Beef Cattle

who is number 1 in beef production

the US

who are the top two beef importers

China

US

who are the top three beef exporters

Brazil

Australia

US

beef cattle production is based around _

forages

what is the scientific name for cattle

bovine

why are cattle beneficial to the energy system?

cattle convert unusable land and unusable food into protein for th ebenefit of humans

where is the cattle industry mainly located in the US

the corn belt

heifer

female bovine who has never had a calf

cow

female bovine who has has calf/calves

steer

a castrated male bovine

bull

intact male bovine

springer

female heifer or cow who is close to calving; usually associated with the increased size of her udder

fresh cow

a cow who has recently given birth

beef production facilities are structured around _

meat production

what are the important aspects of pasture management (3)

• shelter

• chutes

• fencing

what are some necessities of shelter for cattle (3)

• dairy cows are typically housed inside because of frequent milking

• dry and prevention of wind

• coldness is prefered over extreme heat or dampness

what are chutes used for (6)

• handling of cattle through restraint

• veterinary practices

• examination

• artificial insemination

• vaccinations, deworming, pregnancy checks

• weigh checks

how might fencing be used for cattle

permanent fencing around the whole area and temporary fencing to change grazing sights

what are the two main traits of beef animals

• genetically bred for meat characteristics

• calves are raised on mothers milk until weaning and then forages and possible grain before slaughter

what breed is this? what is the different between each color?

red: typically more motherly

black: meat production

what are the meat breeds

• angus

• herefore

• charolais

• brahman

what breed is this? what is their main characteristic?

herefore — good temperament

what breed is this? what is their main characteristic

Charolais; lean meat

what breed is this? what are their characteristics?

braham; good for warm weather and decent meat producers

what is a misunderstood cow breed? why?

the highlands; their horns are dangerous and can damage meat for production

because cattle are a prey species this makes them: (4)

• flighty

• fight responses: kick, gore, stomp

• non athletic

• avoidant

because cattle are herd animals this makes them:

• strong instincts

• willing to sacrifice lesser animals

• preferable to large groups

• uncomfortable when alone

what are some general safety guidelines for cattle (14)

• Move slowly and deliberately 

• Be cognoscente of and confident in your movements 

• Do not make sudden movements, noises, etc. 

• Do not sneak up on cattle/let them know where you are located 

• Do not chase the cattle 

• Try and be quiet 

• Never go between a mother and her calf 

• Always know your escape route 

  • Nearest gate, nearest fence, nearest alleyway a bovine cannot fit into, etc. 

• Do not work with bulls without experience and training 

• Never trust a bull 

  • Beef bulls are not as bad as dairy bulls 

• Remains calm and deliberate in your movements

• Be aware of your surroundings 

• Listen to all instructions and follow them immediately 

• When working with an individual bovine stand close to the bovine you are working with (this is also true for all livestock species) 

explain the general production timeline for beef cattle

• breeding → a 9 month gestation until calving

• calving → a 6-8 month weaning process

• weaning → stocker/feedlot for 5-18 months

• stocker/feedlot → harvest

how long from breeding does it take for cattle to be ready for market

2-3 years

breeding

production of bulls and heifers

feeding

providing appropriate nutrition to achieve healthy and productive animals

marketing cattle

cattle are bought and sold through their lives with the end resutl being processing and retail sale of beef products

seedstock producers are _; they are also called these two other names

• gatekeepers of genetic shock

• purebred breeders or registered breeders

seedstock producers specialize in

cow/calf operations

how do seedstock producers provide the superior genetics to influence the beef cattle industry (3)

• breeding

• semen

• embryos

seedstock producers must identify _

the needs of te industry and breed in accordance

what occurs in commercial cow/calf productions? what occurs here? (3)

• milk production

• pregnancy

• raising claves from birth to weaning

about how long does raising a calf take

205 days

what happens to milk production as calves age?

calves drink less and cows produce less

how much should a calf weigh at weaning?

about half the weight of its mature mother

how much does a calf typically weigh at birth? how much does it gain each day?

75lbs; abour 2 each day

ideally cows should produce how many calves a year?

one

how long is cattle gestation

283 days

what are the two options for calves after weaning

become replacement heifers or breeders or enter the food production chain

most cattle are in which states (3)

the great plains states, the corn belt, and the southeast

what is th elargest cost of cattle operations

feed

how do cattle operations combat the cost of feed

being located near the feed

what is another name for yearling/stocker production

backgrounding

what is the goal of yearling/stocker productions

add weight to weaned calves prior to feedlot or slaughter

some larger weaned claves may _

go straight to feedlots

when are calves purchased for yearling/stocker productions

fall or spring

what are animals typically fed in yearling/stocker productions

grazable forage from 12- 20 months of age

what is cattle feed dependent on (3)

