ROUTINE MANAGEMENT

PRACTICES IN
CATTLE, SHEEP AND GOATS -
• ANIMAL JUDGING AND SELECTION, RECORD KEEPING,
IDENTIFICATION , CASTRATION, DEWORMING, DIPPING ,
DEHORNING
 JUDGING BEEF CATTLE
JUDGING REPRESENTS A FURTHER ELUCIDATION OF THE FIRST POINT
DISCUSSED UNDER SELECTION – INDIVIDUAL. IN ADDITION TO
INDIVIDUAL MERIT, THE WORD JUDGING IMPLIES THE COMPARATIVE
APPRAISAL OR PLACING OF SEVERAL ANIMALS.
JUDGING BEEF CATTLE , LIKE ALL LIVESTOCK JUDGING, IS AN ART, THE
RUMINANTS OF WHICH MUST BE OBTAINED THROUGH PATIENT STUDY
AND LONG PRACTICE. THE MASTER BREEDERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
HAVE BEEN MASTERS OF THE ART, EVEN TO THE POINT OF DECEPTION.
THE ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS THAT A GOOD JUDGE OF BEEF CATTLE
MUST POSSESS, AND THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IN
SELECTION OR JUDGING ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(1) KNOWLEDGE OF THE PARTS OF AN ANIMAL
THIS CONSISTS OF MASTERS THE LANGUAGE THAT DESCRIBES
AND LOCATES THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF AN ANIMAL, IN
ADDITION , IT IS NECESSARY TO KNOW WHICH OF THESE PARTS
ARE OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE ; THAT IS WHAT COMPARATIVE
EVALUATION TO GIVE TO THE DIFFERENT PARTS.
(2) A CLEARLY DEFINED IDEAL OR STANDARD OF
PERFECTION
THE SUCCESSFUL CATTLE JUDGE MUST KNOW FOR WHAT HE IS
LOOKING ; I.E HE MUST HAVE IN MIND AN IDEAL OR STANDARD
OF PERFECTION.
(3) KEEN OBSERVATION AND SOUND JUDGMENT
THE GOOD JUDGE POSSESSES THE ABILITY TO OBSERVE BOTH
GOOD CONFORMATION AND DEFECT AND TO WEIGH AND
EVALUATE THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE VARIOUS GOOD
AND BAD FEATURES.
(4) LOGICAL PROCEDURE IN EXAMINING
THERE IS ALWAYS GREAT DANGER OF THE BEGINNER MAKING
TOO CLOSE AN INSPECTION , HE OFTEN TIMES GETS “SO CLOSE
TO THE TREES THAT HE FACTS TO SEE THE FOREST.” JUDGING
PROCEDURE CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING THREE(3) SEPARATE
STEPS
(A) OBSERVING AT A DISTANCE AND SECURING A PANORAMIC
WHERE SEVERAL ANIMALS ARE INVOLVED.
(B) USING CLOSE INSPECTION ( AND HANDLING) AND
(C) MOVING THE ANIMAL IN ORDER TO OBSERVE ACTION.
ALSO , IT IS IMPORTANT THAT A LOGICAL METHOD BE USED IN
VIEWING AN ANIMAL FROM ALL DIRECTIONS , AS FOR E.G
(1) SIDE VIEW
(2) REAR VIEW AND
(3) FRONT VIEW ; THUS AVOIDING OVERLOOKING ANYTHING
AND MAKING IT EASIER TO RETAIN THE OBSERVATIONS THAT
ARE MADE.
ANIMALS JUDGING
AND SELECTION
ANIMAL JUDGING AND SELECTION
JUDGING LIVESTOCK IS THE PASSING OF JUDGMENT BY
OBSERVATION UPON THE SUITABILITY OF AN ANIMAL OR
GROUP OF ANIMALS FOR A GIVEN PURPOSE. ABILITY AS A
JUDGE IS OF EVEN GREATER IMPORTANCE IN THE SELECTION
OF BREEDING ANIMALS, BECAUSE TYPE AND BREED
CHARACTERISTICS MUST BE CONSIDERED AS WELL AS THE
IMMEDIATE UTILITY VALUE OF ANIMAL.
JUDGING PROFICIENCY ACQUIRED FROM EXPERIENCE
JUDGING OF LIVESTOCK DEPENDS ENTIRELY UPON ONES
OWN KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM EXPERIENCE IN VISITING
MARKETS, STOCKS FARMS AND LIVESTOCK EXHIBITIONS.
SCORECARDS HAD BEEN PREPARED AND PUBLISHED BY NEARLY
ALL THE PUREBRED RECORD ASSOCIATIONS. STUDENTS ARE
REQUIRED TO STUDY PHOTOGRAPHS OF BEST ANIMALS TO
CREATE IN THEIR MINDS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE CORRECT IMAGES
OF THE IDEAL ANIMAL OF EACH TYPE OR BREED. IT IS BY THIS
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION AND PRACTICE THAT LIVESTOCK
JUDGING IS STILL TAUGHT
QUALIFICATIONS OF A COMPETENT LIVESTOCK JUDGE
THE COMPETENT LIVESTOCK JUDGE MUST POSSESS
THREE SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS. FIRST HE MUST HAVE A
CLEAR CONCEPT OF THE STANDARD AND REQUIREMENTS OF
THE TYPE AND THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE ANIMAL BEING
JUDGED IS TO BE USED. THE SECOND QUALIFICATION OF THE
COMPETENT JUDGED IS THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE QUICKLY
AND ACCURATELY EVERY MINUTE DETAIL IN FORM AND
APPEARANCE OF THE ANIMAL AND REGISTER IN HIS MIND THE
DEGREE TO WHICH SUCH DETAILS APPROACH OR VARY FROM
THE STANDARD. OBVIOUSLY CARELESSNESS OR INACCURACY OF
OBSERVATION WOULD LEAD TO INACCURACY OF JUDGEMENT.
THE THIRD ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION OF THE EXPERT
LIVESTOCK JUDGE IS THAT HE POSSESS ABILITY TO RENDER
DECISIONS. THE RENDERING IF THE DECISION MEANS THE
BALANCING OF WEAKNESS AGAINST DESIRABLE
CHARACTERISTICS AS OBSERVED ANS COMING TO A
CONCLUSION AS TO JUST HOW AS FAR AS ENTITY THE ANIMAL
IN QUESTION VARIES FROM THE IDEAL OR STANDARD. THIS IS
MOST DIFFICULT PART OF JUDGING.
HOW JUDGING IS USED; JUDGING OF LIVESTOCK IS USED
FORM THREE MAJOR PURPOSES.
1. BY BUYERS AND SELLERS OF COMMERCIAL ANIMALS IN
DETERMINING THE PROPER CLASS AND GRADE WHICH AN
ANIMAL BELONGS.
2. IN THE SELECTION OF BREEDING ANIMALS AND
3. IN MAKING SHOW-RING AWARDS.
THE USE OF JUDGING IN BUYING AND SELLING
COMMERCIAL ANIMALS;
THE FARMER WHO HAS OCCASION TO PURCHASE OR SELL
ANIMALS ONLY NOW AND THEN MAY PROTECT HIMSELF
AGAINST THE SHREWD BUYER OR SALESMAN BY CHECKING A
RELIABLE MARKET REPORT TO LEARN THE CURRENT PRICE AT
