MODULE I.

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION

Chapter 1. Overview of the Cattle Industry

1.1 INVENTORY

Cattle Situation Report, October-December 2020

08 February 2021
The total cattle production from October to December 2020 was estimated at 69.15
thousand metric tons, liveweight. This was lower by -7.6 percent relative to the previous
year’s same quarter output of 74.85 thousand metric tons, liveweight.

Among the regions, CALABARZON was the highest producer of cattle during the quarter
with a production of 9.32 thousand metric tons, liveweight. This was followed by Northern
Mindanao and Central Luzon with corresponding productions of 9.01 thousand metric tons,
liveweight and 6.41 thousand metric tons, liveweight. These three regions shared 35.8
percent to the country’s total cattle production.

Compared with their levels in the same quarter in 2019, 11 regions showed decrements in
production during the quarter. MIMAROPA Region posted the highest reduction of -36.8
percent, from 4.77 thousand metric tons, liveweight in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 3.01
thousand metric tons, liveweight this quarter.
As of 01 January 2021, the total cattle inventory was estimated at 2.59 million heads. This
was 1.7 percent higher than the 2.54 million heads recorded in the same period of 2020.
Improvements were traced from both backyard and commercial farms where in inventory
grew by 1.8 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. Of the total cattle population, 94.2
percent were raised in backyard farms while the remaining 5.8 percent were from
commercial farms.

The top three regions, in terms of inventory, were Ilocos Region, Central Visayas and
CALABARZON. These regions comprised 34.8 percent of the country’s total cattle
inventory.
The average farmgate price of cattle for slaughter during the quarter was quoted at PhP
126.55 per kilogram, liveweight. This was 8.1 percent higher than the average price of PhP
117.04 per kilogram, liveweight, in the same quarter of 2019.

During the reference quarter, the highest farmgate price of cattle for slaughter was noted in
December at PhP 128.32 per kilogram, liveweight, while the lowest was in October at PhP
124.83 per kilogram, liveweight.
DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

TECHNICAL NOTES

This Cattle Situation Report presents the cattle industry in terms of volume of production,
inventory by farm type, and average farmgate price. The report is prepared to serve as a
ready reference for PSA’s various clients and stakeholders in the agriculture sector. It is
released quarterly; that is, every February, May, August, and November.

Concepts and Definitions

Volume of production refers to the volume of locally-raised cattle disposed for slaughter
including those which were shipped out to other regions/provinces for slaughter. This is
expressed in metric ton, liveweight.

Inventory refers to the actual number of cattle present in the farm as of a specific reference
date. For this report, the inventory of cattle is as of 01 January 2021 since the surveys for
this commodity are conducted semi-annually, i.e., January and July. The third quarter 2020
Situation Report presents the inventory by age group while the fourth quarter 2020 report
discussed the inventory by farm type and by region.
Farmgate price refers to the price received by raisers for their produce at the location of
farm. Thus, the marketing costs, such as the transport and other marketing cost (if any)
incurred in selling the produce, are not included in the farmgate prices.

1.2 COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF BEEF PRODUCTION

▪ Increasing demand for beef; income elasticity of demand for beef is high that other meat,
▪ Ability to transform low quality and fibrous feed materials (e.g. grasses and crop residues) into
high value protein food product,
▪ Abundant supply of crop residues especially in small farms,
▪ Favorable climate for fodder production and,
▪ Cattle production and meat processing technologies are available for increased productivity.

1.3 CONSTRAINTS IN THE CATTLE SECTOR

▪ Low breeding base,
▪ High financing cost for breeder operations,
▪ High cost of inputs,
▪ Lack of infrastructures,
▪ Competition for use of land,
▪ Changing policy guidelines e.g. pasture lease, tariff,
▪ Import substitutes particularly carabeef, and
▪ Policy to unify and integrate the beef industry.

1.4 INTERVENTIONS
▪ Build up population base through well-defined breeding program
▪ Increase animal productivity through improved husbandry practices and application of
biotechnologies
▪ Promote appropriate feeding and encourage utilization of nonconventional feed stuffs
▪ Effect strict quarantine procedures and efficient disease control/eradication programs
▪ Improve marketing/pricing system
▪ Review policies on importation and credits system

Chapter 2. BEFF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE PHILIPPINES

2.1 RANCHING OR EXTENSIVE SYSTEM

Cow-calf Operation
 The initial and most fundamental step in the beef enterprises is the production of calves and
raising it to weaning age. The calf is, so to speak, the raw material out of which the finished animal will
eventually made. The breeding herds in which calves are produced need little grain or other fattening
feeds. Consequently, the raising of beef calves is confined chiefly to those sections that have an
abundance of comparatively cheap, low carrying capacity grazing lands. Hence, we find the important
ranches located in provinces that are sparsely settled or in hilly areas where the land is too rolling to be
farmed to advantage (i. c. Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Masbate, Mindoro, Bukidnon etc.)

