Raising breeding cattle at Hacienda Bigaa, Calatagan, Batangas /
by Pedro L. Mojica. Jr.
- Indang, Cavite : Cavite State University- Main Campus, 1978.
- 33 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Special Problem (BSA--Animal Husbandry) Don Severino Agricultural College
Includes bibliographical references.
College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR) College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR)
A study on "Raising Breeding Cattle at Hacienda, Bigaa, Calatagan, Batangas" was conducted to determine the different management practices employed by the ranch. This was conducted from July to September 1978. At the time of study, the ranch had 205 breeding cows, 29 breeding bulls, 73 male calves and 101 female calves. The breeds that were kept in the farm were Charolais, Santa Gertrudes and Brahman. New born calves were strictly fed with mother's milk. As they grew older, they joined together with their mothers in pastures up to eight months. Feeding in bulls and cows were done in separate pas-tures. They were given salts and bone meals as feed supplements. Heifers were bred at the age of 2 1/2 years old while the breeding cow, from seven to eight months after delivery in pasture mating. Sheds were provided for the cattle in case of incle-ment weather as well as the feeders for the feed supplements. The growing grasses in pastures were Alabang X-grass, star grass and centrosema and the forage were rice, corn, sugar cane and peanuts planted in different pasture lots with an area of 480 hectares. Since cattle were in pastures most of the time, there was no problem in the exercise of animals. The ranch practiced dehorning when calves reached the age of three to four months using the hot iron method. Marketing of cattle ranges from weaning age up to four years old. The ranch sold cattle to other ranches of the country. Individual farmers could not afford to buy breeding cattle due to the high cost. Parasitic infestation, accidental pasture fires during dry months and low rainfall are the common problems met at the ranch.