ANS 150 Beef Cattle

How long ago were beef cattle domesticated?

-6000 to 6500 years ago

-Around 4500 BC

What were the wild ancestors of beef cattle called?

Auruch

What’s happened to the beef industry in recent years?

The amount of farms and cattle inventory have decrease but gross income has increased

What does a dominant beef cattle look like?

-Cow stands with her feet underneath and her head down

-Ears are turned back with inner surface pointed down and back

What does a submissive beef cow look like?

-Stands with her head down and her ears turned back

-Inner surfaces are pointed to the side

How do beef cattle establish peck orders?

-The cow will either bunt heads or hook horns

-The one that retreats is submissive

-Cows don’t need to win every interaction to be dominant they just need the majority

What does the “mm” sound mean?

Low amplitude and is thought to be between cow and calf

What does the “mmh” sound mean

Higher amplitude and is given when the cow is distressed (frustrated, isolated etc.)

What does the “Menh” sound mean

Very high amplitude given when animals are threatening or when calves are hungry

When do Bos taurus (European cattle) reach puberty?

Between 10 and 15 months

When do Bos indicus (Zebu breeds) reach puberty

Between 17 and 27 months

How does weight impact puberty

-Smaller breeds tend to reach puberty earlier

-Weight at puberty differs among breeds

-Ideal weight for puberty is a function of the breed’s mature body weight

How are the requirements for beef cattle reach puberty?

There is a minimum age and weight they must reach

When are heifers expected to calve?

When they are 2 years old

When are heifers usually bred?

When they are 14 to 15 months old

Which fertilization method does the beef industry use?

Natural mating

How long is the estrous cycle length in beef cattle?

21 days

How long is estrus in beef cattle?

12 to 18 hours

What is the typical Cow/Bull ratio in beef cattle?

30/1

What are two products used to control estrus in beef cattle?

-Prostaglandins

-Progesterone

What do most operations try to limit the beef cattle breeding season to?

60 to 90 days (2 months)

What is the gestation length of beef cattle?

-270 to 290 days

-284 days average

How is beef cattle pregnancy determined?

Rectal palpation

What happens the last 3 months of gestation in beef cattle?

Cattle nutrition is increased through pasture quality or supplemental feeding

What is dystocia?

Problems associated with parturition in any species.

What are the normal presentations for a calf?

-Head first

-Feet/Rear First

What happens to umbilical cord during delivery?

It gets caught between the calf’s body and bones of the cow’s pelvis and breaks

When does the umbilical cord break when the calf is frontwards

After the head is through the cervix and out of the vagina

When does the umbilical cord break when the calf is backwards

While the head is still in the uterus

What do the three test measure or estimate in beef cattle?

They determine whether the pelvic bones and cervix are sufficiently dilated enough for the calf to pass through them

What is the first test for normal delivery in beef cattle?

Pull on both legs and see if the head of calf enters or can pass through the pelvic cavity

What is the second test for normal delivery in beef cattle?

Pull on one of the legs. You should be able to pull the fetlock one hand-width past the vulva

What is the third test for normal delivery in beef cattle?

Pulling on the other leg. You should be able to pull the fetlock one hand-width past the vulva

When can you assume that it’s safe for the calf to pass through the birth canal?

If it passes all three tests

How long do beef cows normally lactate?

7 months (205 days)

What are done to newborn calves?

-Given colostrum

-Clean, cut, and treat the navel cord

-Vaccinations

-Eventually castrate male calves

What do lactating beef cows need?

Enhanced nutrition through good pasture quality or supplemental feeding.

What is the relationship between the calving to breeding interval and fertility in beef cows?

The longer interval for rebreeding increases conception rates

What does suckling of young do?

Prevent the release of LH and FSH

When should peak lactation occur?

During optimal pasture nutritional value

What do cow-calf operations do?

Sell calves at weaning based on:

-reproductive performance,

-milk production,

-mothering ability,

-and weaning weight

What does the Backgrounding/Stocker do in a beef operation?

Allow weaned calves to put on weight by grazing pastures

What is the calf weight when entering a backgrounding operation?

400-500 lbs

What is the calf weight when being sold from a backgrounding operation?

600-900 lbs

what does it mean if a calf is preconditioned?

-Weaned 45 days prior to being sold or shipped

-Veterinary examination

-Vaccinations

-Taught to eat from a feed bunk or trough

What does a feedlot do?

Feed steers and heifers to final market weight

What is the average market weight?

800 lbs to 1000/1500 lbs depending on frame and size

What is a drylot?

Confined area that’s not a pasture