The aim of cow-calf operation is to produce stockers and feeders.

2.2 FEEDLOT FATTENING OPERATION

Feedlot fattening of cattle has become important to the livestock industry of the Philippines for
three main reason: 1.) it provides the farmer with extra income; 2.) it gives him year-round work and
allow the use of cheap, plentiful farm by-products such as corn stovers, hay, silage, rice straw, copra
meal, rice bran and sugarcane tops which might otherwise be wasted; and most important 3.) it helps
meet the urgent demand for high-protein foods in the Filipino diet.

Because of its high nutritional value and appealing flavor, properly fattened cattle are in great
demand in the market place. However, feedlot cattle operations have found popular acceptance only in
Batangas, Tarlac, and Masbate, Bukidnon, Cotabato and Iloilo. While some large fattening operations
exist, the majority of farmers work on a small-scale, fattening two or three head at a time.

The objective of a feedlot fattening operation is to add weight to the animal and increase its
value.

2.3 BACKYARD CATTLE RAISING OR SEMI-SUBSISTENCE OR SMALL HOLDER

The backyard sector constitutes 92% of the total cattle population. The aggregate share of the
top five regions accounts for 56.9 percent f the total population. These regions are: Ilocos, Southern
Tagalog, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region.

The aim is to produce livestock that can be sold to augment farm income.

Chapter 3. BEEF CATTLE BREEDS BREEDING AND REPRODUCTION

3.1 BREEDS OF CATTLE

• Great Britain led the world in the development of the principal beef breeds.

Ex:
 ▪ Hereford
▪ Angus
▪ Shorthorns
▪ Galloway

• Other great beef breeds originated from India (Brahman) or Zebu), France (Charolais, Limoisin,
Normandy), Switzerland (Simmental) and Africa (Afrikander).
Hereford is believed to be the first breed developed in England. It was presumed bred from the
white-faced red cattle of the Netherlands to the smaller black Celtic native to England, particularly,
Herefordshire. Hence, the name of the breed.

It is distinguished by its white-face, white flanks, white tails and white crest on its neck. The
body colors ranges from cherry to mahogany-red. It is of medium size but increase in weight gains and
mature weight is attained by breeders.

The Polled Hereford is a separate breed brought about by hornless mutations in 1901. They
have the same characteristics as the horned Hereford. But it became popular because of its horn
lessness.

The Aberdeen Angus is solid black with abdominal spot of white underneath. This was
developed in Scotland, in the countries of Aberdeenshire and Angus. The breed is noted for its high
quality of meat, increased weight gains and smoothness.

Other breeds from Europe created impact in cattle breeding in North America. The Galloway me
have the same origin as the Angus. It has very curly black hair.

The Shorthorns on the other hand was popular due to its excellent milk production but yield
sizeable meat. It is red to roan or white – and red-spoted. The famous Sta. Gertrudis breed of Texas was
developed in the famous King Ranch of Kleberg Country, Southwest Texas. It is 5/8 Shorthorn and 3/8
Brahman.

The Brahman breeds originated from India, where 30 or more strains exist. The more preferred
are Guzerat, Nellore, Gir and Krisna Valley strains.

These strains, together with the Brahman, are characterized by a pronounced hump, excessive
skin or dewlap and underline, large droopy ears and horns which tend to curve downward and outward.
The color ranges from near white through brown, brownish red and near black. It is heat tolerant,
drought resistant and resistant to ticks and other parasites.

Its popularity ranges to Central and south America, the gulf coast regions of the US especially
Texas and Florida, part of Europe and Asia, especially Philippines and Thailand.

Lesser breeds were developed from Brahman crosses. These are Charbray (Charolois), Braford
(Hereford), Brangus (Angus), Brahorn (Shorthorn) and Beef master (Brahman-Shorthorn-Horn).

Modern Cattle descended from:

Aurochs (Bos primigenius primigenius)

 Centers of domestication

• Eastern Europe
• Middle Asia
• Southeast Asia
India thought to be the homeland of primitive cattle which later expanded to Eurasia and North Africa.

