Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Beef and Dairy Cattle Breed Identification and Production Management

Chapter Objectives

  • Upon completion of this chapter, the reader should be able to:

    • 17.1 Define common veterinary terms relating to cattle

    • 17.2 Identify common breeds of beef cattle

    • 17.3 Identify common breeds of dairy cattle

    • 17.4 Discuss the nutritional requirements of cattle

    • 17.5 Discuss normal and abnormal behaviors of cattle

    • 17.6 Explain how to properly and safely restrain cattle for various procedures

    • 17.7 Discuss the health care and maintenance of cattle

    • 17.8 Discuss breeding and reproduction in cattle

    • 17.9 Discuss common diseases affecting cattle

    • 17.10 Explain the importance of beef cattle production

    • 17.11 Explain the importance of dairy cattle production

    • 17.12 Discuss the types of beef production systems

    • 17.13 Discuss dairy production and milking

    • 17.14 Discuss management practices with cattle

Veterinary Terminology

  • Bovine: Refers specifically to cattle.

  • Cow: An adult female cattle.

  • Bull: An adult male cattle.

  • Steer: A castrated male cattle.

  • Heifer: A young female cow that has not yet been bred.

  • Springing heifer: A young female cow that is pregnant with her first calf.

  • Calf: A young cow.

  • Calving or freshening: The process of giving birth.

  • Herd: A collective group of cattle.

  • Freemartin: An adult cow that is sterile.

Biology of Cattle

  • Beef cattle:

    • Raised primarily for meat production.

    • Expected to have increased body size to yield more quality meat.

  • Dairy cattle:

    • Raised specifically for the production of milk.

    • Expected to produce larger quantities of milk per cow.

    • In many cultures, dairy cattle are considered sacred animals.

Breeds of Cattle

  • Cattle breeds can vary greatly in size, structure, and color:

    • Miniature breeds: Example - Zebu cattle.

    • Large breeds: Examples include Limousine and Brahman cattle.

    • Dual purpose breeds: Examples - South Devon and Salers cattle.

  • Beef Cattle Characteristics:

    • Exhibit significant muscle development, particularly over the hindquarters, body, and pelvis.

    • Bred to yield large quantities of high-quality meat.

    • Increasing demand for beef, yet the population of beef cattle is decreasing.

  • Dairy Cattle Characteristics:

    • Generally more angular in shape with a bony pelvis and hind sections.

    • Bred primarily for milk production.

    • While demand for dairy is increasing, the number of dairy cattle has been decreasing.

Breed Selection for Beef Cattle

  • Evaluation Criteria:

    • Pedigree Review: Ensure no known genetic flaws are present.

    • Desired traits of quality beef cattle include:

    • No genetic defects.

    • Sound physical health.

    • Excellent conformation.

    • Adaptability to the environment.

    • Manageability with proper diet.

    • A strong market value at the higher end of production scales.

    • Overall health - disease and parasite-free.

Dairy Cattle Selection

  • Conformation Standards:

    • Dairy cows should possess:

    • Angular body shape, typically rectangular in appearance.

    • Well-attached udders with four teats, overall capacity of 50–70 pounds of milk.

  • Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) Program:

    • A systematic approach involving production testing and record-keeping.

    • Each cow receives a permanent identification number.

    • Milk is tested every 15 to 45 days.

    • Registry maintains records on milk production rates and bull breeding records, monitors progeny performance.

DHI Program Rules

  • Requirements for participation:

    • All cattle must belong to a recognized breed association.

    • Permanent IDs must be assigned.

    • Pedigree records should be maintained.

    • Regular testing of all cattle within the herd, typically monthly.

    • Testing must be completed within 24 hours.

    • Retesting is required for excessively high levels of milk or fat.

    • Supervision by the USDA is mandatory.

    • Unannounced testing may occur at any time.

    • Inaccuracies in record-keeping can lead to fraud charges.

Nutrition of Cattle

  • Cattle diet consists of a total mix ration (TMR) adjusted to be fed 3 to 4 times a day.

  • Nutritional Needs of Lactating Dairy Cows:

    • Lactating cows require the most nutrient intake as they convert feed and water into milk.

    • First four months of gestation are especially critical for nutritional support.

    • Factors influencing lactating cows' nutrition:

    • Cow size.

    • Stage of lactation.

    • Quality standards of milk produced.

    • Labor capabilities and overall diet quality, costs, and palatability.

