Approximate weight of a 1 year old bull. Influence of other factors on body weight gain

Being able to determine how much a cow weighs on average, the exact weight of a calf, calculating the average daily gain in live weight and other important farm indicators is the primary task of a real livestock breeder. Not knowing these characteristics can have a detrimental effect on your business. After all, you won't be able to do anything accurate forecasts. The ability to determine the weight of heifers will be beneficial both when purchasing new heads and when caring for animals, and will teach you how to raise healthy livestock.

Normal weight of young animals at different periods of life

The weight of an adult animal changes in accordance with its breed and feeding habits, but the weight of a calf at 1 year of life changes according to laws common to all breeds. At birth, the baby weighs 30-40 kg. Every day of his life, he gains 500-800 g. At 2 months, the baby doubles his weight.

At 6 months, the calf’s weight reaches 120-180 kg. You should remember these numbers - they will definitely come in handy when buying calves, because it is recommended to purchase them from 6 months of age. At 1 year old the young proper feeding can reach a weight of 250-400 kg. You can read more about nutrition in our article.

Over 2 years, cows and bulls gain from 600 to 800 kg. If you take good care of the animals, at 3 years they will reach 900-1200 kg.

Interestingly, the largest bull in the world, weighing 1740 kg and reaching a height of 190 cm, belonged to the porcelain breed. This is the maximum weight recorded by herders.

Record holders for weight gain are still found today. There are bulls weighing up to 1.5 tons - it all depends on your goals and feeding methods.

Weight categories and factors influencing it

The live weight of livestock depends on many factors. To correctly answer the question of how to find out the weight of a newborn calf, a young heifer or an adult bull, you need to find out what these factors are. When determining the average weight of a cow, the following are taken into account:

breed;
type of breed (meat and dairy, beef, dairy);
period of cow development (age);
gender (the male is usually 350 kg larger than the heifer);
quality of maintenance and feeding.

The latter factor has a particularly strong effect on the weight of the newborn calf. Babies under three months need care and a lot of attention so that they grow properly and quickly.

Knowing how much cows weigh will help you figure out what type of animal they are. Cattle are divided into 4 categories. Selected heifers weigh between 450 and 600 kg. Cattle of the first category reach 400-450 kg, the second - 380-400 kg. Cows of the third type weigh less than 300 kg, their record weight can reach 380 kg.

Average daily growth: features and methods of calculation

To understand whether your animals are developing normally, you need to be able to calculate the average daily weight gain. If the live weight of cattle is in the range of 500-1000 g, then such an increase is considered normal. It depends on many factors: diet, breed, type, age. A two-month-old calf gains weight a little slower than one-year-old cows and bulls. You can calculate how much an animal gains per day using the formula:

determine the initial live weight (Wo);
determine the mass at the time of calculation (Wt);
subtract Wo from Wt;
divide the result by the time elapsed between initial period and the moment of calculation (t);
multiply the resulting number by 1000.

Thanks to this formula, you can not only monitor the development of calves, but also predict how many days (months, years) the animal will reach the optimal weight for slaughter.

Calculation of meat productivity

Live weight of cattle is the weight of the animal before slaughter. Meat production is the portion of meat in a cow, excluding the brain and the entire head, wool and hide, as well as legs and bones. The meat yield of cows is 50-65%, depending on the type of breed: meat, dairy, meat and dairy. Pork, in this regard, is more profitable than beef - its output weight is 70-80%. The percentages of live weight and carcass yield of cows are given in the table:

The table shows that the greater the weight of the animal and the fewer bones in its carcass, the greater the percentage of pure meat that can be obtained.

The most weight, with the exception of bones, is taken by the head and skin of animals. Goby skins are divided into two groups, depending on the thickness of the skin: light - from 17 to 25 kg and heavy - over 25 kg. The weight of a cow's head is 10-15 kg - this is a favorite product of housewives for preparing jellied meat.