WHICH ANIMALS OF THE CLASS AND GRADE HE HAS TO OFFER
ARE SELLING.
ALL TYPES OF COMMERCIAL MEAT ANIMALS ARE COMMONLY
PURCHASED BY WEIGHT. THIS ELIMINATES THE NECESSITY OF
ESTIMATING WEIGHT ON THE PART OF BOTH BUYER AND
SELLER AND SIMPLIFIES THE JUDGING TASK TO SOME EXTENT.
SINCE THE VALUE OF THE CARCASS AN ANIMAL WILL PRODUCE
DEPENDS TO SOME EXTENT ON ITS DRESSING PERCENTAGE,
THE SUCCESSFUL BUYER OR SALESMAN MUST BE ABLE TO
ESTIMATE DRESSING PERCENTAGE.
PURCHASE OF SLAUGHTER ANIMALS ON THE BASIS OF
THEIR CARCASS WEIGHT, CLASS AND GRADE HAS BEEN
SUGGESTED AS A BASIS FOR ARRIVING AT A MORE EQUITABLE
SALE VALUE. A FEW PROCESSING PLANTS IN THE UNITED
STATES OFFER THE SELLER THE OPTION OF SELLING BY EITHER
LIVE ANIMAL OR CARCASS GRADE. DISPOSITION BY THE
CARCASS GRADE METHOD HAS NOT RECEIVED POPULAR
ACCEPTANCE BY THE PRODUCERS, BECAUSE THERE IS EQUAL
CHANCE THAT THE CARCASS GRADE RETURN WILL BE LESS
THAN THE LIVE-ANIMAL PRICE.
THE USE OF JUDGING IN SELECTING BREEDING STOCK
THE SELECTION OF A BREEDING ANIMAL IS A FAR MORE
COMPLICATED TASK THAN THE EVALUATION OF AN ANIMAL
FOR IMMEDIATE COMMERCIAL USE. IT REQUIRES NOT ONLY
THE PASSING OF JUDGMENT ON THE MERIT OF THE ANIMAL
FOR THE COMMERCIAL USE IT MIGHT SERVE BUT ALSO THE
PASSING OF JUDGMENT UPON THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT
POSSESSES THE DESIRED BREED CHARACTERISTICS. SELECTING
FOR BREEDING STOCK OF THOSE TYPES OF ANIMALS, THE
USEFULNESS OF WHICH IS IN PRODUCTION OF A PRODUCT
OTHER THAN MEAT , SUCH EGGS, MILK, WOOL, WORK IN THE
DRAFT HORSE AND SPEED IN THE RACE HORSE, IS FURTHER
COMPLICATED BECAUSE WHOLLY RELIABLE CORRELATIONS
BETWEEN VISIBLE CHARACTERS AND HIGH PRODUCTION DO
NOT EXIST TO A DEGREE MAKING POSSIBLE ACCURATE,
CLOSELY DRAWN DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN ANIMALS CLOSELY
RESEMBLING ONE ANOTHER. NEVERTHELESS, STANDARDS FOR
BREEDING ANIMALS DO EXIST AND THE BEGINNING POINT IN
THE SELECTION OF ALL KINDS OF BREEDING ANIMALS IS THE
APPEARANCE OF THE ANIMAL AND THE DEGREE TO WHICH IT
APPROACHES THE APPROVED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TYPE
OF BREED REPRESENTED AS BASED ON OBSERVATION.
SELECTION OF BREEDING ANIMALS :
IN SELECTING BREEDING ANIMALS, THE JUDGMENT OF THE BREEDER
MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED TO ADVANTAGE IN SEVERAL WAYS:
(1) BY ASCERTAINING THE MERIT OF THE ANCESTRY OF THE ANIMAL
FOR TWO OR THREE GENERATIONS BACK AN ANIMAL HAVING CLOSE
UP ANCESTORS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN OF HIGH MERIT IS LIKELY TO
REPRODUCE HIS OR HER CHARACTERISTICS MORE UNIFORMLY THAN
ONE OF ABOUT EQUAL APPEARANCE WITHOUT THE STRONG
PEDIGREE.
(2) WHEN CONSIDERATION OF A PRODUCT IS INVOLVED ,
PRODUCTION RECORDS FOR THE ANIMAL IN QUESTION AS WELL AS
PRODUCTION RECORDS OF THE CLOSE UP ANCESTORS PROVIDE A
BASIS FOR ESTIMATING THE PRODUCING ABILITY FOR PROGENY MORE
ACCURATELY THAN IT CAN BE ESTIMATED FROM THE APPEARANCE OF
THE ANIMAL.
(3) FEED CONSUMPTION RECORDS MAY BE COMBINED WITH
PRODUCTION OF RATE OF GAIN RECORDS TO INDICATE THE EFFICIENCY
OF AN ANIMAL IN THE UTILIZATION OF FEED. HIGH EFFICIENCY IN FEED
UTILIZATION , ESPECIALLY IF IT EXTENDS OVER SEVERAL GENERATIONS
OF ANCESTRY, IS A FAIRLY RELIABLE INDICATION THAT THE ANIMAL
WILL TRANSMIT HIGH EFFICIENCY IN FEED UTILIZATION TO ITS
OFFSPRING.
(4) THE FINAL DETERMINE TEST OF THE VALUE OF A BREEDING ANIMAL IS THE
MERIT OF ITS PROGENY. WHEN AVAILABLE , THE PROGENY TEST MAY
SUPPLEMENT ALL OTHER EVIDENCE AS TO THE SUITABILITY OF AN ANIMAL FOR
BREEDING USE; BUT ITS USE IS LIMITED, BECAUSE MANY ANIMALS MUST BE
CULLED BEFORE THEY REACH THE REPRODUCTION AGE. THE BREEDER MAY USE
THE PROGENY TEST TO DISCARD ANIMALS FROM HIS HERD AS SOON AS THEIR
PROGENY DEMONSTRATE THEIR FAILURE TO MEASURE UP TO ESTIMATED
EXPECTATION . THE PROGENY TEST MAY ALSO POINT OUT THOSE ANIMALS
THAT ARE REPRODUCING IN A HIGHLY SATISFACTORY MANNER AND LEAD TO
THEIR RETENTION IN THE HERD FOR THEIR FULL LIFE PERIOD. THE PROGENY
TEST CAN SELDOM BE USED IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY BY THE BREEDER WHO
MUST PURCHASE A NEW SIRE OR ADDITIONAL FEMALES, BECAUSE “ TESTED
AND PROVED” BREEDING ANIMALS ARE SELDOM OFFERED FOR SALE AND
WHEN OCCASIONALLY THEY CAN BE PURCHASED , THEY SELL AT HIGH PRICES.
ALTHOUGH THE PRECEDING METHODS ARE ALL HELPFUL TO
SUPPLEMENT JUDGMENT BASED ON OBSERVATION , WORK AND TIME ARE
REQUIRED TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE . THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE OF THE
KEEPING OF ACCURATE FEED RECORDS FOR INDIVIDUAL ANIMALS. BECAUSE OF
THE EXPENSE INVOLVED IN SUCH RECORD KEEPING , PERFORMANCE RECORDS
ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMPARATIVELY FEW ANIMALS AT PRESENT.
JUDGING OF LIVESTOCK AT EXHIBITION
SHOW RING JUDGING REQUIRES THE RATING OF ANIMALS
WITHIN A GROUP IN ORDER OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERIT.
SHOW RING JUDGING IS OFTEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE
CLOSENESS WITH WHICH A NUMBER OF ANIMALS IN A GROUP
RESEMBLE EACH OTHER. SHOW RING JUDGING , ESPECIALLY OF
