Beef Production

What are some advantages of beef?

convert unusable substances to human food (graze on ground unable to be used for farming, make use of by-products, don’t compete directly w humans for grain)

Cattle are not used for ____ purpose

dual

How long is the typical cattle cycle?

8-12 yrs - describes cattle producers decision to grow/decrease herd size

What affects the cattle cycle?

cattle prices

input costs

gestation period

time needed to raise calves to market weight

climate (drought)

What are the 2 sectors of beef production?

cow-calf

fed-cattle

What is cow-calf production?

herd of cows that raise calves until weaning

some stay in herd, feedlot or sold to producers

requires range/pasture forage

What is fed-cattle production?

grain-fed

steers and heifers from cow-calf to slaughter

programs: stocker, preconditioning, backgrounding

final stage = feedlot

What is the average gain (in lbs/day) during fed-cattle production?

4 lbs per day to reach market weight in 90-300 days

What are some ideal standards for Heifer breeding?

6.0 bcs

bred at 65% mature body weight, 1 month before mature cows

can use AI and EPD (expected progeny differences) to increase pedigree of calves

Why do you breed heifers at ideal body score?

if too thin then won’t have energy stores to raise calves, less economical to raise bottle babies

if too overweight then lends to chronic conditions, dystocia, infertility

Why do you breed heifers 1 month prior to mature cows?

heifers more prone to dystocia as smaller, by having this period prior to mature cow births can have more people to monitor

birthdate of heifers tend to be lower and gives extra month for smaller cows from heifers to reach similar weights as mature cow calves

What is EPD?

expected progeny differences

prediction of how sire’s offspring will perform compared to other sires in breed

What are some standards for calving of heifers?

at 85%-100% of mature body weight

goal is 1 calf every year (7 in lifetime)

occurs in spring/fall

What is the ideal length of calving season?

60 days

What are some challenges during calving season?

dystocia

neonatal losses (starvation, diarrhea, septicemia, infected joints)

What is the stocker program?

graze on grass 3-4 mo post weaning

cheap gains then sold as group at heavier weight to feedlots

What is the preconditioning program?

30-60 days

set amount of feed at controlled environment (not pasture) but not as heavy as finishing

deworming/dehorning/vaccines/castration prior to entering feedlot

What is the backgrounder program?

90-120 days

pens/lots and fed dry forage/grain in feed bunks

What are the benefits of programs prior to feedlot?

similar weight/sizes so uniform feeding

can catch up light weight cattle and adds value as fully weaned

economic advantages (sold at heavier weights in groups, slow weight gain)

balance seasonal production of cattle

At what age are calves weaning?

6-7 mo

What happens at feed lots?

arrival - rest as transport stressful, get hay/water

processing - vx, deworm, castration/dehorning, anabolic implants, ID, weight

records

get animals ready for harvest (high energy grain diets)

What is most common health issue on feedlots in beef production?

respiratory disease - spreads easily as have new cattle being introduced into crowded areas

When might you see diarrhea in beef production?

earlier stage programs

What are pen riders? What do they look for?

ride horses around lot to identify animals that appear sick

look for nasal discharge, depression, coughing, isolating, not coming to feed

What are the keys to beef profit?

buy low sell high

keep them alive

make them gain

What are most of the expenses of beef production?

feed

labor (first weeks)

care - initial processing & tx

How are live beef cattle marketed?

price based on current market and perceived quality

What is dressed weight for beef?

carcass weight/hanging weight

What is grid pricing?

price based on quality grade, yield grade, other premiums discounts

What is added value?

breed certification programs

organic/natural

wagyu/kobe beef

What is the goal of antemortem/postmortem inspection?

accept animals that are healthful, safe from harmful chemical/drug residues and capable of being converted to wholesome products

Who performs antemortem/postmortem inspection?

FSIS -PHV vet food inspector, consumer safety inspectors

For animals to be passed in antemortem inspections they must be what?

ambulatory

What are the common outcomes of antemortem inspection?

passed (slaughtered/certified), suspect (suspect tags/further investigation), condemned (euth, carcass disposed of)

What is the standards for humane slaughter methods?

animals must be unconscious before they are bled

captive bolt/firearm must be performed at cross between lateral canthus of eye and base of horn on the opposite side

What is the beef grading system?

quality grades have marbling and maturity

range from prime, choice, select, standard, commercial, utility, cutter, canner

yield grades range from 1-5