Thumb Rules

Question 1

BCS of cows and heifers at time of breeding

Answer 1

cows - 5
heifers - 6

Question 2

% of weight change to gain or lose a BCS for cows and heifers

Answer 2

cows - 7%
heifers - 13%

Question 3

heifer target weights at weaning, breeding, and calving

Answer 3

45% weaning
65% breeding
85% calving

Question 4

heritability estimates of repro, growth, carcass

Answer 4

repro. <.20 low
growth.20-.40 moderate
carcass >.40 high

Question 5

A.M. - P.M. Rules

Answer 5

observe heat in p.m., breed in a.m.

Question 6

young yearling bull ratio to female ratio

Answer 6

1 for every month of age of bull

Question 7

bull to female ration for estrus synch and natural service

Answer 7

1:25

Question 8

bull to female ratio for mature bulls and conventional mating

Answer 8

1:40

Question 9

bull to female ratio for cleanup following AI

Answer 9

1:60

Question 10

individual heterosis

Answer 10

observed in crossbred calf

Question 11

maternal heterosis

Answer 11

observed in crossbred cow

Question 12

heterosis tends to be high in…

Answer 12

traits with low hertiability

Question 13

heterosis tends to be low in…

Answer 13

traits with high hertiabilty

Question 14

what % of cow herds are replaced each year?

Answer 14

15%

Question 15

how much dry matter is a dry beef cow expected to consume daily

Answer 15

2% of body weight

Question 16

how much should the dietary energy increase for a dry and wet coat cow below the WCI and LCT

Answer 16

dry coat - 1%
wet coat - 2%

Question 17

how much weight and additional frame scores can stocker programs add to a final harvest weight

Answer 17

can add 1 frame score and up to 100 lbs.

Question 18

leading states in cattle on feed

Answer 18

texas, nebraska, kansa, colorado, iowa

Question 19

calves vs yearlings weight gain

Answer 19

yearlings 10-20% faster

Question 20

calves vs yearlings consumption of feed

Answer 20

yearlings 20-30% more

Question 21

calves vs yearlings feed efficiency

Answer 21

yearlings are less feed efficient

Question 22

calves vs yearlings days on feed

Answer 22

yearlings require less

Question 23

steers vs heifers weight gain

Answer 23

steers gain 10-15% faster

Question 24

steers vs heifers feed consumption

Answer 24

steers eat 5-10% more

Question 25

steers vs heifers require more lbs. of feed per pound of gain

Answer 25

heifers require 2-10%

Question 26

steers vs heifers purchase price difference

Answer 26

heifers must be purchased 10-15 cheaper than steers to equal profit

Question 27

max amount of distillers grain that should be fed in the feedlot

Answer 27

40% of ration dry mattter

Question 28

first limiting factor of distillers grain in diets is...

Answer 28

sulfur

Question 29

steaks, roast, and other whole muscle cuts degree of doneness

Answer 29

145 minimum 160 medium 170 well done

Question 30

ground beef degree of doneness

Answer 30

160 minimum 170 well done

Question 31

braised or stewed beef degree of doneness

Answer 31

always done, fork tender