Breeding

A male can be used for breeding at the age of 12 months, but will develop better if breeding is postponed until the animal is two years old. The cow can be mated at 18 months. The cow gives birth nine and a half months after the mating; usually a single calf is born.

Breeds with distinct characteristics have been developed by mating cattle with the desired traits. Artificial insemination makes it possible to breed a large number of cows to the same superior bull. Several breeding techniques, such as embryo transfer and gene injection, have been developed through genetic engineering.

Cattle belonging to one of the recognized breeds are called purebred. Scrubs are cattle of inferior breeding or poor appearance. A grade animal is the offspring of a purebred bull and a scrub or grade cow. Purebred cattle produce more and better meat at a lower cost than other cattle. Fast growth and early maturity are stressed in breeding to cut the cost of care and feeding.

A fine, purebred animal may be registered by its owner with one of the cattle breed associations. Every important breed is represented by a society that keeps a herdbook listing registered, purebred animals. A registered herd is one in which all the animals have been so registered. These records enable breeders to select suitable animals, especially bulls, for breeding.