Weight gain and average daily gain of calves

An indicator such as the weight of a bull is the basis of many farming tasks. Using it, you can determine what weight class the bull belongs to, calculate the average daily gain and track the level of development. That is why, in the first months of life, cattle breeders regularly measure the weight of the bull, monitoring the obtained indicators.

The calf actively develops during the first six months of life. During this period, farmers constantly take measurements and monitor weight gain. Strict control is important not only for those calves that are fattened for meat, but also for replacement heifers.

The table below will help you determine the norms of weight and average daily weight gain at the main stages of development of young animals.

The table shows that at 3 months, calves reach an average daily gain of 700 g and maintain it for up to six months. Moreover, during this period of development, the weight of the calf is not at all affected by the class of the calf. The only difference is that a breeding heifer is born with more weight than replacement breeds.

Indicators of popular breeds - what you should follow

One of the popular breed types for breeding is the Red Steppe. The weight of calves at birth can reach 40 kg. They are the ones who prefer to be purchased for fattening for subsequent slaughter for meat. This is one of the breeds that is successful in all areas. You can read more about the breed in the article.

The first meat type includes cows of the Angler breed, whose weight reaches 550 kg. Angler bulls gain weight up to 1000 kg, for which they are valued by livestock breeders. The first meat type is represented by such breeds as Ukrainian meat, Charolais, Hereford, Ascanian.

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Wanting to purchase healthy livestock, the buyer wants to get as much as possible more information about animals. One of the most important indicators confirming the quality of the product is the weight of the cattle, since it is directly related to the health of the cow, bull or calf, and will also in the future affect their productivity and meat yield.

The weight of cattle carries a lot of information for livestock representatives. So, knowing the body mass of an animal, we can say about its physical condition, as well as growth and development.

Data on how much a cow or bull weighs is necessary for calculating and compiling a diet and vaccination doses.

Did you know? A cow's intestines make up 30% of its weight.

The standard weight of livestock is influenced by its:

age;
breed;

In livestock farming, it is customary to distinguish the following categories of cattle weight:

selected- weight is within 450-500 kg;
first grade- weight up to 450 kg;
second grade- the weight of the cattle is within 400 kg;
third grade- 300 kg.

If the average weight of an animal differs significantly with a permissible error of 30 kg for an adult, this may indicate an incorrect diet and diet, or the presence of diseases.

Bull

Average weight a bull should be one and a half times the weight of a cow, which is approximately 700-800 kg, while an adult bull has a large meat breed this figure can reach a ton and even exceed this value, amounting to 1200 kg.
Cows

An average heifer can weigh about 350 kg, but no less if it is not a small breed.

Meat cows can weigh up to 700 kg if they are more than two years old and kept in good conditions.

Calf

At birth, the calf's weight should be just under 10% of the mother's body weight, which is an average of 40 kg. It can vary and depend on the weight and breed of the baby's parents.

Calves grow rapidly, they, like newborn children, should be weighed regularly in order to understand how much they are gaining, whether everything is in order with their health, and whether there is a need to introduce changes to the diet of a young bull or cow.
At the age of 1 month, the calf's weight should increase by at least 10 kg, on average they gain about 30 kg, that is, doubling their weight at birth. At the age of six months, he is transferred to adult food and weight measurements are taken less often, but always once a month.

How does the weight of cattle vary depending on the breed?

Specialists involved in cattle breeding and selection identify about a thousand breeds of cows all over the world. However, they are usually divided into three main types, based on their purpose on the farm:

dairy;
meat;
meat and dairy.

Dairy

A distinctive feature of dairy cows' products is:

milk with high fat content;
less nutritious meat.

Among livestock of this species, the most popular breeds in our region are:

Meat

Characterizing cattle of this species, we can name the following: distinctive features, How:

rapid weight gain;
meat more high quality due to special muscle development;
more refined taste.

