Final Flashcards
How many cows are in the “average” beef cow-calf herd in the United States?
44 cows
About how much of the total beef slaughter capacity is accounted for across the largest 4 packing companies?
88%
What is the capacity of the most common type of feedlots in the United States?
Less than 1000 head accounts for 2/3rd of the feedlots in the U.S.
What is the capacity of feedlots that account for the majority of cattle fed for slaughter?
Greater than 50,000
Define a stocker operation.
Stocker operations are operations where recently weaned calves are grazing pasture in order to increase their growth prior to sending them to finishing and slaughter.
Where are the majority of calves born in Missouri fed and slaughtered?
Out of state
Why does the “slide” exist?
The “price slide” occurs because cost of gain is less than the value of additional gain.
How many USDA thickness scores are used to grade feeder cattle and what score is the most desirable?
There are four USDA thickness scores used to grade feeder cattle and the score of 1 is most desirable.
Why are feeders heifers commonly sold at a discount relative to steers?
Feeder heifers are sold at a discount because heifers don’t get as big as steers, but they do weigh as much as a steer at a market. This means they have less potential of gain because a heifer’s mature body size is 100 pounds less than her steer counterpart. Thus, there is less overall gain available in a heifer then there is in a steer.
What are the USDA frame scores used in grading feeder cattle?
The USDA frame scores used in grading feeder cattle are large (premium), medium, and small.
What does the number of days per year feeding hay in a cow calf management system reflect?
An increase in the number of days feeding hay per year is the measurement of the relationship between forage productivity and forage demand of your cow herd.
How does mature cow body weight appear to influence 205 day calf weaning weight.
Cow body weight is not correlated with calf weaning weight.
What is harvest efficiency or forage utilization rate?
The proportion of feed harvested from your pastures that actually ends up in your cows mouth.
Generally, feeding hay compared to allowing cattle to continuously graze the same amount of forage from pasture cost about:
150% more
What are two examples of measures that can be used to determine productivity in a cow-calf management system?
1) . Pounds of calf/weaning weight
2) . Weaning weight as a percent of cow body mass
Illustrate the seasonal relationship between cow and intake requirements and forage production in a tall fescue system in the figure below. Clearly label each axis and lines
Image on phone
Describe how competition for feed influences diet selection among cows housed in a grazing system.
Increased competition decreases diet selectivity among the cows.
Decreased competition increases diet selectivity among the cows.
What is a realistic range in harvest efficiency among cows grazing pasture? Describe how one could influence harvest efficiency in grazing cows.
A realistic range in harvest efficiency among cows grazing pasture is 60 to 70%. A way to increase harvest efficiency in grazing cows is by implementing better grazing management practices.
What weight target expressed as a percent of mature body weight is a common goal for replacement heifers developed in intensive management systems?
65%
How does failing to obtain a pregnancy early in the breeding season impact a replacement heifers longevity within a herd?
if a replacement heifer fails to obtain a pregnancy early in the breeding season, it will decrease her longevity within a herd.
How does failing to obtain a pregnancy early in the breeding season impact performance of progeny born to replacement heifers?
Calves that are born earlier in the breeding season are heavier at weaning. Thus, by failing to obtain a pregnancy early in the breeding season it decreases the performance of progeny born to replacement heifers because they will be smaller at weaning.
How does extensive vs. intensive development of heifers influence pregnancy rate in replacement heifers?
The extensive vs intensive development of heifers does not have much of an influence on pregnancy rate in replacement heifers. The percentage difference between the pregnancy rate on a drylot (intensive) versus a range (extensive) was only 2%.
How are heifers commonly selected for development as replacements in intensive vs. extensive heifer development programs?
With intensive development they are maximizing probability of pregnancy in every heifer deemed worthy. In this case, it is the producers phenotypically selecting the biggest and the prettiest replacement heifers. Then, they do everything they can to get as many pregnant as possible. In contrast, with extensive development it is a systems approach in which the bulls and the environment will select better heifers than the producers. In this case, the producers are going to keep more of the replacement heifers around, develop them all, and let the bulls and the environment select them. The replacement heifers that become pregnant are the ones being selected.
