How much does a heifer cost in rural areas? Buying tips and the best breeding time
Cattle have strong adaptability and can adapt well to the local climate, with a suitable temperature of 15-25°C; they are herbivorous animals with a very wide range of food, and they like eating green grass the most. So how much does a heifer cost in rural areas? How to choose one? When is the best time to breed? According to a cattle farm in Shandong, the price of a heifer is about 2000-3000 yuan/head, and the price of a mature cow is 8000-15000 yuan/head.
How to choose a heifer in rural areas?
1. Check whether the overall appearance is good, the body type should be good and well proportioned, with cattle qualities front and back. That is to say, a big rump, a long body, well-developed limbs, a big head and a round barrel.
2. The cow's udder should be large, with four teats of even size, and then look at the milk vein under the belly. The thicker the milk vein, and the looser and larger the udder, the better the milk yield generally is. Only a cow with good milk yield can nurse a calf well, right?
3. The vulva is best if it is somewhat large and the lower end of the vulva hangs downward; such cows all have strong reproductive capacity. On the contrary, cows whose vulva tilts upward almost never come into heat easily.
When is the best time to breed a heifer in rural areas?
1. Heifers generally come into heat for the first time at 6-12 months of age. At this time the duration of estrus is short and the cycle is not normal, and the reproductive system and its functions are still at the stage of growth and development, so they are not yet suitable for breeding calves. Bulls and cows at the sexual maturity stage of 8-12 months of age already have reproductive capacity, but at this time their bodies are still in a vigorous stage of growth and development. If they are bred and conceive, it will affect their growth and development and future breeding and reproduction, and will also shorten their years of use, while the offspring's vitality and production performance will also be low. Therefore, breeding is not suitable at this time, and in production care should be taken to avoid uncontrolled mating.
2. The age at which a cow starts breeding depends on its age of body maturity. Bulls and cows generally basically complete their growth at 2-3 years of age, reaching the body maturity stage at which they can be bred. Specifically, one should look at the individual's growth and development status. Taking an adult cow as the standard, when the individual's body weight reaches 65%-70% of that of an adult, body height reaches 90%, and heart girth reaches 80%, it is the suitable age for first mating. Starting breeding at this time gives the best economic benefits.