Chapter 15 Flashcards
What is Integrated Resource Management (IRM)?
A concept that promotes a businesslike approach to production and finance management of livestock or poultry operations
IRM emphasizes doing the right thing at the right time to improve production and profits.
What is the basic philosophy behind IRM?
To improve production and profits by doing the right thing at the right time.
What are the general functions of an IRM team?
- Help the producer achieve production goals
- Set production goals
- Balance resources for sustainable production and profits
Who might be included in an IRM team?
- Veterinarians
- Producers
- University or extension faculty
- Industry representatives
- Accountants
- Lenders
What role does the veterinarian play as an IRM team leader?
Acts as an overseer, advising on animal health and financial management.
What is the responsibility of an IRM team coordinator?
To build the team by recruiting appropriate members according to the producer’s needs.
What are the implications of IRM in veterinary practice?
Veterinarians gain a broader perspective on health management and are viewed as providers of complete health management programs.
What is the primary purpose of dehorning in livestock?
- Improve appearance
- Reduce injuries from fighting
- Increase feeder space
- Improve value as a feeder animal
At what age are dehorning procedures preferably performed?
At birth or before 3 months of age.
What is a non-invasive method of dehorning?
Using a chemical paste or stick of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
What does surgical dehorning involve?
Using a dehorning spoon or tube to cut through the skin and scoop out the horn button.
What is a Burdizzo used for?
A bloodless method for castrating calves by crimping the spermatic cord.
What is the purpose of castration in livestock?
- Prevent mating or fighting
- Improve carcass quality
- Calm the animals
What is docking in livestock?
The practice of cutting the tail off an animal.
What is the primary reason for docking tails in pigs?
To improve appearance, increase hygiene, and reduce tail biting.
What are the recommended positions for restraining animals during castration?
- Calves: on their sides
- Pigs, lambs, and kids: on their backs
- Older beef cattle: in a squeeze chute or head gate
What is the final step in livestock marketing?
The point at which the farmer or rancher realizes a profit or loss.
What are public auction markets?
Locations where animals are sold under the USDA Packers and Stockyards Act.
What is the process of consignment sales?
Public auction markets open only to certain kinds or classes of animals.
What is video marketing in livestock sales?
A method that utilizes satellites to transmit prerecorded video images of livestock to bidders.
True or False: The veterinarian’s role in IRM is limited to providing medical services.
False.
What is the primary advantage of using video marketing for selling livestock?
Lower charges compared to auction barns and the ability to sell uniform cattle in truck load lots
Video marketing is mainly utilized in the cattle industry for stockers, feeders, and replacement cows and heifers.
What are private treaty sales?
A direct method of marketing where sellers choose the highest bid among all offers
Commonly used for finished livestock sales to processors and breeding livestock.
What is order buying in livestock marketing?
A method where a buyer or seller places an order for livestock to be purchased or sold, often using local auction barn sales
Order buyers operate under the Packers and Stockyards Act and are more common in feeder and slaughter livestock segments.
True or False: Auction barns require the least planning and risk for livestock marketing.
True
What is preconditioning in livestock preparation?
The process of immunizing and working calves before weaning, including deworming, dehorning, and branding
It aims to reduce stress and disease risk at weaning.
At what age should calves ideally be vaccinated for the best immunity against disease?
2 to 3 months of age and again 3 weeks before weaning
What are the two methods of branding livestock?
- Fire brand
- Freeze brand
What is the purpose of dehorning cattle?
To reduce injury to other cattle and ease handling in chutes
Dehorned cattle tend to bring higher market prices.
Fill in the blank: The process of feeding calves for 21 to 45 days after weaning is known as _______.
[backgrounding]
What is the goal of backgrounding calves?
To prevent suppression of immunity and gain weight before shipment
It minimizes the risk of sickness and death.
What does marking sheep and goats include?
- Castrating
- Debudding
- Docking
- Tattooing
Why is processing pigs shortly after birth important?
To minimize stress and injury among littermates during competition for food and space
What is the best method for collecting semen from bulls and stallions?
