ANSCI 101: Beef Cattle Production
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Questions and Answers

What is the finishing phase in cattle production?

  • The time when cattle are raised on grass only
  • The final feeding stage before reaching market weight (correct)
  • The stage where cattle are bred for reproduction
  • The period after giving birth to the first calf

    • At what age do cattle typically reach market weight?

  • 18-22 months (correct)
  • 12-15 months
  • 24-30 months
  • 30-36 months

    • What is the weight range for cattle when they reach market weight?

  • 1400 to 1600 lbs
  • 1000 to 1200 lbs
  • 800 to 1000 lbs
  • 1200 to 1400 lbs (correct)

    • What distinguishes grass-fed beef from feedlot beef?

    <p>Grass-fed beef is raised primarily on pasture forages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a first-calf heifer?

    <p>A female that has just given birth to its first calf</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term refers to female cattle that are not currently producing milk?

    <p>Non-lactating beef cows</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes purebred cattle?

    <p>Cattle with recognized breed lines over many generations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a seedstock operation?

    <p>To produce purebred cattle for genetic improvement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term is used to describe a castrated male bovine?

    <p>Steer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the primary diet of stockers before entering a feedlot?

    <p>forage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what age are stocker cattle typically sent to a feedlot?

    <p>12 to 16 months</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following breeds is known for being polled?

    <p>Angus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary distinction between suckling calves and veal calves?

    <p>Dependency on their dam for nourishment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What color is most commonly associated with the Charolais breed?

    <p>White</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical weaning age for most beef calves?

    <p>6 to 10 months</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which beef production system is characterized by breeding programs for genetic improvement?

    <p>Seedstock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is crucial for the profitability of cow-calf and stocker operations?

    <p>Availability of inexpensive feed sources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical daily weight gain for cattle on a high energy diet in finishing operations?

    <p>2.5 to 4 pounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What commonly used identification method is employed for individual cows?

    <p>Plastic ear tags</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a common reason for culling cattle from a herd?

    <p>Marketing for premium prices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In feedlot operations, how are cattle typically fed?

    <p>Twice a day with communal feeding space</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of a cow-calf operation?

    <p>To produce and raise one calf per year per cow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the operation where younger calves are raised while grazing on inexpensive feed sources?

    <p>Backgrounder Operation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines fed cattle?

    <p>Steers and heifers fed concentrates in a feedlot</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is culling in the context of cattle management?

    <p>Removing an animal from the herd for health or production reasons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What specific age range applies to a calf in cattle terminology?

    <p>From birth to one year of age</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a feedlot (or finishing) operation?

    <p>Cattle are raised in group pens and fed a high-energy diet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'feeders' refer to in cattle terminology?

    <p>Weaned calves ready to be moved to feedlots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key feature of a bull in cattle production?

    <p>A sexually mature male bred for reproductive purposes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of a cow-calf operation?

    <p>To produce one calf per cow per year</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what age are female calves typically bred for the first time?

    <p>15 months of age</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical weight range for calves at birth?

    <p>60 to 100 pounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of the feedlot operation?

    <p>To increase body weight and add marbling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long do feeder cattle typically stay in a feedlot?

    <p>90 to 180 days</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of beef cattle's digestive system?

    <p>They can digest fibrous plant materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to steer calves and heifers not kept for breeding?

    <p>They enter stocker operations between six and twelve months</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the weight range of cattle at market readiness in the feedlot?

    <p>1,200 to 1,400 pounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Cattle Terminology

    • Backgrounder operation involves raising weaned steer and heifer calves to 12-16 months while grazing inexpensive feeds, developing lean muscle before entering feedlots.
    • Bulls are sexually mature male bovines used for breeding, while beef cattle are specifically raised for meat production.
    • A cow-calf operation aims to produce one calf per cow annually, typically with a gestation period of about nine months, from birth to weaning at 6-10 months.
    • Culling refers to removing animals from a herd for health or production issues, ensuring herd efficiency.
    • Feedlot operations confine beef cattle on high-energy diets, lasting 90-180 days, to reach market weight (1,200-1,400 lbs) at 18-22 months of age.
    • Finishing period denotes the final feeding stage before cattle reach market weight.
    • Grass-fed beef comes from cattle raised mainly on pasture rather than concentrated feed, emphasizing a natural grazing system.

    Beef Cattle Breeds

    • Angus is popular, hornless, adaptable, and comes in black and red varieties.
    • Brahman, known for heat tolerance and insect resistance, is a zebu breed imported from India.
    • Charolais is a white French breed known for its size and meat quality.
    • Hereford features a red coat with a white face, originating from southern England, and has horned and polled varieties.
    • Limousin is another French breed recognized for its lean meat.
    • Santa Gertrudis, developed in Texas, comes from breeding Brahman bulls with Beef Shorthorn cows, thriving in harsh climates.

    Production System and Life Cycle

    • The four types of beef production systems are cow-calf, backgrounder, feedlot, and seedstock.
    • Cow-calf operations typically produce calves for breeding or meat, requiring each cow to raise one calf annually.
    • Backgrounder operations take calves at 6-12 months, providing forage until they reach 12-16 months before entering feedlots.
    • Feedlot operations finalize cattle growth through high-energy diets, creating market-ready animals within a defined finishing period.
    • Seedstock operations focus on producing purebred cattle for genetic improvements in specific breeds.

    Feeding

    • Beef cattle are ruminants with multi-compartment stomachs that digest fibrous plants through symbiotic bacteria.
    • Profitability in cow-calf and stocker operations depends on affordable feed, primarily grasslands.
    • Finishing diets in feedlots consist of high-energy cereal grains, promoting growth rates of 2.5-4 pounds per day.
    • Cattle in feedlots are fed twice daily with constant access to water through troughs or automatic systems.

    Housing

    • Cattle on cow-calf and stocker operations are primarily raised outdoors, receiving shelter during bad weather.
    • Feedlots confine cattle to maximize feed intake, with pens often having dirt floors and provided bedding.

    Identification

    • Animal identification is crucial for traceability in disease management, with plastic ear tags being the most common method.
    • Alternative identification methods include Brucellosis tags, hot-iron branding, ear tattooing, and electronic IDs or microchips.

    Culling

    • Reasons for culling include health issues, production problems, infertility, or economic factors that necessitate herd reduction or market adaptation.

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    Description

    This quiz covers Chapter 2 of ANSCI 101 focusing on beef cattle production. Key topics include cattle terminology, breeds, production systems, feeding, and housing. Test your knowledge on the essentials of managing beef cattle effectively.

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