Page 222 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Calf rearing and herd improvement
Calves should remain with their mothers to suckle and learn to graze/feed. A safe,
shaded area with access to water and pasture must be provided. Cleanliness must
be maintained to reduce disease risks. Weaning can be done gradually after four
to six months, depending on feed availability and the condition of the calf.
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Proper records of parents for each calf should be kept. This record helps avoid
inbreeding in the future. Calves that grow slowly, show poor health or fail to
adapt must be identified and not kept for breeding. Only strong, healthy and fast-
growing calves should be selected for future mating. Crossbreeding with suitable
local and improved breeds may be used to combine good traits with tolerance to
local conditions.

Activity 10.6
Visit the school farm or a nearby farm and carry out the following tasks:

1. Identify the best time of year to begin mating beef cattle in your area.

2. Observe a group of cows/heifers for signs of heat. Record at least three
different heat signs. Note the time of day when signs are easier to see.

3. Find out what types of energy-rich feeds are used in your area for flushing.
Prepare a simple flushing plan for cows and heifers.
4. Inspect or study a bull used for breeding. Check its body size and general
health. List three features that show it is ready for mating.

5. Design a simple calving area in the school farm.

6. Prepare a basic breeding record form. Use it to record the mother’s tag number,
bull used, calving date, and calf tag number. Explain how such records help
to improve the herd.

7. Record all your work and lessons learnt in your portfolio.

Other important herd management practices before harvesting
Beef cattle need several management practices apart from feeding and breeding.
These help to improve safety, animal growth, and meat quality. They also make
it easier to handle cattle and monitor their progress. Most of these practices are
done when the animals are still young. They include identification, disbudding or
dehorning, castration, nose-ringing, as well as weighing and growth monitoring.

Student’s Book Form Three 213

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