Hereford cows are named forthe name of the area in which were once bred - the English county of Herefordshire, located on the border with Wales. Her tribal book has been kept in this country since 1846. The progenitress of the breed were red cows, which were cultivated by peasants in the south and west of England.
Hereford cows breeding
Initially, the Hereford breed of cattle was bredas if it were intended for meat. Almost no attention was paid to the milk production of these animals. Therefore, at present, this breed is valued primarily for its large build and its adaptability to the pastures of any type. Another of its undoubted advantage is precociousness and unpretentiousness. In addition to growing for meat, Hereford cows are used as producers while improving the qualities of other breeds. Some of the latter are also very popular in our country. An example is the Kazakh white-headed breed.
Exterior
The Hereford breed of beef cows is different.well muscled front end and heavy weight. The constitution of these animals can be described as very strong, if not to say rough. Outwardly, this breed can be recognized by the white head (dominant trait), the stomach, the neck, and sometimes the back, as well as the tassel of the tail and the nasolabial area. In other places, the fur of animals is red-brown. The head and neck of the Hereford cows are short and wide. Their horns are directed forward, to the sides and slightly upwards, painted white and have dark tips. The body of these animals is long and the legs are short. Another distinctive feature of the breed are thick skin, strong muscles and underdeveloped mammary glands.
Characteristics of the breed
In addition to heavy weight, the Hereford breed of cows(photo of which can be seen on this page) is distinguished by fecundity and longevity. The birth of the animals is very easy, and the mortality of calves is low. It is very easy to keep these cows, as they do not have an aggressive or wayward character and are very easy to handle.
At present, the Hereford breed is consideredone of the most common in the world. Its popularity is due primarily to unpretentiousness, including in food. Another remarkable feature of these animals is that they very quickly adapt to the climatic conditions of this particular area. For example, even in the harsh Russian winters, these animals can be kept practically in the open.
Meat quality
The Hereford cows are appreciated for their verytasty "marble" (with fatty layers) juicy meat. In addition, it differs in thin fiber and nutrition. These qualities are inherited even when crossed with other breeds of cows. Slaughter meat can range from 65 to 70%.
Animal skin
Another reason for the popularity of this breedis the excellent quality of her skins. Thick and elastic, it is very well suited for the manufacture of shoes, insoles for her and soles. Other leather products are made from it.
Cost of young
You can buy hereford breed calvestoo high price. At the beginning of 2015, it is about 100-130 rubles per kg of live weight when purchased in bulk for farms and 130-160 rubles when purchased by one private owner. Since the calves of this breed are raised up to 8 months in the intake, most of the proposals of individuals of this particular age.
Features of development
Hereford cows grow very fast.Already at the age of one year, the heifers reach a weight of about 270 kg, the bulls - 320 kg. By one and a half years, this figure increases to 396 and 430 kg, respectively. At birth, the live weight of calves is 31-36 kg. Its average daily increase subsequently ranges from 850 to 1300 grams. The height of adult cows at the withers is 130-140 cm, the bulls are 135-150 cm. The chest girth of the cows is 190-195 cm, and the bulls are 210-215 cm.
Keeping cows with horn calves
Since milk is a Hereford breed of cows,the characteristic of which is given above gives very little; animals are not milked. Therefore, calves are kept on the suction for up to 8 months. In this case, the most acceptable technology is considered free-standing content in open-air pad areas and in lightweight premises. The shed for animals should be clean, dry and free from drafts. It is necessary to arrange a den for cows with calves, located along the perimeter. In the middle should be set feeders with drinkers. You also need to provide a separate pen for calves in which they will receive additional food. At the very end of the barn they usually arrange a room for calving. These cows lead for 2-3 days before the calf and contain a week after birth. In the summer, animals are transferred to free or pasture walking.
Feeding Cows with Lactating Calfs and Bulls
The diet of moms feeding babies shouldcontain 45% roughage, 20% concentrate, 25% silage. Bonemeal, defluorinated phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, etc. are used as mineral supplements.
Bulls-producers need to give good quality leguminous and cereal hay, concentrates and succulent feed. On 100 kg of live weight give 1 to. Units, 100 gr. proteins, 5-6 gr. phosphorus, 7 gr. calcium.
Since in the food the cows of the Hereford breed are not too whimsical, individuals bred for meat can be fed simply with hay, adding barley crushed meat and salt to it.
Feed for nursing calves
The newborn must be allowed to go to the mother forreceiving milk maximum within 1-1.5 hours after delivery. Until the age of three months it will be its main feed. You can start feeding with hay from 15-20 days. Up to three months give 0.4 to. Units. Up to 6 months - 2-2.3 units., Up to 8 - 3.5 units. Units. If the calf gains 200 kg of weight by half a year, it can be taken away from the cow. This will help improve reproduction and weight gain.
In the initial period of feeding, in addition to roughage, you can use juicy, in the end - add concentrated.
Where Hereford cows are bred
This wonderful breed fits very well.for breeding in steppes with a sharp continental climate. Abroad it is bred in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, some European countries. In our country, the best results when growing calves of this breed are achieved in the Orenburg region. Cows of this breed in the steppes of Kazakhstan are very common and feel well.
As you can see, the Hereford breed is unpretentious,quickly gaining weight and does not require too large investments. It is very easy to care for these cows, and you can get a lot of calves and meat from them. Taking into account all these factors, breeding Herefords both in private farms and on large farms seems more than appropriate.
