How to Raise Simmental Cattle? A Detailed Explanation of Key Breeding Techniques

Simmental cattle perform well in both milk and meat production, with an average milk yield of 4000— 4500kg and a milk fat percentage of 3.9%. This cattle breed grows relatively fast, with an average daily weight gain of over 1.0kg. The carcass has plenty of meat, with little fat that is evenly distributed. After fattening, the dressing percentage of bulls can reach about 65%. Let's take a look at Simmental cattle breeding techniques below.

I. Barn Preparation

As the saying goes, "Only with a stable home can one work happily." In the artificial breeding of Simmental cattle, the first step is to build them a comfortable home.

The basic requirements for a cattle barn are ventilation, dryness, hygiene and cleanliness, warmth in winter and coolness in summer. Simmental cattle are generally raised under a housed feeding system, with feeding and milking both carried out inside the barn. The barn is generally designed as a semi-enclosed structure. Inside the barn, a row of cattle stalls is arranged along the longitudinal axis of the building. A exercise yard should be set up outside the barn so that the cattle can move about freely. The area of the exercise yard is about 2-3 times that of the barn.

II. Selecting Breeding Cattle

Once the barn is built, it is time to introduce breeding cattle. Selecting breeding cattle is meant to further improve the quality and production performance of the herd and raise the herd's productivity. Simmental cattle are an excellent beef cattle breed, but careful selection is still needed when choosing breeding stock. First, look at body conformation: the average height at withers of an adult breeding bull should be 145 cm, and that of a cow 132 cm. The coat is yellow, red, purplish-red or white, with striped patches of white often appearing on the shoulders and loins, and more white appearing on the head, underbelly, legs and tail. The head is moderate in length, with slender horns. The neck-shoulder junction is good. The chest is broad and deep, the body is cylindrical in shape, and the back muscles are well developed. In addition, the breeding bull is required to have testicles of moderate size, full and firm leg muscles, sturdy limbs and solid hooves. The breeding cow should have well-developed udders with teats of uniform thickness, basically between 2-3 cm. Second, look at the pedigree. Based on indicators such as bloodline, grade, body weight, parity and age recorded in the breeding cattle's pedigree, we can determine whether this breeding animal meets the standard.

III. Management During the Transition Period

In order to help newly introduced breeding cattle adapt to the environment better, we should first raise them through a transition period for some time.

Salt supplementation and drinking water

For breeding cattle that have undergone long-distance transport, dehydration is possible, so some livestock salt needs to be supplemented. Loose livestock salt can be placed in the drinking trough for the cattle to lick freely. Breeding cattle that have undergone long-distance transport have a relatively large water requirement, so a water trough should be set up in the pen, and the drinking water should be kept fresh, clean and sufficient.

Diet

In terms of diet, adhere to the principle of feeding less, feeding half of the normal daily ration each day for two consecutive days, and then gradually increase the frequency and amount of feed.

Increase exercise

After a period of adaptive feeding, the breeding cattle's physical strength gradually recovers. At this point, arrange a certain amount of time each day to drive the cattle out for some activity, which can enhance their physique. After 7 days of transition-period feeding, the breeding cattle can enter routine feeding and management.

IV. Routine Feeding and Management of Breeding Bulls and Breeding Cows

(1) Feeding and management of breeding bulls

In order to ensure that breeding bulls are robust, have strong libido, produce large quantities of good-quality semen and have a longer service life, correct feeding and management methods are essential.

Feeding of breeding bulls

In terms of feeding, first ensure the nutritional needs of the breeding bull. For the feeding amount of an adult breeding bull, feed 2 kg of roughage and 1 kg of concentrate per 100 kg of body weight per day, divided into two feedings. Feeding times are: 5 or 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., and in winter these can be moved forward by 1 hour. When feeding, feed less but more frequently, and feed roughage first, then concentrate. The concentrate formula is: corn 38%, soybean meal 30%, wheat bran 26%, fish meal 2.5%, calcium phosphate 1.5%, salt 1.5%, stone powder 0.5%. The roughage is mainly a mixture of dried alfalfa and Northeast sheep grass. Dried alfalfa accounts for 20%, and Northeast sheep grass accounts for 80%. However, in actual feeding, it is best to make full use of local resources to reduce feeding costs. In addition to feeding concentrate and roughage, it is best to supplement some vitamins to improve semen quality.

For example, feed some fresh carrots, at 0.5 kg per 100 kg of body weight per day. If there are no carrots, a multivitamin supplement can also be added, calculated at 200 g per ton of concentrate. During the breeding period, if a breeding bull is too fat, it will cause difficulties in semen collection or mating. Therefore, body weight should also be checked once every 2-3 months to adjust the feed ratio. When a breeding bull is overweight, the concentrate can be reduced by about 15%, while increasing roughage and increasing the breeding bull's amount of exercise.

Management of breeding bulls

In addition to routine daily work, cattle body brushing should also be maintained. It is best to brush twice a day, 2-3 minutes each time. Start brushing from the hindquarters, then move to the abdomen and neck, and finally to the head. This has a very good effect on promoting blood circulation in the cattle's body, maintaining cattle body hygiene and ensuring safe production. Persist in brushing the cattle body twice a day for 2-3 minutes each time. At the same time, the cattle hooves should also be trimmed regularly to keep the hooves clean. It is enough to trim the hooves flat; they must not be trimmed too deep, and even more so, the blood vessels and nerves in the hooves must not be injured.

In addition, trim the pubic hair once every half month and the tail hair once a month. Trim the pubic hair once every half month. Trim the tail hair once a month.

In addition, breeding bulls should persist in exercising 1-2 hours a day, and they can be allowed to move freely, so as to promote blood circulation, maintain a robust physique and ensure that breeding bulls can produce normally. Breeding bulls should exercise 1-2 hours a day to ensure that breeding bulls can produce normally. The barn and exercise yard should also be kept clean, with manure and foreign objects removed promptly.