Black Hereford cattle farming is common, especially in it’s native area. It is a beef cattle breed and raised mainly for meat production purpose. The breed is not good for milk production, but produces better quality meat.
As the name suggests, the Black Hereford cattle originally derived from the Hereford cattle, but with some mixture from the black Angus cattle. The mixture from the black Angus breed resulted in black colored cattle with white head and finching.
Late John Gage established the American Black Hereford Association as a non-profit corporation in 1994. And in 1997, the first Black Herefords to qualify for registration were recorded. And the breed received international breed designation in 2003 by the National Association of Animal Breeds.
The association implemented it’s own Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) ratios for individual animals by 2005. These EPD ratios help producers for using performance data collected from each animal and its offspring to accurately predict the performance of future offspring.
The American Black Hereford Association is experiencing strong growth throughout the United States with a surge in both breeder membership and animals registered.
However, as these animals are good for quality meat production, so starting commercial Black Hereford cattle farming for meat production will be a good and profitable business. Especially if you can market the products easily in your local area.
How to Start Black Hereford Cattle Farming
The Black Hereford cattle are very strong and hardy animals. And they are well adapted to their local environments. So, starting commercial Black Hereford cattle farming business will be very easy and simple.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Black Hereford cattle farming business from purchasing cattle to caring and marketing.
Purchase Cattle
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy, active and diseases free animals for starting your Black Hereford cattle farming business. Purchasing good quality animals is very important, because good quality animals always ensure good production and maximum profits.
You can purchase the animals from any of your nearest livestock market or any existing Black Hereford cattle farms (if there are any). Just ensure that the animals are of very good quality, healthy and active.
Housing
Making a good housing system with all required facilities is very important for Black Hereford cattle farming business. A good house not only helps the animals to stay healthy, but also helps them to stay free from predators and adverse weather conditions.
Type of your cattle housing system can be any depending on your budget, and also on the availability of building materials in your area. Your house can be of full concrete setup, or you can build the house with low cost and easily available materials. Just ensure that the house is secure and comfortable for the animals.
The Black Hereford cattle are medium to large sized animals. So, they will require more housing space. Ensure adequate space is available inside the house depending on the number of your animals.
Install good ventilation system and ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house. Make the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. And clean the house regularly.
Feeding
Feeding the animals with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Black Hereford cattle farming business. Because good food not only helps the animals to stay healthy, but also helps them to grow better and produce more.
The Black Hereford cattle are beef cattle breed. So, they will require more grains in their diet than greens. You can also consider feeding your animals with silage, especially during the dry season.
Like many other domestic cattle breeds, the Black Hereford cattle also require lots of clean and fresh drinking water daily. Always ensure availability of sufficient amount of clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand. Never provide them with contaminated feeds or polluted water.
Breeding
The Black Hereford cattle are naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily if you keep good ratio of cows and bulls in your herd. You can also consider artificial insemination method for breeding your cows.
Caring
Taking good care of your animals is very important for successful Black Hereford cattle farming business. Because good caring not only helps the animals to stay healthy, but also helps them to grow better and produce more.
So, always try to take good care of your animals. Vaccinate and de-worm them timely. And always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing cattle products is not a problem. Because cattle products already have very good demand and value in the market. Hope you will be able to easily sell your products in the local market. Although, you should set your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Black Hereford cattle farming business. Raising Black Hereford cattle is very easy. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
