cattle production systems

Question 1

what needs to be recorded on the cattle tracing system CTS

Answer 1

cattle births, deaths and movements

Question 2

explain intensive systems

Answer 2

• mainly housed
• food brought to them
• increased productivity
• reduced cost of production
• smaller methane foot print

Question 3

explain extensive systems

Answer 3

• outdoor grazing system
• housed part of the year
• farming grass, not animal
• lower input, lower output
• larger methane footprint

Question 4

describe the size loose housing should have?

Answer 4

7.5m squared/ cow lying space
3m squared/ cow loafing space

Question 5

how many cublicles should there be ad a percentage?

Answer 5

100%, ideally 110%

Question 6

what bedding can you use in cubicles?

Answer 6

• sand
• wood shavings/dust
• straw
• paper
• green
• bedding

Question 7

how long do cows lie down for in the day?

Answer 7

14 hours

Question 8

how long do cows sleep for in a day?

Answer 8

4 hours

Question 9

how long do cows drowse for in a day?

Answer 9

8 hours

Question 10

how many times for dairy cows lie down and rise?

Answer 10

16x a day

Question 11

what does lying time and number of lying down periods depend on?

Answer 11

• age
• oestrus cycle
• health
• weather
• quality of bedding
• type of housing
• stocking density

Question 12

how much space should calf pens have?

Answer 12

1.5m squared, ideally 3

Question 13

what are nutrients used for?

Answer 13

• basal metabolism
• activity
• growth
• basic energy preserves
• pregnancy
• lactation

Question 14

largest stomach?

Answer 14

rumen

Question 15

what volume can the reticulorumen take?

Answer 15

150-200L

Question 16

what percentage of rumination occurs lying down?

Answer 16

63-83%

Question 17

how many hours do cows forage for in a day?

Answer 17

9 hours

Question 18

how many hours do cows eat in the day?

Answer 18

5 hours

Question 19

how many hours of the day is spent ruminating

Answer 19

9-11 hours

Question 20

describe an intensive systems access to feed

Answer 20

should be easy to reach
- fresh food
stimulates cows to eat meaning more production and less bullying
- should be 60cm/row, every 10cm/cow increase lowers SCC

Question 21

how many hours a day should be cudding

Answer 21

10 hours

Question 22

what Is TMR stand for?

Answer 22

total mixed ration

Question 23

what is TMR

Answer 23

• all the food is mixed into one wagon and distributed to the cows

Question 24

positives of TMR

Answer 24

-optimises feed intakes
- minimises rumen ph changes
- gives greatest flexibility in number and types of feed given

Question 25

problems of TMR

Answer 25

• incorrect weights of feed
• overmixing giving chop length
• metal wire contamination

Question 26

what sward length can cattle not graze from?

Answer 26

under 3cm

Question 27

when are dairy cow generally grazed from in an extensive system?

Answer 27

spring to autumn

Question 28

chop length of storing feed?

Answer 28

2-3cm

Question 29

what beef heard is usually in an extensive system?

Answer 29

beef suckler herd

Question 30

talk through the process of a beef suckler herd?

Answer 30

• cows calve in spring or autumn
• born on farm, reared by mother until weaned (suckler cow)
• calves start to wean around 12 weeks but will continue to feed from mother also
• calves brought indoors with mother during winter
• separated from mothers around 9 months, ready for cows to calve again
• turned out in the pasture in the spring for finishing, or finished on grain whilst housed
• slaughtered around 18 months

Question 31

where are barely eef slaughtered?

Answer 31

10-12 months

Question 32

what 2 types of veal are there and what is the difference?

Answer 32

• white veal: reared on milk formula/ no solids, slaughtered at 18-20 weeks, continental
• rose veal: reared on solid food and formula, slaughtered under 9 months old, UK

Question 33

role of vet in cattle farming?

Answer 33

• prevent disease
• preventative medicine and health plans
• regular visits and part of farm management