Beef Lab Practical Flashcards
Approximately how many cow-calf pairs are in the NC State beef herd at the E. Carroll Joyner
Beef Educational Unit?
80 – 40 Spring, 40 Fall
What are the 2 calving seasons at the E. Carroll Joyner Beef Educational Unit? Which is the
primary breed that corresponds to each calving season?
Spring - Hereford, Fall - Angus
Describe the animal’s Flight Zone and how you utilize that for safe animal handling.
It’s a circle around the cattle. It is used to help move the cattle to where we want them by using less
stress.
Explain the Point of Balance and how you utilize that for safe animal handling.
It is a line at the shoulder point of the cattle. It is used to help get the cattle to move where we want them using low stress indicators.
Discuss the headgate operators role when working cattle at the E. Carroll Joyner Beef
Educational Unit. (5 key things)
- Make sure gates/chute are ready.
- Move cattle into pen tub to guide them to the scale.
- Use squeeze.
- Move cattle into head catch.
- Return cattle to pasture.
Name 2 options for permanent animal identification.
Tattoo, Branding
What type of “heat” do K-Mar, tail paint, and scratch off heat indicators help beef cattle
producers detect?
Standing heat
Why are there so many different options for castrating beef cattle?
There are different scenarios where one option may be better than the other for the farmer
to work with/situation at hand.
Describe 3 ways beef producers could incorporate BCS of their cows into their management program?
- Ensure proper body condition for maximum reproductive performance
- Record keeping process
- Used to make appropriate herd nutrition decisions for your herd
List 4 areas of the beef animal used for visually determining BCS of beef cattle?
Back, Tail Head, Pins, Hooks
Provide examples of at least 4 criteria that can be used when making culling decisions about beef cows?
Reproduction, Maternal traits, Marketability of traits passed to calves, structural soundness
How could someone estimate the age of a beef cow (without herd records or identification system that indicates birth year)?
Looking at their teeth
Beef cattle management related APP’s
Cattyltics: Beef management
What is one piece of personal safety equipment must you wear to complete freeze branding?
Cold weather gloves
Is individual beef cattle identification mandatory?
No
3 Permanent Identifications
Freeze Branding, Tattoo, Hot iron branding
4 Temporary Identifications
Ear tagging, Paint, Neck band, Horn bands
What is the international letter code for cattle born in 2025?
N
What letters are not used in the international letting system?
O, I, Q, V
Freeze Branding
Cooled irons, 30-40 seconds shaved areas, swollen area, turns hair white
Hot Branding
Heated iron, 8-10 seconds, Copper color should appear
Where is the best place to apply a brand on a beef animal?
Hip
Janelle claims that she is a strict animal lover who does not believe any animal should be forced to endure any level of pain or discomfort at the hands of humans. Therefore she is adamantly opposed to permanent/semi-permanent animal identification. How would you explain the value of these practices to Janelle?
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Robert is a 4th generation cattle farmer. Their family farm has always been very minimal management and therefore they have never used animal identification and are opposed to any form of national animal identification program that would force them to adapt this management practice. Demonstrate the value of animal identification to Robert.
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Why is pasture management something that most beef cattle producers in NC should learn something about?
It is important because it helps you keep records and you are able to make more profit off of your cattle by knowing how to use your resources wisely.
Explain the 1st part of parturtion.
Timing: 2-6 hours
Dilation of the cervix, entry of fetus into cervical canal
Explain the 2nd stage of parturition.
Timing: 1 hour
Mucus is produced in the cervix, water bag is dropped, calf is born
Explain the 3rd stage of parturition.
Timing: 6-12 hours
Expulsion of the placenta
Look over presentation of calves in the womb and determine if the position is correct. If not, explain why and what you should do to try to resolve the problem.
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A farm is just starting their calving season and the new help presents this information to you: 1st calf
heifer, membranes hanging from vulva for past 8 hours, heifer is restless but seeming fatigued. How
should they proceed?
Because the membranes have been hanging out for 8 hours which is longer than the suggest time and
its her first calf I would contact someone on the farm with more experience whether that be an
experienced farm worker or the farm vet.
Besides a live calf, what are some other management factors that can be used to measure the success
of calving/dystocia management?
How quickly the cow can rebred, How many times you’ve had to assist in delivery, Nutrition of both the cow and the calf
Looking ahead. What are at least 2 factors to consider when determining the needle size one should
use when to provide a bovine an injection?
The type of liquid you are using, Age/Size
True or False. BQA recommends giving all injections in the rump of the beef animal for maximum
efficacy and safety.
False
Which outcome is more common in pre-weaned calves?
Diarrhea
Which outcome is more common in calves after weaning/transport?
Respiratory disease
Describe modified vaccines
Live pathogen, cannot be given to pregnant cattle, stronger, small doses, cannot cause disease, keep out of light and heat, must be mixed, thrown away after use.
