Cattle Farming II SS1 Livestock Farming Lesson Note

In our last lesson, we met the different breeds of cattle found in Nigeria. Today, we are going to look at how we actually manage them. In the cattle business, you are either a Beef Farmer (meat) or a Dairy Farmer (milk). Each requires a different style of “parenting” for the animals.

Beef Cattle vs. Dairy Cattle

Just like we have different types of cars for different jobs (a truck for loads and a small car for speed), cattle are bred for specific purposes.

1. Beef Cattle (The Meat Makers)

• Goal: To grow big, heavy muscles as quickly as possible.
• Look: They usually have a “blocky” or rectangular shape. They are wide and carry a lot of flesh on their backs and thighs.
• Management: They are often kept in large open fields (ranches) where they eat a lot of grass and “fattening” feed.
• Examples: Angus, Hereford, and our local N’dama.

1. Dairy Cattle (The Milk Makers)

• Goal: To produce a high volume of milk every day.
• Look: They are usually leaner (thinner) than beef cattle. Instead of putting energy into meat, their body puts it into the Udder (the milk bag). They have a “wedge” shape—narrower at the front and wider at the back.
• Management: They need very high-quality food, lots of water, and must be milked at the same time every morning and evening.
• Examples: Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, and our local White Fulani (which is okay for both).

Management Systems in Nigeria

How do we keep these “Big Boys”? There are three main ways:

• Nomadic/Extensive System: This is the most common in Nigeria. Herders move cattle from place to place in search of green grass and water. It is cheap but risky because the animals can get tired, sick, or wander into people’s farms.
• Semi-Intensive System: The cattle are allowed to graze in a fenced area during the day but are brought into a shed at night to be given extra feed (concentrates) and protection.
• Intensive System (Ranching): The cattle stay in one place. The farmer brings all the food and water to them. This is the best way to get a lot of milk or heavy meat, but it costs more money to run.

Important Management Practices

To be a professional cattle farmer, you need to perform these “chores” to keep the herd in order:

1. Identification: Every cow should have a “name” or number. We use ear tags (plastic numbers clipped to the ear) or branding (marking the skin) so we know which cow has been treated or which one is pregnant.
2. Castration: Removing the testicles of young male calves that are not needed for breeding. These males (steers) become calmer and produce better meat.
3. Dehorning: Removing the horns while the calf is still very young. This prevents the cattle from hurting each other or the farmer when they get older.
4. Culling: Removing old, sick, or “lazy” cows that are no longer producing milk or calves.

Health and Hygiene

Cattle are prone to “the big three” problems in Nigeria:

• Tsetse Flies: They carry “Sleeping Sickness.” This is why breeds like the Muturu are important because they can survive it.
• Ticks: These tiny insects suck blood and give the cattle “Tick Fever.” We control them by Dipping or Spraying the cattle with chemicals called Acaricides.
• Foot and Mouth Disease: A viral disease that causes sores on the mouth and feet, making it hard for the cow to walk or eat.

Summary: The Milk Road vs. The Meat Road

Whether you choose Dairy or Beef, the secret is the same: Water and Records. A cow can drink over 60 liters of water a day! Also, if you don’t keep records of when a cow was mated, you won’t know when to prepare for the arrival of the Calf.

Class Activity / Review

1. Spot the Difference: If you see two cows—one is very fat and wide, and the other has a very large, hanging milk bag—which one is for Beef and which is for Dairy?
2. Discussion: Why is the “Extensive” (moving cattle around) system becoming difficult in Nigeria today?
3. Homework: Draw a simple diagram of a cow. Label the Hump, the Udder, and the Hoof.