MEAT ANIMALS AND DRAFT HORSES, IS OF IMPORTANCE
BECAUSE THE WINNING ANIMALS ARE ACCEPTED AS THE
NEAREST APPROACH TO THE IDEAL STANDARDS THAT HAVE
BEEN PRODUCED.
JUDGING DAIRY CATTLE
DEGREE OF CONFORMATION TO A WELL- DEFINED TYPE AS
DETERMINED BY OBSERVATION, IS THE STARTING POINT IN
VALUING ALL DAIRY CATTLE, WHETHER THE OBJECT IS TO
ARRIVE AT A SALE PRICE, TO DECIDE A SHOW-RING RATING , OR
TO SELECT ANIMALS FOR USE AS BREEDING STOCK.
PERFORMANCE RECORDS OF THE ANIMAL ITS CLOSE-UP
ANCESTORS ARE OCCASIONALLY CONSIDERED IN ARRIVING AT
A SALE PRICE AND IN SHOW-RING JUDGING. WHEN AVAILABLE,
PERFORMANCE RECORDS ARE NEARLY ALWAYS TAKEN INTO
ACCOUNT IN SELECTING ANIMALS FOR BREEDING.
THE SCALE OF POINTS
PRACTICE IN SCORING ANIMALS IS THE BEGINNING POINT IN
THE STUDY OF DAIRY CATTLE JUDGING. DAIRY BREEDERS MAKE
MORE USE OF THE SCORECARD THAN DO BREEDERS OF ANY
OTHER KIND OF FARM ANIMAL. SCORE CARDS FOR GENERAL
USE IN SCORING ALL DAIRY COWS HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY
VARIOUS AGENCIES . ON THIS SCORECARD , ALL POINTS OR
CHARACTERISTICS ARE GROUPED UNDER FOUR HEADING AS
FOLLOWS :
(1) GENERAL APPEARANCE
(2) DAIRY CHARACTER
(3) BODY CAPACITY
(4) MAMMARY SYSTEM
ANIMAL JUDGING AND SELECTION
JUDGING LIVESTOCK IS THE PASSING OF JUDGMENT BY
OBSERVATION UPON THE SUITABILITY OF AN ANIMAL OR
GROUP OF ANIMALS FOR A GIVEN PURPOSE. ABILITY AS A
JUDGE IS OF EVEN GREATER IMPORTANCE IN THE SELECTION
OF BREEDING ANIMALS, BECAUSE TYPE AND BREED
CHARACTERISTICS MUST BE CONSIDERED AS WELL AS THE
IMMEDIATE UTILITY VALUE OF ANIMAL.
JUDGING PROFICIENCY ACQUIRED FROM EXPERIENCE
JUDGING OF LIVESTOCK DEPENDS ENTIRELY UPON ONES
OWN KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM EXPERIENCE IN VISITING
MARKETS, STOCKS FARMS AND LIVESTOCK EXHIBITIONS.
SCORECARDS HAD BEEN PREPARED AND PUBLISHED BY NEARLY
ALL THE PUREBRED RECORD ASSOCIATIONS. STUDENTS ARE
REQUIRED TO STUDY PHOTOGRAPHS OF BEST ANIMALS TO
CREATE IN THEIR MINDS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE CORRECT IMAGES
OF THE IDEAL ANIMAL OF EACH TYPE OR BREED. IT IS BY THIS
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION AND PRACTICE THAT LIVESTOCK
JUDGING IS STILL TAUGHT.
QUALIFICATIONS OF A COMPETENT LIVESTOCK
JUDGE
THE COMPETENT LIVESTOCK JUDGE MUST POSSESS
THREE SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS. FIRST HE MUST HAVE A
CLEAR CONCEPT OF THE STANDARD AND REQUIREMENTS OF
THE TYPE AND THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE ANIMAL BEING
JUDGED IS TO BE USED. THE SECOND QUALIFICATION OF THE
COMPETENT JUDGED IS THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE QUICKLY
AND ACCURATELY EVERY MINUTE DETAIL IN FORM AND
APPEARANCE OF THE ANIMAL AND REGISTER IN HIS MIND THE
DEGREE TO WHICH SUCH DETAILS APPROACH OR VARY FROM
THE STANDARD.
 OBVIOUSLY CARELESSNESS OR INACCURACY OF OBSERVATION
WOULD LEAD TO INACCURACY OF JUDGEMENT. THE THIRD
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION OF THE EXPERT LIVESTOCK JUDGE
IS THAT HE POSSESS ABILITY TO RENDER DECISIONS. THE
RENDERING IF THE DECISION MEANS THE BALANCING OF
WEAKNESS AGAINST DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS AS
OBSERVED ANS COMING TO A CONCLUSION AS TO JUST HOW
AS FAR AS ENTITY THE ANIMAL IN QUESTION VARIES FROM THE
IDEAL OR STANDARD. THIS IS MOST DIFFICULT PART OF
JUDGING.
HOW JUDGING IS USED; JUDGING OF LIVESTOCK IS USED
FORM THREE MAJOR PURPOSES.
1. BY BUYERS AND SELLERS OF COMMERCIAL ANIMALS IN
DETERMINING THE PROPER CLASS AND GRADE WHICH AN
ANIMAL BELONGS.
2. IN THE SELECTION OF BREEDING ANIMALS AND
3. IN MAKING SHOW-RING AWARDS.
THE USE OF JUDGING IN BUYING AND SELLING COMMERCIAL
ANIMALS;
THE FARMER WHO HAS OCCASION TO PURCHASE OR SELL ANIMALS
ONLY NOW AND THEN MAY PROTECT HIMSELF AGAINST THE SHREWD
BUYER OR SALESMAN BY CHECKING A RELIABLE MARKET REPORT TO
LEARN THE CURRENT PRICE AT WHICH ANIMALS OF THE CLASS AND
GRADE HE HAS TO OFFER ARE SELLING.
ALL TYPES OF COMMERCIAL MEAT ANIMALS ARE
COMMONLY PURCHASED BY WEIGHT. THIS ELIMINATES THE NECESSITY
OF ESTIMATING WEIGHT ON THE PART OF BOTH BUYER AND SELLER
AND SIMPLIFIES THE JUDGING TASK TO SOME EXTENT. SINCE THE
VALUE OF THE CARCASS AN ANIMAL WILL PRODUCE DEPENDS TO
SOME EXTENT ON ITS DRESSING PERCENTAGE, THE SUCCESSFUL
BUYER OR SALESMAN MUST BE ABLE TO ESTIMATE DRESSING
PERCENTAGE.
PURCHASE OF SLAUGHTER ANIMALS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR
CARCASS WEIGHT, CLASS AND GRADE HAS BEEN SUGGESTED AS A
BASIS FOR ARRIVING AT A MORE EQUITABLE SALE VALUE. A FEW
PROCESSING PLANTS IN THE UNITED STATES OFFER THE SELLER THE
OPTION OF SELLING BY EITHER LIVE ANIMAL OR CARCASS GRADE.
DISPOSITION BY THE CARCASS GRADE METHOD HAS NOT RECEIVED
POPULAR ACCEPTANCE BY THE PRODUCERS, BECAUSE THERE IS EQUAL
CHANCE THAT THE CARCASS GRADE RETURN WILL BE LESS THAN THE
LIVE-ANIMAL PRICE.
THE USE OF JUDGING IN SELECTING BREEDING STOCK
THE SELECTION OF A BREEDING ANIMAL IS A FAR MORE
COMPLICATED TASK THAN THE EVALUATION OF AN ANIMAL
FOR IMMEDIATE COMMERCIAL USE. IT REQUIRES NOT ONLY
THE PASSING OF JUDGMENT ON THE MERIT OF THE ANIMAL
