Beef, Dairy, and Pigs Breeds and Breeding

Composite Breeds

Breeds developed from crossing existing breeds.

Purebred

Registered lineage in breed organizations.

Terminal Breeds

Excel in growth rate and muscularity, all calves go to harvest

Dual-Purpose Breeds (Ex: Devon)

Above average in both beef and milk traits.

Major US Breeds

Includes Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Simmental.

Reproductive Performance

Measured by percent calf crop weaned.

Calving Interval

Optimal interval is 365 days.

Weaning Weight

Reflects cow's mothering ability and calf growth. Adjusted 205 day weight

Postweaning Growth

Growth from weaning to finished weight. Adjusted 365 day weight

Feed Efficiency

Difficult to measure; relates to cost-effectiveness.

Bull Selection

Accounts for 80-90% of genetic improvement.

Heifer Selection

Focus on early conception and heavy weaning weights.

Heterosis

Hybrid vigor; improved traits from crossbreeding.

Cow calf management

Average operations are not profitable every year

Reasons heifers bring less money than steers

1. Slower and lesser growth

2. Could be pregnant

3. More feed needed

When do heifers hit puberty and at what age do they calf?

15 months at puberty age and should calve at 2 years of age

What is a good body condition score?

6

What do you need to optimize calf crop percentages

Energy is a primary nutritional factor

Crossbreeding benefits

10-30% increase in pounds weaned and improved reproductive quality

What is the dressing percentage of beef cattle?

60-62%

At what day do we measure weaning weight?

205 days

Angus

Charlois

Hereford

Brahman

Simmental

Brangus

Gelbvieh

Shorthorn

Limosin

Santa Gertrudis

The most popular dairy breed

Holstein

Which dairy breed produces the most milk but less milk fat?

Holstein

Which is the smallest dairy breed but is known for high milk fat?

Jersey

Which dairy is a dual purpose breed?

Brown Swiss

What is mastitis?

Infection of the udder

What are inherited abnormalities of dairy’s?

Flexed pasterns, syndactylism (missing part of hoof), hairlessness

Guernsey

Ayrshire

What is the average size of dairies

100 milking cows

What is the average milk production?

23,000 lbs

When is milk yield high but intake is maximized but not enough?

2-4 months after calving

What is the preferred BCS of dairy cows?

3-4

How much does feed costs account for?

50%

When does heat stress occur?

Above 80 degrees

How long are dry periods?

50-60 days

Average calving interval for dairies

13 months

Main diseases that can be obtained from milk

Tuberculosis and brucellosis

What is the number one costs of dairies?

Mastitis, 1.5 billion a year

3 types of Cattle Operations

Cow/ Calf, Stocker/Backgrounder, Feeder

Type of Management of Cow/ Calf operation

Low intensity management

Male Bovine

Bull

Intact bovine

Bull

Castrated Bovine

Steer

Female bovine that has calved

Cow

Female bovine that has not called

Heifer

Female porcine that has farrowed

Sow

Female porcine that has not farrowed

Gilt

Female equine

Mare

Intact equine

Stallion

Castrated equine

Gelding

Castrated ovine

Wether

Intact ovine

Ram

Female goat

Dam, nanny

Male intact goat

Ram

Female ovine that has not given birth

Ewe lamb

Male sheep less than a year

Ram lamb

Why is the average number of lactation days?

305 days

What is the type of pig most producers use?

Crossbreed

What is the number pig in the US?

Yorkshire

What are the 3 most popular breeds in the US.

Yorkshire, Duroc, Berkshire

What is the dressing percentage of swine?

70-72%

At what day should we measure weaning weight

21 days

What is cryptorchidism?

Retention of testicles in the abdomen

What is PSS?

Porcine Stress Syndrome

What the STAGES stand for?

Swine testing and genetic evaluation system

Boar selection

80-90% of genetic composition

When do we cull swine?

Old age, reproductive failure, and unsoundness

What is the carcass traits heritability of swine?

48%

How much of production cost is feed for porcine?

60-70%

What is heritability of growth rate in pigs?

35%

What is the average number of litters per sow a year?

2.3 litters

Yorkshire

Duroc

Poland China

Berkshire

Hampshire

Landrace

Chester White

Spotted

Where are most swine industries located?

Corn Belt

How many days would the lifecycle of a pig be?

305 days

When are piglets weaned?

21 days

What type of system do swine systems usually have?

2-3 site isowean system

How many gilts can a young boar breed?

8-10 gilts

How many can a mature boar breed?

10-12 females

How much should gilts weigh when breeding?

250-260 lbs

When does heat stress occur?

Above 85 degrees

When are pigs weaned?

21 days after birth

What weight should market hogs be?

275-290 lbs