Among the most popular breeds of meat cows are:

. An adult cow can weigh 500-600 kg, and a bull - 800-1100 g. Meat yield - 53-65%, less often 70%;
. Brown cows also gain 500-600 kg of weight, and bulls a little less - about 800 kg. Product yield - 60%;
. An adult bull gains 1200 kg, and a heifer - 800 kg, despite the fact that they have a lot of meat, but not much fat, and also a large yield of meat products;
. They are extremely unpretentious in nutrition, as they eat any vegetation, reaching 550 kg at 16 months. In addition, the skin of cattle of this breed is used in the production of shoes;
Znamenovskaya. It has more miniature forms, since a cow of this breed will weigh a maximum of 550 kg, and a bull - 700 kg. Leather is also used to make shoes and bags.
Representatives of this species have a strong body and are used universally for both milk and meat products.

They produce more meat than dairy and more milk than meat. Average weight is between 550-900 kg depending on gender.

Did you know? Cows live on average twenty years, although there are also centenarians. Bulls live less, fifteen years.

Meat and dairy breeds of the KRG, which are popular among livestock breeders, are:
- Brown Carpathian;
- Lebedinskaya;
- Alatau;
- Red Gorbatovskaya;
- Yurinskaya;
- Shvitskaya;
- Red Tambov;
- Yorkshire;
- Caucasian brown;
- Simmentalskaya.
Simmental
What does the weight of cattle depend on?

The weight of bred livestock directly depends on the conditions of its keeping, as well as on the nutrition provided by the livestock breeder. There are also recommendations for breeding and care, depending on the breed and type of cow.
So, for example, long and grueling grazing is not required and even to a certain extent contraindicated for meat-type cows, since they can lose their own weight. They are advised to be raised in a stall.

Important! Environment, diet and diet, climate and living conditions collectively affect the health and weight gain of livestock.

When organizing a barn for cattle breeding, you should consider the importance of such aspects as:
- temperature regime. The room should not be cooler than +10 °C, if it is not cold storage, for adult livestock and +15 °C for calves;
- indoor humidity;
- good lighting;
- gas saturation;
- no noise, quiet environment.
It is also worth taking care of the pasture. Its use makes the breeding process less expensive, while the cow’s body can fully develop, her movements are not constrained, she breathes fresh air, bathes in sun rays. Most beneficial influence walking on pasture is available for dairy and meat and dairy cows.

Feeding the animals

Right organized feeding must be of high quality. It includes:
- vegetable feeds: succulent (grass, silage, root crops), coarse (hay, straw), concentrated (technical waste, grains);
- animals;
- chemical and microbiological synthesis;
- mixed feed and feed mixtures;
- vitamin and mineral supplements.

Igor Nikolaev

Reading time: 4 minutes

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A beef cow's calf is born with a weight of 40 kg. After the cow has licked him and warmed him up, he should drink 1.5 liters of colostrum within an hour. Newborn calves are fed every 3 hours. In the first 30 days, they are given only whole milk, 8 liters per day.

By the end of 2 months, the calf’s weight already reaches 84 kg. The diet of bulls is changing. They gradually begin to accustom him to succulent and roughage food, and give him grain mixtures. The bulls weigh 300 kg per year. How to properly feed young animals so that their weight reaches 700 kg in a short time?

Feeding bulls is different from feeding heifers. They begin to prepare for adult food from the age of 2 months. In addition to milk, they are given hay, combined feed, and vegetables. The task of fattening is accelerated recruitment muscle mass in order to short term little calves grew up big bulls. How should they be fed?

In the 2nd month, the bulls continue to be given whole milk, but the portion is divided into parts: 4 liters of whole milk and 4 liters of skim milk. The diet begins to be balanced with hay. Rough feed is given up to 400 g. This is necessary for the full formation of the scar section of the stomach.

The grain mixture will replenish the body with proteins. Young animals need 200 g. Protein will help build muscle mass. Mineral supplements will strengthen skeletal system. Among them are table salt and phosphates. By the end of 2 months, the calf already weighs 84 kg. He drinks his portion of whole milk and skimmed milk. The amount of roughage increases to 500 g. The grain mixture is given 700 g.