FOR THE COMMERCIAL USE IT MIGHT SERVE BUT ALSO THE
PASSING OF JUDGMENT UPON THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT
POSSESSES THE DESIRED BREED CHARACTERISTICS. SELECTING
FOR BREEDING STOCK OF THOSE TYPES OF ANIMAS, THE
USEFULNESS OF WHICH IS IN PRODUCTION OF A PRODUCT
OTHER THAN MEAT , SUCH EGGS, MILK, WOOL, WORK IN THE
DRAFT HORSE AND SPEED IN THE RACE HORSE, IS FURTHER
COMPLICATED BECAUSE WHOLLY RELIABLE CORRELATIONS
BETWEEN VISIBLE CHARACTERS AND HIGH PRODUCTION DO
NOT EXIST TO A DEGREE MAKING POSSIBLE ACCURATE,
CLOSELY DRAWN DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN ANIMALS CLOSELY
RESEMBLING ONE ANOTHER. NEVERTHELESS, STANDARDS FOR
BREEDING ANIMALS DO EXIST AND THE BEGINNING POINT IN
THE SELECTION OF ALL KINDS OF BREEDING ANIMALS IS THE
APPEARANCE OF THE ANIMAL AND THE DEGREE TO WHICH IT
APPROACHES THE APPROVED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TYPE
OF BREED REPRESENTED AS BASED ON OBSERVATION.
SELECTION OF BREEDING ANIMALS :
IN SELECTING BREEDING ANIMALS, THE JUDGMENT OF THE BREEDER
MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED TO ADVANTAGE IN SEVERAL WAYS:
(1) BY ASCERTAINING THE MERIT OF THE ANCESTRY OF THE ANIMAL
FOR TWO OR THREE GENERATIONS BACK AN ANIMAL HAVING CLOSE
UP ANCESTORS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN OF HIGH MERIT IS LIKELY TO
REPRODUCE HIS OR HER CHARACTERISTICS MORE UNIFORMLY THAN
ONE OF ABOUT EQUAL APPEARANCE WITHOUT THE STRONG
PEDIGREE.
(2) WHEN CONSIDERATION OF A PRODUCT IS INVOLVED ,
PRODUCTION RECORDS FOR THE ANIMAL IN QUESTION AS WELL AS
PRODUCTION RECORDS OF THE CLOSE UP ANCESTORS PROVIDE A BASIS
FOR ESTIMATING THE PRODUCING ABILITY FOR PROGENY MORE
ACCURATELY THAN IT CAN BE ESTIMATED FROM THE APPEARANCE OF
THE ANIMAL.
(3) FEED CONSUMPTION RECORDS MAY BE COMBINED WITH
PRODUCTION OF RATE OF GAIN RECORDS TO INDICATE THE EFFICIENCY
OF AN ANIMAL IN THE UTILIZATION OF FEED. HIGH EFFICIENCY IN FEED
UTILIZATION , ESPECIALLY IF IT EXTENDS OVER SEVERAL GENERATIONS
OF ANCESTRY, IS A FAIRLY RELIABLE INDICATION THAT THE ANIMAL
WILL TRANSMIT HIGH EFFICIENCY IN FEED UTILIZATION TO ITS
OFFSPRING.
(4) THE FINAL DETERMINE TEST OF THE VALUE OF A BREEDING
ANIMAL IS THE MERIT OF ITS PROGENY. WHEN AVAILABLE , THE
PROGENY TEST MAY SUPPLEMENT ALL OTHER EVIDENCE AS TO THE
SUITABILITY OF AN ANIMAL FOR BREEDING USE; BUT ITS USE IS
LIMITED, BECAUSE MANY ANIMALS MUST BE CULLED BEFORE THEY
REACH THE REPRODUCTION AGE. THE BREEDER MAY USE THE
PROGENY TEST TO DISCARD ANIMALS FROM HIS HERD AS SOON AS
THEIR PROGENY DEMONSTRATE THEIR FAILURE TO MEASURE UP TO
ESTIMATED EXPECTATION . THE PROGENY TEST MAY ALSO POINT OUT
THOSE ANIMALS THAT ARE REPRODUCING IN A HIGHLY
SATISFACTORY MANNER AND LEAD TO THEIR RETENTION IN THE
HERD FOR THEIR FULL LIFE PERIOD. THE PROGENY TEST CAN SELDOM
BE USED IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY BY THE BREEDER WHO MUST
PURCHASE A NEW SIRE OR ADDITIONAL FEMALES, BECAUSE “ TESTED
AND PROVED” BREEDING ANIMALS ARE SELDOM OFFERED FOR SALE
AND WHEN OCCASIONALLY THEY CAN BE PURCHASED , THEY SELL AT
HIGH PRICES.
ALTHOUGH THE PRECEDING METHODS ARE ALL HELPFUL TO
SUPPLEMENT JUDGMENT BASED ON OBSERVATION , WORK AND
TIME ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE . THIS IS
PARTICULARLY TRUE OF THE KEEPING OF ACCURATE FEED RECORDS
FOR INDIVIDUAL ANIMALS. BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE INVOLVED IN
SUCH RECORD KEEPING , PERFORMANCE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE
FOR COMPARATIVELY FEW ANIMALS AT PRESENT.
JUDGING OF LIVESTOCK AT EXHIBITION
SHOW RING JUDGING REQUIRES THE RATING OF ANIMALS
WITHIN A GROUP IN ORDER OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERIT.
SHOW RING JUDGING IS OFTEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE
CLOSENESS WITH WHICH A NUMBER OF ANIMALS IN A GROUP
RESEMBLE EACH OTHER. SHOW RING JUDGING , ESPECIALLY OF
MEAT ANIMALS AND DRAFT HORSES, IS OF IMPORTANCE
BECAUSE THE WINNING ANIMALS ARE ACCEPTED AS THE
NEAREST APPROACH TO THE IDEAL STANDARDS THAT HAVE
BEEN PRODUCED.
JUDGING DAIRY CATTLE
DEGREE OF CONFORMATION TO A WELL- DEFINED TYPE AS
DETERMINED BY OBSERVATION, IS THE STARTING POINT IN
VALUING ALL DAIRY CATTLE, WHETHER THE OBJECT IS TO
ARRIVE AT A SALE PRICE, TO DECIDE A SHOW-RING RATING , OR
TO SELECT ANIMALS FOR USE AS BREEDING STOCK.
PERFORMANCE RECORDS OF THE ANIMAL ITS CLOSE-UP
ANCESTORS ARE OCCASIONALLY CONSIDERED IN ARRIVING AT
A SALE PRICE AND IN SHOW-RING JUDGING. WHEN AVAILABLE,
PERFORMANCE RECORDS ARE NEARLY ALWAYS TAKEN INTO
ACCOUNT IN SELECTING ANIMALS FOR BREEDING.
THE SCALE OF POINTS
PRACTICE IN SCORING ANIMALS IS THE BEGINNING POINT IN
THE STUDY OF DAIRY CATTLE JUDGING. DAIRY BREEDERS MAKE
MORE USE OF THE SCORECARD THAN DO BREEDERS OF ANY
OTHER KIND OF FARM ANIMAL. SCORE CARDS FOR GENERAL
USE IN SCORING ALL DAIRY COWS HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY
VARIOUS AGENCIES . ON THIS SCORECARD , ALL POINTS OR
CHARACTERISTICS ARE GROUPED UNDER FOUR HEADING AS
FOLLOWS :
(1) GENERAL APPEARANCE
(2) DAIRY CHARACTER
(3) BODY CAPACIT
(4) MAMMARY SYSTEM
 SELECTION

