Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Farm (year 4) > Reproduction > Flashcards

Reproduction Flashcards

(82 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

what is the most important aspect for profitability of suckler herds?

A

fertility (weaned calves per cows served)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

why can poor fertility cause lower weaning weight in suckler herds?

A

calves usually weaned at same time, every cycle the cow doesn’t conceive is 21 days less of growth (25kg)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are some variable costs of suckler farms?

A

labour
feed
bedding
veterinary expense…

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are some factors to consider to maximise suckler herd production?

A

cow fertility
calf management
restricted and best breeding season
bull fertility
good herd health
breeding/record evaluation
replacement management (heifer management)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are the aims for number of calves weaned per cows to the bull? (for 100 cows)

A

> 88 calves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what weight should you aim for calves to be at weaning compared to the weight of their mother?

A

> 45% of weight (depends on size of cow)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

how can overall performance of suckler herds be monitored?

A

% pregnant at 21 days
% pregnant at 63 days
median calving date
pregnancy, calving and weaning rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are the benefits of a compact calving block for sucklers?

A

improve reproductive fitness of cows
better environment/season
easier/greater heifer selection
management/routine procedure ease
disease control/risk
reduced labour
strategic nutrition
homogenous group at sale

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is the most sensitive measure of farm/cattle performance on a suckler herd?

A

look at how tight their calving block is

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

by what oestrus post service would you expect the majority of cows to be in calf in a suckler herd?

A

3rd oestrus (80%)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

if you’re aiming for a calf a year from suckler herds, how long does a cow how to get pregnant after calving?

A

roughly 82 days (gestation is roughly 283 days)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

when do you want heifers to calve in comparison to the rest of the herd in suckler systems?

A

few weeks before to give them a longer rest before getting in calf again

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

when should a suckler cow aim to calf for the first time?

A

2 years old (may struggle with some native breeds, easier to achieve with continentals)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

why should the breeding/calving period of heifers be shorter than that of the rets of the herd? (6 weeks)

A

rough indication of better fertility
gives her more time to grow/involute before second mating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

why is mortality higher in late born calves of suckler herds?

A

pathogens - older calves, accumulation in calving area, more animals
dystocia risk (cows over conditioned)
less care - fatigue of labour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what are some possible options to reduce a spread-out calving block of a suckler herd?

A

split into spring and autumn group
cull late calvers and replace with early calved heifers
wean calves earlier and synchronise late calvers with hormones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

why would AI be advantageous in suckler herds?

A

wider genetics and targeted selection
safety, biosecurity, diseases control easier

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what are the main issues with nutrition for beef animals?

A

deficiencies (home made diets)
not maintaining BCS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what effect does copper deficiency have on cattle?

A

delayed puberty, an oestrus, poor pregnancy rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what effect does cobalt deficiency have on cattle?

A

poor conception rate and silent heats

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what effect does iodine deficiency have on cattle?

A

embryonic death, stillbirths and weak calves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what is the tareget BCS for suckler cows at calving?

A

2.5 (3 for first calving)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what is a good way to address low BCS of suckler cattle?

A

wean calf earlier to allow more time to gain condition (later if over conditioned) - should always wean early in first time calver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what is the first stage of labour?

