New Method of Saving Feed in Beef Cattle Farming by Changing Backward Breeding Practices

Cattle Farming

    To develop a high-yield, low-consumption cattle industry, it is necessary to change the backward feeding method of scattered grazing in summer and autumn and foraging for dry grass in winter and spring, fully tap resource potential, scientifically standardize feeding and management techniques, and actively promote a new model of feed-saving and efficient feeding based on crossbred cattle——forage——supplemental feed.

    1. Select and feed crossbred cattle. Crossbred cattle combine the excellent traits of different breeds and have obvious hybrid vigor, and can produce large amounts of high-quality beef in a short time. If crossbred cattle are unavailable, local steers aged 3 to 8 years, weighing 250 kg, in medium body condition, and healthy and disease-free can be selected for short-term fattening.

    2. Feed ammoniated straw. Feeding cattle with ammoniated straw can improve the nutrient conversion rate, enhance palatability, and reduce production costs. Make ammoniated straw by sealing it in an ammoniation chamber in the ratio of 100 kg straw, 3 kg urea, and 40 kg water. The well-ammoniated straw should be moved to an open-air site on a sunny day and constantly turned to release ammonia, and after the ammonia smell has completely dissipated, it can be piled indoors for later use. Feeding ammoniated straw requires a 7 to 10 day transition period. The normal feeding amount for beef cattle is generally 2% of body weight, with the principle of eating well without waste, fed 3 times a day.

⟧    3. Supplement with mixed feed. The reference formula for the mixed feed is 60% corn, 37% oilseed meal, 2% starch, and 1% salt. Supplement the mixed feed at fixed times at 1% of cattle body weight, divided into two feedings per day.

⟧    4. Add feed additives. "Rely on scientific cattle farming and seek meat from technology" is an important way to develop the beef cattle industry and improve beef cattle benefits. At present, the more widely applied technique is implanting growth promoters. Housed fattening bulls can be implanted at any time, with steers showing the best implant weight-gain effect, while fattening cows do not need implants. For cattle with a longer feeding period, implantation can be repeated once at an interval of 100 days, giving a better fattening effect.

⟧    5. Fine feeding and careful management. Deworm during the transition period of feeding ammoniated forage, administering albendazole orally at 30 mg per kg of body weight, and after administration the stomach should also be strengthened. In the fattening stage, graze for 1 to 2 months during the green grass season, and in the later period require no less than 1 month of housed fattening; the fattening period using a high-concentrate daily ration is 60 to 90 days. When mixing feed, first moisten the feed, and after 1 hour mix it evenly with the forage. In addition, clean water must be supplied twice a day, and wet bedding should be frequently removed to keep the cattle pen dry and clean.