Beef Cattle Flashcards
1
Q
British breed traits
A
-smaller in mature size
-reach mature weight earlier
-less growth potential
-excel in fertility and calving ease
-higher quality grades
-carcasses with lower % of saleable product
2
Q
British breeds
A
shorthorn, angus, hereford, belted galloway, highland
3
Q
Continental breed traits
A
-larger in mature size
-later maturing
-carcasses with less fat and a higher % of saleable product
-lower quality grades
4
Q
Continental breeds
A
charolais, simmental, limousin, maine-anjou
5
Q
American breed traits
A
combine the desirable traits of two or more breeds in one package
-usually crossed with a Brahma
-“composite” or “synthetic” breeds
6
Q
American breeds
A
santa gertrudis, brangus, beefmaster
7
Q
Maternal breed traits
A
known for their milk production and mothering ability
8
Q
Maternal breeds
A
angus, brahman, santa gertrudis, brangus, hereford
-mostly british breeds
9
Q
Paternal or Terminal breed traits
A
known for their growth and meat producing ability
10
Q
Paternal or Terminal breeds
A
simmental, limousin, maine-anjous, charolais
-mainly continental breeds
11
Q
Dual-purpose breeds
A
known for both meat and milk production
-shorthorn, gelbvieh
-not common in US
12
Q
Cow-calf operation
A
commercial cow-calf producers with a permanent herd of cows that produce calves for sale or replacement bulls and heifers
13
Q
Cow-calf operation feeds
A
mainly rely on forages (grass and hay)
14
Q
Types of sale
A
-public auction
-online auction
-direct sales
-retained ownership
15
Q
Profitability factors of cow-calf operation
A
-calf crop percentage weaned
-average weight of calves at weaning
-annual cow cost
16
Q
What do cow-calf producers monitor
A
-body conditions scores
-vaccinations
-deworming
-maintaining production records
17
Q
Creep feeding
A
when cow-calf operations provide supplement feed to calves prior to weaning
18
Q
What age are calves weaned
A
205 days
19
Q
Preconditioning calves before selling includes
A
-weaning the calves ~6 weeks (45 days) before sale time
-starting them on feed
-castrating
-dehorning
-vaccinating
-deworming
-sometimes implanting growth hormones
(bunk training)
20
Q
Stocker operation (backgrounders)
A
feed cattle for growth prior to their going into a feedlot for finishing
21
Q
What do stocker operations feed
A
forages and high-roughage feeds (grass, crop residues, wheat pasture, silage)
22
Q
What kind of cattle are desirable for feed lots?
A
early-maturing cattle
23
Q
What kind of cattle go straight to feedlots after weaning?
A
larger framed, later maturing cattle are usually more efficient and profitable if they go directly after weaning
24
Q
How long do calves stay at stocker operations?
A
~150-200 days
25
How much do calves weigh after stocker operations?
~600-850 lbs.
26
Where are most stocker operations located?
the east - WV, KY, TN
27
What diseases/problems do calves in stocker operations run into?
-fatigue
-hunger
-thirst
-exposure to multiple diseases
-shipping fever
28
Feedlot operations
cattle are fed in small pens or fenced areas where harvested feeds are brought to them (only a small % of beef cattle are finished on pasture in the US)
29
What kind of cattle do feedlots prefer to buy?
-cattle with compensatory gain
-thin and relatively old for their weight
-have been grown out on a low-quality feed
30
Are heifers or steers priced lower?
heifers
31
What do feedlots feed?
high concentrate diet
32
What is market weight?
1,200-1,400 lbs.
33
How are most beef cattle bred in the US?
natural service (only some are bred with A.I)
34
What kind of estrus are cows?
polyestrus (non-seasonal)
35
When do most cow-calf producers breed for?
fall or spring calves
36
At what age do bulls reach puberty?
8 months
37
At what age do heifers reach puberty?
10-14 months
38
When should heifers first be bred?
around 12-14 months to calve at around 2 years old
39
How long is the cow's estrous cycle?
21 days
40
How long is a cow in heat?
12-20 hours
41
Signs of heat
-standing to be mounted
-mounting other cows
-being highly vocal
-nervousness
-mucous discharge from the vulva
42
KMar patches
heat patches glued to the female's tailhead that is black and when a cow if ridden it turns red
43
Dystocia
difficulty calving
44
How long is gestation?
283 days
45
What is the primary cause of calving difficulty?
birth weight
46
How are calves born normally? (position wise)
front legs first, followed by the head
47
Spring calving season
March 1 - May 1
48
When are cows exposed to the bull for spring calving season?
May 20 - July 20
49
What are advantages and disadvantages of spring calving?
Advantages = ample forages
Disadvantages = weather and flooded market
50
Fall calving season
September 1 - November 1
51
When are cows exposed to the bull for fall calving?
December 20 - February 20
52
Advantages and disadvantages of fall calving?
