Beef - Slides 3 Flashcards
What is a primary goal of suckler beef production?
Producing high-quality animals for EU markets
What is an essential aspect of suckler beef production?
Grassland Management
Which is a characteristic of traditional beef breeds?
Low mature weight
Which breed is commonly used for its carcass quality and growth rate?
Charolais
Which season is most common for calving in Ireland’s pastoral beef systems?
Spring
What is an advantage of using a continental crossbred cow?
Higher growth rate post-weaning
What does hybrid vigour in crossbred animals typically improve?
Reproductive and productive performance
Which type of feeding is emphasized in Irish suckler herds during winter?
Ad Lib silage
Which characteristic is NOT typically improved through heterosis in suckler cows?
Carcass leaness
Why is bull selection critical in suckler herds?
Bulls effect carcass quality and growth rate
Which breed combination is noted for high milk production in crossbreeding?
Simmental x Friesian
What is the expected calf weaning weight from a high-quality suckler cow?
300kg
What is a feature of two- or three-breed rotational crossing?
Stabilizes breed proportion over generation
The main benefit of composite breeding in suckler herds is:
Retention of hybrid vigour
Which breed is commonly used for its easy calving trait in Ireland?
Limousin
In the Irish Beef Genomics Scheme, how much is paid per cow per year?
€90
What is the Replacement Index used for?
selecting suitable breeding animals
Why is crossbreeding important in replacement policy?
Enhances hybrid vigour
A characteristic goal in composite breeding is to
Develop a new breed from multiple pure breeds
Why has there been a decline in dairy cross replacements in suckler herds
Reduced carcass quality due to dairy genetics
Which breed combination is known for high lean meat content?
Limousin x Friesian
What percentage of suckler cows were bred to late-maturing breeds by 2007?
87%
What is the target weaning weight for calves at 7 months?
300kg
Continental breeds are typically used in suckler herds because they
Offer higher carcass weight an lean meat content
