Beef Cattle- Lecture 2

bovine

bovine

relating to or affecting cattle

calf

young male or female bovine, typically under 1 year of age

heifer

female who has not yet given birth

cow

female who has had a calf

bull

uncastrated male

steer

castrated

calving

act of giving birth

beef

meat from cattle

herd

group of cattle

breed

group of related animals with distinguishing characteristics

terminal breeds

excel at growth, feed efficiency, and carcass yield

angus

black, British, maternal, known for carcass quality, most common u.s breed

hereford

red body, white face, British, maternal, hardy, polled or horned

charolais

white, continental Europe, terminal

simmental

black or red, continental Europe, dual-purpose

brahman

gray, Indian, heat-tolerant, aggressive

maternal breed

excel at mothering, raising offspring, producing milk

calf crop percentage

number of calved produced per 100 cows in the breeding herd

grain-finished beef

conventional, no special labeling

animal spends the majority of their life on pasture

4-6 months at feedlot

may or may not be given approved antibiotics to treat, prevent, or control diseases

gestation

the time between conception and birth, during which the embryo or fetus is developing in the uterus

ruminant

4 compartments to stomach

allows for fermentation of forage

bacteria create protein

certified organic

cattle never receive antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones

may be either grain or grass finished, as long as the feed is 100% organically grown

may spend time in feedlot.

grass-fed beef

animal spends entire life eating grass or forage

may also eat grass, forage, hay, or silage at feedlot

may be given antibiotics or hormones

parturition

the expelling of the fully formed young one from the mother's uterus after the gestation period

intensive housing

high labor and captial

small area of land

indoor, climate controlled

farmer regularly sees animals

Dual purpose breed

have good maternal and terminal characteristics

naturally raised/ never ever

cattle never receive antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones

may be either grain or grass finished

may spend time in feedlot

estrous

a period during the reproductive cycle when female animals become sexually receptive, signaling they are ready for mating; cycle length -21 days

freemartin

a female calf born twin to a bull calf (approx. 90% will be infertile)

extensive housing

limited labor and capital

animals scattered across large area of land

outdoor

animal harvests own feed

animal seen daily or less frequently

structure of industry

seedstock- cow/calf- stocker- feedlot- packing plant

purebred operation

provide genetics for commercial producer

registered with breed associations

• record pedigrees

• provide services to members

seedstock

specialized cow/calf system

• offspring developed to breeding age

high investment in facilities and management

advertisement- show ring, magazines

• causes extremes

cow/calf operation

most beef producers

calves sold for beef

• feeder calf

• 6-10 months

calve spring (75%) or fall (25%)

assessing profitability

• calf crop percentage

• average calf weight at weaning

• annual cow cost

stocker

buy weaned calves

raised on pasture

• grow slowly

• gain weight cheaply

sell cattle at 1+ y/o

common in VA

factors in consider

• price

• growth potential

• amount and quality of forage

• health status

cow/calf and stockers are ___ housing

extensive

feedlots are ___ housing

intensive

feedlot housing

open to outdoors, may have windbreaks or sunshades, dirt lot with a mound in the center, central alleyway for feed, small lots may be inside with bunk feeder

major areas for feedlots

Texas panhandle, SW Kansas, East Nebraska, Central Colorado, and corn belt states

health concerns in beef cattle

bloat and acidosis

bloat

can’t release gases from the rumen

rumen expands, pressure on the diaphragm and lungs

swelling on left side, severe discomfort

acidosis

abrupt decline in rumen pH

shift from high grain diets, excessive consumption of certain carbs

signs: weakness, appears anorexic, diarrhea, dehydration

prevention: keep a slow diet

viral and bacterial diseases are common

true:

• viral diarrhea

• respiratory disease

• Brucellosis- causes abortions