Long Structured Questions Exam 1 Flashcards
In Ireland, breeds are separated into two (2) categories, this being British Beef Breeds and Continental Beef Breeds. These breeds are compared under the following traits: growth rate, maturity, carcase gain, conformation and killing-out percentage.
Under the traits above, discuss comparisons between the British Beef Breeds and the Continental Beef Breeds? (5 marks)
Growth rate - Up to about one year of age there is little difference in growth rate between the British and Continental breed types. From one year to slaughter Continental breeds have higher growth rates than British breeds.
Maturity - The British breeds - Hereford and Angus are early maturing i.e. they finish earlier but at a lower live weight. Average slaughter weights for Hereford and Angus steers are 530 kg and 500 kg live weight respectively. Continental breeds (Charolais, Simmental etc.) have higher growth rates, larger mature sizes and are classed as late maturing beef breeds. Continental breeds finish later than British breeds but at much higher live weights. Average slaughter weights for Continental steers range from Blonde D’Aquitaine 720 kg, Charolais 700 kg, Belgian Blue 700 kg to Simmental 680 kg and Limousin 650 kg.
Carcase gain - Continental breeds have better carcase gains per day than the British breeds.
British breeds are well suited to the moderate (rather than high) levels of feeding found on a high proportion of Irish farms. Continental breeds are better suited to high levels of feeding due to their higher growth potential and maturity.
Conformation - Continental breeds generally reach better conformation scores than British breeds. They have larger, more muscular, leaner bodies than the British breeds. A high
Proportion of Continental carcases grade in the higher conformation grades. However, in Ireland because such a high percentage of our beef comes from Friesian crosses it is quite possible to have continental cross animals in the lower conformation grades. Another important consideration when comparing breeds for conformation is the variation within a breed. In any breed there will be animals with above average conformation and below average conformation.
Killing-out percentage - There are sizeable differences between breeds in killing-out percentage. It is highest for Continentals KO% up to 50-58%, lowest for dairy breeds and intermediate for British beef breeds 46-50%.
- List and explain five (5) key management area’s that affect Economic Efficiency in Beef Production? (5 marks)
List and explain 0.5 + 0.5
Grass, Silage, Animal Husbandry, Buying and Selling Skills, Input Costs, System of Production
- Using the handout given, answer the following questions based on the following €uro Star Index for Crossmolina Euro, a pedigree Charolais bull:
i. This bull is most likely to be used for producing: (1 mark)
A) Replacement heifers or B) Weanlings for export
ii. Explain what you consider to be the main downside or weakness of this bull. (1 mark)
Calving difficulty – 13.30% Reliability of this is 99% too hard of a bull for cows and heifers
Daughter Milk -7.10kgs Reliability 87% high
List and explain 0.5 + 0.5
. Describe the ideal suckler cow including three (3) traits you would like her to have.
(3 marks) List and explain 0.5 + 0.5
Fertility- 0.95 calves/cow/year
Conformation- Top Grade E, U, R
Milk Yield- Produce enough milk to rear her calf well
Ease of Calving- should not contribute to calving
Docility- easy managed and safe to work with
Feed Efficiency- doesn’t have unnecessarily high feed demand
Cull Value- Having a high cull cow value will lower your replacement cost
Uniformity of Progeny/Calves-
(i) Explain what is meant by the term “Hybrid Vigour” in relation to breeding in the suckler herd? (1 mark)
Which is the ability of crossbred animals to surpass the average performance of their purebred parents.
Hybrid vigour influences a number of important traits associated with suckler beef production. These can be divided into reproductive and productive traits.
(ii) List two (2) traits that are improved by “Hybrid Vigour”? (1 mark)
Higher birth weights, better growth rates, better conception rates, better calf survival, lower cull rates, better calving rate, longer reproductive life, earlier age at puberty, shorter calving interval.
(iii) List and explain three (3) advantages of using Artificial Insemination (AI)? (3 marks)
No Expense on purchasing a bull, only superior bulls with high genetic merit used for AI, Selection of different breeds, allows a range of bulls to be chosen, eliminates danger of a bull on the farm, allows better matching of bulls to heifers/cows, allows for producing either terminal or replacement animals to breed.
- Describe in detail five (5) requirements/actions as part of the new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP)? (5 marks)
Farmers wishing to join the scheme must be a member of SBLAS, the Bord Bia Quality Assurance scheme by 16th Oct 2023 and must remain a member of SBLAS for the 5 year duration of SCEP. You must submit a BISS application each year. Participants in the scheme must also calve down at least 50% of their yearly reference number annually. There is also a requirement to attend a SCEP training course and an animal handling course by 15th November 2024.
Action 1 (Eligible Bull / Eligible AI): In years 1 & 2 80% of the yearly reference calves born must have being sired by a 4 or 5 star genotyped bull, either stock bull or AI. In years 3 & 4 this increases to 85% and in year 5 this target increases to 90%.
Action 2 (Female Replacement Strategy): Applicants must ensure that by the 31st October 2023 at least 50% of their yearly reference number are eligible females that are genotyped either 4 or 5 star on the replacement index. This increases to 65% by 31st October 2025 and increases further to 75% by 31st Oct 2027. Eligible females must be at least 16 months of age.
Action 3 (Genotyping): Applicants must genotype 70% of their yearly reference number each year e.g. an applicant with a reference number of 20 must genotype 14 animals. Genotyping will cost €20 per sample. Genomic samples must be submitted by 30th November each year.
Action 4 (Weighing and Submission of Weights to ICBF): In this action farmers must weigh at least 80% of the calves born on their farm along with their dams. Similar to the old BEEP-S scheme calves must be weighed with its dam on the same day. Calves must be un-weaned and a minimum of 50 days at weighing. All weights must be submitted by the 1st November annually.
Action 5 (Calving Details and Surveys): Similar to BDGP applicants will be required to complete a range of survey forms collecting data relating to calving details and calf and cow traits throughout the year. To complete this action fully, calves born in the herd must be kept o
