Exam 2 - beef Flashcards
segmented beef cattle industry
each phase has a new owner - animals are sold as they from one phase to another
seedstock producers
purebred animals with particular characteristics that may be more/less desirable for particular producers
fecundity, size, carcass characteristics, etc.
sell to commercial producers
commercial producers
sell animals to the marketplace for consumption
use diff breeds and production practices to meet marketplace demands
grain-fed, grass-fed, organic, etc.
yearling stock operations
convert grass –> weight
feedlots
grain –> beef
feed cattle for weight gain prior to slaughter
packers
processing
beef production
size
geographic location
small herds = largest # operations, require supplemental income
large herds = small # operations, primary source of income
feedlots in highplains TX, OK, CO, KA, NE, IO = dust problem; central states
beef cattle producers are ______
price takers
beef production cycle
seasonal breeders?
gestation?
cycle takes a full year
not seasonal breeders - sesonality schedules for feed and marketing
gestation 283 days
flow of animals through cow/calf production system
calving period - April-June =cheaper/easier to feed
breeding - june-aug
weaning - october
lactation april-october
when is energy demand the highest
lactation/breeding
advantages of short breeding season
short calving season
less labor
less calf disease
improved return to breeding
more uniform weaning weights
____ is the largest of the world’s land
grazing
finished cattle
ready for slaughter
non-fed cattle
sent to slaughter after culled (removed from herd)