• Characterized by great variety of forms. Through subsequent selection, many breeds were
obtained with very high degrees of specialization and uniformly as meat or milk producers or as
beast of burden.
Some species related to the Aurochs also underwent domestication

• Yak (Poephagus grunniens)

- From mountain of Tibet
- Some regions of middle Asia
- South Siberia

• Genus Bibos
- (B. banteng) or Bali Cattle
- (B. frontalis) or gayal
- From India. Malay Archipelago and Indochina, particularly Burma.
• Probably first domesticated during the stone age, within 10,000 B.C. from the wild ox or Bos
primigenius

• Modern cattle family Bovine, genus Bos

1. Bos Taurus – of Europe origins such as Shorthorn or Jersey. Those are without humps and
therefore of temperate origins.
2. Bos indicus – of tropical origin such as the Brahman or Zebra of India or Afrikander of Africa.
These are hump cattle.
3. Crosses of two: Sta Gertrudis (5/8 Shorthorn, 3/8 Brahman) and Brangus (5/8 Angus, 3/8
Brahman)

There are 277 identifiable breeds worldwide

• 33 as beef breeds
• 18 as draft breeds
• 39 as meat-draft
• 54 meat dairy
• 21 dairy-draft
• 61 meat-dairy-draft
 • 51 dairy breeds

Beef breeds are quite limited in distribution and importance. In the Philippines, the most impact was
carried through the Brahman through the pioneering of efforts of Mr. Antonio Nocom of Ansa Farms of
Tiboli and Tantangan Company of General Santos City and South Davao Company (SODACO) of Davao
City owned by the Consunji’s.

3.2 BEEF BREEDING

Breeding is then as the controlled propagation of cattle to improve qualities desirable to man.

Modern Goal:

1. To develop types that will meet market demand

2. Be productive under adverse climatic conditions
3. Efficient in converting feeds to animal products
Variations due to Genetics and Environment

Cattle traits are either qualitative or quantitative.

Qualitative traits show discontinuous variations

•Coat color
•Horned or polled
•Certain blood characteristics
- Blood types
- Presence or absence of particular enzymes
Generally, inheritance of qualitative traits is simple in accordance with the laws of heredity.
Environment plays a very minor role.

The quantitative traits show continuous variations between the extremes. The mean types
among the characteristics are most frequent to change. These are:

• Growth rate
• Live weight
• Body measurements at maturity
• Milk yield
• Milk consumption

3.3 BREEDING SYSTEM

Breeding systems are defined as several types of mating’s to combine desirable qualitative and
quantitative characteristics through mating systems which are planned or non-random.
 Random mating (or unplanned)- this means each possible mating in a population has the same
probability or occurrence. Normally used in breeding experiments to minimize genetic changes in a
control population wherein selected populations are controlled.

Inbreeding - mating’s of closely related individuals within a breed.

To increase homozygousity and decrease heterozygousity of the inbred.

Close breeding - mating’s of close relatives e.g. father – daughter; son – mother; brother – sister

Brahman X Brahman

(Sire) (Dam)

F1 male

Line breeding - breeding of not close relatives, e.g., cousins. This is a form of mild inbreeding designed
to concentrate the genes of a certain ancestors of the genetic constitution of the progeny.

Strain breeding – a very mild form of inbreeding which leads to increase homozygousity within the
strain in the long term.

Effects of Inbreeding

1. Marked decrease in fertility

2. Reduces vigor
3. Decrease in growth rate of offspring
4. Reduces viability of the offspring

Crossbreeding – mating if individuals from two or more established purebreds.

• To increase heterozygousity
• To take advantage of hybrid vigor of heterosis
Hybrid vigor is defined as the average quality of the first generation exceeding the average of
the two parental breeds. Heterosis is displayed mainly in the traits, fertility and viability.

Example:

1. Brahman X Angus

F1 50% Brahman 50% Angus

2. Afrikander X Hereford
 F1 50% Afrikander 50% Hereford

Types of Crossbreeding:

Systematic crossbreeding – two or more breeds are involved in a breeding program lasting
several years. This, way, a crossbred which may eventually stabilized into a breed, e.g., Brangus
(Brahman x Angus), Charbray (Charolais x Brahman) may occur. Or a crisscross or triple cross can be
developed with the best desired characteristics such as daily gain, carcass weights, etc.

