Feeds and Feeding Exam 3

Question 1

What are the production goals of cow nutrition?

Answer 1

1. Maximize % calf crop weaned
2. Minimize calving interval

Question 2

What is the BCS scale used for cattle?

Answer 2

1 to 9 scale
1 being extremely thin and 9 being obese

Question 3

What are the 4 stages of production in beef cattle?

Answer 3

1. Early lactation
2. Early gestation
3. Mid gestation
4. Late gestation

Question 4

How are nutrient requirements affected in beef cattle?

Answer 4

by the stage of production
milk production
body condition
cow size
age
weather
physical activity

Question 5

This stage is short, but a critical period. It involves calving, peak lactation, preparation of re-breeding, and transition from winter feeding to pasture.
You want to feed high quality feeds until pasture is available and the BCS should be a 5 at breeding

Answer 5

Early lactation

Question 6

This stage is generally in the summer for spring calving herds. Requirements start to decline –> milk production is going down and there is minimal fetal growth

Answer 6

Early gestation

Question 7

This stage is a period of the lowest nutrient requirements because there is no lactating and minimal fetal growth. During this time you want to feed cows to maintain BCS and body weight and it may be beneficial to sort into smaller groups. The target BCS for mature cows is 5. Advantages that can be gained during mid-gestation are regaining body condition lost from lactation and opportunity to use poor quality, inexpensive forages

Answer 7

Mid gestation

Question 8

This stage is a period of increasing nutrient requirements for exponential fetal growth. Feed cows to maintain BCS of 5 at calving. Do not reduce nutrition to minimize calving difficulty! Feeding time can affect calving time - feeding at noon and 10 pm can decrease the number of cows calving overnight

Answer 8

Late gestation

Question 9

Matching cows to forage resources depends on ___ and ___

Answer 9

Forage supply and nutrient demand