Beef Cattle Flashcards
seedstock producers
show cattle, 80 breeds, ~100,000
commercial cow/calf producers
~900,000 producers to raise ~34million calves for market, produce calves destined for other industry segments
states with most beef cows
texas, oklahoma, missouri, nebraska, south dakota, kansas, montana
factors that influence the cow calf industry
climate, feed resources, terrain
production vs inventory
increased carcass weight, feedlot turnover rate, genetics for growth and muscling because of continental breeds, selection for growth traits, and technologies
stocker/yearling operators
add weight to weaned calves before finishing at feedlot
60% in plain states
feedlots
feed from weaning/stocker to harvest weight/condition, confined feeding operation, high grain ration for 90-150 days
~82000 feedlots
*feedlots with 1000> head= 2.6% of total feedlots but market 85% of cattle fed
packers
harvest cattle, fabricate into primals/subprimals (round, loin, rub, chuck, ribeye, tenderloin
retailers
8.57 billion pounds of beed purchased by foodservice in 2019, ground beef 63% of volume, steak 42% of $spent
consumers
330 million in US, changing demographics, 7.85 billion worldwide
montana beef industry
1/1/22 #s:
total cow numbers: 2200000
beef cow numbers: 1299000
cattle/calves on grain feed: 43000
global view of cattle industry
cattle population: india, brazil, china, US, EU
beef production: US, brazil, EU, china, india
bos taurus
british, continental, cooler climates
british: maternal traits, smaller mature frame size compared to continental
bos indicus
india, warmer climates, zebu: humped back, large dewlap, long horns, hardy, longevity, athletic
black angus
british breed-scotland, black or red coats, one of the most populat breeds in the US, smaller frame, early maturing, easy marbling, dark color for no sunburn, certified angus beef
red angus
red and black were original colors, breed registry developed in 1950s, similar traits as black angus
hereford
polled or horned, red with white markings, natural aptitude to grow and gain from grass and grain, rusting ability, hardiness, early maturity and prolificacy, certified hereford beef
shorthorn
developed in northern england, originally a dual purpose breed, known for high milking ability, small early maturing, horned and polled, red and white, roan
continental breeds
mature at larger frame size, terminally oriented, more lean product–> yield grade
charolais
originates from france, has been extensively used in crossbreeding programs, known for their ability to walk, graze aggressively in warm weather, withstand reasonable cold, and raise heavy calves
bulls have developed a well-earned reputation to increase ruggedness of animals
chianiana
developed in italy, first brought as semen to US, very large with bulls weight up to 4000lbs, white in color with dark pigment on nose and around eyes, used extensively in crossbreeding programs to increase frame size
limousin
ancient breed that developed in france, originally tan to brown now have black color, muscling, sturdiness, and adaptability, used mostly in crossbreeding programs
gelbvieh
originated in southern germany, originally selected for meat, milk, and work, red in color with good skin pigmentation, known for fertility, calving ease, mothering ability, and growth rate of calves
maine-anjou
from france, dual purpose breed, introduced to US through AI, very large mature size, well muscled
simmental
from switzerland, red and white, highly sought after due to rapid growth development, often used in crossbreeding programs to increase size and muscling
brahman
bos indicus
developed in southwestern US fro Zebu cattle, range from light gray to almost black in color, distinctive hump on the shoulders and large drooping ears, highly heat, disease, and insect resistant
limited in maternal characteristics and meat production
santa gertrudis
developed at the king ranch in texas, 5/8 Shorthorn and 3/8 brahman, deep cherry red color, highly heat and tick resistant, their characteristics include calving ease, good mothering ability and abundant milk supply, little evidence of hump and good meat quality
murray grey
from australia, hardy breed, good in a variety of climates, standard gray color reflects heat, but dark skin pigmentation prevents sunburn`
brangus
developed at experimental station in LA, 3/8 brahman and 5/8 angus, known for hardiness, solid black and polled
wagyu
all japanese cattle, most influenced by british and continental breeds, known for marbling-high meat quality
piedmontese and belgian blue
double muscled, more hyperplasia muscle growth (more muscle fibers)
belted galloway
belted-set apart by distinctive color pattern
scottish highlander
years of survival of the fittest have adapted this breed to harsh conditions, oldest registered breed of cattle, hardy and require limited forage, disease resistant
ankole watusi and texas longhorn
longhorn- most foundational and fitted to US landscape
miniature hereford and dexter
miniature cattle
free martin
sterile female born as twin to male
gestation
284 days
birth to weaning
205 days
backgrounding
90-240 days
feedlot
100-180 days
harvest
13-21 months
compared to other meat industries
broilers 8-10 weeks from conception to slaughter
swine 8-12 weeks from conception to slaughter
profit or loss
[(%calf crop x weaning weight) x price]-expenses
gomer bull or spotter bull
sterile bulls used to detect estrus
electro-ejaculation
electrical stimulation of nerves in male reproductive tract to cause ejaculation
estrus syncronization
practice of using hormones to have multiple cows come into estrus at the same time
reproductive goals
shorter calving interval, 12 months
100% calf crop (every cow has a calf)
replacement heifers calve at 2 years of age
cattle are polyestrous
can have calves any time of the year
estrous cycle 19-21 days
length of estrus (heat) 13-17 hours
gestation 280-283 days
optimal bull to cow ratio
Montana range operations 1:20 to 1:25
More range conditions- 1:10
More pasture conditions- 1:75
optimal bull age
depends on breeding pressures and structural status
2-4yrs
GnRH
gonadotropin-releasing hormone
triggers ovary to begin producing follicles
PGF2alpha
prostaglandin F2a
gets rid of the CL (which produces progesterone-keeps female out of heat)
MGA- melengesterol acetate
feed compound that keeps things out of heat (increases progesterone)
EAZI-BREED CIDR
controlled internal drug release
keeps female out of heat until you pull it, followed by a shot of prostaglandin to bring back into heat
condition
fat cover on breeding animals
backgrounding
time between weaning and going into feedlot
creep feeding
practices providing feed to young animals
implant
hormones inserted into the ear to improve growth and feed efficiency, release estrogen or testosterone
CAFO
confined animal feeding operation
cow-calf producers
1.2 million cow calf operation
80% have fewer than 50 cows
feedlot programs
calf arrival
-feed grass hay ab libidum (all you can eat)
-no excess hay left in feed bunk
calf processing
-tag cattle
-vaccinate with 4-way viral
the step up approach
concentrates incrementally replace roughages in the diet over a period of 2 to 3 weeks
