Beef Cow Repro Management Flashcards
1
Q
what country is the MAIN producer of beef in the world?
A
US
2
Q
where are most beef operations LOCATED in the US?
A
in the MIDDLE of the country
3
Q
what are COW/CALF farms?
A
farms/ranches that OWN A HERD OF COWS that GIVE BIRTH ONCE PER YEAR and produce CALVES
4
Q
what are BACKGROUNDING or STOCKERS
A
after being WEANED, calves GO TO GRAZE ON PASTURE and MAY RECEIVE SUPPLEMENTAL FEED to help GROW/MATURE
5
Q
what is a FINISHING farm?
A
CATTLE move here to be fed ROUGHAGE/GRAIN to meet NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS RIGHT BEFORE GOING TO PACKING PLANT
6
Q
when are BEEF CATTLE READY FOR HARVEST on a FINISHER farm?
A
after 4-6 MONTHS when THEY REACH MARKET WEIGHT
7
Q
what is the MOST COMMON beef breed in the US? where does it come from
A
BLACK ANGUS, it’s a BRITISH BREED
8
Q
a HEREFORD COW is a ___ breed of cow
A
BRITISH
9
Q
LIMOUSIN, SIMMENTAL, and CHAROLAIS are ___ breeds of cow
A
CONTINENTAL
10
Q
the BELGIAN BLUE cow is a ___ ___ breed
A
DOUBLE MUSCLE BREED
11
Q
why is CROSSBREEDING used in meat cows?
A
breeding 2 purebreds takes advantage of HETEROSIS –> OFFSPRING OF 2 UNRELATED PARENTS PERFORMS BETTER THAN EITHER PARENT
12
Q
what is the MOST IMPORTANT PARAMETER for a COW/CALF OPERATION?
A
POUNDS OF WEANED CALVES!
13
Q
how can we INCREASE the number of POUNDS of WEANED CALVES? (2)
A
- increase TOTAL NUMBER OF WEANED CALVES
- increase CALVE’S WEIGHT
14
Q
explain this –> DECREASE COST PER POUND to MAKE CALVES to DRIVE HIGHER PRICE per POUND
A
want as HOMOGENOUS GROUP OF CALVES at once so MAY INCREASE PRICE THAT THEY CAN BE SOLD
15
Q
what is the MAIN determinant of PROFITABILITY for beef cattle?
A
REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE
16
Q
by helping producers to become more EFFICIENT (need LESS INPUT to PRODUCE LESS OUTPUT), we help the industry to become…
A
MORE SUSTAINABLE
17
Q
TRUE/FALSE: the ROLE of the beef vet has broadened to include FEEDING MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS as well as REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT
A
TRUE
18
Q
what is the IDEAL heifer CALVING AGE in BEEF?
A
24 months
19
Q
ideal CALVING INTERVAL in BEEF?
A
12 months
20
Q
in BEEF cattle…
ideal calving RATE?
ideal weaning RATE?
A
CALVING rate = >93%
WEANING rate = >90%
21
Q
in beef cattle, a DAM has a PRODUCTIVE LIFE for how long?
A
8 YEARS
22
Q
what is the WEANING AGE and WEIGHT of beef calves?
A
WEANING AGE = 6-7 MONTHS
WEANING WEIGHT = 40% OF DAM
23
Q
what is the most IMPORTANT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY is to adopt a ___ ___, why?
A
BREEDING SEASON
cows are NOT SEASONAL, so MAKE CALVING OCCUR IN SPRING so that ABUNDANT FOOD and LEAST AMOUNT OF STRESS ON DAM & CALF
24
Q
what is the definition of the breeding season in BEEF?
WHEN does this usually occur?
A
turning out BULLS WITH COWS to participate in NATURAL BREEDING
MATING occurs between MAY-JULY, CALVING occurs between FEB-APRIL
25
what is the STANDARDIZED PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS?
group of PARAMETERS that we use to TRACK PERFORMANCE OF BEEF HERD
26
describe the 5 types of cows/herd structure in a COW/CALF operation
1. PREGNANT cows
2. OPEN cows with calves (NOT YET PREGNANT AGAIN)
3. CALVES weaned at 6-7 MONTHS
4. REPLACEMENT HEIFERS
5. BULLS
27
what is the most important PE PARAMETER that we can use to assess health of beef cattle?
what is the reference range?
BODY CONDITION SCORE describing RELATIVE FATNESS OF BEEF CATTLE
1-9 point scale
28
what is the IDEAL BCS for BEEF CATTLE at...
WEANING?
90 days BEFORE calving
AT CALVING? (in heifers vs. cows)
DURING BREEDING?
