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
what is a way to reduce bruising in cattle
dehorning
what are the benefits of castration
Castration reduces aggression and stress at slaughter
what are animals stressed at slaughter referred to as and what is the meat like
dark cutters. meat from these animals is dark, firm and dry (DFD)
how much money do dark cutters cost the beef industry
Dark cutters cost the beef industry $4.1 million each year
what is genetic selection for productivity based on
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
how many calves can bulls sire
between 30 and 50 calves
why is the selection of cows so important
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
how much feed from a finisher calf is required to produce the carcass
around fifty percent
what is the type of cattle a producer raises influenced by
influenced by climate; the available feed supply including pasture and range availability and supplemental feeding resources; and market demand
what are the most commonly raised cattle in western Canada
the medium-sized British breeds; black Angus and Herford. the larger European breeds; Charolais and Simmentals
do ranchers raise purebred or commercial cattle
Cow-calf producers may raise purebred or commercial (crossbred) cattle or they may elect to maintain both purebred and commercial herds in their operation.
when a cow enters a feedlot what things are done for them
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
how big are feedlot calves when purchased
around 250 kg
Production strategy for fall-weaned steers: backgrounding phase
feed to gain 1.0 kg/day to about 400 kg body weight (approximately 150 days)
Production strategy for fall-weaned steers: finishing phase
feed to gain 1.5 kg/day to 500 to 600 kg slaughter weight (80 to 130 days)
what food is fed at the feedlot upon entry & for backgrounding
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
what food is fed at the feedlot for finishing cattle
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
When cattle enter a feed lot what are some common vaccines administered in canada
Vaccination for IBR, tetanus, blackleg, PI3, ITEME