Match each factor with the number that most closely reflects the percent it impacts profit in fed cattle.
Feeder Price
Feed Conversion
Corn Price / Feed Price
Fed Price
34%
6%
10%
42%
What factor or variable most influences carcass profitability?
Hot Carcass Weight (HCW)
Why do pay weight and dressed weight differ in a close out or harvest sheet?
Dressed weight is the carcass weight as it hangs on the rail. Pay weight is the weight for which you get paid, taking into account premiums or discounts. The pay weight is not the actual weight of the carcass. We get premiums when we beat plant averages and we get discounts when we fall below plant averages.
What is the purpose of heavy weight discount in grid pricing structures for beef carcasses?
The purpose of heavy weight discounts in grid pricing structures for beef carcasses is because heavy weight carcasses affect the ribeye size. If the ribeye size is too big then grocery stores and restaurants will have to decrease the thickness, which is not good for cooking.
What is the primary disadvantage to purebred beef cattle breeding systems?
There is not as much heterosis (hybrid vigor) achieved as compared to other breeding systems. Thus, there is not as much gains in weaning weight in the offspring.
What are some of the challenges to operating a Roto – terminal crossbreeding system?
It is usually the most labor and management intensive breeding strategy. Another challenge is that because you need at least three different breeds of bulls, you will need at least three different pastors.
What is the greatest challenge to a terminal crossbreeding system?
They cannot retain any of the replacement heifers and have to send all of their calves to market. This is because they are sired from a terminal sire and have terminal characteristics which are not desirable in replacement heifers. Thus the producers have to purchase all new replacement heifers which is costly.
What defines a beef cattle breed?
Animals that through selection and breeding closely resemble one another and pass their shared traits uniformly to offspring
How do British and continental breeds of beef cattle generally differ from each other?
British breeds of beef cattle have maternal characteristics (eg increased milking ability) while continental breeds of beef cattle have terminal characteristics (eg larger carcass)
What is the largest current operating expense to cow-calf operations beyond feed cost?
Cow replacement
What is the most effective tool in identifying when to divest from a cow or heifer?
Pregnancy diagnosis
What are at least two factors that contribute to replacement cow cost in a cow calf production system?
1) . Pregnancy – if a cow is open you need to cull her
2) . Performance – if a cow is not performing well you need to cull her
Other than to create a calf each 12 months, why do breeding season’s often have to essentially remain the same year over year?
Because they are tied to the forage.
What impact does the use of reproductive technologies have on calving distribution in a beef herd?
it shortens the calving distribution
What is the primary advantage offered by timed artificial insemination protocols in comparison to other artificial insemination protocols?
It reduces the overall labor involved when carrying out this process, because it eliminates Estrus detection.
How do you artificial insemination protocols that include progestins influence puberty and cycling in heifers?
They cause the heifers to sync up more uniformly with the rest of the hard.
What are two advantages of using artificial insemination protocols to breed beef cattle in comparison to natural service?
1) . It prevents STIs
2) . It is safer for the employees to not have bulls on the farm
Name 4 saleable products generated by a cow calf enterprise.
1) . Calves
2) . Bred heifer/ bred cow
3) . Three in one (pregnant female with her calf by her side)
4) . cull cow
What are two advantages of breeding heifers to calve 21 to 30 days prior to the cow herd?
1) . It gives the employees time to focus solely on the heifers since the heifers and cows will not be calving at the same time. This is important because the heifers are more labor-intensive
2) . It gives the heifers extra time to recover from the birthing event so they can achieve a pregnancy in line with the rest of the cow herd.
What are two general management activities that should be completed at the same time as weaning?
1) . Pregnancy check cows and market according to your plan.
2) . Body condition score all females
When should cattle be treated for biting lice?
Month 9 (November)
Ideally, when should Calves be vaccinated and dehorned?
As soon as possible after their birth.
What depth of snow can mature cows typically grace through?
They can graze up to 8 inches of snow.
