beef test

Describe the Angus breed.

Known for solid black coats, though they may have small white areas underneath (behind the navel or sheath).

Describe the Hereford breed.

Very recognizable red body with a white face, white neck, white socks, and a white tail switch.

Describe the Shorthorn breed.

Can be all red, all white, red and white, or roan. It is one of the only breeds known for roan coloring.

Describe the Belted Galloway breed.

Black or brown with a distinctive white belt around its middle.

Describe the Simmental breed.

Can be any color (often red or tan) but typically has a white face.

Describe the Santa Gertrudis breed.

Ranges from light red (orange) to dark red in color, known for loose skin around the neck, brisket, and sheath which helps with heat tolerance. Developed in Texas.

Describe the Ankole / Ankole-Watusi breed.

Can be any color and are known for their very large, long, skinny horns.

Describe the Texas Longhorn breed.

Usually a dark red color with extremely wide horns of great diameter.

Describe the Charolais breed.

Large and muscular, with an all-white or cream-colored coat and a pink nose.

Describe the Chianina breed.

A very tall breed that can be all white with a black nose, hooves, and around the eyes OR all black.

Describe the Maine Anjou breed.

A large framed breed with varied color patterns, including red and white, black and white, or mostly black.

Describe the Brahman breed.

A heat-tolerant Bos indicus breed characterized by having a large hump on its top neck, regardless of its color.

Describe the Limousin breed.

Usually a light to dark grey color, known for being extremely heavily muscled and efficient.

Describe the Scottish Highland breed.

Small in size with yellow to light reddish long hair and horns, known for being a cold-hardy breed.

True or False: Heterosis is the reason producers crossbreed cattle.

True – Crossbreeding increases hybrid vigor.

True or False: Bos indicus cattle are well suited for the south and southwestern United States.

True – They tolerate heat and insects well.

True or False: Beef cattle production in the US is the number 1 agricultural enterprise.

False – Other agricultural sectors (like crops) rank higher nationally.

True or False: The US produces 25% of the world beef supply with only 10% of the world’s cattle.

True – This indicates high efficiency in US beef production.

True or False: Cattle breeds are one of two species, Bos taurus or Bos indicus.

True.

True or False: Purebred cattle associations require registration and verification of a purebred.

True.

True or False: Polled cattle are those that have the ability to grow horns.

False – Polled means naturally hornless.

True or False: The US produces all of the beef that it consumes.

False – The US imports some beef.

True or False: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is also known as Mad Cow Disease.

True.

True or False: Texas is the number 1 state in beef cattle production.

True.

True or False: The average American eats 75–85 lbs of beef each year.

True.

True or False: Yield grade deals with boneless, trimmed retail beef cuts.

True – Yield grade measures the amount of usable meat.

True or False: To cull is to remove an animal from the herd.

True.

True or False: A legume is a high quality feed item for cattle.

True – Examples include alfalfa and clover.

True or False: The first milk from a cow is called colostrum.

True.

True or False: Scours affects all cattle, both young and old.

False – Scours is most common in calves.

True or False: It is better to prevent health problems than to try to cure them.

True.

True or False: Legumes are not part of a cattle diet plan.

False – They are important feeds.

True or False: Flushing is the placement of a viable embryo into a cow’s uterus.

False – Flushing is the practice of increasing feed before breeding to improve reproductive performance.

True or False: Implants are placed in a calf’s neck.

False – Implants are typically placed in the calf’s ear.

True or False: Parasites do not reduce production and profits in the beef industry.

False – Parasites significantly lower animal performance and thus reduce production and profits.

True or False: The most effective way to feed cattle is on pasture.

True.

What is the purpose of a Cow–Calf Operation?

To produce calves. It is the starting point of the beef industry, focusing on reproduction, calving, and healthy calves, with calves typically weaned and sold around 6–8 months old.

What is the purpose of a Stocker (or Backgrounding) Operation?

To grow calves bigger before they enter a finishing phase. Producers feed weaned calves grass, pasture, and forage to increase weight and muscle without adding much fat, usually until they reach 700–900 pounds.

What is the purpose of a Feedlot (Finishing) Operation?

To finish cattle for market by rapidly increasing their weight. Cattle are fed high-energy grain diets to add fat and marbling, improving meat quality, before being sent to slaughter after 4–6 months.

What is the purpose of a Purebred Operation?

To improve the genetics of cattle. Seedstock producers raise purebred or registered cattle, selling breeding animals (bulls, replacement heifers, semen, embryos) selected for traits like growth rate, carcass quality, fertility, and disease resistance.

List the beef quality grades from highest to lowest.

Prime → Choice → Select → Standard → Commercial → Utility → Cutter → Canner

What is a Corral?

A fenced area used to gather, hold, and safely sort cattle.

What is a Head gate?

A device that gently holds a cow’s head still, allowing treatments to be performed safely.

What is a Squeeze chute?

A narrow chute designed to hold a cow firmly in place, preventing movement during handling, exams, or treatments.

What is the function of the Rumen?

It stores feed and provides an environment for microbes to break down fiber.

What is the function of the Reticulum?

It traps foreign objects and helps move feed back into the esophagus for cud chewing.

What is the function of the Omasum?

It is responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from digested feed.

What is the function of the Abomasum?

Known as the "true stomach," where acids and enzymes digest food.

Explain rotational grazing and its importance for cattle producers.

Rotational grazing is a livestock management practice where cattle are moved between different pasture sections to allow grazed areas time to recover. It's important because it improves pasture health, increases forage availability, and can lead to healthier, more