ANSCI 101: Animal Production and Economics (Chapter 2) PDF

ANSCI 101: ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ECONOMICS Celso S. Sto. Domingo, DVM Assistant Professor IV, College of Agriculture Bulacan Agricultural State College  Chapter 2. Beef Cattle Production  Chapter 2. OUTLINE Cattle Terminology Beef Cattle Breeds Product...

ANSCI 101: ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ECONOMICS Celso S. Sto. Domingo, DVM Assistant Professor IV, College of Agriculture Bulacan Agricultural State College  Chapter 2. Beef Cattle Production  Chapter 2. OUTLINE Cattle Terminology Beef Cattle Breeds Production System and Life Cycle Feeding Housing Identification Culling (Removal from a Herd)  Cattle Terminology Backgrounder Operation (also referred to as a ‘stocker’ or ‘grower’operation) A type of beef cattle rearing operation in which weaned younger/lighter weight steer calves and weaned heifer calves that are not being kept as future breeding cows are raised to about 12 to 16 months of age while grazing on inexpensive feed sources such as grass or other forages. Animals develop lean muscle mass and increased body frame/size prior to entering a feedlot while on these operations  Cattle Terminology Bull An intact, sexually mature male bovine that is intended for breeding purposes. Beef cattle Cattle that are intended for meat production. Calf A young bovine, either male or female, up to one year of age  Cattle Terminology Cattle Fed in Confinement for Slaughter It refers to beef and dairy breed cattle that are confined in group pens and fed a high-energy diet until the time of slaughter Cow-calf Operation A type of beef cattle operation with the purpose to produce calves that will become either future breeding cows or breeding bulls, or calves that will be raised for meat production. The goal of a cow-calf operation is to have each cow produce and raise one calf per year.  Cattle Terminology Culling Removal of an animal from a herd usually for health or production reasons Fed Cattle Steers and heifers that have been fed concentrates while on a feedlot. Feeders Weaned calves grazing pasture that have reached sufficient weight and maturity to go to a feedlot to be placed on a high energy ration for finishing; they are generally older, weigh more, and carry more condition (finish) than stocker cattle (‘stockers’).  Cattle Terminology Feedlot (or Finishing) Operation A confinement production operation in which beef cattle are raised to market (slaughter) weight while being fed high concentrate diets on a feedlot (or ‘feedyard’). The period of time that cattle are on a feedlot is referred to as the “finishing phase.” Cattle (heifers or steers in feedlots) typically remain on a feedlot from 90 to 180 days before being sent to a processing facility at 18 to 22 months of age. At which point the cattle will have reached ‘market weight’ and weigh approximately 1200 to 1400 lbs (545 to 637 kg).  Cattle Terminology Finishing Period The final feeding stage of cattle on a feedlot prior to animals reaching market weight. First-calf Heifer After giving birth to its first calf, a replacement beef heifer may be referred to as a first-calf heifer. Grass-Fed/Grass-Fnished Beef Beef that comes from cattle that have been raised primarily on pasture forages; also refers to cattle that are fed pasture forage as opposed to cattle that are raised on a feedlot being fed high concentrate diets  Cattle Terminology Heifer A female bovine from the time of weaning until the time of first calving. Lactating Beef refers to lactating beef breed female cattle that are nursing calves intended for meat production. Milk from lactating beef cows is NOT intended for human consumption  Cattle Terminology Market Weight The weight at which an animal is harvested for meat production. For beef cattle raised on a feedlot operation, market weight is typically reached at 18-22 months of age at 1200 to 1400 lb (545 to 637 kg). Non-Lactating Beef Cows Female beef cattle that had previously nursed calves, but which are NOT currently producing milk  Cattle Terminology Pre-Ruminant An animal with a rumen that is not yet anatomically or functionally mature. Purebred Cattle Cattle whose ancestors over many generations are derived from a recognized breed Replacement Beef Bulls refers to intact male beef breed cattle intended for reproductive purposes.  Cattle Terminology Replacement Beef Heifer Refers to female cattle that are intended for reproduction to produce calves intended for meat production. The term ‘heifer’ specifically refers to a female bovine from the time of weaning until the time of first calving. Seedstock Operation A type of beef cattle operation whose goal is to produce purebred cattle for the purpose of genetically improving a particular breed.  Cattle Terminology Slaughter Cattle Refers to cattle grazing on pasture and suitable for slaughter. Steer A castrated bovine male Stockers Weaned cattle of either beef or dairy breeds that are maintained on pasture or a dry lot and receive the majority of their diet from forage prior to entering a feedlot. Stockers are usually younger, weigh less, and are of lower condition (finish) than ‘feeders’. Stockers are typically sent to a feedlot at 12 to 16 months of age.  