Define an animal unit equivalent
It is considered one mature non-lactating cow weighing 1000 pounds and fed at maintenance level
What does an animal unit equivalent represent
The forage requirements of the cow
The relationship between the number of animals and total area of land in one or more units utilized over a specifiied time is what?
Stocking rate
The maximum stocking rate that will achieve a target level of animal performance in a specified grazing system that can be applied of a defined time without deterioration of the grazing land is what?
Carrying capacity
The relationship between animal live weight and forage mass per unit area of the specific unit of land being grazed at anyone time is what?
Grazing pressure
The relationship between the number of animals and total area of the specific unit of land being grazed at any one time is what?
Stocking density
The relationship between forage mass and animal live weight per unit area of a specific unit of land being grazed at any one time is what?
Forage allowance
True or false
Maximum individual animal outputs are only achieved when stocking rate is within the optimal zone.
False
Maximum individual animal outputs are only achieved when stocking rate is BEFORE the optimal zone
What is intensive early grazing
A method that uses high grazing pressure during the initial restricted period of the grazing season, followed by total livestock removal for the remainder of the season to allow for rest and recovery of the forage.
What is needed to determine the size to which paddocks should be constructed in a rotational grazing system?
You need to determine the DM requirements per animal, the number of animals, and the days on pasture.
What is a challenge to a put and take grazing system?
You have to have a sacrificial area to put the animals.
Name at least one method that can be used to increase forage utilization in a continuous grazing system that does not require any additional fencing materials.
One method could be moving mineral blocks around the pasture (and away from the water sources) in order to get a more uniform grazing.
How are the number of paddocks needed in a rotational grazing system calculated?
(Days of rest/days of grazing) +1
What is a management strategy that can be used to prevent over or under feeding of animals.
Divide the herd into different groups based on nutritional needs.
What are three factors that can influence nutrient requirements of cows?
1) . Physiological state
2) physical work
3) . Environmental conditions
About what percent of nutrient requirements needed to produce beef are needed to support the Dam/cow?
70%
About how much of a total annual cow cost are reflected in feed cost alone?
65 to 80%
In general, what are the primary objectives of every cow calf producer for their cows?
Their objectives are for their cows to produce a healthy calf and they are also focused on the longevity of their cows
How is profit calculated at the most basic level?
Revenue – expenses = profit
List three types of genetic selection or advancement cow/calf producers can use. Is genetic selection worth it?
The three types are weaning weight, birth weight, and milk yield.
The general belief is that genetic selection is not worth it because it is reflected in the cow and not the calf.
What are two ways to feed the calf? In what scenario is feeding the calf worth it?
Two ways to feed the calf are by creep feeding and early weaning
Early weaning is worth it if the calf is born from a heifer, you’re running low on forage, or you are going to cull the cow.
Generally creep feeding is not worth it
What technology consistently increases calf value?
Implanting young suckling calves
What percent of operations with less than 50 cows use calfhood implants
9.8%
Describe five variables that influence nutrient requirements of cows.
Physiological state, physical work, environmental conditions, body weight, genetics.
What is an effective method for determining if cows are meeting there nutrient requirements across time?
Body conditions scoring is an effective method for determining a cows are meeting their nutrient requirements over time.
What are three challenges associated with measures of body condition scores and cattle?
1) . BCS is subjective
2) . BCS is only representing one period of time
3) . With BCS, you have to have a good definition of the relationship between bodyweight and animal size. You’ll have to understand this can change with pregnancy status and hair coat.
What are two factors that can influence birth weight in calves?
1) . Sire Genetics
2) . Undernourishment
True or false
Typically, fall born calves have heavier birthweights than spring born calves in a fescue based grazing system
false
Typically, fall born calves have LOWER birthweights than spring born calves in a fescue based grazing system
How does feeding fescue hay influence birth weight in comparison to feeding stockpiled tall fescue to cows in the last trimester of pregnancy?
Cows fed tall fescue have a 10% increase in birthweight compared to cows fed fescue hay.
What is the primary goal in supplementing ruminally degradable protein to cows fed forages with low amounts of protein?
