Farming with different ruminant animals

Question 1

What is a polled animal

Answer 1

Livestock without horns in species which are normally horned

Question 2

What is colostrum

Answer 2

The first form of milk produced by the animals immediately after birth

Question 3

3 major groups of beef cattle farmers

Answer 3

• Commercial beef producer: Uses high technology and synthetic breeds.
• Emerging beef cattle farmer: Owns or leases land and uses indigenous crossbred or exotic animals.
• Communal beef cattle farmer: Farms on communal grazing land and uses mostly indigenous cattle types.

Question 4

3 main types of beef production in SA

Answer 4

~ cow-calf production
~ Purebred breeding - produce bulls for cow-calf operation
~ Slaughter cattle production - cattle from cow-calf system are fattened for slaughter

Question 5

Name 5 common beef breeds in SA

Answer 5

Afrikaner
Bonsmara
Sussex
Beefmaster
Nguni

Question 6

What is prime beef produced from

Answer 6

young well-fed cattle

Question 7

What are the 6 milk-producing provinces in SA

Answer 7

KwaZulu-Natal
Western Cape
Central highveld
Free state
Central Eastern Cape
Southern Eastern cape

Question 8

What do diary farms in SA focus on

Answer 8

Raising female cattle for milk production

Question 9

What happens to male calves on diary farm

Answer 9

They are sold for veal production

Question 10

Where is the milk on diary farms processed

Answer 10

It may be processed on-site or transported to a dairy for processing

Question 11

What do dairy farmers grow for their cattle

Answer 11

Corn
Alfalfa
Hay

Question 12

What are important factors for livestock farming

Answer 12

Supply of feed and water
Enviromental factors:
rainfall, sun hours, temperature, and sol types

Question 13

What is an important consideration when planning dairy farming

Answer 13

Distance to the market, as fresh milk is a perishable product

Question 14

What are popular milk cattle breeds in SA

Answer 14

Friesland
Jersey
Ayrshire

Question 15

Examples of dual breed cattle

Answer 15

Milking shorthorn
Brown Swiss
South Devon

Question 16

why is rearing calves difficult

Answer 16

Calves are easily excited and stressed

Question 17

What are the 4 phases of calve feeding

Answer 17

1. Colostrum (3-4days)
2. Pre-ruminant (3-20-30days)
3. Transition (liquids and dry feeds)
4. Post-weening stage (dry feeds)

Question 18

What are common sheep in SA

Answer 18

Merino
Dorper
Hampshire
Dorset horn

Question 19

Describe the workflow of sheep shearing

Answer 19

1. Remove the wool
2. Throw the fleece onto the wool table
3. Skirt, roll and class the fleece
4. Place it on the appropriate wool bin
5. Press and store the wool until transportation

Question 20

Why is goats milk better than cow milk

Answer 20

It is higher in protein and minerals

Question 21

The 7 goat breeds recognized by the Improvement Act No.62 of 1998

Answer 21

Angora - mohair production
Boer - meat production
Kalahari Red - meat production
Savanna - meat production
Saanen - milk production
Toggenburg - milk
British alpine - milk