At the beginning of 3 months, root vegetables begin to be introduced into the diet. Experts recommend boiled warm potatoes. The first portion of potatoes is 200 g. By the end of the period, the amount of potatoes is increased to 500 g. The bull eats already one and a half kilograms of the combined feed. Whole milk is not given to the calf. It is replaced with the opposite. During the entire time, the amount of milk should not exceed 10 liters. By the end of 3 months, the weight of the bull is 110 kg.

At 4 months, the calf’s nutrition undergoes changes. They begin to add succulent food to his diet. Choose corn silage. The first portion is 500 g. By the end of the period, the bull eats 1 kg. The portion of skim milk is reduced to 8 liters. The amount of hay is increased to 1.5 kg by the end of the month. A calf eats 1.6 kg of grain mixture. Root vegetables are given raw. They are washed and finely chopped. Vegetables can include not only potatoes, but also sugar beets, carrots, and pumpkin. They make a vegetable mixture, but it is not recommended to give it more than 1 kg per day. By the end of the period, the weight of the bull grows to 136 kg.

Within 5 months, reduce the amount of skim milk from 8 liters to 4 liters. The calf eats 2 kg of hay by the end of the month. The amount of combined feed increases. By the end of the period, the calf can eat up to 1.8 kg. They continue to give vegetables. The share of silage in the diet increases to 2 kg. By the end of the month, the calf’s body weight reaches 163 kg. He is brought into the herd with other young animals.

At six months of age, bull calves weigh 190 kg. They no longer drink milk. They completely switch to the diet of an adult animal. The amount of succulent feed is increasing. By the end of the month, the bulls eat 6 kg of silage and 1 kg of root vegetables. Hay is needed 3 kg. The rate of concentrates is increased to 2 kg. Calves consume up to 20 g of salts and 25 g of phosphorus supplements.

Calves in the dairy period are given antibiotics to accelerate growth. They speed up metabolic processes in the body. The weight gain of young animals with the use of antibiotics increases by 12%. At six months, a bull can weigh an average of 219 kg.

For the first 15 days, calves are kept in a nursery. These are cages in which the floor is raised 50 cm from the ground. The floor is made of wooden slotted wood. It is covered with straw, which is changed daily. At this time, be sure to monitor your diet. Calves are not allowed near cows. Colostrum is milked and given in a bottle. This allows you to control the portion of milk consumption. From the nursery the calves are transferred to pens where the calves are kept for up to 5 months. At six months the young animals are united into a separate herd.

A bull calf can already weigh 500 kg per year. Starting from 6 months, haylage, silage-haylage or a combined type of feeding is selected for young animals. The diet consists of succulent feed and concentrates. Be sure to give hay so as not to provoke diseases of the stomach and the entire gastrointestinal tract. Phosphates and vitamin supplements are added to the feed. A lick of salt and minerals is placed in the stall. By the 7th month, the bull’s weight reaches 300 kg.

Depending on the amount and balance of feed, the haylage type of feeding can give a monthly gain of 750 g to 900 g. It is recommended that bulls be given the following amount of feed from 6 months to a year:

1.5 kg of hay;
11 kg of haylage;
2.5 kg of concentrates;
50 g feed phosphate;
40 g salt.

From one year to 16 months, the diet of bulls is adjusted. Young animals receive an increased portion of haylage and grain mixture. How to feed animals during this period? The diet consists of the following amounts of feed:

2 kg of hay;
15 kg of haylage;
3 kg of grain mixture;
60 g phosphate and 50 g salt.

Combined feed is made independently or purchased from grain suppliers. The mixture is produced under certain brands. K-61-1-89 concentrates include barley 36.8%, corn 33.5%, soybean meal 17%, feed yeast 5.8%. The composition contains chalk, salt, premix.

