module 3-the range cow

Question 1

what is the range cow

Answer 1

its the foundation to a cow-calf operation

Question 2

what do cow-calf producers do

Answer 2

they maintain a herd of cows, breed them, raise the calves to wean, and sells the calves. Variations on this theme occur as some cow-calf producers keep the calves and background them before selling or they may finish them on the farm before selling. Alternatively, the producer may retain ownership and move the calves to feedlots for custom feeding but, essentially, the calves are the product of the operation. A portion of the heifer calf crop is retained to become replacement heifers either within the herd or for sales to other producers. Purebred operations will also retain bull prospects to be sold to other producers

Question 3

what are the goals of the cow-calf sector

Answer 3

(1) produce one calf per cow per year; (2) keep the calf healthy; (3) wean a large calf; and (4) minimize the inputs to achieve these objectives

Question 4

what must be done to be profitable in the cow-calf sector

Answer 4

In order to profitably produce the end product, the producer must meet the needs of the cow including nutrition, herd health and welfare through the various stages of her production cycle

Question 5

what is the average gestation period for a cow

Answer 5

The average gestation length for a cow is 283 days

Question 6

in Canada when does calving occur

Answer 6

On most Western Canadian farms and ranches, the calving season occurs between January and May

Question 7

what happens after calving for the cows

Answer 7

uterine recovery

Question 8

how long do cows need for uterine recovery

Answer 8

approximately 40 days

Question 9

when must cows be bread after calving

Answer 9

the cow must be bred within 82 days of calving to produce a calf every 365 days

Question 10

how long does a cow have to conceive

Answer 10

42 days

Question 11

how long are cows pregnant and dry

Answer 11

160 days

Question 12

how long are cows pregnant and lactating

Answer 12

123 days

Question 13

when do a cow’s nutritional needs increase

Answer 13

last 6 weeks of gestation

Question 14

when are a cow’s nutritional requirements lowest

Answer 14

immediately after weaning

Question 15

when are a cow’s nutritional requirements at their highest

Answer 15

three months following calving

Question 16

what age are calves weaned at

Answer 16

200 days

Question 17

what is critical to a producer’s bottom line

Answer 17

The weight of a weaned calf

Question 18

what can you tell about a cow by the weight of her weaned calf

Answer 18

provides a measure of the cow’s efficiency and how well the operation is meeting her needs.

Question 19

in western Canada when do most producers wean their calves

Answer 19

between September and November

Question 20

what does the winter feeding need to allow the cow to do

Answer 20

Winter feeding programmes need to supply the cow with sufficient nutrients for the final trimester of pregnancy to ensure she will be in good body condition following calving, enabling her to provide milk for the calf and be capable of rebreeding

Question 21

what can and what must be provided for the winter feeding programme

Answer 21

Harvested forage in the form of hay or silage, crop residues in the form of straw and grains or grain-processing by-products such as screenings may all be incorporated into the supplemental winter feeding programme. Supplemental minerals and vitamins should also be provided as needed

Question 22

what is swath grazing in the snow? what crops can be grown? what are the benifits?

Answer 22

Crops such as annual grasses and cereals can be grown and swathed to provide winter feed for cattle allowing them to continue grazing in the fields. Swath grazing reduces labour costs by eliminating all or part of the feed that has to be put up for the winter and lessening the amount of corral cleaning necessary after the confinement period.

Question 23

what do cows need to be healthy

Answer 23

feed must supply her with sufficient energy in the form of carbohydrates (cellulose from forage, starch from grain), protein (from forage, grain and oilseed meals), vitamins and minerals. She must also have access to a consistent supply of good quality water

Question 24

how much money does burising cost the cattle industry each year

Answer 24

bruising is estimated to cost the beef industry $10.5 million a year

Question 25

what is a way to reduce bruising in cattle

Answer 25

dehorning

Question 26

what are the benefits of castration

Answer 26

Castration reduces aggression and stress at slaughter

Question 27

what are animals stressed at slaughter referred to as and what is the meat like

Answer 27

dark cutters. meat from these animals is dark, firm and dry (DFD)

Question 28

how much money do dark cutters cost the beef industry

Answer 28

Dark cutters cost the beef industry $4.1 million each year

Question 29

what is genetic selection for productivity based on

Answer 29

Selection is based on (1) cow and bull fertility; (2) cow and bull size; (3) cow and bull growth rate; (4) cow milk production; (5) adaptability and hardiness; and (6) size and carcass composition of the calves

Question 30

how many calves can bulls sire

Answer 30

between 30 and 50 calves

Question 31

why is the selection of cows so important

Answer 31

is important because fifty percent of the feed required to produce a finished steer carcass is used to maintain the cow through pregnancy and lactation

Question 32

how much feed from a finisher calf is required to produce the carcass

Answer 32

around fifty percent

Question 33

what is the type of cattle a producer raises influenced by

Answer 33

influenced by climate; the available feed supply including pasture and range availability and supplemental feeding resources; and market demand

Question 34

what are the most commonly raised cattle in western Canada

Answer 34

the medium-sized British breeds; black Angus and Herford. the larger European breeds; Charolais and Simmentals

Question 35

do ranchers raise purebred or commercial cattle

Answer 35

Cow-calf producers may raise purebred or commercial (crossbred) cattle or they may elect to maintain both purebred and commercial herds in their operation.

Question 36

when a cow enters a feedlot what things are done for them

Answer 36

verification of id tag, Medication to prevent or control shipping fever (viral or bacterial respiratory diseases that may manifest when the animal is stressed), Vaccination, Treatment for internal and/or external parasites, dehorning & castration, Sorting into pen groups by gender, frame size, weight and age

Question 37

how big are feedlot calves when purchased

Answer 37

around 250 kg

Question 38

Production strategy for fall-weaned steers: backgrounding phase

Answer 38

feed to gain 1.0 kg/day to about 400 kg body weight (approximately 150 days)

Question 39

Production strategy for fall-weaned steers: finishing phase

Answer 39

feed to gain 1.5 kg/day to 500 to 600 kg slaughter weight (80 to 130 days)

Question 40

what food is fed at the feedlot upon entry & for backgrounding

Answer 40

80% forage and 20% concentrates (grain/protein meal supplements) with protein, mineral, and vitamin supplements as needed along with a consistent supply of good quality water

Question 41

what food is fed at the feedlot for finishing cattle

Answer 41

a gradual increase to finishing ration attained by increasing the grain/protein meal supplement to achieve a finishing diet of 80% concentrates and 20% forage

Question 42

When cattle enter a feed lot what are some common vaccines administered in canada

Answer 42

Vaccination for IBR, tetanus, blackleg, PI3, ITEME