WEANING = 5/9
90 days BEFORE calving = 5-6/9
AT CALVING? (in heifers vs. cows) = 6-7/9 HEIFERS, 5-6/9 COWS
DURING BREEDING = 5-6/9
29
we should evaluate BCS of FEMALE BEEF CATTLE _____ times during BREEDING SEASON. why?
SEVERAL
to ensure she's meeting MARKERS FOR BCS depending on WHAT'S GOING ON (breeding, calving, etc.)
30
during the BEEF BREEDING SEASON, we are aiming to MOSTLY OPTIMIZE THE ____ ____
DAM NUTRITION
31
MOST of the BEEF CALVES born in the US are born between WHAT MONTHS?
JANUARY-MAY
32
what is the IDEAL length of the BEEF CATTLE BREEDING SEASON?
how many OPPORTUNITIES does this allow cow to be BRED/BECOME PREGNANT?
63 DAYS
3 OPPORTUNITIES
33
IDEALLY in a beef herd...
how many days POSTPARTUM should breeding season start?
the breeding season for HEIFERS should start ___ days ___ to COWS
during breeding season, what BCS should heifers/cows be around?
start 45 DAYS POSTPARTUM
HEIFERS' breeding season should start 30 DAYS BEFORE COWS
during breeding season, BCS SHOULD BE 5-6/9
34
IDEALLY in a beef herd...
the FIRST CYCLE PREGNANCY RATE should be?
the SEASON'S PREGNANCY RATE should be?
FIRST CYCLE PR = >65%
SEASON'S PR = >95%
35
do cows have a CALF HEAT?
how many days does it take for UTERUS TO INVOLUTE/READY FOR COW TO BE PREGNANT AGAIN? what is this period usually called?
NO
cows ready to be pregnant AT ABOUT 45 DAYS POSTPARTUM; this period is called VOLUNTARY WAITING PERIOD
36
what is the GOAL NUMBER OF CALVES/YEAR for beef cattle?
1 CALF PER YEAR
37
what is the GESTATION LENGTH in DAYS/MONTHS for cows?
this means that we have HOW MANY DAYS to breed the cow?
9 MONTHS or ~280 DAYS
cow is only available for breeding around 85 DAYS out of this
38
why do we BREED HEIFERS __ DAYS BEFORE COWS?
30, because heifers are SMALLER and NEED MORE TIME TO GROW to reach OPTIMAL BCS and UNDERGO STRESS OF CALVING --> CAN START CYCLING AT THE SAME TIME AS OTHER COWS
39
why is it important for BEEF CATTLE to be BRED and CALVE EARLY? (2)
1. by the time breeding season starts, GIVES COWS MORE DAYS POSTPARTUM and BETTER CHANCE TO RESUME CYCLICITY SOONER
2. GREATER CALF WEANING WEIGHT because it'll be OLDER
40
if a BEEF cow is NOT PREGNANT BY THE END OF BREEDING SEASON, what is the protocol?
CULL IT
41
how SOON until END OF BREEDING SEASON can we detect pregnancy with...
US?
PPR?
US = 30 days UNTIL END OF BREEDING SEASON
PPR = 45-60 UNTIL END OF BREEDING SEASON
42
during pregnancy exams, we can do WHAT IMPORTANT thing?
ESTIMATE EMBRYONIC AGE (within a couple months)
43
we should monitor for PARTURITION how often in BEEF CATTLE?
2-3 times PER DAY
44
what is the MOST COMMON CAUSE OF DYSTOCIA IN BEEF CATTLE?
this tends to cause a VERY HIGH...
FETAL-MATERNAL DISPROPORTION = calf is TOO BIG for the dam
tends to cause VERY HIGH NEONATAL MORTALITY
45
what is the TARGET DYSTOCIA RATE in COWS & HEIFERS
COWS = <5%
HEIFERS = <10%
46
at what DYSTOCIA RATES in COWS & HEIFERS should you..
MONITOR the herd closely?
take ACTION?
MONITOR = 5-6% COWS, 10-12% HEIFERS
ACTION = >6% COWS, >12% HEIFERS
47
once we reach a certain THRESHOLD of ___ ___, the PROPORTION of ____ SHARPLY INCREASES
because of this, we should use WHAT breed of cow & why?
BIRTH WEIGHT, DYSTOCIA
because of this, we should use BRITISH BREED SIRES bc they have LIGHTER CALVES
48
why do DOUBLE-MUSCLE breeds have a HIGH INCIDENCE OF DYSTOCIA?
have a VERY HIGH BIRTH WEIGHT
49
what is EPD in BEEF CATTLE?
if this value is LARGER, what does that mean?
