introduction to cattle

what is a steer/bullock?

a male bovine that has been castrated

what is a springer?

a cow or heifer close to calving

what is a trabsition cow?

a cow within the period of 3 weeks pre and 3 weeks post calving

what is a fresh cow?

a cow that has recently given birth and is beginning to produce milk

what is a dry cow?

a dairy cow which is no longer producing milk

what is a freemartin?

a female that is the twin of a bull and usually becomes an infertile partial intersex

what are some farm accreditation schemes?

cattle health certification standards- CHeCS

BVD free

scottish BVD eradication policy

action Johne’s

what is an intensive cattle production system?

mainly housed

food brought into them

increases productivity

reduces cost of production

smaller methane footprint

what is an extensive cattle production system?

outdoor grazing based systems

housed part of the year

larger methane footprint

what are the 4 main sectors of beef production?

pedigree breeding herds

commercial beef suckler herds

young stock rearing units

fattening units