• location

• time of year

• forage availability

how much do cattle gain per day at yearling/stocker operations

1-1.5 lbs

what weight do calves enter and leave yearling productions

500; 800

what is the purpose of feedlot operations

feed cattle high energy diets to prepare for harvest by increasing weight

what are the main aspects of meat

• muscle — protein

• fat — palatability

in feedlots bovine will gain _

3 or more pounds a day

in feedlots animals are housed _

close to feed, water, shelter, etc.

at what weight do cattle finish at the feedlots

1200lbs

feedlot _ and _ depend on location

size and management

what is the purpose of packer productions

harvest, process, and distribute beef across the world

how must meat be processed to be solf in stores, farmers markets, etc.

in a USDA facility

what is one workaround of USDA facilities

custom exemption sell — one family buying a cow, half a cow etc.

most packers are located _

near feedlots

packing is a _ industry because of _

highly regulated; food saftey and animal welfare

what are the two main sources of beef

80% of beef is from bred steers and heifers

ground beef and other less desirable products are from older cows, dairy animals, etc.

what change occured in processed beef over recent years to decrease waste and increase efficiency

packers will not cut beef rather than in store butchers

what are some ways in which consumers drive the beef industry (3)

• switch from fattier cuts to leaner cuts

• cuts that require less time cooking

• locally grown, trusted, less regulated meat for preferable animal welfare

farmers adapt based on _

consumer preference

what is the real difference between grass fed and non grass fed beef?

• grass fed cows eat grass their entire lives

• most cows however are grain finished — this has become misunderstood and less preferable on the consumer end

• there is little to no nutritional difference but large taste differences

what are the mosr expensive cuts of beef and where are they from

short loin

• porterhouse

• t bone

• top loin

• tenderloin

flank

• flank steak

rib

• rib roast

• rib steak

• ribeye

why is knowing the most valuable cuts of meat important

to ensure extra care with these areas and avoid any damage to quality

what are the three levels of beef quality/grade? what are their basic characteristics

• prime: highest cut with good marbling from young well fed cattle; roasting, grilling, broiling

• choice: high quality in the highest quantum with less marbling but good flavor and texture; roasting, grilling, broiling and slow cook for lean cuts

• select: lean with less marbling, sometimes lacking tenderness and flavor; preferable for slow cooking and marination

what is the most important factor within beef operations? why?

reproduction

• cannot have successful operations without successful reproduction as claves are necessary to produce beef products and to continue the female reproductive heard (milk)

reproductive management includes (6)

• successful initial heifer pregnancies and rebreeding animals

• managing pregnant animals

• managing calving

• managing calf and mother health

• managing weaning

• managing nutrition during all life stages

what is the goal in cattle reproduction

one calve produced from each female every 365 days

how do we measure reproductive efficacy in cattle

number of calves born or number of calves weaned per every 100 females in the breeding herd

reproduction is at least _ as important as growth or carcass qualities

twice

management decisions that increase reproductive rates (4)

• early puberty

• high conception rates

• minimize calving difficulty

• early rebreeding

successful reproduction focuses on what four things

• cattle health

• nutrition through life stages

• genetics — selecting genetically superior individuals

• parturition management

what does cattle health include (4)

• health of breeding females

• health of bulls/artificial insemination

• health of calves

• herd health

what are the three main reportable disease in bovine

• foot and mouth disease

• bovine Spongiform Encephalitis

• rinderpest

give a brief overview of foot and mouth disease

• Viral disease noted in cloven hoofed animals 

• Causes severe disease and is highly contagious between cloven hoofed animals – not zoonotic

• Does not transmit to humans, dogs, cars, horses, reptiles, etc. 

• Can easily spread via fomites 

• FMD is a huge economic risk 

  • Eradicated in the US since 1929

  • Disease causes extreme morbidity in infected animals 

  • Constant surveillance for disease is Us and other FMD-free nations

given a brief overview of bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE)

• Disease caused by a prion 

  • Prion: a protein found in the central nervous system that folds into a pathologic form causing disease 

  • Causes neurologic disease that leads to death of the infected animal 

  • Effects animal over a long timeframe 

• Prevention 

  • Ruminants cannot be fed ruminant tissues in feed 

  • Countries with known BSE are restricted in importing live animals or animal products into the United States 

• Atypical BSE 

  • Most recently (2018) a beef cow in Florida was diagnosed 

  • This form of BSE is age-related and spontaneous 

give a brief overview of rinderpest

• Second disease after smallpox that was completely eradicated from the planet 

  • Aggressive world-wide vaccination campaign 

• Rinderpest is a virus that causes severe disease in cattle 

  • Closely related to the  measles virus 

  • Death rates reach 100% in cattle populations that have never been exposed 

• June 14th, 2019 

  • Largest stock of rinderpest virus destroyed 

  • The Pirbright Institute in England was trying to research but agreed to destroy sample to avoid any risks 

• Major concern for Rinderpest used as a biological weapon