Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science Beef Production - 2

Compensatory Growth The growth which occurs when an animal is fed well after a period of restricted feeding. During the store period the frame grows but little flesh is put on, the winter prior to slaughter they are fed on a high plane of nutrition The animal experiences a higher growth rate than those on a continuous high plane of nutrition. Low cost system- housed in winter & have summer grazing

Conformation Refers to the shape of the animal & to the distribution of muscle on the body. Good conformation = where the muscle is concentrated on parts of the carcase which has most value EUROP= Conformation E= BEST P WORST 12345 = Fatness 1 = leanest 5=Fattest

Grading Carcase Quality O P 1 B PA PB PC 2 3 A 4L 4H 5

Grading Carcase Quality Most Irish Beef falls into the category of A. This is moderate quality beef that can be exported to less sensitive markets for a low price. Beef in category B is excellent quality and can be exported to markets like Germany and France. Use of continental breeds and early slaughtering can help improve the grade of the carcase.

Development Nervous Tissue first Then Bone Then Muscle and Finally FAT From 2 years old there is a sharp increase in fat % Wasteful to feed. Early Maturing Breeds: Hereford (1.5-2.0) Intermediate Maturing Breeds: Hereford X Friesian Late Maturing Breeds: Charolais (2.5 years)

Condition Scoring This is carried out by farmers to assess if an animal is ready for slaughter or fit for mating. It is carried out by running a hand along the rib cage and back bone to assess the level of fat cover. In a scale of 0 to 5, 0 is extremely thin and 5 is extremely fat. Scores in the middle are most desirable. It is very subjective and requires a lot of experience.

Factors Affecting Conformation Sex bull, steer, cow Bulls grow fastest but mature later, while heifers grow slowly but mature early.. Breed Continental breeds= best –British- Dual purpose- Dairy= worst

Learning Check.... Explain the term compensatory growth. Explain conformation with reference to the EUROP scale List the 4 stages of development in an animal. Explain condition Scoring. Veronica Walsh

Breeding Programme Calving dates Spring calving system Cheap summer grass Breeds AI versus Bull Diet- have to fed well before mating to improve its condition scoring= higher chance of conception Calving interval- every 12mths Heat detection

Breeding Management Most suckler herds employ a spring calving system. This is to get the best use of summer grass. Most income comes from the sale of the calves so it is essential that each cow produce at least one reared calf per year. Reproductive efficiency refers to the number of calves weaned per 100 cows served. Good farms would have a Reproductive Efficiency of at least 90 – 100. The most important factor for achieving productivity is diet.

Breeding Management. Animals should be in good condition, but not fat, before mating. They should have a condition score of 2.5 or greater . Calving interval also needs to be considered. It is best to have a calving interval of 12 months to get the most of the spring grass. Accurate heat detection is essential to ensuring the cows become pregnant. In large farms, where a bull is feasible, the bull is able to detect heat very efficiently.

Selecting Female Farm Stock Age Disease free No sign of discharge Good Feet Good Teeth Breed Pedigree Udder Disease

Heat Detection & AI Cows will come into heat 3 – 8 weeks after calving and every 21 days after. The cow should be serviced by a bull or AI at each heat period or else essential time will be missed. Detecting heat can be quite difficult, so the herd should be observed at least four times daily Cows will attempt to mount other cows during this time so tail painting is a good method Most servicing of cows is done by Artificial Insemination. As soon as the cow is detected as being in heat, the AI station should be informed

A.I. Sperm of a superior bull can be diluted and is store in liquid nitrogen until a female is ready to be serviced. This allows a large number of animals to be serviced by one bull. The sperm is then introduced into the cows uterus artificially.

AI - 2 AI is extremely important in farm and herd management. It involves the artificial insertion of sperm cells into a female. The sperm (contained in semen) is obtained from genetically suitable males, selected for their characteristics. It is used to improve the genetic quality of the herd. Semen is collected, diluted and stored (usually in liquid nitrogen (-196oC) as it doesn’t damage the sperms cells but also extends their life) before being inserted into the female while in heat.

AI – Advantages Can allow for one bull to serve up to 60,000 females. Bull is not exposed to genital diseases. Semen can be stored for many years. Farmers can choose from a huge range of sires, depending on the use of the offspring. Fertilisation is more likely from AI. More accurate calving times. No need to purchase and care for a bull, meaning it is much safer for the farmer.

AI - Disadvantages Timing and heat detection are critical – more work for the farmer at this stage. More expensive if animals heat periods are missed. Missing heat periods also increases calving interval.

Bulls Two ways to rate bulls Performance testing- refers to keeping records of the animals individual performance- growth rate, FCR- & comparing them with records of other animals under similar conditions Progeny testing- refers to keeping records of an animals offspring & comparing them with the offspring of other animals under similar conditions

Castration The Burdizzo is a castration device which employs a large clamp designed to break the blood vessels leading into the testicles. When blood flow is lost the testicles shrink, soften, and eventually deteriorate completely. Castration must be completed at least 4 weeks before weaning or at least 2 weeks after weaning.

Learning Check.... What is meant by reproductive efficiency? List the factors for selecting female breeding stock. What is AI? Give the advantages and Disadvantages of AI. Define the terms progeny and performance testing List the main factors in a successful beef breeding strategy. What is a burdizzo?

Vaccination of farm animals Vaccine is a non disease causing dose of a particular disease. Protect against! Injection. (intravenous or intramuscular) When a pathogen enters the animal an antigen will trigger the immune system to produce antibodies. These fight against the disease if they come up against it in the future. They do not work against viruses

To reduce calf mortality Have an experienced person on hand during calving- observation Feed colostrum within 6 hours of birth Call a vet if necessary

Late Pregnancy - Feeding Should be fed on an increasing plane of nutrition about 2 months prior to calving as the size of the womb increases rapidly , the calf is developing quickly Calf fed well 6-7 months of the year Good foetal development Strong healthy calves Good milk production for 5-6 months Good grass sufficient Conc. fed prior to & after calving

Feed for Maintenance Feed for Production The amount of food needed to keep the farm animal healthy but not productive. The amount of food needed to make a farm animal produce meat, milk or eggs which is always more than the basic maintenance ration. Feed for Production Veronica Walsh

Buildings used in Beef Production Slatted Units are used for winter housing of beef animals. These consist of separate slatted compartments sharing a central feeding area. Dung and Urine drop through the slats and are collected in an underground tank. The tank should have enough capacity of the whole winter. Ventilation is important as methane gas is produced to the fermenting waste.

Floor & Feeding Space Required Floor Space Feeding Space Weanlings 1.4 m2 0.3 m Fattening cattle 2.0 m2 0.4 m