Example: A, B and C are breeds

A triple cross:

A X B

F1 50% A x 50% B

(breed to C)

(a triple cross) f2 25% A 25% B 50% C

Upgrading – the mating of purebred sires to nondescript or native females and their generation
after generation.

Example:

100% B (Brahman) X 100% BC (Batangas Cattle)

Sire Dam

F1 50% B 50% BC (select the female then bred later to 100% B)

F2 75% B 25% BC (select the female, then bred later to 100% B)

F3 87.5% B 12.5% BC (an so on so forth)

3.4 REPRODDUCTION
 REPRODUCTIVE PHENOMENA

a. Sexual maturity (bulls/heifers) = 6-8 months

b. Estrus cycle = 18 – 24 days (21days average)
c. Estrus duration
- Exotic/European breeds = 14- 18 hours
- Indigenous/Zebu = 10- 12 hours
d. Ovulation = 10 – 14 hours after end of estrus
e. Parturation = average 283 days
f. A bull ejaculates about 2 – 12 ml of 500 or more sperm cells per ml
g. The sperm cells survive the oviduct up to a maximum of 48 hours
h. Many sperm cells reach the oviduct in 6 to 7 hours after deposition in the vagina
i. There are many thousand egg cells produced by the female but those released are very few.
One mature egg cell is released at any time.
j. One egg cell is fertilized by one sperm cell at the oviduct (fallopian tube).

SIGNS OF ESTRUS

a. Mouth others
b. Reddening and swelling of the vulva
c. Mucous discharge
d. Isolate herself
e. Seem sickly and has no appetite
f. Frequent urination, restlessness and sometimes bellowing or mooing, and
g. Standing still when mounted (the only reliable or true sign of estrus; estrus is defined as the
period of sexual receptivity of the female to the male).

Due to the reproductive phenomena in both male and female cattle, a simple guideline is adopted
when artificial insemination (AI) is practiced, thus’

“Females observed in estrus in the morning, are inseminated late afternoon of the same day. Those
observed in the afternoon, are inseminated not later than noon time the next day.”

Chapter 4. NUTRITION

4.1 NUTRIENTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Water. The main components of feed are water and dry matter. The dry matter contains the
organic material and inorganic elements. Water is essential in the transport of metabolic products and
wastes and in most chemical reactions in the body. The amount of water consumed by cattle defends on
the water content of the feed, body size and environmental temperature. A deficiency in water intake
depresses feed intake.

Energy. All animals require energy for maintenance, growth, work and production. The amount
of energy required for each of the above function varies with the body size, level of production and
physiological state. The most common source of energy for ruminants are carbohydrates, namely the
soluble (starch and sugars) and structural (cellulose and hemicellulose), carbohydrates. Lipids are the
other source of energy from plants.

Proteins. Are large chemical units made up of amino acids. Monogastric animals consume and
digest proteins to be able to use amino acids for synthesis of muscle, tissues and other body
components. In ruminants, proteins are first utilized by the microorganism in the rumen for their own
growth and reproduction. Microbial fermentation of proteins produces ammonia and CO2 as main end -
products. Undigested feed proteins and the microorganisms from the rumen are passed on to the lower
gastrointestinal tract, where these are then enzymatically digested and absorbed as amino acids. Thus,
microbial protein becomes an excellent source of amino acids for ruminants.

Minerals. The mineral nutrition of ruminants is largely influenced by the mineral status of the
soil where the animals are grazed. In the country, phosphorus is the single most limiting mineral since
the soil and therefore the grasses are deficient in this element. Deficiency in P results in low feed intake,
low production levels and in severe cases osteoporosis.

Vitamins. The water-soluble vitamins including vitamin C are synthesized by the Rumen
microorganisms. The fat-soluble Vitamin K is likewise synthesized in the rumen by bacteria. Vitamin E is
found in the most feeds, while Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin when the animals are exposed to
sunlight. Vitamin A is synthesized from carotene which is abundant in young, fresh, grass, but devoid in
mature grasses, most crop residues and some grains. Animals may tolerate low dietary intake of Vitamin
a for as long as sufficient Vitamin A has been stored in the liver.

4.2 COMMON FEEDS FOR RUMINANTS

FORAGES

Forage is the natural and cheapest feed for ruminants and includes not only grasses but also
legumes. A number of grass species are available in the country consisting of native and introduce
species. Leguminous vines and trees also abound. Hence, a grass-legume pasture is in ideal ration for
ruminants. Season of the year, amount of rainfall, fertilization, grazing management are other factors
affecting the nutritive value of grasses.

