Agriculture Overview: Alexandria Station

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of observing best practice cattle handling techniques?

To improve environmental conditions

To enhance cattle breeding techniques

To increase cattle production

To ensure safety during handling (correct)

Which technique is essential for working cattle through yards?

Point of balance (correct)

Waiting for cattle to comply

Aggressive handling

Fluid movement

What should be included in a risk assessment for handling cattle?

All the potential hazards associated with handling (correct)

Health status of cattle

Available feed supplies

Weather conditions

What feature contributes to good yard design for handling cattle?

Appropriate fencing to contain cattle Signup and view all the answers

Which method helps minimize stress for cattle during handling?

Using parallel movement techniques Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about flight zones in cattle handling?

They are always the same for all animals Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of safe cattle handling that should be practiced?

Using flight zones to guide cattle Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of estimating breeding values (EBVs)?

To compare the traits of a particular animal to the breed average Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to engage in risk assessment before handling cattle?

It helps to identify and mitigate hazards Signup and view all the answers

Which production traits are typically recorded as EBVs?

Weight gain, fertility, and carcase characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What is a seedstock operation?

A cattle stud where breeding animals are managed Signup and view all the answers

In the context of cattle weight gain studies, what should be calculated if more than one animal is used per treatment group?

The mean weight gain for each group Signup and view all the answers

Why are stacked line graphs useful in analyzing weight gain over time?

They visually represent the rate of weight gain for each diet Signup and view all the answers

What could a researcher conclude if one diet resulted in significantly higher weight gain than others?

The diet's formulation is likely the most effective for growth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically a component of the BREEDPLAN database?

Real-time market price for cattle Signup and view all the answers

What was a key consideration in assessing the results of a weight gain study?

The initial weight of the animals in each group Signup and view all the answers

What type of data can NLIS tags be used to track aside from production data?

Health records Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of using a calendar of operations on a beef property?

It helps in planning activities and resource allocation. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of data management is NOT mentioned in relation to NLIS?

Financial investments Signup and view all the answers

What type of data would likely be included in the breeding history tracked by NLIS tags?

Pregnancy scanning data Signup and view all the answers

How does the calendar of operations assist farm managers?

By enabling advance planning of inputs and labor needs. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary hypothesis behind selecting for slower growth rates in certain cattle breeds?

Slower growing cattle would lead to smaller cows that consume less feed. Signup and view all the answers

Which group of Angus cattle had the fastest growth rates in the experiment?

Highlines Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the types of livestock that seedstock operators sell?

Bulls, cows, heifers, and embryos. Signup and view all the answers

When was the experiment that led to the development of Lowlines conducted?

1974 Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the study conducted by the NSW Department of Agriculture?

To evaluate growth rates in Angus cattle. Signup and view all the answers

Where were the herds for the Angus cattle experiment set up?

Trangie, Glenn Innes, and Hamilton. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Lowlines is true?

They originated from a 1974 breeding experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential benefit of selecting for smaller breeding cows?

They consume less feed, allowing for higher stocking rates. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for introducing Brahman cattle to Alexandria Station?

To reduce high calf losses Signup and view all the answers

What is the size of Alexandria Station in hectares?

1.6 million hectares Signup and view all the answers

What type of cattle did Alexandria Station originally run?

Shorthorn Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of Alexandria composite cattle?

They are crossbred from Shorthorns and Brahmans Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles do staff at Alexandria Station perform?

Stock handling and flying helicopters Signup and view all the answers

What particular issue contributed to the decline of Shorthorn cattle at Alexandria Station?

Low adaptability to the northern conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary products of Alexandria Station?

Chilled beef for domestic and export sales Signup and view all the answers

How many staff members are employed at Alexandria Station?

More than 50 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Alexandria Station Overview

Alexandria Station, situated on the Barkly Tableland in Northern Territory, spans over 1.6 million hectares, making it Australia's second-largest farm.
Approximately 70,000 cattle are raised on the station.
Owned by the Northern Australian Pastoral Company.

Cattle Breeds and Management

Originally used Shorthorn cattle, which were selected for longevity and ability to travel long distances.
Shorthorns struggled in northern climates due to:
- High calf loss rates.
- Cattle tick infestations.
Brahman cattle were introduced as they are more resilient to harsh Australian conditions.
Composite cattle, a hybrid of Shorthorns and Brahmans, are produced for chilled beef markets, both domestically and internationally.

Operational Aspects

The station operates two outposts and employs over 50 staff for various roles, including:
- Stock handling.
- Catering.
- Transportation (road trains and aircraft).
- Water supply monitoring and administrative tasks.

Cattle Handling Practices

Emphasis on best practice techniques for safe cattle handling.
Importance of communication and risk assessment in handling.
Key techniques include:
- Utilizing flight zones.
- Understanding point of balance.
- Implementing parallel movement to direct cattle.

Risk Assessment

Conduct assessments for cattle handling using detailed templates to ensure safety during activities.
Develop stacked line graphs to analyze weight gain over various diets and interpret results effectively.

Beef Seedstock and Breeding

Seedstock refers to registered breeding cattle used for genetic improvement in beef cattle.
Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) are used for evaluation, which includes traits like weight gain and fertility.
BREEDPLAN is the Australian database tracking these traits across different beef breeds.
Semen from high EBV bulls can be selected by commercial producers for breeding programs.

Lowline Cattle Initiative

Originated from a 1974 experiment aimed at investigating slow growth rates in Angus cattle, leading to the establishment of Lowlines as a recognized breed.
The hypothesis focused on potential benefits of slower growth leading to smaller, more feed-efficient breeding cows.
Three groups evaluated effects on carcass traits, productivity, and fertility:
- Lowlines (slower growth).
- Highlines (faster growth).
- Control group (random selection).

Data Management in Cattle Production

National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) tags maintain records of production, reproduction, and health data.
Essential for tracking cattle info like weight gain and vaccination history.
A calendar of operations aids in planning yearly activities on beef properties, including input purchases and labor needs.

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Description

Explore the vast expanse of Alexandria Station, the second-largest farm in Australia, located on the Barkly Tableland in the Northern Territory. This quiz will test your knowledge about its features, operations, and significance in the agricultural landscape of Australia.