2.6 Beef Production

When you have completed this course, you will be able to:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1
Understand the different cattle breeds, exotic and indigenous breeds, and the importance and
process of selection, pure breeding and cross breeding of beef cattle.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2
Understand the importance of animal production systems, general management factors and factors affecting calf weaning.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3
The learner will be able to identify digestion in the ruminant as well as the absorption and utilisation of feed or nutrients.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4
Understand the different breeding systems, breeding herds and breeding seasons including bull,
heifer, cow and calf management and with the use of supplementary feeding.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5
The learner will be able to understand pedigree herds and asses fertility in cattle.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6
The learner will be able to implement management in pen fattening which includes the pen
structures, feeding, budgets and marketing.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7
The learner will be able to implement and understand the routine tasks in beef cattle such as
identification, castration, dehorning, dips and dipping as well as understand the different facilities
involved with handling cattle.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 8
Understand all diseases associated with beef cattle.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 9
The learner will be able to understand the factors affecting the profitability of beef cattle including
marketing of beef.