Feeding cows RDP will provide their microbes with extra nitrogen, which is needed since they are being fed feed with low protein. Now the microbes can continue fermenting the feed.
What are two examples of feed ingredients that can be used to provide supplemental protein to cows?
1) . Plant protein meals (DDGS, SBM)
2) . Non- protein nitrogen (urea)
Illustrate the growth in fetal mass for sheep and for cattle below clearly label each axis and each curve
About how many calves die prior weaning each?
6%
About how many calves that die, die within three weeks of birth.
2/3rds
What are three management techniques that can be done to a cow to improve calf mortality?
1) . Provide proper cow management and nutrition during pregnancy
2) . Prepare for calving problems
3) . Detect calving early to catch problems
What are three management techniques that can be done to a calf to improve calf mortality
1) . Monitor calf vigor
2) . Ensure colostrum intake
3) . Prevent cold and heat stress
Which is typically more variable in sale pricing of calves, spring or fall calving herds?
fall calving herds
Is there typically large differences in sale prices between calves born to spring or fall calving cowherds?
No, there’s typically not large differences
List 4 management practices that can be used to increase the sale price of calves by producers within any region of the US
Use proper weaning programs, use a specific breed of cattle (ie Angus or red Angus), have a larger lot size, and buy cattle from a specific region that increases the sale price of calves
In what region of the US are calves typically sold at a discount in comparison to all other regions of US
The southeast region of the US has calves typically sold at a discount.
What are four consequences of lactic acidosis in beef cattle?
Abscessed livers, poor feed intake, reduced growth, and diarrhea
What are four factors that can influence day to day bunk scores
Temperature,
status of implants,
differences in the timing of bunk delivery,
changes in the number of bump deliveries.
When adjusting feed calls how can you prevent errors in response to various factors that may influence day to day bunk scores?
You need to average your bunk scores over three days to prevent any errors
What is bunk inventory and why is it important to consider when delivering feed to cattle?
It is a score of 0 to 4 and it consist of the averages of your herds daily intake over the span of three days. It is important to consider when delivering food to cattle because it allows you to recognize just how much to feed them. This way you are not underfeeding or overfeeding your cattle, which could lead to lactic acidosis. The perfect score is 1/2.
What disease complex does a 5 way vaccine provide immunity against?
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD)
What disease does a 7-way vaccine provide immunity against?
clostridia
About what percentage of cattle in stocker, backgrounder, or feedlot operations are impacted by subclinical and clinical respiratory disease?
About 50%
What is metaphylaxis
Anti-microbial Treatment of a cohert even if there are no outward signs of illness. Treating with anticipation of illness
When do newly received cattle typically begin to show signs of morbidity?
After 14 to 21 days
How can you test for BVD and why is it important?
You can use a PCR test through an ear notch to test for BVD. It’s important because it can show you which cows are patient zero. These are the animals not showing signs of the disease, but who are carriers and can pass it through their feces..
What are three ways in which sick stocker calves can be treated
1) . With drugs administered by syringes in the neck
2) . Feeding the drug
3) . Remote drug delivery (dart guns)
What will newly received cattle commonly do shortly after arrival to a pen?
They will pace the perimeter of the pen after arrival. They also will be too stressed to eat.
About how many dart shots from a dart gun fail to deliver the entire dose of medication?
26%
What impact does rapid rates of gain during the stocker/backgrounder phase have on hot carcass weight?
It causes hot carcass weight to decrease.
What impact does rapid rates of gain during the stocler/backgrounder phase have on cumulative average daily game?
It causes an increase in the cumulative average daily game.
What role do stockers/backgrounding play in the rate of national beef production?
They help to stabilize national beef production by keeping the rate about the same throughout the year.
What is the phenomenon that occurs when calves that are malnourished prior to weaning experience when they are weaned and provided nourishment in amounts to support their genetic potential for growth?
Compensatory growth
If all cattle were fed at a high plane of nutrition throughout their lifetime then how would this influence United States beef production?
It would make the beef production curve look like the calving distribution curve
Has this stocker/backgrounding phase increased or decreased or stayed the same across the last 20 years?
Increased