SELECTION AND ITS BASES

IN SIMPLE TERMS, SELECTION IN LIVESTOCK BREEDING IS
AN ATTEMPT TO SECURE OR RETAIN THE BEST OF THOSE
ANIMALS IN THE CURRENT GENERATION AS PARENTS OF THE
NEXT GENERATION. OBLIVIOUSLY THE SKILL IS WHICH
SELECTIONS ARE MADE IN ALL IMPORTANT IN DETERMINING
THE FUTURE OF THE HEAD. IT BECOMES PERFECTLY CLEAR, …..,
THAT THE DESTINY OF BREED IMPROVEMENT IS DEPENDENT
UPON THE SELECTION FOR BREEDING PURPOSES OF THOSE
ANIMALS OR ARE GENETICALLY SUPERIOR, THE PROFITABILITY
OF ANY INDIVIDUAL ANIMAL OR OF A HEAD OF ANIMALS IS
DETERMINED BY THE FELG TWO FACTORS.
(1) TYPE OR INDIVIDUALITY BASED UPON THE ABILITY TO
PRODUCE HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR A DISCRIMINATING
MARKET.
(2) PERFORMANCE OR EFFICIENCY OF PRODUCTION WHICH IN
BEEF CATTLE MEANS ABILITY TO UTILIZE FEED EFFICIENCTLY TO
PRODUCE MEAT AND MILK. THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE ABILITY
TO REPRODUCE REGULARLY.
 THERE BASES OF SELECTION ARE AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE
LIVESTOCKER.
(1) SELECTION BASED ON TYPE OR INDIVIDUALITY
(2) SELECTION BASED ON PEDIGREE
(3) SELECTION BASED ON PRODUCTION TESTING
SINCE ……METHOD OF SELECTION HAS ITS OWN PARTICULAR
PLACE , THE PROGRESSIVE STOCKER WILL MAKE JUDICIOUS USE
OF ALL OF THEM.
SELECTION BASED ON TYPE OR INDIVIDUALITY
THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE IN BEEF PRODUCTION IS THAT OF SELLING
MEAT OVER THE BLOCK. THUS FADS OR FANCIES IN BECAUSE
SELECTION THAT STRAY TOO FAR FROM THIS OBJECTIVE WILL, LATER
BRING DISCREDIT.
THOUGH ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS HAVE TREMENDOUS
INFLUENCE ON ANIMALS ,THE FACT REMAINS THAT THE
PERFORMANCE AND TYPE OF THE ANIMAL ITSELF (ITS PHENOTYPE OR
HOW IT LOOKS) ARE THE BEST SINGLE INDICATORS OF THE GERM
PLASM THAT IT CARRIES ( ITS GENOTYPE OR WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS ).
PERFORMANCE AND TYPE , ……, ARE THE MOST USEFUL SINGLE ,
FACTORS IN MAKING SELECTION. NATURALLY, THIS APPLIES TO ONLY
TO THOSE CHARACTERISTICS THAT THE ANIMAL WHICH ARE THEY CAN
EXPRESS FROM A PRACTICAL STANDPOINTS THIS MEANS THAT ONLY
THOSE ANIMAL WHICH ARE THEMSELVES HAVE OR PREFERABLY
BETTER THAN HAVE S, IT MUST BE HOULD BE USED FOR BREEDING
PURPOSES, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE MERIT OF WEAR RELATIVES.
THE SELECTION OF ANIMALS ON THE BASIS OF TYPE OR
APPEARANCE ALONE IS COMMONLY CALLED MASS SELECTION. THIS
IS THE USUAL PROCEDURE ……….. IN COMMERCIAL HEADS , AND IN A
LARGE PART, IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE
IMPORTED EXOTIC BREEDS TO THE PRESENT – DAY STOCK .
IN MAKING SELECTIONS BASED ON TYPE OR INDIVIDUALITY, IT MUST BE
REMEMBERED THAT THE CHARACTERISTICS FOUND IN THE BREEDING
HERD ARE VERY LIKELY TO BE REFLECTED IN THE OFFSPRING’S, FOR
HERE, AS IN ANY BREEDING PROGRAMME , A FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLE IS THAT “ LIKE TENDS TO PRODUCE LIKE”. THEN , TOO, ARE
MUST NOT OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT THE HERD BULL IN FAR MORE
THAN HALF OF THE HERD,. A COW’S INHERITANCE WILL ONLY
INFLUENCE ONE CALF A YEAR , WHEREAS THE HERD BULL MAY
INFLUENCE 20-50X AS MANY INDIVIDUALS IN A GIVEN SEASON.
SELECTION BASED ON PEDIGREE
IN PEDIGREE SELECTION , THE INDIVIDUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF
THE ANCESTORS ARE RELIED UPON FOR SN ESTIMATE OF THE
PROBABLE TRANSMITTING ABILITY. THIS METHOD IS USED IN MOST
FOURS BRED HEADS,
PEDIGREE SELECTION IS OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE WHEN PROGENY
PERFORMANCE DATA IS NOT AVAILABLE OR WHEN THE ANIMALS ARE
EITHER SO ………… OR SO YOUNG THAT THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERIT
CANNOT BE ASCERTAINED IS ANY DEGREE OF CERTAINTY. SELECTION
IN BEING MADE BETWEEN ANIMALS OF COMPARABLE INDIVIDUAL
MERIT, THE PEDIGREE MAY BE THE DETERMING FACTORS.
IN MAKING USE OF PEDIGREE SELECTIONS, HOWEVER, IT MUST BE
REMEMBERED THAT THE ANCESTORS CLOSE UP IN THE PEDIGREE ARE MUCH
MORE IMPORTANT THAN THOSE MANY GENERATIONS REMOVED. LIKEWISE, ARE
MUST NOT BE MISLED NOR MUST BE OVERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF FAMILY
NAMES OR FAVORITE ANIMALS MANY GENERATIONS REMOVED FROM THE
FOUNDATION ANIMAL. PEDIGREE FADS AS SUCH SHOULD BE AVOIDED,
ESPECIALLY IF THERE HAS NOT ALSO BEEN RIGID CULLING AND SELECTION
BASED ON UTILITY VALUE. IN ALL INSTANCES, FROOR INDIVIDUALS SHOULD NOT
BE SAVED, REGARDLESS OF THE EXCELLENCE OF RELATIVES.
SELECTION BASED ON PRODUCTION TESTING
INFALLIBLE BASIS OF SELECTION. PRODUCTION TESTING IS THE MOST
EMBRACES BOTH
(1) INDIVIDUAL MERIT TESTING ( SOMETIMES CALLED PERFORMANCE TESTING)
AND
(2) PROGENY TESTING . THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF
THESE TERMS IS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS
(A) INDIVIDUAL MERIT TESTING – ID THE PRACTICE OF EVALUATION AND
SELECTING ANIMALS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERIT.
(B) PROGENY TESTING – IS THE PRACTICE OF SELECTING ANIMALS ON THE BASIS
OF THE MERIT OF THEIR PROGENY.
(C) PRODUCTION TESTING – IS A MORE INCLUSIVE TERM, INCLUDING MERIT
TESTING AND / A OR PROGENY TESTING.
PRODUCTION TESTING
INVOLVES THE TAKING OF ACCURATE RECORDS RATHER THAN
CASUAL OBSERVATION. ALSO, IN ORDER TO BE MOST
EFFECTIVE , THE ACCOMPANYING SELECTION MUST BE BASED
ON CHARACTERISTICS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND HIGH
HERITABILITY , AND AN OBJECTIVE MEASURE SUCH AS
KILOGRAM, CM SHOULD BE PLACED UPON …..OF THE TRAITS
TO BE MEASURED. FINALLY, THOSE BREEDING ANIMALS THAT
FAIL IS MEET THE HIGH STANDARDS SET FORTH MUST BE
REMOVED FROM THE HEAD PROMPTLY AND UNFLINCHINGLY.
RECORD KEEPING
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO RUN ANY KIND OF BUSINESS
PROFITABLY WITHOUT PROPER RECORDS. A DAIRYMAN WHO
DOES NOT HAVE A FAIRLY ACCURATE RECORD OF THE AMOUNT
OF FEED GIVEN TO THE COWS IN HIS HERD AND OF THE
AMOUNT OF MILK AND BUTTERFAT, WHICH THEY PRODUCE , IS
CERTAINLY NOT CONDUCTING HIS BUSINESS EFFIECIENTLY.
UNLESS ACCURATE RECORDS ARE KEPT , THE BEST COW IN A
HERD IS LIKELY TO HAVE EQUAL RANK WITH THE POOREST, AT
LEAST IN THE MIND OF THE OWNER.
PRESERVATION OF PERMANENT RECORD
THERE ARE THREE GENERAL METHODS OF PRESERVING
RECORDS , INDIVIDUAL CONDITIONS WILL DETERMINE WHICH
ONE IS BEST SUITED CASE. RECORDS MAY BE KEPT IN ANY OF
THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
(1) IN BOOKS WITH PERMANENT LEAVES
(2) IN LOOSE LEAF BOOKS OR FILES
(3) ENVELOPES
THERE ARE ADVANTAGES IN USING BOOKS WITH PERMANENT
