Disease Prevention and Deworming Before introducing new shelf cows into the farm, a thorough health inspection is essential. Healthy animals should be vaccinated with hoof-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, and clostridium perfringens vaccines. A deworming treatment should also be administered before they begin the fattening process. Three days after deworming, it's recommended to provide artificial salt or stomach medicine to support digestion. Newly arrived cattle are often stressed due to environmental changes, transportation, and unfamiliar surroundings. To help them adapt, add 0.5% salt and 1% brown sugar to their drinking water for one week. Ensure they have access to plenty of grass or hay. Two days later, introduce a small amount of bran gradually, leading into the main feeding phase. Throughout the fattening period, monitor the cattle’s eating habits, waste production, and overall behavior for early signs of illness. Scientific Feeding The shelf fattening process can be divided into three stages: the pre-fattening (adaptation) phase, the mid-fattening (transition) phase, and the finishing (anticipation) phase. The adaptation period usually lasts about 15 days. During this time, the primary roughage should be ammoniated straw or silage corn stalks, combined with locally available concentrate feed. Allow free access to these roughages and ensure sufficient clean water is always available. Starting from day two, gradually increase the amount of concentrate feed. By the end of the adaptation period, aim to feed approximately 2 kg of concentrate daily, or 0.8% of the animal’s body weight, averaging around 1.5 kg per day. A sample concentrate formula includes 45% corn flour, 40% wheat bran, 10% cake, 2% bone meal, 2% urea, and 1% salt, with 2 ml of cod liver oil added per kilogram of feed. The mid-fattening phase typically lasts about 30 days. During feeding, maintain a balanced ratio of roughage to concentrate. At the start of the mid-fattening phase, the ratio should be 3:1, then 2:1 in the middle, and 1:1 toward the end. Feed twice daily, offering 4-5 kg per meal, and provide water two hours after feeding. The finishing phase usually takes about 45 days. In this stage, the diet should be mainly concentrated, with 70%-80% of the total diet being concentrates. Provide high-energy feeds (60%-70%) and low-protein feeds (10%-20%). Offer 1.5%-2% of the animal’s body weight daily, with a crude fiber ratio of 1:2 to 1:3. Increase the number of feedings per day and ensure constant access to clean water. A typical finishing feed formulation could include 2-3 kg of cornmeal, 20-25 kg of molasses residue, 15-20 kg of distillers grains, 10-15 kg of silage straw, 50g of salt, 20g of mineral additives, fed twice daily. Alternatively, use a mix of 56% corn flour, 10% cottonseed cake, 8% wheat bran, 23.5% ammoniated wheat straw powder, 1% auxin, 1% salt, and 0.5% sodium bicarbonate, at a rate of 6-7 kg per head per day. Use of Growth Promoters Commonly used growth promoters such as monensin and lasalocid are effective when added to the feed. These agents work through the rumen and are typically mixed at a rate of 40-60 mg per kg of concentrate. They help improve feed efficiency and promote weight gain. Additionally, the use of urea can be beneficial for cattle weight gain. Administer 0.25 kg of slow-release urea per day. Urea should be given at night, and cattle should not drink water for two hours afterward to prevent toxicity. Proper Management The ideal ambient temperature for cattle is between 5°C and 21°C. During the fattening period, maintain a warm, quiet, and comfortable environment. Regularly brush the animals 1-2 times a day to keep them clean. Install adjustable ventilation windows in the barn to ensure good air circulation. Remove manure daily to keep the barn clean, dry, and well-ventilated, and protect against dampness and cold drafts. Timely Slaughter After 2-3 months of fattening, if the cattle reach a weight of 500 kg or more, they should be slaughtered promptly. There are two ways to determine the right time for slaughter: 1) If the cattle’s appetite decreases and cannot be restored despite dietary adjustments; 2) If you feel fat deposits on the lumbar region or the ear feels soft when touched, indicating full muscle development, it is time to slaughter. Always ensure humane handling and proper slaughtering practices to maintain meat quality and animal welfare. Green Prickly Ash,Pricklyash Peel Green Prickly Ash,Green Peppercorns Prickly Ash,Green Chinese Prickly Ash Sichuan Liuhang Agriculture Co.Ltd , https://www.lhagriculture.com