module 3-the range cow Flashcards
what is the range cow
its the foundation to a cow-calf operation
what do cow-calf producers do
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
what are the goals of the cow-calf sector
(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
what must be done to be profitable in the cow-calf sector
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
what is the average gestation period for a cow
The average gestation length for a cow is 283 days
in Canada when does calving occur
On most Western Canadian farms and ranches, the calving season occurs between January and May
what happens after calving for the cows
uterine recovery
how long do cows need for uterine recovery
approximately 40 days
when must cows be bread after calving
the cow must be bred within 82 days of calving to produce a calf every 365 days
how long does a cow have to conceive
42 days
how long are cows pregnant and dry
160 days
how long are cows pregnant and lactating
123 days
when do a cow’s nutritional needs increase
last 6 weeks of gestation
when are a cow’s nutritional requirements lowest
immediately after weaning
when are a cow’s nutritional requirements at their highest
three months following calving
what age are calves weaned at
200 days
what is critical to a producer’s bottom line
The weight of a weaned calf
what can you tell about a cow by the weight of her weaned calf
provides a measure of the cow’s efficiency and how well the operation is meeting her needs.
in western Canada when do most producers wean their calves
between September and November
what does the winter feeding need to allow the cow to do
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
what can and what must be provided for the winter feeding programme
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
what is swath grazing in the snow? what crops can be grown? what are the benifits?
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.
what do cows need to be healthy
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
how much money does burising cost the cattle industry each year
bruising is estimated to cost the beef industry $10.5 million a year
