Cattle Industry Flashcards
name the mother and father cattle
Father: Sire
Mother: Dam
what is a heifer?
a cow that has never calved before or for the first time.
what is a bull?
a sexually mature male
what is a cow close to calving?
Springer
what is a fresh cow?
cow just calved that is about to start producing milk
what is a suckler herd?
a weaned herd
what are feeder cattle
herd just before slaughter that require more food for growth
what is a feedlot
an enterprise were cattle are fattened for slaughter
how much does it cost to rear a dairy heifer?
£1300
what is the purpose of the red tractor scheme?
Monitor animal welfare
track food safety and traceability
check the environment
describe the features of an extensive production system
outdoor grazing (housed during winter)
low input low output
larger methane footprint
describe the features of an intensive production system
housed indoors
high productivity
lower costs
food provided
how much lying and loafing space should a cow have in loose housing
7.5m2 lying
3m2 loafinh
how many hours per day do cows lie down
14h
how large should calf pens be
1.5m2 to 3m2
how many times an hour should ventillation change in a calf pen?
4x/hour
when should a dairy calves get its 1st ear tag
up to 36h
when should beef calves get their 1st and 2nd ear tag
up to 20 days
when should dairy calves get their 2nd ear tag?
up to 20 days
when should dairy and beef cows apply for their passport
up to 27 days
what are nutrients used up 1st for?
basal metabolism
what is a siliage clamp?
a bulk of food piled up outside
what are the benefits of a total mixed feed?
Optimises intake, minimises rumen PH changes
allows flexibility in food type
correct nutrient intake
how many hours a day do cows spend cudding?
10h
what are some problems of total mixed ration?
may be weighed incorrectly
over mixing gives a small chop length so eating is harder
metal wire contamination
what is cattle sward height
over 3cm
what is the role of a vet in cattle farming?
prevent spread of disease
emergency work
preventative medicine
work with feed advisers
asses farm management
what type of beef are farmed on intensive systems
barely beef (dairy cows)
Veal
what is the aim of calving per cow per year
1 calf per year
how long is a cows gestation period?
9 months (283 days)
how old are cows when they are weaned?
12 weeks old
when are calves slaughtered for veal?
18-20 weeks
what do you feed veal cows
milk formula (no solids)
what are the different veal cows?
white veal - continental
rose veal - uk
what is a castrated male called?
Steer/ Bullock
