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1 Microcattle
Pages 17-32

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From page 17... ... Many survive and produce under harsh conditions, grow rapidly, calve easily, show good maternal ability, yield lean meat, or have other advantages. Microcattle have generally been ignored in the push towards larger animals, but they seem inherently suitable for traditional and smallfarm husbandry. Read the entire page →
From page 19... ... longer to receive adequate nutrition. Opposite: '~Daniel," the prize bull of the 1981 Warren County Fair, Pennsylvania, USA, exemplifies the universal trend to enlarge livestock. Read the entire page →
From page 20... ... However, given higher stocking rates, a herd of microcattle is often able to outyield larger, genetically improved animals on a perhectare basis, especially under stressful conditions. When their ability to survive adversity and poor management is taken into account, they may often be far and away the most efficient cattle for traditional husbandry. Read the entire page →
From page 21... ... Microcattle can also integrate well into traditional forms of husbandry, whether in pastoral herds of hundreds or as solitary backyard milk cows. Under humid and hot conditions, Microcattle probably suffer less than larger breeds because their greater ratio of skin area to body mass enhances their ability to shed heat.3 The number of cattle that can be kept on a given parcel of land may be increased, sometimes even doubled, with smaller animals. Read the entire page →
From page 22... ... Ile and his colleagues have miniaturized cows by selecting the smallest specimens out of a herd of normal-sized Brahman cattle and breeding them with one another. After five generations, adult females A miniature Brahman cow and her calf stand next to a Brahman of normal size. Read the entire page →
From page 23... ... Selective breeding, although infrequently attempted, can probably improve productivity significantly. Records of breed history should be established, and unusual or special characteristics noted and the information disseminated. Read the entire page →
From page 24... ... REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES OF MICROCATTLE5 Dwarf West African Shorthorn West African coastal forests, and inland. Female 125 kg; male 150 kg. Read the entire page →
From page 25... ... Well adapted to poor tropical conditions, these work animals are also used for meat. 6 Although many questions above bovine evolution remain unresolved, all humped cattle are usually considered to have some zebu blood. Read the entire page →
From page 26... ... 135 kg. Downsized from 450-kg Brazilian zebus through selective breeding by Mexican researchers, these gentle animals are reported to yield two-thirds as much milk (3 - liters daily) Read the entire page →
From page 27... ... 350 kg. Extremely tolerant of wild desert conditions, these docile criollo cattle exist largely on scrub and cactus. Read the entire page →
From page 28... ... Although almost entirely neglected by the animal science community, the banteng is remarkable for an ability to thrive under hot, humid, and disease-ridden conditions where cattle often grow poorly. The sexes are easily distinguished: males are jet black, females are golden brown. Read the entire page →
From page 29... ... In addition, gounnets consider banteng meat the tastiest of all. Indonesia appreciates the banteng so much that it has established a genetic sanctuary on the island of Bali- banning cattle in order to maintain the banteng's genetic purity. Read the entire page →
From page 30... ... Well adapted to grazing sparse vegetation on rough land, they are becoming rare due to crossbreeding. Read the entire page →
From page 31... ... It is exceptionally hardy and produces both milk and meat. In North America, it has become popular among city folk who acquire country property, as this microbreed is particularly well suited to their usually tiny farms. Read the entire page →
From page 32... ... If t i' 'i't // ~at' ' Z" -- -- -rat -- it v y ~ ~ _ -~,.-, ~ Read the entire page →

From page 17...

... Many survive and produce under harsh conditions, grow rapidly, calve easily, show good maternal ability, yield lean meat, or have other advantages. Microcattle have generally been ignored in the push towards larger animals, but they seem inherently suitable for traditional and smallfarm husbandry.

1 Microcattle Pages 17-32

1 Microcattle
Pages 17-32