Beef Cattle Ranch Management

     Beef Cattle Ranch Management is a huge responsibility. It takes a lot of effort, time and money to successfully manage a beef cattle ranch. Ranch refers to farms used for rearing beef cattle animals. The owner must take care of every need of the animals. He has to pay attention to their feeding and nutrition, cleaning and a disease free living. Initial steps involve deciding on the land you are going to use as the ranch and then picking up the animals you are going to start with. Cow and bull selection is a very careful decision. Animals must be registered and top of all healthy. They must suit to your needs and the needs of the market you are going to deal with. Animals must be able to adapt to the living conditions of your ranch. They must be fertile and reproductive. They must be free from infections, parasites and insects.

        Crop production is the responsibility of the owner of the ranch. Owners have to decide between natural breeding or artificial insemination. Artificial insemination uses semen from high quality bulls, which is transferred to cows’ vagina by other than natural means. Beef cattle bull selection for natural breeding is a tough job. Bulls contribute their genes to the herd for many years and ultimately affect the quality of beef. Bulls must appear healthy and fit physically, without any structural defects. Rely on Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) or genetic evaluation of bull. It takes into consideration the quality and performance of his sire, dam, grandsire, granddam, herd mates and sibs. Ranch owners can check the fertility of the bull by testing his semen, measuring scrotal and physically examining the reproductive tract for any signs of diseases like hernia. Sex drive or libido can also be checked.

     Feed and health of animals is another important job of beef cattle ranch management. Ranches must have good grasslands and pastures. Beef cattle need different types of feed at different stages in life. Young and calving animals have more needs than older animals. Rate of growth and development of young calves also depends on their feed. Cows need special feed during different stages of their gestation period. Owners can use computer software to calculate nutritional needs of different animals and provide feeds suitable to individual requirements. This software can help reduce costs of feed programs and balance nutritional needs of animals. Vaccination of calves and regular checkup of animals is also very important. All animals must be vaccinated every spring and fall. Any animal showing any signs of infection must be isolated from the herd to prevent the spread of disease. Necessary steps and medication are a must to cure the disease. Parasite control in every spring and fall is also very vital.