    • Common feeding guidelines for lactating cows include:

    • 1 pound of high-quality gran for every 2.5 to 3 pounds of milk produced daily.

    • High-quality hay equating to 1.5-2% of body weight.

Feeding Dairy Calves

  • Feeding process:

    • Calves should nurse within the first 24 hours to intake colostrum.

    • A healthy calf is expected to gain approximately 12% of its body weight during this period.

    • After being weaned from the mother, calves are hand-fed:

    • Bottle-fed with maternal milk for 3 days.

    • Transitioned to milk replacer over 2-3 weeks.

    • Weaning occurs when the digestive system is developed sufficiently.

    • Starter food is introduced at 4-6 weeks of age (1.5 pounds per day).

    • Roughages are introduced at 5 weeks.

    • Grain sources become part of the diet at 8-12 weeks, with concentrated supplements added.

  • Body Condition Scoring (BCS):

    • Utilized throughout the life stages of the cow, from birth through its purpose as an adult, whether for dairy or beef.

Feeding the Dry Cow and Beef Cattle

  • Feeding dry cows:

    • Placed on good-quality grass hay for an initial 2-3 weeks.

    • At 25-30 days into the dry period, increased grain intake of 4-7 pounds per day.

    • Grain feed escalated to 7-14 pounds daily during the last week of the dry period.

  • Feeding Beef Cattle:

    • High-quality grains or pellet-based diets high in protein and fats are provided.

    • Typical feeding practices include:

    • 2-3 pounds of grain daily (2-3% of total body weight).

    • Calves nurse from their mothers until weaning, followed by the starter food and grain supplements.

    • Feeding generally occurs in creep feeders until the calves reach market weight.

Behavior of Cattle

  • Cattle are naturally skittish and may react unpredictably when frightened:

    • Behaviors include kicking, stomping, and trampling.

    • They tend to become nervous around unfamiliar people or objects.

    • Aggressive behaviors include:

    • Direct staring with lowered head.

    • Pawing at the ground with front legs.

    • Head shaking and snorting.

    • Short charging motioning.

    • Rapid tail swishing.

Basic Training for Cattle

  • Cattle that are regularly shown or handled for milking are likely accustomed to routines:

    • Training should be approached gently, often utilizing a halter and lead rope.

    • The pressure point training strategy involves:

    • Moving past the shoulder prompts forward motion.

    • Approaching from the head to shoulder cue stopping, turning, or retreating.

Equipment and Housing Needs

  • Restraint Facilities:

    • Chutes or stanchions to hold cattle for treatment (medications, vaccines, blood collection).

    • Headgates control head movement and prevent kicking.

  • Housing Considerations:

    • Cattle may be housed in:

    • Barns or open pastures.

    • Warm housing such as heated barns.

    • Cold housing such as unheated barns with large open spaces.

  • Milking Requirements:

    • Stall milking requires pipeline systems for transporting milk to external tanks.

    • Milking parlors offer improved sanitation and efficiency; typically involve elevated platforms for staff interactions.

Waste Management and Nutritional Practices

  • Pasture Management:

    • Rotation of pastures approximately every 48 hours to optimize grazing.

  • Feed Storage:

    • Stored typically in silos; controlled feed usage during the day.

  • Waste Management Systems:

    • Essential on cattle farms:

    • Solid manure systems involve daily collection.

    • Liquid manure systems suitable for large operations; must meet environmental regulations.

Restraint and Handling Techniques

  • Handling must involve safe techniques:

    • Utilize a halter and lead tied with a square knot.

    • Pushing cattle away as one approaches promotes movement away from the handler.

    • Best practices include standing beside the cow’s shoulder and nowhere near their back legs.

    • Alternative restraint methods include:

    • Chute or stanchion usage.

    • Tail switch restraint - twisting the tail to prevent movement/kicking.

    • Lifting a front leg using a tied rope.

    • Nose tongs applying pressure to the nasal septum.

Cattle Behavior and Restraint Considerations

  • Cattle have a 360-degree field of vision, making them easily startled by quick movements or unfamiliar situations:

    • Cattle are one of the most nervous domesticated herd animals.

    • Always announce presence calmly and quietly.

    • Allow cattle time to adjust to surroundings.

    • When working with cattle in an enclosed setting, an exit plan is essential.

Grooming Practices

  • Show cattle require routine grooming, comparable to dogs or horses:

    • Involves bathing, drying with high-powered vacuums, and brushing.