Artificial vagina (AV)
What is the purpose of maintaining sanitation during semen collection?
To preserve the quality and viability of sperm
Bacteria and poor handling can damage sperm.
What is the role of an electroejaculator?
To stimulate ejaculation by sending electrical impulses to the male’s accessory sex organs
What factors affect the choice of semen collection method?
- Individual animal
- Person collecting
- Cost and availability of equipment
What does macroscopic evaluation of semen assess?
- Color
- Volume
- Consistency
- Presence of pus, blood, or debris
What does microscopic evaluation of semen measure?
- Sperm motility
- Sperm concentration
- Sperm morphology
What is the color of semen typically described as?
White, or gray in color
What does the consistency of semen indicate?
Sperm concentration
A thick creamy consistency indicates a high sperm concentration, while a thin watery consistency indicates a low sperm concentration.
What are the key parameters evaluated during microscopic observation of semen?
Sperm motility, concentration, and sperm morphology
What happens to sperm motility as temperature decreases?
Sperm motility decreases
What is the normal motility behavior of sperm in an ejaculate?
Most sperm should swim in a straight forward motion
What are the two main types of sperm defects?
Primary defects and secondary defects
What are primary defects in sperm?
Defects originating in the testicle during spermatogenesis
How are abnormal sperm categorized?
Into primary defects and secondary defects
What is the purpose of extending semen?
To dilute semen for insemination or storage purposes
What is a common example of an extender used in semen processing?
Egg yolk-phosphate, egg yolk-citrate, tris, homogenized milk, or cream
What is the importance of cooling the semen-extender mixture slowly?
To prevent cold shock and preserve viability
At what temperature must semen be stored to prevent damage?
Below -130 °C
What process involves submersion in liquid nitrogen for semen storage?
Cryostorage
What must be done quickly during the thawing of frozen semen?
Remove the straw or pellet quickly from the liquid nitrogen tank
What is the definition of artificial insemination?
Placing semen into the vaginal end or uterus of a female by a method other than physical sexual contact
What is the economic benefit of artificial insemination for producers?
Access to superior sires without ownership
What was a major breakthrough in the preservation of semen?
The discovery that semen could be deep-frozen with glycerol
What is the temperature at which all semen is stored today?
Minus 320 °F
What is a significant challenge in freezing semen from species other than cattle?
Limited success in freezing semen from boars, stallions, toms, and roosters
What is estrous synchronization?
Treatment of cows with a drug so that most show heat within 3 to 5 days after treatment
What is the first step in the artificial insemination of mares?
Collect semen from the stallion using an artificial vagina
How long can stallion semen be stored?
24 to 48 hours
What is the process of inseminating a mare?
Inseminating tube is threaded into the vagina toward the uterus
What is the typical duration of embryonic and fetal development in cows?
275 to 290 days
What is rectal palpation used for in cattle?
To examine the reproductive tract for breeding soundness and pregnancy maintenance
What is the reproductive cycle of a cow referred to as?
Estrous cycle or heat cycle
What are the two components of an ejaculate?
Sperm and semen
What is the role of the corpus luteum in the reproductive cycle?
Maintains early pregnancy
What is the purpose of external palpation during bull breeding soundness evaluation?
To examine the size of each testicle and epididymis
What determines the size and texture of the ovaries?
Touch
Touch also assesses the presence of ovarian follicles and corpus lutea
What tool is used to determine the readiness to breed heifers?
Reproduction tract scores (1 = infertile, 5 = cycling)
These scores help assess readiness for natural or artificial insemination
What is evaluated during the breeding soundness examination of a bull?
External palpation of each testicle and epididymis for size, texture, and temperature
Accessory sex glands are also examined for abnormalities
How is pregnancy determined in cattle?
By palpation or ultrasound to verify the presence of an embryo or fetus
Size of the vesicle, uterine horn, and fetus determines the stage of pregnancy
What is dystocia?
A difficult delivery during the birthing process
Commonly seen in first-calf heifers
What factors can influence calving ease?