A

dilation of the cervix

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
how long should the first stage of labour (cervix dilation)?
3-6 hours
26
what are the signs a cow is in the first stage of labour (cervix dilation)?
separates herself from herd appetite decreases restless (standing/lying alternation) mucous string from vulva abdominal straining begins
27
how does abdominal straining stimulate cervical dilation when calving?
pushes uterine content against cervix causing further dilation
28
what is stage 2 of labour?
delivery of the calf
29
what happens during the second stage of labour (calf delivery)?
membranes (water bag) appears water bag ruptures cervix dilates due to further pressure from calf powerful reflex and contractions of abdominal muscle and diaphragm expels calf
30
what is the third stage of labour?
expulsion of the placenta
31
what are membranes classed as retained?
12 hours after delivery of calf
32
when should you intervene when a cow is calving?
no progression 1 hour after the water bag starts showing if there were signs of first stage labour but hasn't progressed to the second after 6 hours extreme discomfort is present significant bleeding from vulva
33
what is the main cause of dystocia?
fetomaternal disproportion (calf too big)
34
what are some possible causes of dystocia?
malpresentation foeti-maternal oversize (large calf, fat cow...) congenital abnormality (schistosoma, spina bifida, hdryocephalus) hydrops allantois schmallenberg virus primary inertia (hypocalcaemia)
35
what should you pay particular attention to on vaginal examination of calving cows?
lesions/haemorrhage position of uterus and calf relaxation/dilation of vulva, vagina, cervix signs of calf life position of umbilical cord (breech birth)
36
what are the three R relating to calving a cow with dystocia?
reposition (calf/uterus) repulsion rotation
37
what is the Ferguson reflex?
having something pushed through the cervix triggers oxytocin release which further dilates the cervix and means the calf can be pushed through further triggering more oxytocin release...
38
what can clenbuterol be used for when calving a cow?
relax the uterus
39
what type of drug is clenbuterol?
beta 2 agonist
40
what is the issue with using clenbuterol during calving?
cow won't help push because the uterus will be relaxed
41
what is the ideal position to place calving ropes?
one loop above and one loop below the fetlock (double loop)
42
what needs to be assessed before calving a breech calf?
position of umbilical cord (compressed or wrapped around leg) limbs should be able to be exteriorised to the point where the hocks are past the vulva (if not then not enough space to calve)
43
how do most twins appear when they are scanned on PD?
dizygotic - there will be two CLs
44
what is episiotomy?
purposeful cutting of vulva to allow space for calving/procedures
45
what should be attempted before episiotomy is carried out?
stretching vulval lips with arms for 20-30 minutes
46
where is an incision made for an episiotomy?
10-11 o'clock or 1-2 o'clock
47
what must be done before doing an episiotomy?
epidural anaesthetic
48
why should you cut at 12 o'clock for an episiotomy?
risk of rectovaginal fistula more risk of foetal contamination more blood supply/nerves
49
what are some complications associated with episiotomy?
wound infection/breakdown distorted vulval confirmation - pneumovaginum/urovaginum weak point in future calving
50
what are the indications for a full embryotomy?
large dead calf abnormal calf
51
what are the indications for a partial embryotomy?
hip locked head back leg back
52
why should one front leg be kept on when doing a full embryotomy?
allows you to keep the pressure pulling the calf out so it doesn't slip back
53
what are some possible complications of fetotomy?
uterine tears cervical tears vaginal tears retained foetal membrane metritis adhesions
54
when do most uterine torsions occur?
at the onset of parturition
55
what are the risk factors for uterine torsion?
poor rumen fill space in abdomen hilly land process of cows standing up and lying down
56
what direction are the majority of uterine torsions?
anti-clockwise (when stood behind the cow)
57
what are some options for correcting uterine torsions?
swing calf twist legs of calf when exteriorised roll cow caesarian (unable to untwist)
58
what are some complications of uterine torsion?
occluded blood supply (friable tissue) toxic cow and emphysematous calf if not noticed early
59
what are some major indications for caesarians?
foetal oversize or foetomaternal disproportion irreducible uterine torsion insufficient cervical dilation
60
what are some minor indications of caesarian section?
foetal malpresentation abnormal calf dead/empyhsematous calf constricted vagina/vestibule
61
what are some possible indications for elective caesarians?
double muscled breeds embryo transfer calves
62
when should antibiotics be given for caesarians?
before surgery (allows antibiotic to get into clots)
63
what is the technique for a caesarian?
clip/surgically prepare incise left flank from transverse process and slightly behind last rib locate uterine horn and exteriorise incise uterus remove calf
64
what are the walls of the abdomen?
external abdominal oblique internal abdominal oblique transverse abdominus rectus abdominus
65
how is the uterus closed after a caesarian?
absorbable monofilament using an inverting pattern with 1 or 2 layers
66
what should be given post operatively for caesarians?
oxytocin (calcium if appropriate)
67
what are some complications associated with caesarians?
haemorrhage peritonitis local adhesions retained foetal membrane metritis wound infection/breakdown
68
what are uterine prolapses usually associated with?
uterine prolapse
69
what is the procedure for replacing a uterine prolapse?
cows standing or in frog leg caudal epidural anaesthesia put cover under uterus remove foetal membranes and clean apply lube and gentle replace with palm ensure horns are fully inverted (place buhner suture) give oxytocin, NSAIDs, antibiotics and calcium
70
what can be used to shrink a swollen uterus?
sugar/salt
71
what are quantitative genetics?
inherited traits that we can measure such as milk yield, muscle growth...
72
how many genes often influence quantitative genetics?
many at different loci
73
can quantitative traits be effected by the environment?
yes - most of them are
74
what is needed to improve a genetic trait?
genetic variability
75
if an animals trait has a high heritability what does this mean?
more easily/faster improvement through genetic selection
76
what are some high heritability traits off dairy cows?
body conformation udder morphology milk fat/proteins
77
what does a negative genetic correlation mean?
genes are linked - selecting for positive gene in one trait will mean negative selection in a mother trait
78
what is the general genetic correlation between milk yield and fertility?
weak negative correlation
79
what are breeding values?
additive genetic merit of an animal
80
how are breeding values calculated?
animals and their relative performance
81
what are the animals genetics compared to to get their breeding values?
the population mean for certain traits
82
what is bovine leucocyte adhesion deficiency?
heritable disease caused by a single point mutation leading to leukocyte adhesions of neutrophils so there are few neutrophils to fight infection

Farm (year 4) (17 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions