Livestock raising in Malaysia promises high returns as the country's beef consumption is growing among publics while supply is still inssuficient. Cattle can be classified in the Bovidae family differ by Bos taurus species for cattles from temperate climates while Bos indicus for cattles from tropical climates. The ideal physical characteristics of a beef cattle are rectangular and have a firm with muscular body.

    Among the most reared cattles in Malaysia are the local breeders of Kedah Kelantan (KK) and the Brahman ( tropical cattle breed ) which have resistance to external parasites, heat stress and hot weather as well as good disease resistance. Other breed for example ;Hereford breed is a medium breed calf capable of weighing 830 kg for bulls and 540 kg for female cows. Other breed of beef cattles such as Droughmaster, Simmental, Angus Charlois Shorthorn and more.

     Cattle need about 20-30 kg of grass a day. Cattle can only rely on grass if the grass provided are in good quality. If not, supplements and minerals should be provided. Supplements can reduce the amount of grass eaten, but they are expensive. The cheaper agricultural waste or by products  such as cocoa, palm oil, pineapple bark, cane shoots, rice straw, sago stems and so on have good source of protein and energy which essential to promote beef cattle growth. Regular salt or salt and clean drinking water should be provided at all times.

     Breeding can occur by natural mating or permanently trained with artifical insemination(AI). Mature female cows that are in a sterile state (estrus) can be breed with the bull or undergoes AI to make the animal pregnant. The duration of estrus for 24 hours should be monitored carefully to avoid any error. If that period is missed, the next (estrus) period will come back in 18-24 days (21 days average).

Among the symptoms for estrus are:

• Always be noisy.
• Red and swollen genitals
• Discharge of mucus from the vulva.
• Climb one another.
• Isolation, restlessness and reduce feed intake.

Cows are ideal for breeding when they are 18 months old or over 320-350 kg. Cow’s gestation period is 280 days.

Disediakan oleh :Azlina Mohammad

Date of Input: 08/10/2019 | Updated: 23/04/2021 | shazry