A combination feeding diet consists of more than just hay and concentrates. It is supplemented with silage and root crops. A mixture of the K-62-2-89 brand can be given as feed. It consists of sprouted barley, sunflower meal, feed fat, grass meal, feed yeast, and chalk. It contains salt and vitamin complex. For a daily gain of 900 kg from 6 months to a year, calves consume the following diet:

After six months, the portion of the combined feed is increased, bringing it to 3 kg. The number of root crops increases to 6 kg. Calves eat 11 kg of silage. During this period, concentrates of the K-62-3-89 brand can be given as dry food. The mixture consists of purified barley, peas, sunflower meal, grass flour, and yeast. The complex is rich in macro and microelements. At 16 months, a bull can weigh more than 500 kg.

With the silage-haylage type of feeding, root crops are not included in the diet. Young animals eat hay, haylage, silage, and dry food. The grade K-64-4-89 is chosen as concentrates. It consists of barley, corn, lightly roasted peas and soybeans. Energy value mixture is 11.2 MJ. The diet consists of the following feeds:

2.5 kg of hay; after six months the amount is increased to 3 kg;
14 kg silage; at month 7, the portion is increased by 1 kg;
6 kg of haylage; the quantity is adjusted to 7 kg;
2.5 kg of combined feed; the portion is increased by 0.5 kg;
feed phosphate is given 50 g, salt 40 g; after six months, the amount of mineral salts is increased by 10 g.

Bulls are fed 3 times a day. Dry feed is always introduced after hay or silage. Hay prepares the rumen for food intake: gastric juice is released. The salivary glands begin to work intensively.

IN summer period it is necessary to organize walking of calves. Bull calves begin to be walked on pasture from 2 months of age. They are already able to eat 2-4 kg green grass. It is necessary to choose pastures with sparse vegetation. If the farmer has available meadows for fattening, then it is better to choose rye crops for bulls.

Fattening bulls up to 700 kg

They feed bulls in private farmsteads everything to make them quickly gain weight. Along with hay and concentrates, they are given additional sunflower or flax cake. Food fillers are added to food, the manufacturers of which promise good results.

As a result, the calf will gain weight, but will this be due to increased muscle mass. That's another question. The animal may develop obesity. The quality of the meat at the end decreases. The bull may develop pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism is disrupted. At 18 months, a healthy calf grows into a large animal.

The bull should be fed only in accordance with the rules. From an excess of dry protein food, he may develop acidosis.

To accelerate growth up to 700 kg, young animals are given a special diet. It consists of large quantity fodder. It is steamed and given 3 times a day. To prevent gastrointestinal upset and scarring of the stomach, animals are given a probiotic:

2-3 months the amount of fodder is 0.5 kg.
6 – 3.6 kg.
12 – 9 kg.
14 – 10 kg.
16-18 in – 14 kg.

It is recommended to give Lactobifadol as a probiotic. The drug normalizes metabolic processes and prevents bloating in the stomach. Acidosis can develop from a large amount of forage. "Lactobifadol" is a good prevention against the development of the disease. It can be introduced into the milk of calves from the first days of feeding.

The consumption of forage does not cancel the rationed nutrition of young animals. Forage is given instead of dry concentrates. By the end of the 18th month, the weight of the bulls reaches 700 kg. The meat is special taste qualities. It is juicy and non-greasy. It is necessary to walk young animals in the summer. Otherwise, animals will begin to deposit subcutaneous fat.

By regularly monitoring the weight of cattle and comparing it with the norm, the farmer will be able to timely adjust the animal’s diet or living conditions. In today's article you will learn how to determine the weight of an animal using measurements.

There are several classifications of cattle weight. According to one of the most popular, there are 4 weight categories for cows:

selected: 450-500 kg;
I class: from 400 to 450 kg;
Class II: from 380 to 400 kg;
III class: from 300 to 380 kg.

These indicators may vary depending on whether the animal belongs to the meat or dairy type. For example, Hereford beef cows can weigh 900 kg, and bulls - up to 1.5 tons.

