Beef Cattle Flashcards by Shea Levine

Parturition

Calving

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Intact male

Bull

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Castrated male

Steer

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Female

Cow

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Young male

Bull calf
Bullock

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Young female

Heifer

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All young

Calves

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Cattle ancestor

Great auroch

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Man responsible for breed development and selective breeding

Robert Bakewell (father of animal breeding)

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Breed development 3 steps

1) determine desired traits
2) selection of parents for next generation
3) evaluate offspring for selection

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Purebred

define set of characteristics passed from parents to offspring
Humans determine desired characteristics
Genes for desired traits are more homozygous with less heterosis

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How many recognized and unnamed breeds of cattle?

250 recognized breeds
>300 unnamed varieties

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Difference between dairy and beef cattle interaction with environment

Dairy: Environment altered to fit animals
Beef: match animal’s characteristics environment

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3 types of beef cattle

1) European (Bos Taurus)
2) Continental (Bos Taurus)
3) Zebu (Bos indicus)

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European

Bos Taurus
Europe
Moderate size
meat characteristics
Reproduction
Maternal ability
Ex Hereford, angus, shorthorn

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Continental

Bos Taurus
European
Larger size
Draft
Meat characteristics
Reproduction
Maternal ability
Ex. Charlois, Chianina, simmental

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Zebu

Bos Indicus
Milk
Meat
Draft
Tropical/subtropical adaptations
Ex. Brahman

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Zebu tropical adaptations

Short, shiny, dense, flat hair
More skin/surface area for cooling
Parasite, insect, and disease resistance

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Synthetic breeds

Breed created from crossing two other breeds
Breed for favorable characteristics from two different breeds to fit environment
Ex. Brangus, simbrah, beefalo

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Where are most cattle in the U.S. located?

Central U.S.

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European examples

Hereford
Angus
Shorthorn

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Continental examples

Charlois
Chianina
Simmental

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Zebu example

Brahman

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Synthetics examples

Brangus
Simbrah
Beefalo

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Infrastructure definition

Levels of organization within an organization or business

Purebred Producers

Seedstock Provide genetic material for cow production Sell bulls to calf operation Little use of artificial insemination and embryo transfer Some bred for novelty/looks. Ex horns and mini

Order of beef cow production

Purebred producers Cow/Calf operation Stocker Feedlot Packers

Cow/calf operation goal

Produce 1 weaned calf every 12 months

How many days to rebreed cow and what happens during this time?

80 days 35-40 days: uterine repair 60 days: lactation anestrous. Milk hormones interfere with repro hormones Leaves 20 days to breed a cow with a 21 day estrous cycle

How old are calves when they wean?

5-7 months (400-600 lbs)

What percent of beef cows are crossbred?

>80%

Where do the weaned cows go?

All males -> meat production 60% females -> meat production 40% females -> replacement

What cannot be affected by heterosis?

Carcass meat quality and quantity

Rotational system

Increase weaning weight 2 breed rotation: 15% 3 breed rotation: 23%

Stocker

Natural growth of cattle from 5-7 months (400-600) - 9-11 months (800-900)

What develops during the stocker phase?

Frame/ skeletal size Muscle mass

How long does stocker phase last?

5-7 months

Feedlot time span

9-11 months (800-900 lbs) —> 12-16 month (1100-1200 lbs)

Low energy diet

Stocker

High energy diet

Feedlot

Feedlot high ration diet 3 functions

Increase intermuscular fat Change fat color and taste

Packers

Disassembly plant Live animal -> carcass

What is a carcass?

animal without Head Hide Feet Internal organs

Fabrication

Processing carcass

Why do we ship boxed beef instead of sides?

1) order specific cuts 2) shipping and transport

What is analyzed in quality grade?

Palatability Taste Texture Tenderness

3 highest quality grades

Prime Choice Select

What determines quality grade?

1) Age of cow: younger is better 2) Intramuscular fat: more is better

What is intramuscular fat?

Fat between muscle fibers Enhances flavor and tenderness

Yield grade

Proportion of primary retail cuts from entire carcass

Yield grade 1

More primary cuts with less fat

Yield grade 5

Less primary cuts with more fat

As quality grade increases

Yield grade decreases Inverse relationship

What type of breeders are beef cow?

Non seasonal Polyestrous

Estrous cycle

21 days

Estrus

12 hours

Gestation

285 days

What occurs when calves are 6-8 weeks old?

Spring Branding Dehorning Castration Vaccinatios

What occurs when calves are 5-7 months?

Fall Weaning Pregnancy check cows

Robert bakewell

Father of animal breeding Responsible for breed development and selective breeding.