Lecture 1 Flashcards
Define evaluation
The making of a judgment about the amount, number, or
value of something; assessment.
2 Types of livestock evaluation:
Terminal systems
- Butchers (estimate poundage per animal)
- Feeders (how much? when?)
Breeding systems
- Critical herd sire selection
Why has the selection criteria changed?
Standards have changed
When are where was the first international livestock exploitation?
- Chicago Union Stockyards (est 1866)
- Born from a great necessity
- Educational event for producers
What did the farm survey illustrate in 1899?
- Improved animal production was
necessary to prevent a period of scarcity of meats and unfertile soil - Livestock production was not keeping pace with the growing population
- Loss in export opportunities
When was the 1st Chicago international?
- December 1, 1900 (last 1974)
- Over 6,000 entries from around the country
- $75,000 in premiums (nearly $5,000,000 today)
- 600 classes of livestock
How was the first international judging contest?
Collegiate contest
Classes of
* Cattle
* Hogs
* Sheep
* Horses
(Oral Reasons)
What skills do students develop from being part of a livestock judging team?
Important for student development
* Communication skills
* Work ethic
* Networking
* Decision making skills
In todays world what does livestock judging do for the industry?
It gives a direction for the industry
* Reward producers for superior genetics
* Trends
What where cattle trends like in the 1900’s?
-slow growing
-moderate
-big bodied
-low to ground
What trends occurred in the 1940’s?
Breeders (cattle) set about to reduce
frame size
- Hasten maturity
- Increase fleshing ability
- Ability to finish at a younger age and
lighter weight - Trend continued until the late 1950s
- British-type breeds (cattle)
In the 1940’s- early 1950’s what ruined the purebread industry?
Snorter Dwaefism
-smaller than a frame 1
-Short Snorter
What was the problem with feed yards in the early 1960’s?
Feed yards unable to feed cattle
appropriately
- Weight
- QG
What was a huge milestone in 1965?
Yield Grade introduced
* Focused attention on overfat cattle coming out of the feed yards
Industry search begins:
* Shift the growth curve
* Current genetics not able to make any progress
* Charolais cross steers became popular
Why did the industry change in 1965’s?
Public perception/health concerns
INEFFICIENT PROCESS
* Inefficient use of feed resources
* Total production not meeting demand
- New research and prototypes
In the 1970’s what did the trend focus on in terms of cattle?
1970s trend focused on much larger framed cattle
- Continental explosion
- Charolais
- Limousin
- Simmental
- Chianina
Imported and growing in popularity
What was the average carcass weight of fed steers in the US from 1965-1989?
From 1965 to 1989, the average carcass weight of fed steers in the U.S. increased by 15%, from
646 to 742 lb
In 1973 who was the international championship?
- 1460 lb
- Lead to packer complaints about HCW
What was a problem with the continuing trend of these championing animals getting larger?
Many of the champions were too lean and lacked body and flesh
What weight was the 1980’s champion winner?
Dameron Linedrive
2527 lb at 32 months
Frame = 10+
As animals began increasing in size what where issues arising?
Problems with this Trend =
* Heavy carcasses
* Poor QG
* Calving difficulty
* Impaired fleshing ability
* Structure
* Longevity of breeding stock
What happened in 1987?
Excel specs
1270lb steer
Ideal muscle to finish composition
What did the frame decrease from in 1988-1994?
decreased from a 10 to a 7 (downsizing)
In 2001 what frame did the national championship hereford female have?
A frame of 6.3
In 2003 what frame size did the north american champion chianina female have?
A frame of 6
What are modern champions frame score?
A frame score of 5’s
What are modern day steers like?
Moderate steers
* Feed efficient
* Heavy muscled without compromising structure
* High QG
* Acceptable carcass weight
What are modern day steers like?
Moderate females
* Fleshing ability
* Moderate muscle
* Moderate mature cow weight
* Structural correctness
In modern times what is beef production seen as?
Efficient beef production in the cowherd
* Calve easy
* Wean off a heavy calf annually
* Breed back on time
* Reduced feed intake
Efficient beef production in the feedlot
* Fast growing/feed efficient
* Quality carcass
