The exploitation of cattle breeding, a business that is gaining ground

Carrying out adequate nutritional management and having biosafety and health programs will be vital for this activity to have the expected results.

The most commonly used breeds of dairy cattle are Holstein, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guensey, and Jersey.

“In addition to the breeds already mentioned, the Simmental and Normando stand out, as they are adaptable to cold climates,” says Javier Carrillo, a partner at the Las Islas kennel

This type of cattle gives one calf per year with an average milk production per lactation of 6,000 and 8,000 liters.

Your profits are seen when the birth rate is 60%, which ensures that the number of replacement animals and therefore milking cows increases. Not leaving behind having a selection of the production of each cow per lactation.

For meat exploitation, Angus, Brangus, Brahman, Limousin, Charolais, Simmental and Norman are the most desirable.

Currently there is a great demand for F1 steers, especially those crossed between bos taurus and bos indicus, because their weight gain, age and slaughter weight are better compared to bovine breeds.

According to Carrillo, the average duration of fattening for meat breeds is between 18 and 24 months of age and a live weight of 500 kilos is optimal in this business

“Profitability in beef cattle can only be seen when weight gains are close to 800 gr/day, since this compensates for administrative and transportation expenses.”

When starting this type of business, it is important to analyze the geographical area where you want to start the project, the type of exploitation that is your responsibility according to climate and topography, the usable area, food availability, required capital, profitability, sales projections and cash flow.

Cattle breeding farm business that is gaining ground

In the case of setting up a productive system with the Norman breed, Derly Rodríguez, technical director of the Norman Cattle Breeders Association (Asonormando), mentions that it is necessary to know the genetic level of the animals used as breeding stock to initiate, but above all, to ensure that said genetic potential is expressed. "In addition, adequate nutrition and excellent health management must be guaranteed."

This breed has been used for crossbreeding in the low tropics with Zebu breeds. Among the most outstanding results is the increase in milk production in F1 females, achieving up to 9 liters per day, in milking with a calf; additionally, it provides the cross with good pigmentation, better maternal ability and high rusticity.

Regarding the production of meat in F1 steers, slaughter weights of 515 kilograms are reached, with an average age of 25.8 months and a carcass yield of 56.4%.

The weather is also essential for business.

Carrillo from the Las Islas hatchery, assures that the first thing to look at is how the national herd is organized: specialized dairy 6.4%, dual purpose 35%, fattening 19.9% ​​and breeding 38.8%. Depending on the type of livestock farm and the breed, the type of climate and topography must be chosen.

“Dairy farming is found mainly in the dairy basins of the high tropics in part of Antioquia, in the central region is the basin of the valley of Ubaté and Chiquinquirá. The Bogotá savannah basin is in Mosquera, Fontibón, Funza, Bojacá, Sibaté, Soacha and Madrid”, he adds.

Notes that other basins are in the western zone (Facatativá, Siberia, Subachoque, Tabio, Cota, Chía and Cajicá); and in the northern zone (Tocancipá, Suesca, Gachancipá, Sesquile and Zipaquirá).

Lastly, the low tropic basins are found in Córdoba, Sucre, Magdalena, Atlántico and the Piedmont.

For beef cattle production, the largest inventory of animals is in Antioquia, Córdoba, Casanare, Meta and Cesar.

Generally, before working with a calf storage or purebred business, ranchers work on a commercial farm to gain experience selling cattle to market, selecting calves and bulls, replacing heifers.

Areas for cattle exploitationThe breeding and raising of cattle is carried out in specialized herds near large cities and in places far from the center of consumption. The fattening, for its commercialization, is carried out in sectors covered with good pastures and with sufficient humidity, especially in the foothills of the plains.

Opinions

Javier Carrillo Partner of the Las Islas hatchery“In our environment specialized milk, double purpose and meat farms are carried out”.

Derly RodríguezTechnical director of Asonormando"In order to set up a productive system, it is necessary to take into account the genetic level of the animals and then guarantee them good nutrition."