Beef Science Commons^™

To Hold Or Sell Breeding Cattle In The Rangelands, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

In a dry season where feed, water and finances are limited, removing less productive animals as soon as possible is a good option. This will free up feed for more productive animals and help preserve ground cover.

This page provides some of the information and a process for making decisions about holding or selling breeding cattle.

Self-Mustering Yards For Pastoral Livestock Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Self-mustering yards (SMYs) are an important component of effective total grazing management in the pastoral regions. These yards are used to self-muster cattle, sheep and goats, as well as native browsers and feral animals as they enter the yards to access the water point.

Fluke Egg Sedimentation Test Procedure, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The department’s approved procedure for detecting trematode eggs and the Eimeria leuckarti sedimentation method (FEST) on faecal samples.

Drinking Water Requirements For Livestock Grazing Saltbush, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Livestock grazing - saltbush and other plants that have adapted to living in highly saline habitats (known as halophytes), require more water to excrete those salts in urine. If the water they drink is also saline, the total salt intake may limit feed intake, and the animal will be less productive, and its welfare might be compromised.

This page gives a technical explanation of how livestock requirements for water quality and quantity interact with saltbush intake. The information here is a guide only, and you should consult a veterinarian or livestock adviser for specific advice

Managing The Beef Breeder Herd In Southern Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Kilograms of beef produced per hectare is a significant driver of profit for a beef business. Cow longevity (length of productive life) plays an important role in achieving a profitable business. A balanced approach to genetic selection and nutritional management are essential factors underpinning the efficiency of the breeding herd.

Cattle Performance Grazing Canola And Cereal Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development conducted research to investigate and demonstrate the performance of cattle grazing canola and cereal compared to animals left on pasture and investigate the value of spelling the pasture during the time the cattle are grazing crops.

Cattle grazing cereal crops had a higher liveweight gain compared to the cattle that remained on the pasture. However to see a significant benefit from grazing dual purpose crops, the grazing period may need to be longer than 4 weeks particularly when grazing canola.

The highest growth rates for cattle grazing the cereal crops were achieved …

Evaluation Of Dual Purpose Canola And Cereals Grazed With Cattle, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development conducted research to investigate and demonstrate the importance of dual-purpose crops (canola, wheat and barley) to improve the feed availability for cattle (in late autumn to early winter) in mixed farming systems of the high rainfall environment of Western Australia (WA).

The grain yield of a wide range of canola and cereal varieties sown in mid-April were unaffected by the grazing of cattle at a stocking rate of 20 to 22 dry sheep equivalent (DSE) per hectare (ha) for up to 4 weeks at Esperance in 2011.

The grazed crops yielded the …

Livestock Water Requirements And Water Budgeting For South West Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Adequate supplies of good quality stock water are just as important as feed supplies during summer, a period when feed and water quantity and quality are at their lowest in the agricultural areas of Western Australia.

Information on this page will help livestock owners to calculate a water budget – before problems develop – to complement a feed budget.

Breeder And Heifer Management For Rangeland Cattle, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

This section contains information relating to breeder and heifer management for rangeland cattle. Topics covered include body condition score, heifer management and breeder management.

Greenfeed Methane Measuring Machine, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) now has the cutting-edge GreenFeed machine which measures emissions from individual cows and sheep, allowing us to determine Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions more accurately in the paddock.

Managing And Buying Bulls, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Weaning percentage and therefore conception rate, can significantly influence profitability in the breeder herd.

Bulls need to be managed to optimise their performance for the mating period to maximise conception rates. For producers retaining females in the breeding herd, bulls can have a significant impact on future herd productivity through the genetics they pass on.

Various tools are available to assess how a bull will perform before purchase, including visual appraisal, obtaining a bull breeding soundness examination (BBSE) and utilising estimated breeding values (EBVs).

Supplementary Feeding Of Rangeland Cattle, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Native pastures generally have adequate nitrogen levels during the growing season. During this time phosphorus is the most limiting nutrient. As the grass matures and sets seed, the nitrogen content of the pasture decreases. This can lead to protein and energy deficiencies which result in decreased animal production. Feeding urea during the dry season can increase digestion, resulting in improved animal performance. However, urea can be toxic to cattle and so must be introduced slowly. Other important nutrients include calcium, magnesium, sulphur and sodium.