When tracking an animal's weight gain, it is better to check it with the development table for a specific breed.

How to determine the weight of a calf

For proper care of young animals, it is important to regularly monitor how much each calf weighs. Lack of weight may indicate an animal illness. If weight gain is too low for all young animals, the cause may be a lack of important microelements in the diet, poor management or stress.

The average weight of newborn calves is 40 kg (7-9% of the mother's weight). Since they grow quickly, it is recommended to take measurements every 10-14 days. At one month, each calf should weigh on average twice as much as at birth. Again, this indicator largely depends on the early maturity of the breed.

At 6-8 months, young animals are transferred to adult food. After this, it is advisable to carry out measurements once a month.

The easiest way is to use a calf measurement chart to determine weight. To get results with its help, you need to use a tape measure to measure the length of the calf’s body and the circumference of its chest behind the shoulder blades. At the intersection of these indicators in the table there will be an approximate current mass.

How to determine the weight of a cow

To determine the mass of adults, there are several methods based on body measurements. Please note that chest circumference is always measured behind the shoulder blades. When you take measurements, the animal should stand straight, with its limbs parallel.

You can determine how much a bull weighs using a simple formula. Using a tape measure, measure the length of the body from the withers to the beginning of the tail and the girth of the chest. Then you need to multiply these numbers and divide the result by 100. We multiply the resulting number by the breed correction factor (for dairy varieties it is 2, for all-purpose and meat varieties - 2.5). Moreover, if the fatness of an individual is higher than usual, another 5-10% is added to the obtained value; if it is lower, the same amount is subtracted.

To find out how much a cow weighs, the Klüver-Strauch method is also used. As with calculating the weight of calves, it will require a special table. In this case, the chest girth and oblique length of the body are measured, that is, the distance from the shoulder blade to the back of the thigh. At the intersection of the obtained values, the table will indicate the approximate weight of the animal.

A similar table exists specifically for calculating the weight of representatives of black and white breeds. To use it, measure the circumference of the chest and abdomen at the widest point.

Finally, a regression equation can be used to calculate a cow's weight. To do this, first of all, measure the circumference of the chest. This number is denoted by X, the desired value of the animal’s mass is Y.

if X is within 170-180 cm, then Y = X × 5.3 – 507;
if X is within 181-191 cm, then Y = X × 5.3 – 486;
if X is 192 cm or more, then Y = X × 5.3 – 465.

Of course, none of these systems can give an accurate result. In some cases, the error may be 10-20 kg. Therefore, if it is not possible to weigh the animal on real scales, for accurate calculations it is advisable to use several methods and then compare the results.

Output meat weight

Of course, the live weight of a bull or cow is always much greater than the yield of meat and edible offal. This indicator largely depends on the variety - from dairy breeds, after slaughter you can sometimes get only 40% of the meat, and from meat breeds - up to 80% or even more. On average, it is believed that if a cow weighed less than 500 kg, then the meat yield will be 60-65%, if more, then 70-75%.

You can also determine in advance approximately how much a particular organ weighs in each individual.

Liver is especially prized among offal products. Most often, its weight reaches 1-1.5% of the total weight, that is, on average 6 kg for a female and 9 kg for a male. Another delicious product is tongue. Weight depends on the age and sex of the individual, the maximum weight is 2.5 kg with a length of 35 cm. A popular product is beef heart, its weight ranges from 2-2.5 kg. Stomach - from 15 to 30 kg. The brain is from 350 to 400 g, and the entire head is from 15 to 25 kg. The udder is considered by many to be a rather exotic product, but in a number of areas, dishes made from it are widespread. In dairy cows, this organ weighs up to 30 kg, in meat and dairy cows - about 20 kg, in meat cows - 15 kg.

