspring, milk, beef, livestock, factors, performance, sheep, horses, wool
to select
to transmit
to keep
to produce
to measure

4. Explain the following terms in Russian: apperance or type, pedigree, performance, prepotency or transmitting ability.

5. Make a short summary of the text.

Selecting and Housing Dairy Cattle

In selecting a dairy heifer of cow, the main aim is to secure an animal that will be a profitable producer of butterfat and milk and transmit to her offspring this capacity to produce.

It is also very important to learn as much as possible information about the dam and sire and other ancestors that will indicate something about their type and production. Unless something is known about the type and production of these ancestors the pedigree is of little value in selecting an animal.

In selecting a cow, pay attention to her producing ability. Considering production records, take into account the conditions under which they were made. Cows with a three-times-a-day milking and heavy grain feeding will produce considerably more than they will if milked twice a day and fed normally. In general, a mature dairy cow should produce at least 400 lb of butterfat with twice-a-day milking in order to be considered a superior producer. If possible, in selecting a heifer take one whose dam has this production level or higher.

Good housing equipment is especially important for dairy cattle because they need comfortable quarters if they are to produce most satisfactorily.

A special dairy barn is usually provided for large herds of dairy cattle. Small herds are housed in a part of a general purpose barn.

There are two types of special dairy barns:

• conventional barn, in which stanchions are provided for all milk cows,

• pen-type barn, in which the cows are allowed to run loose for the major portion of the time during the season when they are not on the pasture.

Although beef and dairy cattle have much in common, there are certain differences. Dairy cows should be milked twice each day and the milk must be given proper care.

Dairy cattle are kept in closer confinement and in smaller groups than beef cattle. In cold climates cows and young calves must be stabled a good share of the time in winter if they are to be kept comfortable. Water suffice is very important. A clean stall and fresh water available at all times in a tub or supplied by automatic drinking cups add to the comfort of the cow and result in larger milk production.