Animal Science 232 - Beef Facilities

True or false - facilities should be built solely for the safety of the handler

False

True or false - prior to Temple Grandin’s work, chute and alley systems were all straight paths with blunt endings where cattle could see where they were going

True

From a producer’s perspective, list 4 reasons to reduce stress in beef cattle (why is them being stressed bad)

From a producer’s perspective, stress is a loss in profit

1. Decreased average daily gain

2. Increased illness rate

3. Decreased productivity (preg rates)

4. Difficulty handling

List 4 ways to reduce stress for beef cattle

1. Work with cattle’s natural instincts

2. Provide excellent nutrition, clean water, housing, and veterinary care

3. Monitor herd daily

4. Maintain excellent biosecurity and records

Squeeze chute and headgate

Squeeze chute purpose

To restrain an animal in a small area for performance of management practices

Headgate/head chute purpose

To restrain cattle (i.e. prevent backing up) and to provide access to the neck

Collection alley

Collection alley purpose

To move cattle from a pasture or pen to a holding pen

Holding pen(s)

Holding pen(s) purpose

To hold groups of cattle (30-50 head)

Alleyway to working area

Alleyway to working area purpose

To move cattle from holding pens to the working area/squeeze chute, typically 10-12 ft wide

Crowding pen/tub

Crowding pen/tub purpose

To move small groups of cattle into the working alley

Curved working alley

Curved working alley purpose

To guide cattle to a working area (squeeze chute in a single file line)

Loading chute

Loading chute purpose

To move cattle up into a trailer or down from a trailer

Ture or false - cattle will naturally move to the corners. This is why gates are often located in the corners of pens.

True

True or false - both sides of a funnel crowd pen should be angled

False

Open-sided, clear span pole shed

Open-sided, clear span pole shed description

• used for small herds

• good separation

• poor ventilation

• weak wooden frame

open-sided, single slope roof shed

Open-sided, single slope roof shed description

• very common

• low cost, easy build

• weak wooden frame

• open side faces south

  • blocks winter winds and allows sun to warm the structure

Hoop barn

Hoop barn description

• steel frame

• durable, replaceable cover

• low cost

• greenhouse-like

  • in hot climates, need lots of water and good ventilation

In the northern hemisphere, why should housing openings face the south?

Blocks winter winds and allows sun to warm teh structure

Why should cattle’s water be checked daily, especially in the winter?

Waterers freeze

What is the recommended height for cattle fencing?

At least 4.5 to 5 ft tall