Groups for mounting on Aberdeen Angus cattle farms

The end of the calving season marks a new stage for Angus cattle breeders in an extensive husbandry system. In order to have maximum efficiency in the field of reproduction, the cows that gave birth in the spring must be ready for the mounting again, the goal being to obtain 1 calf per year.

 

When opting for natural mounting, Angus breeders need to consider several factors:

1. The number of bulls introduced in the group – the general rule is to allocate one bull to 30 females, in order to have maximum efficiency without overloading the male.
2. Depending on the characteristics of the group of females, a suitable bull should be chosen for them. For example, for a group of heifers a young bull will be chosen, less robust, to ensure that the products obtained will be smaller and thus calving will be easy.
3. Bulls can also be chosen according to EBV, a system that allows the evaluation of genetically transmitted traits in offspring (weight gain, amount of milk, inter and intra-muscular fat level, etc.).
4. Bulls introduced for mounting must have an appropriate physical condition, come after a sufficient rest period in which they have restored their energy reserves to have a high percentage of fertilization. In the first days after the introduction of the bull in the group, its behaviour must be observed, especially if it performs the jump on the females accordingly. Also, during the whole mounting period, it must be monitored: if the animal limps or shows some pathologies, they can prevent it from mounting.
5. After about 2 months, following the gestation check, the bull may be removed from the mounting group or may remain further within the group, at the request of the owner.

 

Last but not least, proper preparation of animals from a medical point of view must be taken into account. This involves an immunization against anthrax (anthrax vaccination), as well as an internal-external deworming (Bimectin Plus, Butox, etc.).