Abstract
The literature survey contains a brief outline of how to manage the breeding stock in beef cattle
as well as a short summary of beef cattle diseases. The focus is on udder diseases with respect
to the frequency of their occurance, how to classify and to diagnose them, and how to treat
them. Also examined is the relationship between the cow and its calf and the sucking behavior
of the latter.
The impirical study looked at udder diseases with cows which had already been used for dairy
purposes and which changed over from dairy cows to beef cows. The aim was to investigate the
frequency of the various causes for this diseases, any predisposition on the part of the animals,
typical symptoms, and the consequences of this problem. Two breeds were considered, namely,
Schwarzbunte and Fleckvieh.
The data was collected by examining the udders at 4 fixed intervals per year for two years in a
row. In the first year 99 cows were examined, and during the second year 108 animals. It was
possible to include 53 cows during both years (longitunal study). In addition to this kind of data
the sucking behavior of the calves was also investigated. A special study was devoted to the
question wether there is a relationship between the cow`s udder diseases and the sucking
behavior of its calves. It turned out that, in general, udder diseases with the animals, which
changed over from dairy cows to beef cows were not more frequent than with ?normal? beef
cows.
During the first year clinical mastiditis was found with 7,3% - 20,2% of the animals quarters and
24,2% - 47% with al the cows. For the second year the figures were 16,2% - 25,5% for the
quarters and 47,3% - 59,2% for all the cows.
One problem was the high death rate of the cows (4,7% during the first year and 1,7% during
the second year) as well as the frequency of veterinarian treatment. Also, the losses among the
calves were relatively high ( 10% during the first year, 5,4% during the second year). However,
after weaning the calves gained weight at satisfactory daily rates. During the first year the
average was 1284g for the calves younger than 150 days, and 1127g for the calves older than
200 days.
The change-over from dairy cows to beef cows to establish a beef herd by cross breeding
seems to be possible if one is prepared to accept above average losses. The results of this
study are presented in detailed tabulations. Key findings and their implications are pointed out
in the discussion. |
