Unit 2 - The Production Cycle

Question 1

What’s “Calving Interval”?

Answer 1

The length of time between calving date in the CURRENT year and calving date in the PREVIOUS year for a single cow.

Question 2

What’s is the average calving interval?

Answer 2

< or equal to 12 months

Question 3

How do you calculate “Pregnancy Rate”?

Answer 3

(Cows pregnant / Cows exposed for breeding in the current year) x 100

Question 4

What is the ideal pregnancy rate?

Answer 4

> or equal to 90%

Question 5

What is “Calving Distribution”

Answer 5

Refers to the proportion of all cows calving during each successive 20-day period of the calving season.

Question 6

What is the calving distribution proportion ratio in a 60-day season?

Answer 6

60:20:20
(Start of season, middle of season, end of season)

Question 7

How do you calculate the “ Calf Crop” or aka “Weaning Percentage”?

Answer 7

( calves weaned / cows exposed for breeding the previous year) x 100

Question 8

How long are postpartum anestrous intervals?

Answer 8

< or equal to 45 days.

Question 9

During the postpartum interval, do estrus cycles occur?

Answer 9

No. Pregnancy is not possible.

Question 10

When do estrus cycles resume?

Answer 10

When Uterine involution (repair) is complete.

Question 11

What should the average calf crop be?

Answer 11

> or equal to 90%

Question 12

What are the 7 overall goals for cow-calf producers?

Answer 12

1) average calving interval < 12 months.
2) Pregnancy rates >90%
3) Few calving difficulties
4) few neonate health problems
5) Calving distribution at 60:20:20 in 60-day season
6) Postpartum anestrous intervals < 45 days
7) Calf crop >90% (weaning percentage)

Question 13

How many producers use the “Spring-Calving Herd Cycle” and why?

Answer 13

70%. Spring foraging of cool seasons grass saves on expenses when providing nutrition.

Question 14

How many producers use the “Fall-Calving Herd Cycle” and why?

Answer 14

30%. Because although nutrition is more expensive at this time, producers market return will also be higher and make up for the price.
Also make pre-calving system simpler.

Question 15

How long is the Gestation period?

Answer 15

282 days

Question 16

How long is the Pre-calving period?

Answer 16

60 days

Question 17

How long is the calving period?

Answer 17

1 day

Question 18

How long is the Lactation Period?

Answer 18

100 to 270 days

Question 19

How long is the Pre-breeding period?

Answer 19

60 days

Question 20

How long is the Breeding period?

Answer 20

45 to 60 days

Question 21

How long is the Weaning period?

Answer 21

1 to 60 days

Question 22

How long is the Heifer development period?

Answer 22

1.5 to 2.5 years

Question 23

What unique challenges do each of the stages of the cow-calf production cycle present?

Answer 23

1) reproduction
2) health
3) nutrition
4) genetics

Question 24

Describe the Gestation Cycle ( conception-calving)

Answer 24

-coincide with mid and late lactation
-calf is weaned during this period.
- Pregnancy Dx occurs 60-90 days into the cycle.
-Cows are sometimes culled based on performance.
- Cow nutrient intake is MODEST at this time.
- Low-quality forage used.
-Internal and external parasite control given d/t being moved.

Question 25

Describe the Pre-Calving period

Answer 25

- nutrient requirements are HIGH - 65-80% fetal growth occurs here -Body condition needs to be > 5.0 on a 1-9 scale. - Cows are moved into calving pasture. -Herd sires are selected or purchased during this time.

Question 26

Describe the Calving period

Answer 26

-nutrient intake is low right before calving, the QUALITY must be increased. -calf is born -ensure adequate colostrum intake (passive immune transplant) by calf first 48 hours of life. - perform neonate health and record keeping -ensure placenta is delivered

Question 27

What is “Dystocia”?

Answer 27

Calving difficulty.

Question 28

What are the benefits of early conception?

Answer 28

1) greater calf weaning weights 2) longer intervals for cows from calving to subsequent breeding.

Question 29

Describe the Lactation period

Answer 29

-coincide with pre-breeding, breeding, and early gestation - milk output peaks shortly after calving and declines naturally after - nutrient requirement VARY with milk output -cow body condition decreases as lactation length increases

Question 30

Describe the Pre-breeding period

Answer 30

-coincide with lactation -cows and bulls vaccinated 30-75 days before -parasite control applied upon turnout to breeding pasture - bulls should be examined for breeding soundness approx. 60 days before season because of length of spermatogenesis. - > 2 full estrus cycles before exposure to breeding

Question 31

Why might a bull fail breeding soundness?

Answer 31

1) broken sperm cells 2) storage defects 3) will only receive a defer scale on their 1st fail

Question 32

Describe breeding period

Answer 32

-coincide with mid-lactation -cows placed in breeding pasture 2 weeks before breeding - internal and external parasite applied at turnout -calves are branded, castrated, dehorned, an vaccinated early in breeding period. -bulls checked daily for injury and adequate libido

Question 33

How long should producers wait for natural immunization to kick in before trying to do any procedures on calf ?

Answer 33

60 days

Question 34

What’s the most common cause for a bull to not breed?

Answer 34

A eye injury or infection such as conjunctivitis.

Question 35

Describe the weaning period

Answer 35

-lactation ends abruptly -calves are vaccinated twice for Clostridial and respiratory diseases. -calves learn to eat feed and drink water -calves treated for internal and external parasites - weaning management is highly variable in the U.S.

Question 36

Describe heifer development period

Answer 36

- potential heifer replacements selected - replacements are vaccinated for vibriosis And brucellosis ( must be given by vet) -heifers fed to achieve 55-65% mature weight by first breeding (12-14 months) -heifers are bred 15-30 days earlier than mature cows

Question 37

What traits are used to select replacement heifers?

Answer 37

1) birth date 2) sire 3) conformation 4) thriftiness 5) weaning weight