A Survey of the Rearing Pattern and Farm Management of Beef Cattle in Watthana Nakhon District, Sa Kaeo Province

Abstract

           The purpose of this study was to survey the rearing systems and management of beef cattle farms in Watthana Nakhon District, Sa Kaeo Province, in the East of Thailand. The sample group was 31 beef cattle farms. Data were collected from the Wattana Nakhon District Livestock Office by using an interview form and then the data was analyzed. The results found that most of the farmers had less than 2 years’ experience in raising cattle. All the farms raised cattle to produce young cattle. Brahman crossbred Charolais cattle were commonly used as bulls. Thai Native Cattle crossbred with Brahman and Brahman cross bred with Charolais cattle were commonly used for breeding. The farmers favored the artificial insemination method for cattle breeding. The mating age was 18 months at the first mating with an average litter rate of 1 head per year. Generally, the cattle used for rearing were housed and they were provided with water from surface and ground water sources. More than 60 percent of the pasture plots were provided with roughage in the form of fresh grass without concentrated supplements. A foot-and-mouth vaccination program was conducted every 6 months. Beef cattle were sold live at 18 months of age. This project, known as the “Kobarn Burapha Project”, was promoted by the Department of Livestock Development. As a result, farmers paid more attention to crossbred cattle breeds and pasture management.