Belted Galloway Cattle Management and Beef Production

These flashcards cover essential terminology and concepts related to Belted Galloway cattle management, beef production, and veterinary health.

Belted Galloway

A breed of cattle that originated in south-eastern Scotland, possibly a cross between Galloway Cattle and Dutch Belted.

Creep Feed

A type of feed that allows calves to eat grain, increasing weaning weight.

Estrus Signs

Behavioral indications in cows or heifers during heat, including chin resting, mounting, increased walking, and vocalization.

Immune Response

The body's defense against pathogens, categorized into innate immunity (present at birth), active immunity (specific defenses), and maternal immunity (transferred antibodies).

Dystocia

Difficult delivery during calving, affecting 3-5% of cows and 15-17% of heifers.

Calf Weaning Weight

Healthy weight for weanlings between 400-750 lb by 6-10 months.

Net Calf Crop

The percentage of calves weaned from the total number born, aiming for over 85%.

Restraint Methods

Techniques used to manage cattle, including headlocks, halters, squeeze shoots, and show shoots.

Heat Detection Tools

Tools such as Kamars and pedometers used to monitor and detect signs of heat in cattle.

Vaccination Types

Include killed vaccines (safe but require multiple doses) and modified live vaccines (stronger immune response but need caution with pregnant cows).

Marbling

Intramuscular fat found in beef that affects the palatability of the meat.

Hypobiosis

A state of arrested larval development used by roundworms affecting cattle.

Fecal Float

A diagnostic test using a flotation solution to identify parasites in cattle feces.

Market Weight

The target weight for finished cattle, typically between 1000-1450 lb.

Signs of Stress in Cattle

Indicators of stress include lack of cud chewing, a stiff body posture, and vocalizations.

Calf Cycle

The breeding cycle of beef cattle consisting of pregnancy, calving, nursing, and rebreeding.