Advantages = weather, less calves in market (price increase)
Disadvantages = access to forages
53
How long should a cow and her calf be left in the calving pasture or maternity pen?
one to three days after calving
54
Tattoo identification
-permanent
-done on inside of ears
-done when young
55
Ear tag identification
-an economical means of temporary identification
-can be read from a distance
-can break or get lost - should be used with another mode of permanent identification
-most popular method
56
Brand identification
-hot-iron or freeze branding
-on hip, rib, quarter, or shoulder
-de-values the hyde
-permanent
-can be read from a distance
57
Chemical dehorner
-calves younger than 2 weeks
-takes 1-2 weeks to work
-clip off end of horn button or nick skin if horn is not exposed
-apply ring of petroleum jelly
-apply chemical - targets and kills horn producing cells
58
Why dehorn calves?
-reduces carcass value
-reduces milk production
59
Electric/hot iron dehorner
-under 4 weeks of age
-apply at horn button until ring of copper colored hyde appears at horn base
-uses bell-shaped electric dehorner or hot-iron
-to remove horns less than 3/4 in. long
60
Spoon, tube, or knife
-less than 60 days old
-less than 1-1.5 in horn
-involves cutting out and removing the small horn button
1. clean horn and surrounding area
2. place cutting edge on the skin
3. push and twist each way until skin has been cut
61
Barnes-type dehorners
-4-12 months of age
-lifts the horns out by the roots and crushes the blood vessels (little bleeding occurs)
1. place dehorner over the horn and against the skull
2. spread handles apart quickly
3. treat with antiseptic spray
-may need vet involvement
62
Why are bulls castrated?
-bulls are usually discounted at market
-steer give more tender, color, and juicy beef
63
When should bulls be castrated?
less than 3 months of age
64
Emasculatome
-preferred method
-non-surgical
-no concerns of open wound or infection
-clamps and destroys the spermatacord
-testes shrink but usually do not fall off
65
Elastrator
-done prior to 1 month old
-rubber band tightens and cuts off blood circulation, kills and shrinks the area until it falls off
66
Growth-stimulating compounds
-implanted subcutaneously in the ear
-naturally occurring hormone or synthetic hormone that acts like a natural hormone
-released into the bloodstream in small but continuous amounts
-increase the deposition of protein, in the form of muscle
-increase AGD and FE
-hormones are estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone
67
Body condition scoring (BCS)
-a system that uses numeric score to estimate the body energy reserves in the cow
-range from 1-9
-ideal score is 5-7
68
Thin condition (BCS 1-4) problems
-failure to cycle
-failure to conceive
-increased calving interval
-increase days to estrus
-decreased calf vigor
69
Fat condition (BCS 8-9) problems
-costly to maintain
-increased dystocia
-impaired mobility
-failure to cycle
-failure to conceive
70
Body condition score 1
-severely emaciated
-no fat detectable
-visible and palpable space between the spinous process of the vertebrae
-tailhead is prominent
-all ribs and entire bone structure is visible
-severe muscle loss in shoulders, loins, and hindquarters
-animal appears lethargic and weak
71
Body condition score 2
-poor or very thin
-slightly more palpable tissue over the spinous processes
-spinous processes still appear to have space between them
-tailhead is slightly less prominent to the eye
-ribs are slightly less visible but lacking fat cover
-muscle loss in shoulders, loins, and hindquarters
-animal is still emaciated but not as weak
72
Body condition score 3
-thin
-slight fat cover beginning to appear on spinous processes
-each rib is visible but less hard when palpated
-slight fat cover over tailhead
-some slight muscle loss in shoulders, loins, and hindquarters
73
Body condition score 4
-borderline or slightly thin
-individual spinous processes are no longer visible
-only the rear 2-4 ribs can be seen
-hipbones are still obvious to the eye
-fat cover on edge of loins and shoulders
-muscle appears full but flat in hindquarters
74
Body condition score 5
-moderate
-looks good, healthy, finished, "just right"
-last two ribs are obvious to the eye
-fat cover over the shoulders, foreribs, and loins
-fat cover is "springy" over the ribs
-tailhead has fat cover on either side but its not mounded
-no fat in the brisket
-very little fat over the hooks and pins
75
Body condition score 6
-moderate or slightly fleshy
-all ribs fat covered, none are visible
-hindquarters becoming plump, full, and slightly rounded
-considerable fat cover on tailhead
-some fat in the brisket
-obvious fat covering the loins, shoulders, and foreribs
76
Body condition score 7
-good or fleshy
-cow appears smooth due to fat
-tailhead has "pones" of fat on each side
-fat is filling brisket and flanks
-considerable fat covering the shoulder, loins, and foreribs
-still possible to feel ends of spinous processes but only with firm pressure
77
Body condition score 8
-fat or obese
-cow is carrying too much condition
-square view from behind
-tailhead is lost in pones of fat
-fat deposits will be seen below the vulva
-flank appears deep due to fat fill
-brisket will be full of fat
-spinous processes impossible to palpate
78
Body condition score 9
-extremely fat or very obese
-bone structure is no longer visible from any aspect
-all definition is lost
-brisket entirely distended with fat = neck appears short
-loin, hip, and tailhead are "rippled" looking due to excess fat
79
Average birth weight
60-100 lbs.