LEAVES FOR SOME RECORDS WHEREAS THE LOOSE LEAF BOOK
OR FILES AND ENVELOPES ARE BETTER FOR OTHERS. FOR
BREEDING RECORDS, THE PERMANENT LEAF BOOK HAS THE
ADVANTAGES OF BEING SAFER, AS THE SEPARATE PAGES
CANNOT GET LOST, HOWEVER , IT IS CUMBERSOME , AS OLD
RECORDS, WHICH MUST BE HANDLED FREQUENTLY, ARE
EXPOSED TO THE DANGER OF BEING LOST IF THE WHOLE BOOK
IS LOST.
THE LOOSE LEAF RECORDS HOWEVER MAY BE DIVIDED AND
ONLY THESE RECORDS THAT ARE IN USE AT A PARTICULAR NEED
BE KEPT AT HAND WHILE OTHER OLD LEAF RECORD’S MAY BE
PUT AWAY FOR SAFE KEEPING. THE LOOSE-LEAF RECORDS ALSO
HAVE THE ADVANTAGE THAT ALL THE DATA RELATING TO AN
INDIVIDUAL ANIMAL MAY BE KEPT TOGETHER SO THAT WHEN
IT IS DESIRED TO GET ANY INFORMATION UPON A CERTAIN
COW, ALL SUCH INFORMATION WILL BE TOGETHER IN ONE
BOOK.
KIND OF RECORD
SEVERAL KINDS OF RECORDS MAY BE KEPT IN A DAIRY
FARM. SOME OF THEM ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO THE
BREEDER OF PUREBRED GRADE ANIMALS. ALL DAIRYMEN
SHOULD KEPT RECORDS OF PRODUCTION. THE IMPORTANT
RECORDS, WHICH SHOULD KEPT, ARE DISCUSSED BELOW
MILK REGISTER
MILK RECORD IS A GENUINE TO CORRECT FEEDING. IT ENABLES
FEEDING TO BE REGULATED ACCORDING TO THE QUANTITY OF
MILK PRODUCED BY THE COWS. GENEROUS FEEDING AND FEED
GIVEN TO LOW PRODUCERS REDUCED TO THE EXTENT
NECESSARY MAY PUSH UP THE YIELDS OF HEAVY MILKER.
CORRECT FEEDING AVOIDS WASTEFUL EXPENDITURES AND
INCREASE THE PROFITS OF A DAIRYMEN AS FEEDS ACCOUNT
FOR OVER 60% OF THE TOTAL COST OF PRODUCING MILK.
PURCHASERS TAKE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE COWS AND
THEIR IMMEDIATE PARENTS INTO CONSIDERATION AND PEOPLE
ARE WILING TO PAY MORE FOR ANIMALS WHOSE
PERFORMANCE ARE KNOWN. WHEN THE COWS WITHOUT ANY
MILK RECORDS ARE PURCHASED , THEIR CAPACITY FOR
PRODUCTION HAD TO BE JUDGED BY EXTERNAL CHARACTERS
AT THE PURCHASER’S RISK. MILK AND FEED RECORDS KEEP THE
DAIRYMAN IN TOUCH WITH THE INDIVIDUAL ANIMALS. A FALL
IN MILK YIELD OF ANY INDIVIDUAL COW IS NOTED AND
THEREBY THE OWNER CAN READILY NOTE THE EARLY STAGES
OF ANY ILLNESS.
REGISTRATION IN THE CENTRAL HERD BOOK
PERSONS INTERESTED IN REGISTERING THEIR CATTLE UNDER
THE CENTRAL HERD BOOK CAN FULFIL THEIR WISHES ONLY
WHEN THEY HAVE GOT SUCH MIK RECORDS. PEDIGREE IS AN
IMPORTANT REGISTER FOR DAIRY CATTLE. TO COMPLETE THIS
REGISTER IT IS A COMPULSORY TASK TO ENTER INDIVIDUAL
MILK YIELD REGULARLY. MILK RECORDING ENABLES BREEDERS
TO SELECT SUITABLE BULLS, WHOSE DAMS ARE KNOWN TO BE
GOOD MILKERS. THE HELP OF THIS RECORD DOES PROGENY
TESTING OF THE BULL.
CATTLE FEED REGISTER
TO KNOW HOW MUCH PROFIT A COW IS MAKING , IT IS
NECESSARY TO FIND OUT NOT ONLY THE PRODUCTION OF COW
ALSO THE AMOUNT OF FEED THAT SHE HAS CONSUMED. IT IS
ALSO NECESSARY , ESPECIALLY IN LARGE HERD, TO HAVE SOME
FORM ON WHICH TO PUT DOWN THE AMOUNT OF FEED THAT
EACH COW SHOULD RECEIVE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR
ANY INDIVIDUAL TO REMEMBER THE AMOUNT OF FEED THAT
EACH COW SHOULD RECEIVE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR
ANY INDIVIDUAL TO REMEMBER THE AMOUNT OF FEED THAT
SHOULD BE GIVEN TO EACH INDIVIDUAL COW.
USUALLY SUCH A RECORD SHOULD BE CHECKED AFTER EVERY
WEEK FOR FORTNIGHT. THIS SHOULD BE FILLED OUT
ACCORDING TO THE PRODUCTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO
REMEMBER THE AMOUNT OF FEED THAT SHOULD BE
FASTENED NEAR THE FEED BIN. THE AMOUNT OF GRAIN
MENTIONED ON THE SHEET SHOULD BE CAREFULLY WEIGHED
AT EACH FEEDING. THE ROUGHAGES NEED NOT BE WEIGHED
AT EACH FEEDING BUT SHOULD BE WEIGHED ATLEAST ONCE A
MONTH SO THAT SOME IDEA OF THE AMOUNT GIVEN IS
KNOWN. IN LARGE FARMS, IT IS USUAL PRACTICE TO NUMBER
DIFFERENT GRAIN MIXTURES THAT HAS BEEN FED TO THE
HERD.
CALF FEEDING REQUIRES A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT FORM
SINCE CALVES ARE FED WHOLE MILK, SKIM MILK, GRAIN AND
HAY. THESE CAN EASILY BE MADE TO CONFORM TO THE
CONDITIONS.
BREEDING REGISTER
THE SERVICING IS RECORDED IN TWO WAYS-BULL WISE AND
COW WISE. IN THE FORMER, A COW MATED TO, A PARTICULAR
BULL IS RECORDED WHILE IN THE LATTER ALL BULLS THAT HAVE
SERVICED ANY PARTICULAR COW ARE NOTED DOWN. THWE
COMBINATION OF BOTH IS ESSENTIAL AS IT GIVES A CROSS
CHECK
CATTLE HISTORY AND PEDIGREE REGISTER
CATTLE HISTORY DEALS ONLY ABOUT THE LIFE OF A
PARTICULAR ANIMAL, VIZ, THE NAME, BRAND NUMBER,
PERFORMANCE, DISEASES SUFFERED AND THE CAUSE OF
DISPOSAL, OR THE REASON OF DEATH. CATTLE PEDIGREE SHEET
DEALS ONLY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ANCESTORS OF A
PARTICULAR ANIMAL.
HEALTH REGISTER
IT IS DESIRABLE TO HAVE A RECORD OF THE HEALTH OF THE
COWS IN A HERD. THIS INCLUDES A PLACE FOR THE
TUBERCULOSIS TEST, ABORTION TEST AND THE GENERAL
HEALTH , ETC. SOMETIMES BY A STUDY OF THE HEALTH RECORD
OF AN ANIMAL , THE REASON FOR AN ANIMAL, THE REASON
FOR AN UNEXPECTED RESULT MAY BE FOUND.
CALF REGISTER
WHEN A CALF IS BORN , IT IS ENTERED IN THIS REGISTER,. THE
REGISTER CONTAINS THE CALF ‘S TATTOO OR NOTCH NUMBER,
ITS DATE OF BIRTH AND SEX AND THE WEIGHT AT BIRTH, ETC.
THE CALF REGISTER ALSO FURNISHES THE INFORMATION
WHETHER A PARTICULAR CALF WAS REARED OR CULLED OUT.
FINANCIAL RECORDS :
ALL RECORDS MAINTAINED IN A FARM, THE FINANCIAL
RECORDS SUCH AS CASHBOOK , STOCK BOOK ARE THE MOST
VALUABLE REGISTERS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF PROFIT AND
LOSS OF ANY TYPE , OF COMMERCIAL DAIRY HERD.
A. CASTRATION
 CASTRATION - EFFECT OF CASTRATION IN MEET QUALITY
GROWTH OF THE ANIMAL (TYPED).
CASTRATION IS THE REMOVAL OF MALE ANIMAL
PRODUCTIVE ORGANS I.E TESTICLES AND THIS REDUCES LIBIDO
USELESS FOR BREEDING PURPOSES. IT IS USUAL TO CASTRATE
MALE ANIMALS THAT ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR BREEDING
AND THIS SHOULD BE DONE IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF LIFE.
ON EXTREME HOLDINGS, CASTRATION IS USUALLY CARRIED
OUT AT WEANING BUT IN INTENSIVE SYSTEM IT COULD BE
ACCOMPLISHED EARLIVER. IN MANY TROPICAL COUNTRIES,
CASTRATION IS CARRIED OUT VERY LATE OFTEN WHEN THE
ANIMALS ARE 4 YEARS OF AGE . IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT
IN MOST TROPICAL COUNTRIES WHERE THERE IS NO PREMIUM
FOR THE PRODUTCION OF HIGH QUALITY BEEF , THERE ARE NO
ADVANTAGES IN CASTRATION BULLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE
SOLD FOR MEAT PARTICULARLY AS BULL, NORMALL GROW
RAPIDLY THAN CASTRATES ( BULLOCKS).
CASTRATION IS BEST DONE IN THE MORNING SO AS TO
REDUCE BLEEDING AND STRESS ASSOCIATED WITH
CASTRATIONING STEER, BULLOCKS AND OXEN.
METHODS OF CASTRATION