    • Grooming typically begins at a young age to acclimate them to handling.

Basic Health Care and Maintenance

  • Proper management necessitates experienced producers and team members:

    • Staff should include a herd health manager knowledgeable in bovine veterinary care.

    • Consistent daily schedules lead to a less stressful environment.

    • Responsibilities of the herd health manager include:

    • Vaccination and deworming protocols.

    • Nutritional and sanitation program management.

    • Monitoring heat cycles and veterinary maintenance.

    • Conducting body condition scoring and maintaining breeding records.

    • Implementing fly control and ensuring pasture and fencing management.

    • Each cattle requires permanent identification methods such as ear tags, neck tags, microchips, tattoos, brands, or earmarking.

Dehorning, Castration, and Vaccinations

  • Dehorning:

    • Removal of horns to minimize risks to humans and other cattle.

    • Techniques include:

    • Application of caustic chemicals before horn growth.

    • Surgical removal using sedation and specialized dehorning equipment.

  • Castration:

    • Surgical process to remove testicles to prevent reproduction, done via banding or emasculator.

  • Vaccination Schedule:

    • Beef calves are vaccinated 14-21 days prior to weaning.

    • Dairy calves receive boosters at 3-4 months and again at 5-6 months, continuing annually.

    • Adult breeding cattle require vaccinations prior to breeding and after calving.

Common Diseases in Cattle

  • Notable diseases affecting cattle include:

    • Brucellosis (Bang's disease).

    • Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD).

    • Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR).

    • Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC).

    • Leptospirosis.

    • Campylobacter.

    • Mastitis.

    • Bloat.

    • Retained placenta.

    • Grass Tetany.

Metabolic Disorders in Dairy Cattle

  • Significant disorders include:

    • Hypocalcemia (Milk Fever): Occurs in lactating cows due to inadequate blood calcium levels.

    • Ketosis: Characterized by low blood sugar levels, resembling diabetes in humans.

    • Blackleg: A deadly infection caused by bacteria present in soil.

    • Anaplasmosis: A parasitic protozoan disease not contagious among cattle but affects dogs and cats.

Parasites and Surgical Procedures

  • Common cattle parasites include:

    • Flies, ticks, mites, lice, strongyles, flatworms, roundworms.

  • Control methods include sanitation, insecticides, and back rubbers for prevention.

  • Surgical Procedures:

    • Castration of male cattle not intended for breeding to enhance weight gain in beef.

    • In older animals, surgical procedures require sedation, while standing castration may occur as needed.

Reproduction and Breeding of Beef Cattle

  • Three primary systems for cattle breeding:

    • Cow-Calf System:

    • Aim to raise cattle for breeding around 2 years of age; calves born in late winter/spring are sold for profits.

    • Backgrounding System:

    • For raising calves before reaching market size for profit; weaned and fed until market size.

    • Finishing System:

    • Grows calves through maturity; adults are sold for breeding or meat purposes, typically weighing between 1100-1300 pounds.

    • Although more lengthy and costly, this approach may yield higher profitability.

Reproduction and Breeding of Dairy Cattle

  • The breeding process ensures cows produce milk efficiently:

    • Integral to lactation, requiring breeding to stimulate this process.

    • Average productive duration is 305 days per year with a gestation cycle lasting 283 days.

    • Includes a dry period of 50-60 days.

    • Each cow's udder comprises four quarters, each with its own teat.

    • Distinction between purebred businesses (registered breeds) and commercial operations (mixed breeds).

    • Milking routines typically occur 2-3 times daily based on the size of the herd.

Summary

  • This chapter covers the fundamentals surrounding beef and dairy cattle production systems, their distinct practices, and requirements:

    • Cattle must receive appropriate levels of nutrition, healthcare, and management practices.

    • Importance for veterinary assistants in understanding cattle behavior, restraint, and handling is paramount given the size of these animals.

Clinical Situation

  • Scenario Example:

    • Brittany, a veterinary assistant, is tasked with setting up a farm call for vaccinations and examinations for Mrs. Shore's Holstein dairy farm, one of the area’s largest.

    • Effective communication and scheduling methods are demonstrated.

Self-Assessment Questions

  • Questions to consider:

    • What concepts in this chapter presented the most challenges?

    • What are your thoughts on the topic of safely restraining and handling cattle?

    • Which skills presented in this chapter seem the most crucial, and how can you enhance them?