EXPECTED PROGENY DIFFERENCE in BIRTH WEIGHT or CALVING EASE = genetic evaluation based on OFFSPRING 2 AI bulls might have
if it's LARGER, then that's BETTER = LESS LIKELY TO HAVE DYSTOCIA and INCREASED AMOUNT OF POUNDS HIGHER BIRTH WEIGHT THAN BREED AVERAGE
50
what is the MOST IMPORTANT factor that determines HEIFER SELECTION to REDUCE DYSTOCIA
PROPER MANAGEMENT & NUTRITION BEFORE BREEDING
51
name 3 methods of SELECTION of HEIFERS that can help REDUCE DYSTOCIA
1. EXCLUDE 10% HEAVIEST heifers at WEANING --> tend to produce HEAVY CALVES & cause dystocia
2. EXCLUDE 20-25% BOTTOM BODY WEIGHT of YEARLINGS --> tend to NOT GROW WELL
3. CULL HEIFERS AFTER DYSTOCIA
52
how many days POSTPARTUM do we see...
FOLLICULAR WAVES (dairy & beef cow)
OVULATION (dairy & beef cow)
ESTRUS (dairy & beef cow)
FOLLICULAR WAVES = 4 days pp DAIRY, < or equal to 10 days PP BEEF
OVULATION = 21 days pp DAIRY, 45 days pp BEEF
ESTRUS = 45 days pp DAIRY, 60 days pp BEEF
53
TRUE/FALSE: BEEF cows usually start to cycle SOONER than DAIRY cows
FALSE. DAIRY cows start cycling again 45 days pp, while BEEF cows start 60 days pp
54
why is the FIRST HEAT in CATTLE a "silent" ovulation?
silent = there are NO SIGNS OF ESTRUS due to LACK OF PREVIOUS PROGESTERONE EXPOSURE
55
why is the time to start CYCLING again AFTER parturition so much LONGER in BEEF than DAIRY cattle?
in DAIRY cattle, once they calve they are IMMEDIATELY WEANED and DO NOT HAVE CONTACT WITH CALF --> only limited by NEGATIVE ENERGY BALANCE
CALF stays with DAM until 6-7 MONTHS, and this contact causes SUCKLING ENDOGENOUS OPIOIDS that has NEGATIVE FEEDBACK ON GnRH
56
in BEEF CATTLE in GOOD BODY CONDITION, the FIRST POST-PARTUM DOMINANT FOLLICLE to OVULATE is generally from WHICH follicular wave?
what period usually follows this?
the THIRD
a SHORT DIESTRUS follows this ovulation!
57
the MORE CYCLES that a cow has POSTPARTUM, the PREGNANCY RATES...
INCREASED!! USUALLY AFTER 1 or 2 CYCLES
58
what is the MOST important factor for returning to CYCLICITY in BEEF CATTLE?
what 3 periods should we specifically monitor this?
ADEQUATE BODY CONDITION SCORE
3 periods?
1. at WEANING
2. 90 days PRIOR to CALVING
3. AT CALVING
59
why is ADJUSTING THE STOCKING RATE helpful for BCS & PP CYCLICITY?
stocking rate = number of ANIMALS per UNIT OF AREA OF LAND
if we REDUCE NUMBER OF ANIMALS = allows for MORE FOOD FOR EVERYONE ELSE = PROPER BCS achieved to start cycling again
60
what type of FOOD and HOW should be provided ALL YEAR to BEEF CATTLE?
provide GOOD, FREE-CHOICE MINERAL ALL YEAR!
61
BESIDES ADEQUATE BCS postpartum, what 2 other factors can AFFECT cyclicity?
1. RESTRICTED SUCKLING --> weaning the calves over 48-72 hours at about 30 days PP
2. HORMONAL TREATMENT with either GnRH or PROGESTERONE --> progesterone more common
62
what are REPLACEMENT HEIFERS?
they aim to replace ___-___% of the herd
when do they reach puberty?
females that we KEEP IN HERD if cows must be culled
aim to replace 15-20% OF THE HERD
heifers reach puberty at 12 MONTHS
63
REPLACEMENT HEIFERS...
should be bred by ___ months at ___% mature body weight
should calve by ___ months at ___% mature body weight
BRED BY 15 MONTHS at 65% MATURE BW
CALVE BY 24 MONTHS at 85% MATURE BW
64
what does PUBERTY mean in replacement heifers?
the time of FIRST OVULATION
65
in REPLACEMENT HEIFERS, PREGNANCY RATES will ____ by the ____ estrus cycle
INCREASE, THIRD (+20%)
66
why do REPLACEMENT HEIFERS have a LONGER POSTPARTUM ANESTRUS?
therefore, they have a SHORTER...
because NEGATIVE ENERGY BALANCE FROM CALF and also STILL GROWING THEMSELVES
therefore, they have a SHORTER BREEDING SEASON
67
MAJORITY of BEEF CATTLE are bred via ____ ____
however, MANY HEIFERS are bred via ___, sometimes ___
NATURAL COVER
however, MANY HEIFERS are bred via AI, sometimes BOTH
68
at WHAT AGE should BULLS start to be used?
why?
should be used at ONE YEAR OF AGE and LESS THAN 2
why? = because NEW CROP OF BULLS HAS GREATER GENETIC POTENTIAL and therefore RATE OF GENETIC GAIN
69
at what age is PUBERTY in BEEF BULLS?
at what age do they usually have a SATISFACTORY BSE?
