It is estimated that 10% of Brazil’s livestock originates from confinement. And it is a myth to think that in the confinement of cattle there is always a good return. In fact, it takes indispensable care to get quick turnaround, quality meat and good rearing on the property. This is what José Carlos Ribeiro, a consultant of Boi Saúde – Pecuária Inteligente, warns.
Confinement is a breeding system, in which lots of animals are enclosed in pickets, corrals or confinement bays, with restricted area. Food is supplied in troughs and water in drinking fountains
“Any breed can be used in the confinement and semi-confinement regime, but there are breeds that have a better feed conversion than others, they are animals that reach slaughter weight in less time,” explains José Carlos.
Check out five important tips on confinement of cattle, according to the expert:
1 – The choice of animals: always focus on genetics to obtain good weight gain. The strategy of choosing cheaper animals with limited weight gain almost always does not bring expected results.
2 – Intermediate weighing: few producers do, but can be a differential in confinement. When it is done, it is possible to see if the weight gain is correct. And if there is any adjustment in the confinement. In addition to studying if there are animals that can leave before this confinement.
3 – Respect the minimum space: 12 meters per animal is the appropriate and the trough with 15 cm per head.
4 – Wet curres frequently: this action safeens the dust, provides more comfort to the animals and avoids respiratory diseases.
5 – Make a lime strip at the entrance of the confinement: it will act as a sanitary barrier. So any car or person that will enter the environment will not contaminate it because it prevents the transmission of viruses and bacteria.