Described killed vaccines
Can’t replicate, bigger dose, boosters, longer withdrawal period, creates immune response, keep out of light and heat
What is the preferred route of vaccine administration according to BQA if it is in compliance with label
directions?
The preferred route of vaccine administration according to BQA is subcutaneous (SQ) administered
within the neck region.
Describe where on a beef animal injections should be administered
Injections should be administered in the neck region.
. What size needle would be recommended to use to administer a subcutaneous injection of a vaccine
(thin liquid) to a 1200 lb mature cow?
18-gauge
What are 3 ways a producer could use to help them know if their cows are bred or open in the first 45
days after the bull was removed from cow herd?
Palpation, Ultrasound, Blood Test
Lab Based Blood Test
Days at detection: 30 days
Accuracy: 93-99%
Skill/labor: No skilled technician needed
Cost: $3-5 per cow
Palpation
Days at detection: 35-50 days
Accuracy: 95-99%
Skill/labor: Experience needed
Cost: $3-10 per cow
Ultrasound
Days at detection: 30 days
Accuracy: Very
Skill/labor: Experience needed
Cost: $7-15 per cow
Estrus detection
Days at detection: 6-24 days
Accuracy: Most accurate for experienced technician
Skill/labor: Experience technician
Cost: $1-100
Chute Side Blood Test
Days at detection: 28 days
Accuracy: 93-99%
Skill/labor: No skilled technician needed
Cost: $10-20 per cow
Sunny Days Farm has 3 heifers that they would like to know if they are pregnant (45 days since bull
removal). They are new to raising breeding cattle but have an established relationship with a
veterinarian that is about 1.5 hours away who assists with vaccination protocols and farm emergencies.
They recently graduated from NC State and took Techniques of Animal Care and Beef Cattle Management. They plan to calve out the pregnant heifers and utilize open heifers for beef (finish and
send to slaughter). Recommend a pregnancy detection method to Sunny Days Farm and explain why you think that is the best option.
The pregnancy detection method I would recommend would be the lab-based blood test. I would
recommend this test because it would make more financial sense for the recently graduated student to
draw blood to send off than have the vet drive 1.5 hours to complete a pregnancy detection methos
that requires a skilled technician.
Cool Runnings Ranch has 30 heifers and 90 mature beef cows (2-6 parity) that they would like to know
if they are pregnant. The cattle were synchronized and timed AI on March 1 and 2, they cattle were then
put with clean-up bulls from March 8-April 15th. They have a great working relationship with a large
animal veterinarian that is about 15 minutes away and typically can schedule appointments within the
week. It is now May 10th. Based on the determination of if the cattle are pregnant and success of timed
AI, they will determine their breeding protocol for their fall calving herd. Recommend a pregnancy
detection method to Cool Runnings Ranch and explain why you think that is the best option.
The pregnancy detection method I would recommend would be palpation. I would recommend this
option because it has been long enough for the calf to grow. It is also the cheaper option between
palpation and ultrasound so it financially makes sense.
Look at ultrasound examples and determine if there is a calf present. If so, explain why.
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Explain 3 things the cow-calf producers can do to increase the value of their feeder calves?
Ear implants: helps calves grow before moving to market.
Castration: can be done as a calf before moving to market.
Nutrition: add weight before market
Stocker State has a group of 60 uniform steer calves they are preparing to sell. They estimate the calves will average 650 lbs (625-675) if they do not supplement concentrate feed. Based on previous experience, they would predict that it would cost them $150/calf to supplement feed which would result in an additional 75 lbs of gain, so calves would average 725 lbs (700-750). Based on the market report, would it be profitable to supplement concentrate feed? (note: supplemental feed does not equal value added)
Based on the market report, it would not be profitable to supplement concentrate feed. For the first group of 10, they would bring $285. While the second group of 10 would bring $250. So the second group of 10 would cause a loss of money.
90 head of cattle that are ready for marketing as finished cattle. They can sell the cattle all the same way or in groups of 30. Determine the best marketing plan (live vs. grid).
Group 1 (30 head) These Angus*Limousin (black) steers weigh 1400 lbs. The cattle are expected to have a dressing percentage of 64% with above average muscling and marbling while remaining lean (Choice, YG2, 1.2 sq in/100 lbs REA).
Live: 1400 x 2.05 = 2,870
2,870 x .64 = 1,836.80
Discounts: 0.00, 0.00, -6.00, -15.00
C.V: 305 - 6 - 15 = 284
2.84 x 1,836.80 = 5,216.51
- The best marketing plan would be a grid because you would make roughly 3,000 more dollars compared to a line marketing plan. Sell by carcass
Group 2 (30 head) These Angus*Hereford heifers (black baldies) weigh 1250 lbs. The cattle are expected to have a dressing percentage of 60% with below average muscling but superior marbling and are a little fat (Prime, YG4, 1.0 sq in/100 lbs REA).
