Beef Managment And Husbandry Flashcards
Breeding traits
Reproductive performance (fertility)
Weaning weights
Feed efficiency
Carcass quality
How fertility is measured
Should be at least ____ %for heard
Measured by % of calf crop weaned (calves per yr)
85% at least
Reproductive performance reflects
Fertility and mothering ability
Fertility has (low or high) heritability
Low
Weaning weight refers to
How big calves are at weaning (ab 6 months)
Weaning weights reflect a cows
Milk production and mothering ability
Weaning weights are measured by
The “205 day weaning weight”
6 months
Weaning weights are (high or low) in heritability
High
Breeding trait “feed efficiency” refers to
Pounds of weight gained per pounds fed
Feed efficiency goal
Less feed, heavier calves
Feed efficiency heritability is (high or low)
High
Carcass quality refers to
Yield amount of beef per carcass
Consumer palatability
Carcass quality heritability is (high or low)
High
Forms of beef breeding programs
Which is more common
Straight breeding- sell beef and breeding stock
Crossbreeding more common
Natural service breeding is more commonly used w _____ cattle
Why?
Beef
Beef are handled less than dairy, more wild, more difficult to AI
Beef are raised (one a pasture or in a barn)
Pasture
Beef management schemes
Cow-Calf operation
Stocker-yearling op
Feedlot or Feeder op
What kind of Beef management system
-cows with calves from birthing to weaning
Provider keeps cows in the calf yearly
95% have less than 100 cows
Cow-Calf op
What kind of Beef management system
-Buys feeder calves
raised to sell to feedlot
Stocker-yearling op
What kind of Beef management system
Finish for slaughter
Mostly commercial, large
70% feed over 1000 cattle
Feedlot or feeder op
What beef management schemes north east beef operations usually carry out
All 3
Beef cattle eat a diet high in
Why?
Concentrates
Adds fat and marbling
Soften muscle
What % of grain fed is not consumable by humans
20-40
Grass fed beef
Instead of being sent to a feedlot, farmers keep animals on pasture where they forage
Pros and cons of grass fed beef
Pros: less stress to animal, cheaper to raise, beef has less fat
Cons: lower quality grades, less marbling
