General animal husbandry: Breeds of cattle and reasons for keeping livestock

Question 1

What is the most popular temperate dairy breed?

Answer 1

Holstein Friesian

Question 2

Why are Holstein friesians do popular?

Answer 2

high production volume

Question 3

What temperate dairy breed produces milk with the highest fat and protein volume?

Answer 3

Jersey

Question 4

What are some examples of continental beef breeds?

Answer 4

Limousin, Charolais, Saler, Simmental

Question 5

What are some examples of british beef breeds?

Answer 5

Angus, Hereford, Beef shorthorn

Question 6

What are some examples of hill-type beef breeds?

Answer 6

Galloway, Highland, Luing, Welsh black

Question 7

What are some characteristics of temperate (Bos taurus) beef breeds?

Answer 7

• are larger
• are later maturing
• are leaner, with less intramuscular fat deposition, but higher killing out %
• have slightly less tender meat
• will produce more beef in a shorter time under ideal conditions

Question 8

What are some characteristics of tropical (Bos indicus) beef breeds?

Answer 8

• tend to have survival traits that dominate their production traits
• relatively resistant to ticks and flies
• generally later maturing than taurine cattle
• slightly less tender meat
• heat tolerant
• relatively tolerant of sub-optimal nutrition
• have a wider “flight distance” - ie tendency to be wilder, although are readily tamed in the same way as taurine cattle

Question 9

What are some reasons people may choose to keep livestock?

Answer 9

• prestigious investment that can be sold in an emergency
• draft power
• for sale
• milk
• meat

Question 10

What are the five freedoms?

Answer 10

1. freedom from hunger and thirst
2. freedom from discomfort
3. freedom from pain, injury or disease
4. freedom to express normal behaviour
5. freedom from fear and distress