Breed, sex, and calf conformation
The single best correlation with dystocia is calf birth weight
What are the three terms used to describe the birthing process?
Presentation, position, and posture
These terms indicate the orientation and alignment of the fetus during delivery
What are the three stages of normal parturition?
- Stage 1: Cervical dilation
- Stage 2: Expulsion of the fetus
- Stage 3: Expulsion of the fetal membranes
Duration and signs vary for each stage
When should intervention be practiced during calving?
If stage 1 labor exceeds 6 hours or if stage 2 labor shows signs of abdominal pressing for 2 hours without fetal presentation
Professional assistance should be obtained if progress has not been made after 30 minutes of intervention
What is the best method to prevent brucellosis contamination during calving assistance?
Thoroughly cleanse the perineum before examining the birth canal
Use antiseptic soap and water to reduce contamination risk
What type of lubricant is recommended when assisting a cow in dystocia?
Petroleum-based jellies or solid cooking compounds
Water slurry made with baby-clothes detergents can also be used
What should be the first concern after delivering a calf?
To determine if the calf is alive
Checking for a heartbeat or a blinking reflex on the eyeball are methods to confirm life
What is the purpose of weaning calves?
To allow the dams to gain weight and improve body condition
This prepares them for the next birthing and nursing season
What is the typical age range for weaning calves?
5 to 9 months of age
Timing may vary based on pasture conditions and the health of the cows
What is creep feeding?
The process by which feed is available free choice to calves while preventing cows from accessing it
Creep feeding helps calves adjust to eating feed before weaning
What is the impact of stress during weaning on calves?
It predisposes them to illness and disease, especially respiratory diseases
Newly weaned calves often show signs of respiratory distress
What are key components of production records?
- Individual animal inventories
- Breeding and calving dates
- Percent of calf crop born
- Carcass data
- Net income and feed costs
Production records vary depending on the species of livestock
What is the purpose of accurate record keeping in livestock operations?
To support successful business operations
Up-to-date production and financial records are crucial for management
What types of information should be tracked by livestock producers?
Weaning, growing, finishing, births, sales, deaths, health management practices
This includes basic inventory records.
What identification system is used for recording and inventorying animals?
Tags, brands, ear notching, tattoos
This system may also provide sire and dam information.
What is a registration number in the context of purebred animals?
A number assigned by the breed association identifying the breed and registration date.
What should all record information related to livestock include?
Date and association with the individual animal.
What types of veterinary examinations should be recorded?
Pregnancy testing for females, breeding soundness for males.
What are some types of birth records to be maintained?
Calving, farrowing, lambing, kidding, foaling.
What factors might be included in growth to weaning records?
Health problems, intermediate measurements of weight or height.
How is growth rate of weaned animals determined?
Using the initial and final feeding period weight.
What is an important measure of efficiency of growth?
Amount of feed consumed by the animals.
What is the basis for price per pound in livestock?
Live weight or carcass merit.
How is net profit or loss calculated?
Subtracting costs (initial animal, feed, health treatment) from gross revenue.
What records can be summarized by sire group or dam group?
Production records.
What financial records should successful businesses maintain?
Animal, feed, equipment, budgets, cash flow, depreciation schedule, profit and loss statement, net worth statement.
What is the purpose of maintaining feed inventories?
To monitor feed use throughout the year.
What should be recorded regarding fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides?
Their use, location, and amount used.
Why is it important to keep production records?
To determine production levels and profitability margin.
What can financial records be used for besides tracking profits?
Income tax purposes, obtaining credit, guiding changes in livestock enterprise.
What is the first step in record keeping?
Daily accounting of activities in a notebook.
How can records be summarized?
On a weekly or monthly basis.
What is a recommended method for maintaining records?
Using a computerized system or handwritten notes.
What should be done with daily records in case of an emergency?
A duplicate or electronic backup copy should be maintained.
What do production records generally deal with?
Animals or crops that are raised and sold.
What do financial records indicate about a business?
Whether it is profitable based on net income.
Fill in the blank: Records can be kept on paper or on a _______.
computer spreadsheet.