IT CAN EITHER:

(1) CLOSE CASTRATION AND

(2) OPEN CASTRATION

(1) THE CLOSED CASTRATION

(a) USING BUDIZZOR PINCERS – IN THIS METHOD , NO

INSCISORS ARE MADE I.E NO CUTTING OF THE SCROTAL SACKS
TO REMOVE THE TESTICS AND SEVERING THE SPERMATID
(CORD).

IT CAN BE USED ON CALVES FROM 10 DAYS OLD TO 3 WEEKS

OLD,IN ORDER TO CAUSE A MINIMUM PAIN . HOWEVER, IT CAN
BE USED FOR ANIMAL OF DIFFERENT AGES, IT IS IN HUMANE
TREATMENT.

(b) ELASTRATION / RUBBER RINGS- IN THIS METHOD

INSCISSION IS NOT MADE. APPLY THE RUBBER RINGS AROUND
THE NECK OF THE SCROTAL SACS AND IT STANDS IN THIS
POSITION UNTIL IT CUTS OFF WITH THE DRY TESTES INSIDE THE
SCROTAL SACS. THIS IS ALSO IN HUMANE TREATEMENT. THERE
ARE TESTES THE ANIMAL BECOMES IMPOTENT.
(2) THE OPEN METHOD / CUTTING/ INSCISSION METHOD

(a) STERILIZED KNIFE IS USED SO AS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE

OF INFECTION. THE SCROTAL SAC IS CUT AND THE RAS-
DEFERENCES ARE CUT AND THE BLOOD VESSELS SUPPLY, AND
THE TESTES ARE LIGATED TO AVOID FURTHER
BLEEDING .SULPHIAMIDE IS APPILED TO THE WOUND, SO ALSO
THE ANIMALIS INJECTED WITH ANTIBIOTIC AND ANAEGESIC
(PAIN RELIVER) .
DIAGRAM
IDENTIFICATION

THIS IS THE MARKING OF THE ANIMAL IN ORDER TO REDUCE

DISPUTES AMONG OWNERS OVER LOST STEALING OR STRAYED
LIVESTOCK. IT CAN BE DONE AT BIRTH OR AT WEANING .

ON GOVERNMENT FARMS OR RESEARCH STATIONS CALVES

ARE MARKED AT BIRTH LIVESTOCK MAY BE MARKED IN A
TEMPORARY MANNER.
TEMPORARY MARKING

THIS IS NEEDED FOR HEAT DURATION , DISEASED CONDICTION

CULLING PROCESSES ETC . IT CAN BE ACHIEVED BY THE MEANS
OF A LIFE THAT WILL MARK THE COAT OF THE ANIMAL FOR A
HIGHER OR SHORTER PERIOD (WHICH WILL HELP TO IDENTIFY
ANIMAL THAT IS ON HEAT).

TEMPORARY MARKING IS UNIQUE IN SHAPE.

COMMON METHODS OF PERMANENT MARKING

(i) BRANDING
(ii) TATOOING
(iii) NOTCHING
(iv) TAGGING
(1) TAGGING

THIS CAN BE MADE OF PLASTICS, METAL AND CAN BE FIXED

ON THE EARS OF AN ANIMALS OR AROUNG THE NECK FOR
SMALL RUMINANTS.

IN SOME COUNTRIES , THE TAGS ARE PLACED ON THE

HORNS.

(2) BRANDING

THIS IS MOSTLY WIDELY USED METHOD OF IDENTIFYING FARM

ANIMALS.

THE NUMBERS LEATERS PF DESIGNS SHOULD BE

SUFFICIENTLY LARGE TO THE READ FROM SOME DISTANCE
FROM THE ANIMALS. AND REACH SHOULD BE AT LEAST 2.5 cm
APART FROM OTHER. THE EASIEST AND MOST VISIBLE PLACE
TO APPLY THE BRAND ON CATTLE IS ON THE APPER ASPECT OF
THE QUARTER TRUNK OR SHOULDEN. HOWEVER, IN ANY OF
THESE POSITION , A VALUABLE PART THE HIDE IS BEING
RUINED AND FOR THIS REASON, BRANDING SHOULD TAKE
PLACE ON THE CHECK, THE FORE ARM OR THE STIFLE.
BRANDING WITH THE USE OF CHEMICAL ESPECIALLY CAUSTIC
SODA IS CUMBERSOME. CHEMICAL AND HOT IRON
BRANDINGARE NOT HUMANE.

FREEZE BRANDING IS MORE APPROPRIATE , IT IS EXPENSIVE

( THE USE OF NITROGEN WHICH IS COSTLY).
(3) TATOOING

IT IS THE MOST SUITABLE METHOD OF MARKING YOUNG

ANIMALS . TATOO UNPRINTS ARE MOST CONVENIENT ON THE
INNER SIDE OF THE EAR OR THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ROOT OF
THE TAIL. HOWEVER, TATOO FIGURES CANNOT BE EASILY SEEN
WITHOUT HANDLING OR CLOSE HANDLING OF THE ANIMALS.

(4) NOTCHING

EAR NOTCHING IS PRACTISED ON CATTLE NOTCHING IS

USUALLY MADE WITH A PAIR OF SPECIAL PLIERS.

DIAGRAM
(B) DIPPING

SHORTLY AFTER SHEARING , AN IMPORTANT OPERATION IN

LIVESTOCK HUSBANDRY IS DIPPING FOR THE CONTROL OF
ECTOPARASITES. THE MAIN ECTOPARASITES ARE TICKS, BODY
LOUSE AND ITCH MITES. SYNTHETIC INSECTICIDE , WHICH HAVE
GREATER RESIDUAL EFFECT ON THE FLEECE, E.G D.DT. , B.H.C.
OR ALDRIN ARE GENERALLY USED FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF
ECTOPARASITES . ORGANOPHOSPHORUS INSECTICIDES SUCH
AS MALATHION ARE USED DUE TO THEIR HIGH QUALITY
INSECTICIDIAL PROPERTIES.

TIME OF DIPPING

THE TIME WHEN DIPPING IS GIVEN TO SHEEP IN RESPECT OF

HEALTH OF SHEEP, LIFE CYCLE OF THE ECTOPARASITES AND THE
TYPE OF INSECTICIDE IS VERY IMPORTANT. WHILE SHEARING
SOME CUTS ON THE BODY ARE EXPECTED , THEREFORE,
DIPPING SHOULD BE DONE 12-15 DAYS AFTER SHEARING SO
THAT THE WOUNDS OR CUTS CAUSED DURING SHEARING ARE
EITHER HEALED OR SCABBED OVER.
PRECAUTIONS IN THE DIPPING

(1) THE DIPPING BATH SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY , CLEANED

OUT SOME DAYS BEFORE THE DIPPING

(2) THE LIQUID CAPACITY OF THE BATH SHOULD BE

ACCURATELY GAUGED.

(3) THE DIRECTIONS GIVEN FOR THE USE OF MEDICINES

SHOULD BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED.

(4) THE BATH SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY STIRRED FROM THE

BOTTOM THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH JUST BEFORE THE DIPPING
BEGINS; DURING THE DIPPING AND EACH TIME NEW DIP AND
WATER ARE ADDED.