80
When are cows rebred?
60-90 days post calving
81
Angus (aberdeen) color pattern
Solid black color, white occasionally on udder
82
Angus physical description
polled with a refined head
83
Angus category
british
84
Angus purpose
maternal
85
Angus country of origin
scotland
86
Angus are known for:
marbling, calving ease, and fertility
87
Beefmaster color
typically red but no set color pattern
88
Beefmaster physical description
polled, loose skin in dewlap and naval
89
Beefmaster category
american
90
Beefmaster purpose
dual
91
Beefmaster country of origin
United States
92
Beefmaster is known for:
heat tolerance
93
Belted galloway color
black, red, or dun color with a white belt/band that encircles the body
94
Belted galloway physical description
polled with thick hair
95
Belted galloway category
British
96
Belted galloway purpose
maternal
97
Belted galloway country of origin
Scotland
98
Belted Galloway is known for:
calving ease and double hair coat
99
Brahman color pattern
color ranges from light grey to red to black
100
Brahman physical description
large hump on shoulders, horned, loose skin
101
Brahman category
Zebu
102
Brahman purpose
maternal
103
Brahman country of origin
India
104
Brahman is known for:
heat tolerance and insect repellant
105
Brangus color pattern
black or red
106
Brangus physical description
polled, loose skin, slight hump
107
Brangus category
American
108
Brangus purpose
maternal
109
Brangus country of origin
United States
110
Brangus is known for:
heat resistance and maternal
111
Charolais color pattern
white in color, pale muzzle with pink pigmentation
112
Charolais physical description
naturally horned
113
Charolais category
continental
114
Charolais purpose
paternal/terminal
115
Charolais country of origin
France
116
Charolais is known for:
growth, muscle, and fast rate of gain
117
Chianina color pattern
Native: white, black nose, eye area and switch
United States: black
118
Chianina physical description
Native: tallest framed breed
United States: heavy muscled
119
Chianina category
continental
120
Chianina purpose
paternal/terminal
121
Chianina country of origin
Italy
122
Chianina is known for:
size and muscling
123
Hereford color pattern
dark red to reddish-yellow color with white face, crest, dewlap, and underline
124
Hereford physical description
horned or polled
125
Hereford category
British
126
Hereford purpose
maternal
127
Hereford country of origin
England - horned
United States - polled
128
Hereford is known for:
vigor and longevity
129
Highland color pattern
black, red, yellow, or dun
130
Highland physical description
long fringe and horns
131
Highland category
Bristish
132
Highland purpose
maternal
133
Highland country of origin
Scotland
134
Highland is known for:
climate tolerance and maternal instinct
135
Limousin color pattern
golden red to black color (black is the most common color in the US)
136
Limousin physical description
large framed, fine bone structure, and naturally horned
137
Limousin category
continental
138
Limousin purpose
paternal/terminal
139
Limousin country of origin
France
140
Limousin is known for:
leanness and high dressing percent
141
Maine Anjou color pattern
Native: red with white markings on head, belly, rear legs, and tail
United States: black, red, or black and white
142
Maine Anjou physical description
polled
143
Maine Anjou category
continental
144
Maine Anjou purpose
paternal/terminal
145
Maine Anjou country of origin
France
146
Maine Anjou is known for:
performance and feed efficiency
147
Red angus color pattern
red (recessive angus gene)
148
Red Angus physical description
polled
149
Red Angus category
British
150
Red Angus purpose
maternal
151
Red Angus country of origin
Scotland
152
Red Angus is known for:
maternal traits and marbling
153
Santa Gertrudis color pattern
red
154
Santa Gertrudis physical description
slick hair coat, loose skin, polled or horned
155
Santa Gertrudis category
American
156
Santa Gertrudis purpose
dual
157
Santa Gertrudis country of origin
United States
158
Santa Gertrudis is known for:
heat tolerance and maternal traits
159
Shorthorn color pattern
red, white, or roan
160
Shorthorn physical description
Horned or polled
161
Shorthorn category
British
162
Shorthorn purpose
maternal
163
Shorthorn country of origin
England
164
Shorthorn is known for:
calving ease and fertililty
165
Simmental color pattern
Native: golden to red with white
United States: black or red
166
Simmental physical description
horned or polled
167
Simmental category
continental
168
Simmental purpose
paternal/terminal
169
Simmental country of origin
Switzerland
170
Simmental is known for:
muscling and size
