Breeding and Improving

In improving a breeding herd of beef cattle, it is important that the breeder select bulls and cows which produce offspring of the desired type and do it consistently.

Another important factor is securing a high calving percentage. The beef herd on the average farm frequently has a calving percentage of 75 or less (if each 100 cows produced 100 calves, there would be a calving percentage of 100). A herd should be expected to show a calving percentage of at least 95, and a beef breeder should strive to equal or exceed this.

Moreover, prepotency is also a very important factor. It is possible to prove a beef sire at an earlier age because the qualities desired in beef offspring can be checked when young. Uniformity of the offspring in type or appearance and their consistency for rapid gains in weight can be determined during the first year of their lives. If possible a breeder of beef cattle should secure a proved sire. If a proved sire is not available the herd owner should prove the bull in use in his herd through proper records and observations. In proving a beef bull the information concerning the weight of calves he has sired at specific ages such as 6 or 12 months is desirable to note growth rate.

In selecting prepotent cows pay special attention to the weaning weight of the first calf. In improving a herd, choose cows whose calves are the heaviest at weaning age. To maintain a high calving percentage in the herd, retain cows that produce calves regularly and whose milking qualities are good.

Exercises

1. Guess the word by its definition:

1. O…………… - the young of an animal.

2. E…………….. – to be greater than, surpass.

3. S…………. – the male parent of a horse or a dog, etc.

4. B……….. – to keep animals in order to produce young ones from them.

5. W…………… - how heavy something is, the amount that something weighs.

2. Practice back translation:

high calving percentage	высокий процент рождаемости
beef herd	скот, разводимый на мясо
a proved sire	проверенный производитель
records and observations	записи и наблюдения
growth rate	темп роста
It is important that the breeder select bulls and cows which produce offspring of the desired type and do it consistently.	Важно, чтобы заводчик выбирал быков и коров, которые производят потомство желаемого типа и делают это последовательно.
A herd should show a calving percentage of at least 95, and a beef breeder should strive to equal or exceed this.	Уровень рождаемости в стаде должен достигать по крайней мере 95%, и заводчик скота должен стремиться поддержать или превысить эти данные.
А breeder of beef cattle should secure a proved sire.	Заводчик мясного скота должен обеспечить проверенного производителя.
In selecting prepotent cows pay special attention to the weaning weight of the first calf.	При выборе коров с высокой производительностью обратите особое внимание на вес первого теленка в момент отнимания его от вымени.

3. Retell the text briefly.