Live: 1250 x 2.05 = 2,562.5
2,562.5 x .6 = 1,537.5
Discounts: 30.00, -12.00, -6.00, -15.00
C.V: 305 + 30 – 12 – 6 -15 = 302
3.02 x 1,537.5 = 4,643.25
- The best marketing plan would be a grid because you would make roughly 2,000 more dollars compared to a line marketing plan.
Group 3 (30 head) These Limousin*Brahman (red, multicolor) steers weigh 1650 lbs. The cattle are expected to have a dressing percentage of 64% with below average muscling and very lean both for backfat and marbling (Select, YG1, 1.0 sq in/100 lbs REA).
Live: 1650 x 2.05 = 3,382.5
3,382.5 x .64 = 2,164
Discounts: -15.00, 0.00, -6.00, -15.00
C.V: 305 – 15.00 - 6.00 – 15 = 269
2.69 x 2,164 = 5,821.16
- The best marketing plan would be a grid because you would make roughly 2,000 more dollars compared to a line marketing plan.
Where should you place an ear tag? Why?
In the middle of the 2 bumps in the ear. It is placed here because in the thinnest part of the ear and so the cattle can’t rip it out.
Where should you place a tattoo? Why?
Above the first bump in the ear from the top. It is placed here because it is the best place for legibility when reading the tattoo.
Describe cutting and the pros and cons that come with it
Describe: Removing the testes by removing the lower third of the scrotum with a surgical knife
Pro: No long-term pain, Minimal blood
Con: Painful during procedure
Describe banding and the pros and cons that come with it
Describe: Placing an elastic band around the scrotum. This cuts off blood flow causing the testes to fall off over time.
Pro: Minimal pain during procedure
Con: Longer to heal, Long-term pain
Describe emasculator and the pros and cons that come with it
Describe: Cutting the spermatic cord during surgical castration
Pro: Minimal bleeding
Con: Skilled practice, Possibility of teste retention
Describe emasculatome and the pros and cons that come with it
Describe: Crushing the spermatic cords of the testes while remaining inside the scrotum.
Pro: No open wounds, Bloodless
Con: Weight loss, Possibility of teste retention
According to Beef Quality Assurance, by what age should beef cattle be castrated?
6 months
Explain to someone outside the beef industry why beef cattle producers in the US castrate beef cattle.
Beef cattle producers castrate beef cattle due to a variety of reasons. One main reason is that Americans better desire the taste of a steer rather than a bull. This is caused by the reduced amount of testosterone within the cattle.
Calves at NC State are now tagged at birth. Discuss factors that may have influenced the management decision to tag calves at birth.
There are a variety of factors that may have influenced the management decision to tag calves at birth. One factor could potentially be to help with record keeping and tracking that calf’s data as soon as possible.
Why do some cattle, such as ours at NC State, have multiple forms of identification (ear tag, tattoo, brand)?
Some cattle have multiple forms of identification because some types of identification are not permanent. For example, NC State uses ear tagging and branding. Ear tagging is a temporary type of identification meaning that it won’t last forever. While on the other hand branding is more permanent and can be read more easily. It’s also better to have 2 different types of identification in case one type of identification fails.
Why would a beef producer utilize an estrous synchronization protocol (with natural mating or AI)?
A beef producer would utilize an estrous synchronization protocol to shorten the breeding/calving seasons and improve genetic selection within the cattle.
Describe progesterone
To maintain pregnancy, injection/seeder
Describe GnRH
Stimulates follicles, injection
Describe prostaglandin
Synchronize heat when crying, injection
Describe 3 tools to assist producers in estrus detection in beef cattle.
Nitrogen Tank, AI rod, Rod sheath
Why is accurate estrus detection critical in most artificial insemination protocols?
It is critical because it improves the chance of conception.
Define Donor and Recipient cows for Embryo Transfer.
Donor: The one where the eggs come from
Recipient: The one where the eggs go into
NC Cattle Company was excited to conduct embryo transfer for the first time with one of their superior cows. They worked with a veterinarian to synchronize a “donor” cow and 10 “recipient” cows so that they would be in estrus on the same day. On day 7 after breeding the donor, they arranged to have the veterinarian flush the donor an insert embryos into in the recipients. They successfully recovered 6 embryos to insert into recipients. NC Cattle Company really doesn’t want the 4 other cows to be open. Would there be any benefit for the veterinarian to AI those 4 cows at that time?
It would be beneficial for the vet to AI the other 4 cows. If the vet was already there with the supplies it would make more sense to just go ahead and AI the 4 cows so they aren’t left open for another season.