11-12 MONTHS
SATISFACTORY BSE = 14 MONTHS
70
how is PUBERTY defined in BEEF BULLS?
GREATER THAN 50 MILLION SPERM and 10% MOTILITY in ejaculate
71
most bulls that are PRESENTED for a BSE are between ___-___ MONTHS of age
12-15
72
BULL BSE should be performed ___ days PRIOR TO BREEDING SEASON START
why?
60
why? = if bull DOES NOT PASS BSE, gives PRODUCER TIME TO FIND ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION
73
what % of bulls in a herd DO NOT PASS BSE?
15-20% INFERTILE or SUBFERTILE
74
what 2 VENEREAL DISEASES should we test for in BULLS during BSE?
only ___% of operations test bulls
1. TRITRICHOMONAS
2. CAMPYLOBACTER
only 30% of operations test bulls!
75
at BSE, what should the BCS range of a BULL be?
5-6/9
76
at TURNOUT, what should the BCS range of BULLS be?
6-7/9
77
what is one of the MAIN causes of POOR SEMEN QUALITY in bulls?
why? (2)
OVERCONDITIONING
why? =
1. FAT accumulates in SCROTAL NECK and INTERFERES WITH SPERM PRODUCTION
2. or MORE LIKELY FOR HEAT STRESS and SUBOPTIMAL SPERM PRODUCTION
78
if you have MANY DIFFERENT AGES of SIRES, how should you group them
why?
YEARLINGS together, 2-YO together, and ALL OTHERS together
if YEARLING with OLDER BULLS, yearling WILL NOT BREED ANYONE!
79
what is the AVERAGE NUMBER of FEMALES BRED PER BULL in...
YEARLINGS?
MATURE BULLS?
YEARLINGS = 15 females
MATURE = 22 females
80
what is the MAIN REASON we'd use AI for breeding in BEEF CATTLE?
for GENETIC IMPROVEMENT --> allows for BEST OF THE BEST BULLS TO BREED (not limited to location)
81
TRUE/FALSE: using AI to breed beef cattle basically ELIMINATES risk of VENEREAL DISEASE
TRUE
82
what is the BIGGEST REASON why producers DO NOT USE AI as often as NATURAL COVER?
it's VERY LABOR INTENSIVE --> have to ROUND UP LARGE AMOUNTS OF COWS
83
ESTRUS-BASED BREEDING requires WHAT?
what system DOES NOT require this?
ESTRUS-BASED BREEDING requires ESTRUS DETECTION --> SOMEONE NEEDS TO GO OUT AND ID COW WHEN SHE'S IN HEAT
FIXED-TIME ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION DOES NOT --> they're inseminated on SCHEDULE after SYNCHRONIZATION MANIPULATION (giving prostaglandin & GnRH)
84
if a HEAT-DETECTION breeding system only uses LUTEAL FUNCTION CONTROL, what hormones is it using?
PROGESTOGEN or PROSTAGLANDIN
85
2 functions of GIVING GnRH?
if we're using this to BREED cows, what kind of system is it?
functions
1. can cause SYNCHRONIZATION of FOLLICULAR WAVES
2. can INDUCE OVULATION
this is a FIXED-TIME ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION breeding method
86
how do we perform HEAT DETECTION-BASED PROTOCOL with HEIFERS? (3)
1. on day 0, use HEAT DETECTION and BREED FOR 5 DAYS
2. after 5 days post-ovulation, those who HAVE NOT SHOWED ESTRUS should GET PROSTAGLANDIN
3. heifers are then OBSERVED FOR ESTRUS and INSEMINATED FOR ANOTHER 7 DAYS
87
4 steps of CO-SYNCH FIXED-TIME AI?
1. on day 0, give GnRH to SYNCHRONIZE NEW FOLLICULAR WAVE
2. then, administer CIDR (intravaginal implant) to release PROGESTERONE
3. after 7 days, PULL CIDR OUT and GIVE PROSTAGLANDIN
4. then, 3 days later, give GnRH to INDUCE OVULATION and INSEMINATE AT THE SAME TIME (that's why it's called CO-SYNCH)
88
why is CO-SYNCH ideal for BEEF COWS?
ONE LESS TIME WE HAVE TO ROUND THEM UP TO THE CHUTE; in DAIRY COWS it doesn't really matter as much since they're usually in chutes to be milked
