Overview of Production Flashcards
trend for canadian meat production based on species
relatively stable
why has there been a move to more lean meat sources
beef is more relatively expensive to produce
what is special about in indias role in beef cattle inventory
high numbers but doesnt produce much as religious constrictions have made beef sacred, systems are more extensive and grazing due to environment, breeds used are more slow growing
why is brazil able to be such a high exporter
export cheap lower quality beef, pushes high quality out of the industry
how much of canadian production beef is exported
45%
how can we make more money from the same amout of beef?
rising international beef prices
weaker CAD
where does canada export beef to ? (3)
USA, japan, mexico
what is the recent trend in exporting beef to japan
growing exports to japan
increasing importance in the market
atypical BSE
not a risk but countries will still blacklist imports
usually will blow over after a couple months and no more cases are seen but china has used as a political weapon to shut down the market
live vs slaughtered cattle exports
need to see if it mroe cost effective to sell for US to slaughter
proportions of live cattle exports
mainly to slaughter, small proportion to feeder
main time for exporting feeder cattle
feb to may
main trading partner both ways for canadian beef
USA
background vs stocker
backgrounding is in a drylot system while stocker is on pasture, both is slow growth of lean skeletal muscle
depends on time of year and supply of beef.
dealing with male calves from dairy operations
decreasing issue due to reproductive advances
crossbreeding with beef to solve issue
increasing demand for dairy to fill feedlots
main goal of feedlot
feed a finishing diet to fatten
use of skinny cows in a feedlot system
skinny cows are easy to pump through when they arent lactating, easy turnover
4 segments of beef industry
cow calf
stocker/background
feedlot
packer
explain integration of beef industry segments
packers are beginning to integrate so they can control the market with their own cattle and make the most profit. also allows to keep facility full at all times
% of the industry using conventional production system
90%
alternative beef production systems (marketing targetz)
grass fed
natural beef
certified organic
locally grown
bos taurus can be broken into
british breeds such as angus, hereford, shorthorn
continental breeds such as char, simm, lim, gel
british x continental
ideal for feedlots as have fast growth and heavy carcasses with high quality beef
typical feedlot in western canada
open lots with feed bunks, wind break fencing
works best when allowed to adapt to slow tempurature changes
typical feedlot in eastern canada
raised slatted floors for manure control, relies on high animal density to push shit through slats
typical western canada production cycle
calves born feb - june
weaned oct- nov at 6-8 months old
at weaning can go to feedlor or backgrounding depending on weight and frame size
trend in number of farms
decreasing
province with most head per farm and why
alberta at 253 as more acres available for farms, less city and industry competition, low quality land not suitable for cropping
3 reasons to cull
age, inefficiency, illness
what does tracking heifer numbers allow
predict next couple years cow population trends and therefore where cattle prices will be going
% of forage in a stocker/background feed
50-70%
weight target for stocker/background
want to get to 650-900lbs
can you feed grain when stocking
can but needs to be low fat content to promote slower growth
benefits of stocking
uniform animals
even distribution of calf crop throughout the year
grow small frame cows to finish at higher carcass weight
use of byproduct feeds in feedlot
depends on region, availability, and economic viability of use
average one time capacity of feedlots in ab or sk
10,000 animals
finishing diets are formulated to (5)
increase growth rate
increase feed efficiency
increase animal health
increase carcass quality
reduce costs
how does market influence what is fed
must match market desires (lean vs high marbling)
typical % body fat
28-29%
why has steer carcass weight increased over the years
tech advances
feeding better diets for more days, ligands to preserve feed efficiency
why is US carcass weight less than canada
environmental factors
souther US heat stress
trend in feedlot size and “market share”
larger feedlots hold majority of the market
