The cattle industry

Question 1

Pre-weaning calf

Answer 1

period of weaning from 8-10 weeks, GIT transition from monogastric to ruminant

Question 2

Heifer

Answer 2

female bovine that will calf for the first time

Question 3

Steer/Bullock

Answer 3

male bovine that has been castrated

Question 4

Bull

Answer 4

entire sexually mature male

Question 5

Springer

Answer 5

Cow/Heifer that is close to calving

Question 6

Transition cow

Answer 6

within the period of 3 weeks pre and 3 weeks post calving

Question 7

Fresh cow

Answer 7

cow that has recently given birth and is beginning to produce milk

Question 8

Dry cow

Answer 8

dairy cow that is no longer producing milk- usually pregnant and have a dry period of 60 days before calving

Question 9

Free martin

Answer 9

female twin of a bull that is usually infertile

Question 10

Cow calf operation

Answer 10

management unit that maintains a breeding herd of cows and produces weaned calves for sale

Question 11

Feeder cattle

Answer 11

those that require more growth/ fattening before slaughter

Question 12

Feedlot

Answer 12

beef cattle enterprise where cattle are placed in confinement, fed harvested feeds then put to slaughter

Question 13

Finished cattle

Answer 13

fed cattle that are now ready for slaughter

Question 14

What is required for organic cattle production?

Answer 14

Free-range, fewer pesticides, more strict rules regarding antibiotic usage- reduced production of both meat and milk

Question 15

What is the farm assurance scheme?

Answer 15

Red tractor scheme, accepted by most farmers- they monitor what consumers value the most from their food

Question 16

What are intensive systems?

Answer 16

Mainly housed, food is brought to them, increases productivity, there is reduced cost of production and smaller methane foot print

Question 17

What are extensive systems?

Answer 17

Outdoor, grazing-based system- Housed part of the year (late autumn to end of winter, farming grass not animals- lower methane foot print

Question 18

What are the benefits of cows lying down?

Answer 18

resting, rumination and increased milk production due to increased blood circulation through the udder

Question 19

How much loafing space do cows require?

Answer 19

3m2

Question 20

How much lying space do cows require?

Answer 20

7.5m2

Question 21

How much cubicle space do cows require?

Answer 21

minimum 100% of their size, ideally 110%- loafing area is 120%

Question 22

What are nutrients used for?

Answer 22

Basal metabolism, activity, growth, pregnancy, lactation

Question 23

What is the volume of the reticulorumen?

Answer 23

150-200L

Question 24

How long do cows spend in natural grazing condition?

Answer 24

4 to 9 hours a day,

Question 25

what should the stocking density of the cubicles be like?

Answer 25

one cow per cubicle or less any more reduces lying time and increases aggression and abnormal behaviour

Question 26

What are the benefits of intensive systems when it comes to feeding

Answer 26

Food is easy to reach, decreases bullying and stimulates cows to eat

Question 27

What is total mixed ration?

Answer 27

all food is mixed into a wagon and distributed out, it optimises feed intakes and decreases rumen pH changes, problems can be incorrect weights of feed, overmixing and short chop length

Question 28

When are dairy cows generally grazed?

Answer 28

From spring to autumn, dry to avoid poaching

Question 29

Beef Suckler herds

Answer 29

cows calve in spring/autumn calves born on the farm are reared by mother until weaned Weaned at 12 weeks Slaughtered at 18 months

Question 30

What are the 4 sections that beef production can be separated into?

Answer 30

Pedigree breeding herds, Commercial beef suckler herds, young stock rearing herds and fattening units

Question 31

Pedigree breeding herds

Answer 31

used in commercial beef and dairy herds which breed and rear animals for slaughter

Question 32

How many cattle are there in the UK?

Answer 32

9.4 million

Question 33

How many dairy farms are there in the uk?

Answer 33

13,200

Question 34

How many beef farms are there in the UK?

Answer 34

26,000

Question 35

What is the average price of a dairy heifer?

Answer 35

1500

Question 36

What are the key points surrounding organic cattle production?

Answer 36

At pasture whenever the conditions allow for it, no antibiotics/ fertilizers- reduced production but higher market value

Question 37

How do you test for bovine tB?

Answer 37

Skin tests or gamma tests

Question 38

What are some common issues in cattle nutrition?

Answer 38

* Diet not mixed/feed correctly. * Element of formulation has changed (usually silages). * (composition/palatability of silage is different to the one used for calculation of diet)

Question 39

What is the space needed for a cubicle?

Answer 39

minimum 100%, ideally 110%

Question 40

What is the legal requirement for space in a calf pen?

Answer 40

1.5m2, ideally should be 3m2

Question 41

What are the benefits of feeding in groups?

Answer 41

Social facilitation, higher feed intake and less growth variation

Question 42

How much rumination activity occurs whilst lying down?

Answer 42

63-83%

Question 43

What is an example of an extensive system?

Answer 43

Beef suckler herds

Question 44

What is an example of an intensive system?

Answer 44

Barley beef or veal

Question 45

When does most feed activity occur?

Answer 45

Once re-entering the parlour

Question 46

When do beef calves become weaned?

Answer 46

12 weeks

Question 47

When do beef caves leave their mothers (sucklers)

Answer 47

9 months

Question 48

What does the Red Tractor scheme measure?

Answer 48

Food safety, Food welfare, Traceability and environmental protection

Question 49

What are some farm accreditation schemes?

Answer 49

Action Johne's, BVD Free, BVD Eradication policy, Premium cattle health scheme

Question 50

What is DEFRA responsible for?

Answer 50

responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy.

Question 51

What is APHA responsible for?

Answer 51

- safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy.

Question 52

What kind of disease is TB Primarily?

Answer 52

a chronic respiratory disease

Question 53

What are the two ways you can test for TB?

Answer 53

Blood test, Gamma test

Question 54

How many cattle were killed with TB Last year?

Answer 54

37000

Question 55

What is the minimum length grass needs to be for a cow to graze it?

Answer 55

3cm

Question 56

What are beef cows weaned on if they are spring born?

Answer 56

Grass

Question 57

What are beef cows weaned on if they are autumn born?

Answer 57

Creep Feed

Question 58

When are barely beef cows usually slaughtered?

Answer 58

around 10-12 months

Question 59

What happens to spring born calves in the commercial beef suckler unit?

Answer 59

Weaned at 8-9 months, then either sent to a finishing unit or kept on to become suckler cows

Question 60

What is the issue with young stock rearing units?

Answer 60

Taking calves from the dairy sector means it's harder to control biosecurity and it is more likely that there is an exchange of pathogens

Question 61

What are the 4 phases in a fattening unit?

Answer 61

Backgrounding, Transition, Growing and Finishing

Question 62

What are the benefits of castration?

Answer 62

Makes them easier to handle, better growth rates and better carcass quality

Question 63

When should you use anaesthetic when castrating cows?

Answer 63

When they are over 2 months, if they are under a week you can use a rubber ring with no anaesthetic

Question 64

How can you do disbudding in a calf?

Answer 64

Chemical cauterisation if they are under a week, anything else requires anaesthetic- should not be done over 2 months old