By- products roughages

As an agricultural country, farm by-product roughages constitute a potential source of feed for
ruminants. Most of this are highly fibrous (rice straw, corn stover, corn cobs, sugar cane tops). The
amounts of these feeds voluntarily consumed by the animals are limited. As such, concentrate
supplementation is a must for more efficient utilization of by product roughages.

A few agro-industrial by products have high nutritive value close to that of concentrates, such as
spent brewer grains and pineapple pulps.

CONCENTRATES

Unlike in development countries, little amount of grain is fed to ruminants locally. Instead, agro-
industrial by-product concentrates constitute the bulk of supplements to roughages. Copra meal, rice
bran, wheat pollard are commonly used by-product concentrates, contain on the average 75% TDN and
vary widely in their CP content from 0% as in case of molasses to 21% in copra meal.

Use of urea in ruminant ration

Urea has long been used as partial protein source for ruminants in other countries. The capacity
of microorganisms to utilize nitrogen into microbial protein makes it possible to incorporate small
amount urea in the ration of ruminants. Urea is instantaneously degraded by microbial urease into
ammonia, which is utilized by the microorganism, and the excess is absorbed across the rumen wall and
circulated in the blood. High concentration of ammonia in the blood is toxic and fatal to ruminants.
Hence, urea as supplement for ruminants must be used with caution. The following guidelines are
recommended for safe use of urea.

1. Add fertilizer grade urea at not more than:

a. 1% of the ration (DM basis)
b. 2-3% of the concentrate mixture, (air-dry basis) or
c. 25-30% of the total dietary protein
2. Adequate source of energy (molasses, corn, etc.) must be fed with urea
3. Sufficient amounts of minerals, particularly S in case of molasses is used, must be able.
4. If possible, daily allowance of urea should be consumed in small amounts throughout the day
rather than in just one feeding.
5. Urea whether fed in granules or dissolved in water should be well mixed.

Chapter 5. HERD MANAGEMENT

The goal of herd management is to produce a crop of high quality, heavyweight calves. The
factors that contribute to the accomplishment of this goal are;

a. Early sexual maturity of females

b. High conception rate,
c. High calf crop,
d. Early rebreeding after calving,
 e. Excellent milk production of cow
f. Availability of year-round feed supply, and
g. Others.

Quality of management, plane of nutrition, and farm infrastructure are important determinants of
profit or loss.

5.1 Herd Division

Herd division ensures the appropriate nutrition of various age groups of the herd, prevent
premature breeding which seriously affect the growth of young bulls and hiefers and prevent high rate
of abortion resulting from butting and fighting of animals.

Animals may be divided into the following herds:

a. Pregnant herd – composed of pregnant females. Cows are group with the breeding herd
during the breeding season.
b. Breeding herd – consists of dry cows and heifers ready for breeding. After the breeding
season, pregnant animals are transferred to the pregnant herd.
c. Heifer herd – composed of heifers not yet ready for breeding. Heifer calves are included
in this herd after weaning.
d. Steers, feeders, or fattening herd – consists of growing cattle and those to be fattened
for the market.
e. Bull herd – consist of mature males kept mainly for servicing the breeder cows.

5.2 Management of breeding Females

a. Lactating and pregnant cows

Once the cows are determined pregnant, they should be separated from the herd to prevents injury
and possible abortion due to riding, butting and fighting with other animals. The signs of pregnancy are
the cessation of estrus or heat and enlargement of the abdomen and udder.

b. Open cows and replacement heifers

Open or nonpregnant cows and replacement heifers should be given the right amount of feed daily
to ensure that they are in the right physiological status. Animals with reproductive problems and those
which fail to settle after the clean-up breeding period should be culled.

5.2 Management of Calves, Growers and Fatteners

a. Calves
Calves should suckle colostrum milk from their mother within three hours after calving.
 b. Grower
Growers are usually maintained in the pasture with very little attention. They are given salt
and mineral supplement.

c. Fatteners
Fatteners require a shorter period to reach slaughter weight. They are generally bigger, mature,
or nearing maturity. However, one and a half to two-year-old animals weighing 200-300 kg are
preferred. They may be either in feedlot, on pasture, or both areas.

