Breeding

Bull Examination and Testing

"Passengers" in a herd, (non-producing cows and bulls) should be culled annually. There are a few simple examinations that will give an indication of a bull's potential reproductive worth. [more]

Breeding Polled Cattle

Horns on cattle pose a clear danger to handlers and to other cattle during transport and at feedlots and abattoirs. Cattle markets are placing increasing pressure on producers to sell cattle without horns. [more]

Dehorning and Castration of Calves

Dehorning and castration are essential management practices for the Northern Territory's cattle industry. However, it is important to note that there are national animal welfare guidelines prepared by the Standing Committee of Agriculture that monitor these activities. [more]

Freeze Branding

An alternative branding method for the identification of cattle and horses. [more]

Genetic Effects on the Productivity of Beef Cattle

Understanding the extent of genetic effects on important traits puts both the genetic and environmental influences of those traits in perspective. This enables beef producers to target their productivity improvement efforts more effectively. [more]

Genetic Effects on the Mature Weight of Cattle

Mature weight is an important trait in beef cattle. Mature weight of breeders is important because larger cows require more feed for maintenance. This means that running large mature size females results in higher grazing pressure than running an equal number of small or medium mature size females. This article concentrates on the genetic effects on mature weight. [more]

Nucleus Bull Breeding Herds

A nucleus bull-breeding herd is an elite herd of cattle that is maintained on a commercial property specifically to breed sires for the commercial herd. Successful nucleus bull-breeding requires a clear vision of the desired traits in cattle selected for the nucleus. [more]

Testicle Size - A fertility Indicator in Bulls

Testicle size allows cattleman to predict the sperm-producing potential of young bulls, which relates directly to their fertility. [more]