(5) ALL SCUM SHOULD BE SKIMMED OFF AS IT FORMS.

(6) START THE DIPPING EARLY IN THE MORNING AND
CONTINUE ONLY SO LONG AS TO ALLOW ALL SHEEP TO BE DRY
BEFORE EVENING .

(7) SHEEP SHOULD NOT BE THIRSTY AS THEY ARE THEN APT

TO DRINK THE WASH OR LICK THE FLOOR OR DRAINING PENS.
THERE SHOULD BE PROVISION OF WATER IN THE COLLECTION
CHANBER.

(8) DIP THE RAMS FIRST, THEN THE REST OF THE MATURED
SHEEP (EWE) AND THE LAMB LAST.

(9) DIPPING SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT IN COLD OR WET

WEATHER.

(10) CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO SEE THAT THE SHEEP ARE NOT
OVER CROWDED IN THE DRAINING PENS. AFTER DRAINING,
SHEEP SHOULD BE TURNED OUT INTO SHED, YARDS OR WHERE
THERE IS SHELTER.

(11) ALL THE CARTOONS OR PACKAGES OF DIP MATERIALS

SHOULD BE DISPOSED OFF BEFORE THEY REACH IN ANY BODY’S
HANDS
(C) THE HORNING / HORN TIPPING

THIS IS THE REMOVAL OF HORNS OR HORN BUD .

ADVANTAGES OF DEHORNING

(a) EASY HANDLING OF DEHORNING

(b) PREVENT (TO PREVENT) INJURY

( C) FOR EASY TRANSPORTATION OF THE ANIMALS

FORMS OF DEHORNING

(1) DEHORNING BY BREEDING – THE POLLED GENES IS

DOMIONANT OVER HORNED GENES, WHEN A PURE POLLED
ANIMAL (BULL) IS MATED WITH A DAM THAT HAS HORN , THRE
PROGENY WILL BE PULLED.

(2) THE USE OF CHEMICALS ( CAUSTIC PASTE) – THIS METHOD

IS EMPLOYED FOR CALVES ABOUT 3-14DAYS OLD. THE POTASH
STICK IS USED. THE STICKS IS RUBBED ON THE HORN BUDS.

PETROLEUM JELLY MAY BE RUBBED ON AROUND THE HORN

BUD SURROUNDINGS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE PASTE.
THE BUDS FALL OFF IN A FEW DAYS . TREATED ANIMALS MUST
BE SEPARATED.

(3) USE OF HOT IRON – THIS IS USED ON CALVES 2-4 MONTH

OLD OR AS SOON AS THE HORN BUD ARE VISIBLE. THE IRON
CAN BE HETED ELECTRICALLY OR IN OPEN FIRE, AND THE
OPERATION IS PAINFUL. THE CUP – LIKE END OF THE HOT IRON
IS FIRMLY PLACED AND PRESSES ON THE HORN BUDS UNTIL IT
IS UPROOTED.
THIS TYPE OF DEHORNING IS NOT HUMANE.

(4) USE OF DEHORNING SAW – IT IS USED FOR ANIMALS OF

OVER 24 MONTHS OF AGE. THE SAW IS USED TO CUT
SECTIONS OF THE HORNS. THE TIPPING SHOULD BE DONE FAR
ENOUGH TO BLUNT THE HORNS NOT FAR ENOUGH TO DRAW
BLOOD.

(5) USE OF RUBBER BAND – WITH SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS THE

RUBBER BANDS ARE PLACED IN THE BASE OF THE HORNS.
EVENTUALLY THE HORNS WILL FALL OFF.
(D) ANIMAL HEALTH PRACTICES

IN INTENSIVE SYSTEM, CATTLE ARE DRENCHED AND DIPPED

EITHER BY SPRAYING MACHINE OR BY HAND IN TICK INFECTED
AREA.

THE FREQUENCY REQUIRED DEPENDS ON CLIMATIC

FACTORS SUCH AS HUMIDITY AND RAINFALL PATTERNS.

ON GOVERNMENT FORMS AND RESEARCH STATIONS A

REGULAR ROUTINE IS ESTABLISHED TO DIP OR SPRAY ALL
ANIMALS EVERY 2 WEEKS DURING THE RAINY SEASON AND
WHEN NEEDED IN THE DRY SEASON , IT MAY BE AT THE END OF
EACH MONTH OR EVERY 2 MONTHS.
(D) ANIMAL HEALTH PRACTICES

IN INTENSIVE SYSTEM, CATTLE ARE DRENCHED AND DIPPED

EITHER BY SPRAYING MACHINE OR BY HAND IN TICK INFECTED
AREA.

THE FREQUENCY REQUIRED DEPENDS ON CLIMATIC

FACTORS SUCH AS HUMIDITY AND RAINFALL PATTERNS.

ON GOVERNMENT FORMS AND RESEARCH STATIONS A

REGULAR ROUTINE IS ESTABLISHED TO DIP OR SPRAY ALL
ANIMALS EVERY 2 WEEKS DURING THE RAINY SEASON AND
WHEN NEEDED IN THE DRY SEASON , IT MAY BE AT THE END OF
EACH MONTH OR EVERY 2 MONTHS.
ANIMALS ARE DEWORMED EVERY 3 MONTHS TIMES IN THE
YEAR DURING EARLY, MIDDLE AND LATE RAINING SEASONS.
CALVES ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WORM INFESTATION AND
SHOULD BE DEWORMED MUCH FREQUENTLY EITHER AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE RAIN

ANIMALS THAT ARE 6 MONTH OLD (AT WEANING AGE) AND

ABOVE ARE USUALLY VACCINATED AGAINST RINDERPEST, BLACK
QUARTER, BRUCELLOSE, CONTAGIOUS BOVINE, NEURO-
PNEUMONIA , ANTHRAX AND HAEMORAGIC SEPTICEMIA .
(E) SYNCHRONIZATION OF HEAT

THIS IS THE CONTROLLED INDUCEMENT OF OVULATION IN

FEMALE FARM ANIMALS SO THAT ALL OF ARTIFICIAL
INSEMINATION (A I) TO BEEF CATTLE BREEDING. APART FROM
LEADING TO MULTIPLE BIRTH CRYSTALLINE PROGESTERONE
EITHER AS THE SINGLE INJECTION OF 500 – 1000ML OR
REPEATED INJECTION OF 50 – 100ML SPREAD OVER THE
PERIOD OF 10-20 DAYS OR 2 INJECTIONS PROSTAGLANDIN
CAN BE GIVEN 11DAYS APART. OESTRUS OR OVULATION IS
INHIBITED FOR A FEW DAYS. AND THE ANIMALS COME ON
HEAT WITHIN 3 – 9 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECT OF THE HORMONE
HAS RELAXED.

THEN THE DAM IS ARTIFICIALLY INSEMINATED OR BREED TO

BULLS NATURALLY. NATURAL SERVICE MAY BE CARRIED OUT
5DAYS AFTER INSEMINATION TO ENSURE CONCEPTION.
HOWEVER IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED THAT HEAT
SYNCHRONIZATION IS LESS OR MORE ACCOMPANIED BY
REDUCED FERTILITY, THIS IS BECAUSE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE
PITUITARY FSH AND LH HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE REDUCED IN
ANIMALS TREATED TO ARTIFICIAL PROGESTERONE.
 PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS IS CARRIED OUT ABOUT 6 WEEKS
AFTER SERVICE CAN BE DONE THROUGH THE OBSERVATION OF
ABSENCE OF HEAT, RECTAL PALPATION , MEASURING THE
PROGESTERONE LEVELS IN THE BLOOD , MILK AND SCANNING,
OTHER PRODUCTS THAT WERE FOUND EFFECTIVE IN
SYNCHRONIZING OESTRUS ARE

1 MGA - MELANOGESTRONE ACELATE

2 MAP – 6 & METHYL- 17.& ACETOXY PROGESTONE

3 CAP – 6. CHLORO. 7 . ACETOXY PROGESTERONE

THE MAP HAS BEEN FOUND TO RESULT IN HIGHER FERTILITY