Beef Quality Assurance

Question 1

What is the only vaccine in cattle that legally has to be given by a veterinarian?

Answer 1

Brucella due to the human health risk of the vaccine

Question 2

What is the only time that extra-label use of a drug is allowed?

Answer 2

If it is by order of a licensed vet and there is a valid VCPR

Question 3

If an animal is being used for meat, what administration should be used to administer medications whenever possible?

Answer 3

SubQ as it does not affect the quality of the carcass!

Question 4

In what location should injections be given in cattle?

Answer 4

Between the neck vertebrae, nuchal ligament and cranial edge of the scapula

Question 5

What gauge needle should be used to pull up thin medications vs thick medications?

Answer 5

18 ga for thin stuff, 16 ga for thick stuff

Question 6

What is the main cause of bent and broken needles?

Answer 6

Improper animal restraint
-causes pain to the animal and tearing of the muscle

Question 7

T/F: the beef quality assurance program encourages the use of darts

Answer 7

F - it is discouraged in almost every case- med delivery and absorption are highly variable and it is more likely to cause animal stress

Question 8

At what age should cattle be castrated?

Answer 8

0-3 months of age or at first handling/processing opportunity. The same is true for dehorning as this results in less tissue trauma

Question 9

What is a vital component of the beef quality assurance program that producers often overlook?

Answer 9

Pain mitigation- a lack of FDA approved products and higher costs make this difficult for farmers to implement

Question 10

What are the different options for cattle identification?

Answer 10

Plastic tag, RFID tag, freeze brand

Question 11

Name the residue avoidance strategies

Answer 11

ID all animals treated, record all treatments, follow label directions, separate injections by 4 inches, avoid ELDU, dont mix drugs in same syringe, check all records before marketing, dont use more than 10 ccs per site

Question 12

What is the most stressful event in the lifetime of cattle?

Answer 12

Transportation!

Question 13

What are some things to avoid when transporting cattle?

Answer 13

1. Squeezing too many animals into the trailer
2. Transporting animals that may become non-ambulatory during transport
3. Animals with BCS <2
4. Animals with conditions that will cause them to be unable to pass a pre-slaughter inspection at a packing or processing facility

Question 14

What is the goals of the beef quality assurance program in terms of grain vs forage?

Answer 14

The goal is for operations to be based mainly around pasture and harvested forages, but grain can occasionally be used to make up for deficiencies in forage quality or quantity

Question 15

Why are vitamins and minerals vital to the health of cattle?

Answer 15

1. They help form and maintain healthy tissues
2. They act as antioxidants
3. They allow for microbial synthesis of protein and energy
4. They allow for the maintenance of forage digestibility and electrolyte/fluid balance
5. They improve metabolic pathways and immune function

Question 16

Describe the Veterinary Feed Directive?

Answer 16

A rule that antibiotics cannot be used in feed animals without a written directive from a veterinarian (but over the counter products still exist)

Question 17

What does overstocking a pasture result in?

Answer 17

Water losses, reduced forage potential and vigor, more weeds, soil compaction, reduced animal performance

Question 18

What are the landmarks for gunshot euthanasia in cattle?

Answer 18

midline target half the distance between the top of the eye and the poll at the line between the ear base and horn base
- should be within 3 feet of target and muzzle should be perpendicular to skull