The front leg is usually divided into two parts. The lower one, that is, the shank or shank, on average tightens by 10-15 kg. Upper (shoulder blade) - 25-40 kg. The shank of the hind leg weighs 15-20 kg, the rump (upper part) - 35-50 kg. The weight of the skin of an adult cow is 40-45 kg, that of a bull - 70-80 kg. If it is quite thick, it can be used to make shoes or leather goods.

Calculation of live weight of cattle allows you to plan the pregnancy of cows, ensure proper diet nutrition and increase productivity. It can be determined in different ways. The ability to calculate weight without weighing will help you choose a highly productive individual when purchasing.

Average weights

The average weight of cows varies between 300–450 kg, and that of bulls – 600–850. Newborn calves weigh on average 30–40 kg.

There are 4 weight categories of livestock:

Selected (class A) – from 500 kg.
First-class (class B) – 400–500 kg.
Second-class (class C) – 350–450 kg.
Third-class (class D) – up to 300 kg.

All cow carcasses after slaughter are distributed and sorted for further processing, indicating them with signs corresponding to weight categories. If the carcass does not meet any of the criteria, it is branded with a triangle.

The weight of cattle depends on many factors:

genetic data determined by the breed;
health conditions;
diet;
age;
gender;
conditions of detention;
breed purpose;
climatic features of the region.

Cows

The fatness of a cow depends on its age. A one-year-old heifer weighs from 200 kg.

Important!At one year of age, the heifer enters heat, but a bull can only be allowed near her when she reaches a weight corresponding to 70% of the weight of an adult. Fertilization of a heifer before this is fraught with the birth of defective offspring and the death of the mother in labor. The female’s body is completely ready to bear calves at 3 years of age.

At 3 years old, the normal weight of a female starts at 300 kg. An adult five-year-old cow weighs 400–500 kg. In cows, the indicator varies depending on the stage of lactation.

The average weight of a month-old bull is 40.8–51.8 kg. Over the course of a year, a male gains 300–400 kg. Intensive fattening heifers are not castrated until they are one year old in order to increase muscle growth. Bull calves are sent for slaughter at the age of 20 months, when the animals have formed a full-fledged muscular frame.

The weight of a breeding bull can reach 900 kg. They keep him separate from the cows. During the mating period, body weight decreases by 50 kg.

Calf

Depending on the gender and breed, the weight of a newborn calf varies between 30–50 kg. Babies are kept on breastfeeding until 6–8 months, and from 3 months. succulent feed is introduced. Animals gain 0.5–1.8 kg per day; This process is influenced by nutrition.

By 6 months the heifer gains weight 100–180 kg, the bull – 200–210 kg. After weaning from their mother, babies gain weight more slowly. By 10 months the calf weighs 200–350 kg.

Differences in weight depending on purpose

Cow breeds are divided according to purpose into:

meat;
dairy;
meat and dairy.

They differ in body composition, weight and performance.

Did you know?The weight of cattle constantly fluctuates. Daily fluctuations vary within 30–40 kg.

Dairy

The smallest representatives of cattle are dairy cows. Their weight data varies within 300 kg for females, 600 for bulls. They are distinguished by a neat physique and small dimensions. Babies are born weighing 20–30 kg.

Dairy heifers reach sexual maturity faster. They can be brought together as early as 2 years of age.

Meat

Large meat animals reach 500 kg at one year of age. Babies are born weighing 40–50 kg. They fatten up quickly on dairy feeding.

Heifers reach sexual maturity at 3 years. Animals are distinguished by high meat productivity. The meat is fatty, juicy, and contains a maximum of animal protein.

Meat and dairy

These are universal animals of a combined direction. Male offspring are used for meat, and high-quality dairy products are obtained from cows. The weight of the female reaches 580–600 kg, the male – 850 and above.

Calves are born weighing 30 kg. Depending on the breed, one of the qualities may be more pronounced. They grow faster and reach sexual maturity earlier than meat representatives.

How to determine the weight of cattle

When buying livestock or sending it to slaughter, you need to know the exact weight of the animal. This indicator will tell you a lot about the health of the cattle. For example, if you buy a one-year-old milk and meat cow and its weight is below 400 kg, it means that the animal is weakened, sick or improperly kept.