Cattle Terminology Suckling Calves Refers to immature, pre-ruminant cattle (including dairy breeds intended for meat production), maintained with and dependent upon their dam for nourishment. Veal calves are NOT considered suckling calves. Veal Calves refers to immature cattle, including beef and dairy breeds, that lack a functional rumen and that are intended for meat production. Veal calves are recognized as a distinct regulatory class from suckling calves because of their handling, housing, and proximity to slaughter  Cattle Terminology Weaned Cattle Refers to beef or dairy breed cattle that are maintained on pasture anad receive the majority of their diet from grazing on pasture. Weaning The process of transitioning a calf away from a diet containing milk or milk replacer to an all solid feed diet or ration. Most beef calves are weaned from their dams at 6 to 10 months of age weighing 450 to 700 pounds.  Beef Cattle Breeds Angus This breed is very popular, as it is adaptable to a variety of conditions, and is born without horns (also known as “polled”). Both Black and Red Angus are common  Beef Cattle Breeds Brahman A breed of zebu cattle, imported from India, and noted for their extreme tolerance to heat and resistance to insects  Beef Cattle Breeds Charolais French breed of taurine beef cattle. Most are white with a pink nose  Beef Cattle Breeds Hereford Classically appear as red-coated with a white face. Both horned and polled varieties. This breed originated from southern England  Beef Cattle Breeds Limousin Another French breed of beef cattle, and noted for having lean, tender meat.  Beef Cattle Breeds Santa Gertrudis This breed was developed on the King Ranch in southern Texas and is a result of breeding Brahman bulls with Beef Shorthorn cows. They are very adaptable to harsh climates.  Production System and Life Cycle The beef production systems can be divided into 4 types of operations: 1. Cow-calf, 2. Backgrounder (also called ‘stocker’ or ‘grower’), 3. Feedlot, and 4. Seedstock.  Cow-calf Operation Purpose: to produce calves that will become either future breeding cows or breeding bulls, or calves that will be raised for meat production Goal: each cow to produce and raise one calf per year. The cows are bred during the breeding season and calves are born after about a nine month gestation period Birth weight of calves are typically 60 to 100 pounds.  Cow-calf Operation The cow-calf phase runs from birth to weaning which usually occurs when the calf is approximately 6 to 10 months of age and weighs 450 to 700 pounds. At weaning, some female calves will remain in the herd as replacement heifers and will be bred at approximately 15 months of age to deliver their first calf at two years of age.  Backgrounder /Stocker/Grower Steer calves and most heifer calves not being kept as future breeding cows will leave the herd of origin between six and twelve months of age. Those calves that are younger/lighter weight are typically raised as ‘stockers’ and will enter stocker operations where they are raised to twelve to sixteen months of age. During this time, cattle are grazed on inexpensive feed sources such as grass or other forages and develop lean muscle mass while increasing body frame and size prior to entering a feedlot.  Feedlot Operation The final phase in beef production is the feedlot where cattle have a three to six month ‘finishing period. Purpose: is to increase the animal’s body weight and add fat (referred to as marbling) to edible tissues to provide consumers with a taste and texture they desire from beef. This is accomplished by feeding cattle high energy concentrated diets.  Feedlot Operation Feeder cattle (heifers or steers in feedlots) will remain in feedlots anywhere from 90 to 180 days before being sent to a processing facility at 18 to 22 months of age. At this time cattle have reached ‘market weight’ weighing approximately 1,200 to 1,400 pounds  Seedstock Operation ‘Seedstock’ operations represent a relatively small subset of the beef industry. These operations function to produce purebred cattle for the purpose of genetically improving a particular breed.  Feeding Beef cattle, like other ruminants, possess a multi-compartment forestomach that allows otherwise indigestible fibrous plant material such as dry hay and corn stalks to be digested by bacteria and protozoa living in the forestomachs in such a way that such feeds are converted into useable nutrients for the animal. On cow-calf and stocker operations, profitability is dependent on availability of inexpensive feed sources, primarily pasture or other grazing land.  Feeding On feedlot or finishing operations, High energy cereal grain-based diets are incorporated into the diet or ‘ration’ to allow for high growth rates of between 2.5 to 4 pounds per day. Cattle are usually fed twice per day into feed bunks that allow sufficient space for all cattle to eat simultaneously. Constant access to water is provided usually via water troughs or through automatic watering bowls.  Housing The majority of cattle on cow-calf and stocker operations are raised outdoors. In inclement weather, some form of shelter such as barns, sheds, or windbreaks, and some form of bedding, will be provided for the cows and calves. Large feedlots will confine cattle in pens to maximize feed intake and growth rates. Most pens will be outdoors, and therefore will have dirt floors, and bedding will be provided.  Identification Animal identification is an extremely important aspect of animal traceability when it comes to disease control or outbreak investigations. Plastic ear tags are the most common single type of individual cow ID for operations and individual cows. Other forms of ID include Brucellosis tag, hot-iron brand, ear tattoo, ear notch, freeze brand, and electronic ID or microchips  Culling (removal from a herd) Cattle may be removed from a herd for a variety of reasons including health or production problems, infertility, and economic reasons (herd reduction, market conditions). End of Chapter 2