Beef Cattle Production Overview

A collection of vocabulary terms and definitions related to beef cattle production, their breeding, management, and health.

Cow-calf industry

A sector of the beef industry focused on the breeding of cows to produce calves.

Gestation length

The period of pregnancy in cattle, lasting approximately 9 months (275-283 days).

Calf birth weight

The weight of a newborn calf, typically between 75-95 lbs depending on breed.

Primiparous cow

A female cow that has given birth for the first time.

Multiparous cow

A female cow that has given birth more than once.

Heifer

A young female cattle that has not yet calved.

Steer

A castrated male cattle.

Yearling

A cattle about one year of age.

Estrous synchronization (ES)

A reproductive management technique to schedule breeding and ovulation in cows.

Expected Progeny Difference (EPD)

A prediction of how future progeny of an animal are expected to perform relative to others.

Nutrition in beef cattle

Refers to the dietary components necessary for cattle's growth, health, and productivity.

Purebred producers

Breeders focused on maintaining and improving the genetic quality of a specific breed.

Terminal crossbreeding

A breeding system that uses different breeds to maximize productivity and traits in offspring.

Breeding season

The period during which cows are bred to produce calves, which can vary by management practices.

Vaccination programs

Health management strategies for cattle to prevent various diseases, including IBR, BVD, and BRSV.

Forage management

Practices to effectively grow and utilize forage crops for grazing cattle.

Cow-calf operations

Farm operations where cattle are raised primarily for breeding and producing calves.