Beef Cattle Science Quiz 7

reducing seed cost, “right genetics” (match environment), reducing labor costs, proper herd health

What are the factors affecting cow cost and returns?

80%

How much does reducing seed cost affect cow cost and returns?

matching calving season with greater forage production, intensive and rotational grazing systems, improved pastures

How do you reduce seed cost?

mature cow weight and milk production, bull selection

How do you make sure that your herd has the “right genetics” that matches the environment?

mature daughter height and mature daughter weight (frame size)

What do you need to look at when selecting a bull to reduce seed cost?

improved grazing management (less labor for processed feeds), proper management (concentrate labor - don’t calf year round)

How do you reduce labor costs?

reproductive, growth, maintenance

What are the efficiencies involved in proper herd health?

65%

Replacement heifers need to be at ___ of mature weight at breeding.

14-16; 2

Replacement heifers should be bred at ____ months old to calves at _ years of age.

slow constant and slow fast

What are the two approaches to target-breeding weights for replacement heifers?

Slow constant

figure out what the target weight is and figure out how much they need to gain per day to reach that weight
start early and build up weight slowly

Slow fast

up the intake of nutrition on replacement heifers two months prior to breeding them to make sure they reach their target weight

flushing

the slow fast method is sometimes referred to as:

(target weight - average weaning weight)/(breeding date - weaning date)

What is the formula to find out the weight gain needed per day?

average weight of mature females (5-10 years old) x 0.65

What is the formula to find out the target weight of your replacement heifers?

weaning

What is the most stressed time for calves other than shipping?

morbidity and mortality

There is increased ____ and _____ during weaning.

when calves are stress, immune system is compromised

do not compound stressors (vaccinate, dehorn, and castrate prior to weaning

How do you prepare calves for transition (weaning)?

30 days prior to weaning

You should vaccinate, dehorn, and castrate at least:

birth, avg. 4 months of age, 30 days prior to weaning

When is the recommended time to vaccinate, dehorn, and castrate calves?

no

do you vaccinate calves at birth?

that is when the immunity the calf was given at birth (from colostrum) starts to wear off

Why do we vaccinate calves at around 4 months old?

fence line weaning, two-step weaning, removing the cow

What are the low stress weaning strategies?

what will be produced? (terminal replacement), alternatives

What are the marketing decisions for a cow-calf operation?

breeding time

When does marketing start for a cow-calf operation?

sell calves at weaning (most common), retain ownership, sell bred heifers, sell cull cows

What are the alternative selling/marketing strategies for a cow-calf operation?

backgrounding, grazing or stocker, feedlot, retail

What are ways to retain ownership after weaning calves?

getting calves ready for next segment (stocker or feedlot)

What is backgrounding?

carcass quality, yield grades, and carcass weight

What do you need to know to sale animal in retail?

10%

What should be the cull rate of a cow-calf herd?

slaughter and breeding purposes

What can you sell cull animals for?

breed type (color), muscularity, frame size, body condition

What are the factors affecting market value of feeders?

add weight to thin animals prior to sale, sell outside of seasonal fall run, market directly to packer, watch health closely

What should you do when selling cull bulls and cows?

most cull animals are sold during the fall run, so prices drop

Why do you want to sell culls outside of the fall run?

Spring (February to March) with higher prices

When is the best time to sell cull bulls and cows?

Marketing alliances

for small producers
sell in truck loads
- similar management across producers