Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which breed is known for having a high kill-out percentage and difficulty calving?
Which breed is known for having a high kill-out percentage and difficulty calving?
- Hereford
- Charolais
- Aberdeen Angus
- Belgium Blue (correct)
Hereford cattle are characterized by a black coat and a white face.
Hereford cattle are characterized by a black coat and a white face.
False (B)
What is the ideal fat score in cattle confirmation?
What is the ideal fat score in cattle confirmation?
3
The ____ is a grading system for cattle confirmation where E represents the best.
The ____ is a grading system for cattle confirmation where E represents the best.
Match the following breeds to their characteristics:
Match the following breeds to their characteristics:
Which breed has a finishing weight of 700 kg?
Which breed has a finishing weight of 700 kg?
Limousine cattle originate from Switzerland.
Limousine cattle originate from Switzerland.
How often is the ICBF Euro Star Index updated?
How often is the ICBF Euro Star Index updated?
Study Notes
Aberdeen Angus
- Originates from Scotland
- Black coat and skin
- Naturally polled
- Small-medium size
- Low growth rate
- Lean carcass
- Finishing weight: 500 kg
Hereford
- Originates from Herefordshire, England
- Deep red coat, white face, and underside
- Good confirmation, strong muscles
- Easy calving
- Early maturing
- Finishing weight: 530 kg
Belgium Blue
- Originates from Southern Belgium
- Double muscle gene
- High kill out percentage
- Difficulty with calving
- Finishing weight: 700 kg
Charolais
- White or cream in color
- Fast growth rate
- Good confirmation
- Difficulty calving due to blocky confirmation
- Finishing weight: 700 kg
Simmental
- Originates from Simmen valley, Switzerland
- Red and white coat with a white face
- Dual purpose breed
- Good beef and milk traits
- Finishing weight: 680 kg
Limousine
- Originates from France
- Reddish-brown coat
- Slender bodies
- High muscle to bone ratio
- High fertility
- Easy calving
- Finishing weight: 650 kg
Confirmation
- Refers to the shape of the animal
- EUROP grading system: E represents the best, P represents the worst.
- Grading focuses on width and shape of:
- Shoulders
- Back
- Roundness of the hindquarters
- Fat classification: 1-5, ideal score is 3
Suckler Beef Production
- Limousine, Charolais, and Simmental are the most important breeds used in suckler production
- Suckler calf has a better average daily gain than a dairy calf
- 80% of suckler herds in Ireland are spring calving herds
- Productivity is improved by:
- Selecting replacement heifers
- Avoiding calving difficulties
- Controlling disease
- Low mortality rates
ICBF Euro Star Index
- Developed by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation in conjunction with Teagasc
- Used to select the most profitable animals for breeding
- Updated three times a year after a genetic evaluation
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Description
Test your knowledge on various beef cattle breeds including Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, and Charolais. This quiz covers their origins, characteristics, and finishing weights. Learn about unique traits and uses of each breed in about ten questions!
