Beef Production Flashcards
Name some beef breeds
Angus, Belgian blue, Herefords, Limousin, Charolais
What’s the difference between a bull and bullock
Bull is uncastrated, bullock is castrated
What’s the current cattle population
7m
What is the dairy to beef system?
The taken of cattle from the dairy herd and using them for beef
When are spring and autumn born heifers/bullocks taken for beef
Spring born (J-M), heifer taken at 18mnths, Bullock @24mnths from house Autumn born (O-D), heifer taken at 18 mnths, bullock taken at 24 mnths from grass
Calf housing types
Individual penning - reduces risk of disease spread
Group housing - can cause more health problems
What are the spring and autumn calving times for beef suckler herd
Spring feb-april, utilise grass
Autumn aug-oct, calving at pasture lactating in winter, requires more feed
What is suckler beef production used for?
- Live exporters/beef finishers
- Kept and sold (over 90%) for beef (EU pay high amounts)
- Sold as replacement heifers for suckler herds
What weight should the calves used in suckler beef be at 22-25 months
730kg. 380-400kg carcass
What diet are suckler herds on to gain weight quicker?
Grass silage/straw and up to 90% cereal beef
What’s the most popular beef bull in Ireland? which one grows faster?
> 95% steers (castrated) in Ireland however Bulls grow faster and larger
When are bull beef finished?
Finished 12-16months, dairy calf to bull beef (250-280kg carcass), suckled calf to bull beef (320-370kg)
What are some problems of bull beef?
- Behaviour, more aggressive/restless
- Kept indoors from 12m old, small group size, electric fences overhead
- Dark meat cutting at slaughter
What % of cows have received AI at least once a year?
43%
What % of dairy cows and beef cows get pregnant from AI?
52% dairy cows
65% beef cows