Did you know? Every day a cow secretes 25 liters of saliva, and in a year an individual weighing 500 kg is capable of producing 1 ton of manure.

You can find out the mass of a cow not only using scales. When going to the market to buy a cow, arm yourself with a new measuring tape. The results of calculations based on measurements give an error of 20–30 kg.

By chest and abdomen circumference

Place the measuring tape on the back behind the shoulder blade area and draw a circular line along the chest behind the front legs. Pull the tape tight enough to crush any protruding hairs. The second measurement is abdominal circumference.

The tape is passed exactly along the most voluminous part of the body. Then we calculate the weight using the formula: (A + B): 2 + 50, where A is the chest measurement, B is the abdominal measurement.

For example, A = 130, B = 125, we get:

(130 + 125) : 2 + 50 = 177,5.

According to the regression equation

Calculations are made using three formulas:

5.3 x A - 507, where A is chest circumference 170–180 cm;
5.3 x A - 486 – for a girth of 180–190 cm;
5.3 x A - 465 – for girth over 191 cm.

The chest measurement is carried out similarly to the method described above.

According to the Klüver-Strauch method

The Klüver-Strauch technique is considered the most accurate. To calculate, you will need a chest measurement and oblique body length. The oblique length is determined by laying a measuring tape from the femoral tuberosities to the loin of the sternum. The values are added and subtracted by 50. For example, body length 125, chest girth 150, we get: 125 + 150 - 50 = 225.

According to Trukhanovsky's method

Calculations are made using measurements of the sternum and oblique length of the body. The values are multiplied and divided by 50. For example, sternum girth is 170, oblique body length is 150, we get: (150 x 170): 50 = 510.

How to measure a calf's weight

To find out weight indicator calf, 2 measurements will be required - sternum girth and oblique body length. Before taking measurements, restrain the animal and calm it down. The oblique body length of a baby is measured from the root of the tail to the beginning of the forelimb.

After this, the weight can be determined by any of the above methods.

How to find out the meat yield

The indicator is measured as a percentage.

It amounts to:

40–50% for dairy representatives;
80% for meat;
70% for meat and dairy.

Important!To calculate meat yieldweight is calculated using scales, since all other methods give only approximate figures and are intended to compile a complete diet.

Slaughter yield increases with age. The amount of meat products is influenced by diet and climatic conditions. It is also important to take into account the purpose of the breed.
Average weight different parts a meat and dairy cow with a slaughter weight of 700 kg, subject to a meat yield of 60% (420 kg):

head – 10 kg;
liver – 5 kg;
tongue – 2 kg;
heart – 3 kg;
kidneys – 2 kg;
front leg to hock joints – 2 kg;
hind leg – 3 kg;
skin – 17 kg;
stomach – 15 kg;
tail – 2 kg;
fat – 5 kg;
bones – 112 kg.

The remaining 102 kg are blood and guts; As a percentage, blood occupies 8% of live weight. Also, when calculating meat yield, it is worth considering that fresh meat weighs more.

Weight record holders

The largest representative of the last century was the Donetto bull from Switzerland. At the age of 8, the animal reached 1.85 cm at the withers and weighed 1.78 tons. The huge bull was distinguished by a kind, non-conflict character.
In 2008, the largest bull in England was considered to be the Field Marshal of the Charolais breed. At that time, his weight was 1.7 tons and his height was 1.9 m.
A powerful representative of the Podolsk breed, Repp, weighing 1.5 tons, lives in Ukraine, in the Cherkasy region. Repp is ranked among the most prolific breeding bulls. Over the course of a year, more than 50,000 calves are produced artificially from him.
Accurate determination of the weight of cattle helps to solve many problems - from identifying diseases to planning insemination and diet. For this they use various techniques, which involve calculation based on measurements. The error in the indicators is 20–30 kg.