5.3 Management of breeding Bulls

Breeding bull should be purebred because it contributes 50% of the genetic makeup of the
offspring. They should be in good condition at the start of the breeding season. Selected bulls should be
allowed to breed when they are at least two years of age. They should be given supplemental feeding of
grains or concentrates 60-90 days before and after the breeding period depending on their condition. A
breeding bull should be kept in the herd as long as he is aggressive enough to mate. However, to avoid
inbreeding, a bull should be kept out of the herd after two and a half to three years when the offspring
reach the breeding age.

Chapter 6. GENERAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

6.1 Cattle Identification

This practice is necessary for management purposes and to denote ownership. Branding with
hot iron is the most common method of identifying cattle. The animals should be legally branded. The
brand must be properly registered by the owner with the livestock identification office of the
municipality concerned. The owner’s brand is placed on the animal’s left foreleg.

Putting ear tags or ear notches are other effective methods of identifying cattle.

6.2 Dehorning

Dehorning has the following advantages:

a. Dehorning cattle requires less space in feedlots

b. They occupy less space in transit or shipment
c. They are more uniform in appearance
Methods:

a. Very young calves whose horn buttons grow a little can be dehorned by applying caustic soda or
commercial dehorning paste on the horn button.
 b. Calves with horn buttons or horns not over 1.5-2.0 cm long can be easily dehorned with
dehorning irons.
c. Old animals are dehorned with either a metal spoon, Barnes dehorner, a dehorning clipper, ar
hand or electric saws

6.3 Castration

Bull calves can be castrated any time, but preferably when they are a few weeks to seven
months of age. The slit and the cap methods are both effective ways of surgically removing testicles.
Bloodless castration can also be done with Burdizzo pinchers or emasculator. Castration tends to
decrease the rate of liveweight gain by 15%-20%, it should be resorted to only when there is difficulty in
separating males from females, e.g., inadequate fencing or limited availability of pasture paddocks.

6.4 Record-Keeping

Records list genetically-superior cattle that may be used for breeding. Moreover, slow-gaining
heifers, bulls that produce undesirable hereditary traits, and those that do not perform satisfactory
despite good feeding and management can be identified, too. These animals are culled or removed to
improve the herd quality and to increase profit in beef production.

6.5 Selection and Culling

Breeding stock with poor performance should be culled for slaughter.

These are follows:

a. A cow that calves every one and half to two years.

b. A cow that produces a little amount of milk and raises a small calf despite good feeding and
management.
c. Small, weak, and unhealthy animals which are susceptible to disease and may be become the
source of infection of the herd if not remove on time.
d. Heifers that do not come in heat in spite of proper age, good size, healthy condition, vigor and
strength.
e. Heifers that fail to meet the standards set for the breeding herd.
f. Bulls and cows which have undesirable hereditary defect such as inverted teats, hernia,
dwarfism, bull dog, cryptorchidism (failure of one or both teats to descend normally), and the
like.
Chapter 7. ANIMAL HEALTH PROGRAM

7.1 HERD HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Herd health management must integrate livestock medicine with modern production
technology. The responsibility of a programmed health and care and disease control is equally divided
between the veterinarian and the livestock raiser. The veterinarian devices such a program with due
consideration to the local conditions and resources while the livestock raisers implement it with optimal
supervision. Their complementary activities have the objective obtaining healthy and productive
animals. Even with such efforts, disease or abnormalities may still occur and these must be reported
promptly for early suppression and treatment.

7.2 HEALTH PROGRAM FOR CATTLE

BEFORE BREEDING:

a. If there is a group of animals from which breeders are to be selected, pick out those which are
potentially good ones based on physical characteristics, temperament or previous reproductive
performance and pedigree if known.
b. Blood test the animals for diseases such as brucellosis and leptospirosis especially in areas
where these diseases are known to occur or when reproductive failures suggest their presence
in the area. Consult the provincial veterinarian or any other veterinary authority for guidance.
c. Deworm animals with wide spectrum anthelmintics. Where liverfluke is widespread or is
confined to be present in the animal or herd, treat it simultaneously with any available
flukecides.
d. Inject with Vitamin A, D, E, to improve the reproductive performance.
e. Vaccinate against disease prevalent in the area i.e. FMD, hemorrhagic septicemia, blackleg,
brucellosis, anthrax. All vaccination must be spaced out and accomplished preferably before
breeding or pregnancy.
Chapter 8. BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION TERMS
ACTIVITIES:

• Lab. Ex. 1
(Anatomy of Cow) (Draw and label its parts)