Beef Cattle Production 

     Quality beef cattle production is a huge responsibility. It is not an easy job and requires much training, knowledge, expertise, investment of both time and money. People want healthy and safe beef for consumption and it is the responsibility of the herd owners to meet these expectations. Owners need to maintain records of everything that is used in their beef cattle farm, ranging from feed, water, vaccination and sanitation. Ranch managers must have the information and training to keep everything under check.

       Few basic jobs for quality beef cattle production include regular checkup of feed and water resources for contamination by any kind of germs. Protection of pastures from excessive use of pesticides and insecticides is also vital. They should be checked for any kind of contamination by bacteria and viruses. Records of all pesticides and other drugs used on grasslands must be maintained. Ranch managers must keep a check on chemical residues these drugs can leave, that can enter the stomach of the cattle through grass. Regular steps to keep check on feed and water contamination by molds, mycotoxins or poisons produced by fungi and chemicals like pesticides and herbicides are vital.

     Health of beef cattle is also very important for superior beef cattle production. New animals entering the herd must be free from any kinds of infections, parasites or insects. Infected animals must be isolated from the rest of the herd on time, to prevent the spread of infection. It is better to slaughter animals that have incurable diseases or diseases which are very expensive to treat. Isolated animals must have separate space, feed and water. Consult a qualified veterinarian to treat the animals. Beef from infected animals must never be sold for human consumption. Infections can easily transfer from cattle to humans.

     Beef cattle production also needs seasonal beef cattle fly control to get rid of pests like face flies, horn flies and stable flies, which cause irritation to the animals and carry many disease causing bacteria and viruses. Newly born calves must be vaccinated on time. Regular vaccination of other members of the herd also needs attention. Individual and mass group treatments are equally valuable. Records of all treatments and drugs used need to be maintained. Records are examined when cattle are sold or purchased by herd owners. They also give an insight into the medical history and past treatment of animals and aid veterinarians to treat them better.