Chapter 3 Flashcards
- What is the target Average Daily Gain (ADG) for a continental cross suckler male calf from birth to weaning?
1.2Kg
. What is the target Body Condition Score (BSC) of a spring Suckler cow at calving?
What is the recommended bull: cow mating ratio for a mature bull at breeding?
What type of ration is the most important for finishing cattle?
Explain what is meant by biological efficiency?
List two (2) breeding targets for the Suckler cow?
A calf per cow per year and a 10 to 12 week calving spread
What are two (2) advantages of a bull beef production system?
When does compensatory growth occur?
When calves are young, particularly in the first 6 months of life. They will retain that extra weight for the rest of its life. If young calves on milk do not gain weight during the first 6 months there is no compensatory growth later in life to make up for this lack of thriving.
List two (2) disadvantages of Artificial Insemination (AI)?
List two (2) heat detection aids used in Suckler herds using Artificial Insemination (AI)?
Tail painting and transponders.
. A calf needs to eat _____________ kg of dry matter to produce 1 kg of live weight gain?
1-2kg
What does the acronym ‘I.C.B.F.’ stand for?
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation
What are the two (2) most common mineral deficiencies in suckler herds?
Magnesium and copper
What is the total amount of livestock manure (in kgs) that can be applied in nitrogen (N) per hectare in any calendar year before applying for derogation?
170kg nitrogen per hectare.
What are two (2) main parasites that can cause serious problems in calves during their 1st summer grazing at grass?
Hoose/Lungworm
Stomach Worms
. Is the following statement True or False. “The recommended replacement rate in a Suckler herd is 30%.”
False. It is 20%.
List two (2) common traits associated with replacement index used by ICBF?
- What are two (2) advantages of a spring calving system?
- What are two (2) advantages of using a stock bull running with cows during the breeding season?
Allows the bull to pick up on any cow showing silent hears.
Allows the bull to pick up any cow that is not holding to AI.
. Describe best practice when weaning a suckler calf?
Age at weaning. There should be a minimum of 7 months of a suckling period to maximise milk production from summer grass.
Cow condition. Aim should be to have a body condition score of 3 at weaning.
Suckler calves should gain 1.1-1.3 kg I’ve averaged from birth to weaning.
- Is the following statement True or False. “FCE” stands for Food Conversion Efficiency”.
True.
- “A weanling offered silage ad-lib will consume approximately 0.75 tonnes of silage per month or 3.75 tonnes over a five month winter’’. Is this statement true or false?
True.
Two disadvantages of a beef bull production?
Two disadvantages of a beef bull production?
List two advantages of artificial insemination (AI)
When does 90% of Grass grow?
From 1st April to the end of September.
How many days should a farmer aim to have cattle on grass?
230-240 days. On wet ground -220-230 days.
What is the goal in Suckler Calf Production?
What is Hybrid Vigour?
What should the ideal Beef suckler cow have?
The advantages and disadvantages of Crossbred Cows?
What to do when replacing heifers?
What are the breeding targets for Suckler Cow?
