selection and business

What are the 3 main types of beef cattle production systems?

Cow-calf system, purebred breeders, and cattle feeders.

What is the cow-calf system?

Keeping cows that are bred each year to produce calves.

What is hybrid vigor (heterosis)?

Improved traits in offspring from crossing unrelated breeds.

What are feeder calves?

Weaned calves under 1 year old sold to be fed for growth.

What are yearling feeders?

Cattle 1-2 years old fed to finish for slaughter.

What is selection mainly based on in cattle?

Conformation and performance records.

How does cow size affect calf weaning weight?

Each +100 lbs in cow size increases calf weight by 10-12 lbs.

What is a frame score?

A 1-7 scale based on height and body at 205 days of age.

What do muscle conformation scores measure?

Muscle level from 1 (thin) to 7 (double muscled).

What do conformation scores (1-17) indicate?

1 = inferior, 9-11 = below average, 12-14 = average, 15-17 = superior.

What does "growthy" mean?

Large, well-developed animal with good growth potential.

What is conformation?

The physical structure, muscling, and balance of the animal.

What is ultrasonics used for in cattle?

Measuring fat thickness and loin-eye area.

What is performance testing?

Measuring an animal's own traits.

What is production testing?

Measuring a cow by the performance of its offspring.

What is a brood animal?

An animal kept for breeding.

What is progeny testing?

Evaluating a bull based on its offspring's performance.

What is a pedigree?

A record of an animal's ancestors.

What are sire summaries?

Information on economically important traits.

What is maternal breeding value (MBV)?

Measures calving ease and weaning ability of daughters.

What is expected progeny difference (EPD)?

Predicted genetic difference compared to average offspring.

What traits are used to judge market cattle?

Type, muscling, finish, carcass merit, yield, quality, balance, style, smoothness.

What is yield grade?

The percent of usable retail meat from the carcass.

What traits are judged in breeding classes?

Condition, size, feet/legs/bone, breed character, and sex character.

What is supply?

The amount of a product producers will offer for sale at a given price and time.

What is demand?

The amount of a product buyers will purchase at a given price and time.

Why is knowledge of seasonal price changes important?

It helps make decisions about buying and selling cattle.

What do commission firms charge?

A fee called a commission for marketing cattle.

What is yardage?

A fee for using stockyard facilities.

How are cattle sold at auction markets?

By public bidding to the highest bidder.

What types of cattle are sold at auction markets?

Both feeder and slaughter cattle.

What are terminal markets also called?

Central markets or public stockyards.

Where do packers get most of their slaughter cattle?

69% comes from direct marketing and country dealers.

What causes shrinkage in cattle?

Distance cattle are moved.

How is purebred cattle marketing described?

A specialized business.

How have cattle auctions expanded their services?

To the internet.

What is required for a "United States country of origin" label?

The animal must be born, raised, and slaughtered in the U.S.

What does the USDA publish weekly?

Livestock market news information.

What is happening with Kobe beef in the U.S.?

It is becoming more popular.

What issue has been debated in agriculture for years?

Mergers of agribusiness corporations.

What are beef animals under 1 year called?

Calves.

How is beef quality graded?

On a scale of 1-5.

What is a bullock?

A male under 24 months that may be castrated or not and shows some bull traits.

What does yield grade 2 represent?

Choice.

What are live cattle quality grades based on?

Amount and distribution of finish.

What influences the yield grade of a carcass?

Hot carcass weight (unchilled weight after harvest).

What is dark cutting beef?

Beef with darker-than-normal lean meat.

How can shrinkage be reduced?

By conditioning cattle before shipping.

Does cash price always follow futures price?

No, not always closely.

What is the cattle futures market?

Trading contracts for future delivery of cattle.

What can ultrasound be used for in hogs?

Measuring fat-free lean pork content of live hogs and carcasses.

What is the middle of a pig's belly called?

The pork side.

What is the back knee of a pig called?

The hock.

What does NPPC stand for?

National Pork Producers Council.

What is blood splash called?

Ecchymosis.

What do major breed associations use improvement programs for?

To apply genetic principles in producing seedstock.

What is a contemporary group?

A group of animals similar in traits and raised under the same management.

What does EBV stand for?

Estimated breeding values.

What does STAGES stand for?

Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System.

What gene in Hampshire pigs is a concern?

Rendement Napole.

What is one concern when selecting pigs?

The production practices of the seedstock producer.

Who produces seedstock breeders?

Individual purebred breeders and large breeding stock companies.

What does PSS stand for?

Porcine Stress Syndrome.

What weight should feeder pigs be?

35 to 80 pounds.

How have hogs traditionally been judged?

By visual appraisal based on market or breeding class.

What does type refer to in hogs?

The conformation of the hog's body.

What does finish refer to in hogs?

The amount of fat on the hog.

What is important about feeder pigs for profit?

They must be healthy and meaty.

What are checkoff funds based on?

Dollar sales at commercial markets on market hogs and feeder pigs.

What is being researched about feeding boars?

The feasibility of feeding boars to market weight instead of castrating them.

What is the main objection to boar meat?

Odor called boar taint.

How are about 70% of market hogs priced in the U.S.?

Based on carcass merit.

What type of marketing accounts for most hog sales in the U.S.?

Direct marketing.

What percent of slaughter hogs are sold through terminal markets?

Less than 1%.

How often do most auction markets hold hog sales?

Once or twice a week.

Who does formula pricing usually favor?

The packer more than the producer.

What does a window contract do?

Sets a floor price for the producer.

Where are hogs sold if not under contract?

On the cash market.

What is the number one factor affecting hog prices?

Demand for pork.

What are slaughter swine?

Swine killed and sold as meat.

What are feeder swine?

Swine sold to be fed to heavier weights before harvest.

What are the five sex classes of swine?

Barrow, gilt, sow, boar, and stag.

What reflects the quality of hogs and pigs?

USDA grade standards.

What is required for acceptable carcasses?

Bellies at least slightly thick and no less than 0.6 inch thick anywhere.

What does a futures contract do?

Sets a price for hogs delivered at a future date.

What is another objective of futures markets?

To reduce risk of loss if prices fall.

What is hedging?

Locking in a price to reduce risk.

What are the grades of market hogs?

U.S. No. 1, 2, 3, 4, and Utility.

What is shrinkage?

Weight loss during transport to market.

How much can hogs shrink over 150 miles?

Up to 4%.

When do slaughter hog prices usually increase?

From April through July.

Why do swine have higher dressing percentages?

They are monogastric with smaller digestive tracts (about 70-75%).

What has happened to the poultry industry since 1970?

It has increased in growth.

How has broiler meat production changed since 1970?

It is 5 times greater today.

What regulates vertical integration contracts in poultry?

The Packers and Stockyards Act.

How can poultry not under contract be sold?

Live, dressed, or ready-to-cook.

What percent of broilers are raised under contracts?

About 99%.

When are large broad-breasted male turkeys ready for market?

At about 24 weeks.

When are fryer-roaster turkeys marketed?

Throughout the year.

When are Pekin ducks ready for market?

At 7-8 weeks of age.