American Ranchers Raise 30,1 Million Beef Cattle This Way - American Cow Farm
Best friend, the United States boasts 30.1 million beef cattle, a testament to the dedication and expertise of American ranchers. This video delves into the practical husbandry and transportation methods they use. Let's find out more
America's cattle industry is a huge economic sector, generating abundant supplies of beef, milk, leather and other products for domestic and international markets. Outstanding with its huge scale, with more than 90 million cows raised and contributing more than 100 billion USD each year, this industry plays an essential role in the national food system.
There are more than 700,000 ranchers, mainly concentrated in the states of Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, with Texas having a cattle farming history of more than 300 years. Texas has favorable conditions for cattle farming, with 130 million acres of grazing land and home to popular breeds such as Angus, Beefmaster, Longhorn and Hereford.
Here, farm owners have the choice to graze their cows freely. This method brings many benefits to cow health, the environment and economic profits. Cows that are regularly exercised are healthier, have fewer illnesses, and produce better quality meat and milk. This method also helps improve the environment by reducing pollution, increasing soil quality and controlling weeds. Reduce livestock production costs by reducing feed, labor and facility costs.
There are many ways to freely graze cows such as rotational grazing, strip grazing, concentrated grazing or combined grazing. To ensure safety and efficiency, farmers install safety fences and provide enough food and water during grazing. They use all terrain vehicles to control grazing areas and the number of cows, avoiding losses.
Cows' food on the farm mainly consists of two types: roughage and concentrate feed. The amount of feed required for each cow depends on many different factors such as age, breed, milk production and environmental conditions. Farmers balance their diets to ensure cows receive enough nutrition to survive, grow and produce. In addition to main food, cows also need clean water, mineral salts, and vitamins. Clean water is essential for every function of the body, mineral salts help maintain electrolyte balance and prevent deficiency diseases, vitamins strengthen the immune system and improve overall health.
Cows need to drink about 30 to 40 liters of water per day. Water troughs are located in grazing areas and barns, in locations easily accessible to cows.
To provide cows with the necessary nutrients, farmers divide their meals into two parts: grazing and feeding in the barn. When grazing outdoors, cows are fed fiber rich foods such as grass, straw, and hay to ensure they have enough energy to exercise. Once back at the barn, workers use high powered mixers to mix the ingredients, which include simple proteins, hay, grass silage, corn silage, rolled wheat, minerals, protease enzymes and water. . One worker cleans the feeding trough before another brings in the mixer and distributes the feed to the cows.
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On the farm, cows start receiving vaccinations against common diseases at 2 months old. Veterinarians oversee the process, and experienced farmers administer injections safely in the neck area to avoid major blood vessels and ensure proper subcutaneous delivery. Equipment is used carefully, with needles changed regularly to maintain safety and effectiveness. It's crucial that these procedures are carried out by trained individuals, as mishandling can lead to harm. It is advised not to attempt vaccination at home without proper training and supervision.
Did you know cows can breed all year round? Before breeding, they will be tested for their overall health and ability to become pregnant. In breeding conditions, the farm owner will choose artificial insemination for cows to achieve the best results. Workers will prepare gloves, hormone injection tools, and lubricating equipment. The semen will be thawed in warm water to maintain viability. A breeding gun is used to introduce semen into the cervix, ensuring proper placement for successful fertilization. In addition, operators also need to clearly understand the cow's reproductive tract to navigate AI. The cows will then be monitored until they become pregnant and give birth. Cows are pregnant for about 279 to 287 days. Workers will clean up dry grass and straw in the cow calving area. After that, he will assist the mother cow in giving birth by skillfully tying the rope and pulling the calf out. The owner will massage and clear nasal congestion to help the calf breathe normally. The mother cow will then come and lick their outer amniotic membranes clean. For cows that are having difficulty giving birth, the staff at the farm will have to prepare and perform surgery and catch calves. The surgical process must ensure hygiene and disinfection. The calf is healthy and can stand up and walk within a few hours of birth. Calves will be given milk for about 4 to 6 months before switching to the raw feeding stage. The farm limits sudden weaning to avoid stressing the calf and mother cow. How do you evaluate the cow's reproductive process? Leave a comment below the video to let us know.
After reaching 18 to 24 months of age and a weight of about 992 to 1322 pounds, cows are transported to the processing plant. Transport typically occurs early in the morning when the weather is cool. Cows are guided to the transport area via a limited path. They are usually transported by trucks or trailers. Trucks are designed to be airy and safe, providing enough space for cows to move and rest. A layer of sawdust is spread on the truck floor to reduce friction and prevent injuries. Trucks generally have three floors connected by mobile stairs, with each floor separated by an iron door. The operator checks these doors for safety before loading the cows. Using paddles, cows are guided onto the truck, with each floor accommodating about 10 to 15 cows to ensure comfort and sufficient oxygen. For short distances, cows are often transported by cart, with carriages connected by sturdy iron axles, allowing for the transport of a larger number of cows.
Which shipping method do you think is more popular? Share your views with us! If you're interested in any other farming and processing processes, feel free to leave us a suggestion in the comments below. Thank you for watching and supporting Trending Farm's videos!
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