BEEF Cattle (Bovine) Nutrition Production Bi-Products Food Safety Structure/Cuts
PRODUCTION
Basic Function To utilize crops which are unsuitable or less desirable for human consumption in their natural form (grains, grasses, hay, by-products) to a desirable beef product.
Ancestry Bos indicus- humped cattle, developed in tropical countries Bos taurus- humpless cattle, developed in more temperate zones.
U.S. Cattle Rankings Texas Nebraska Kansas Colorado Iowa Oklahoma California
Types of Cattle Operations Purebred Registered cow-calf Provide range bulls Improve genetics
Commercial Cow-Calf Calves for stocker and feeder operations Replacement females Stocker Operations Provides cattle for feedlots Replacement Heifers
Feeder Operations Commercial / farm feeders Finish cattle for slaughter Supply beef packers
Calf to Market Calving Dependent on grass season Usually fall or spring Gestation length 283 days (approximately 9 months) Weaners 5-8 months old 400-700 lbs
Stocker Cattle 400-900 lbs 1.5-2 lbs average daily gain Generally gain 250-400 lbs Feedlot 100-200 days 1000-1200 lbs Average daily gain 3-4 lbs Efficiency 5-9 lbs feed/lb gain
Carcass 600-850 lbs 60-63% dressing 65-75% retail product
Traits of Economic Importance Polled vs. horned Color Carcass traits Performance and efficiency Maternal traits Temperament Age at puberty Calving ease
CROSSBREDS A large portion of the U.S. cattle industry relies on crossbreeding to improve and/or enhance the genetics of purebreds. However, a large problem then exists with management and consistency in product quality.
RED ANGUS
Black Baldy Cross between an angus and hereford. The white face is a dominant gene/trait.
Charolais
Chianina One of the oldest breeds of cattle Tallest breed of beef cattle Short hair that is white to steel gray Terminal breed Low milk production
Limousin
LIMOUSIN
Brahman
Texas Longhorn
Simmental
Belgian Blue
Bovine Female Cattle Cow
Bovine Male Cattle Bull
Bovine Juvenile Cattle Calf
Bovine Young Female Cattle Heifer Castrated Male Cattle Steer Young Male Cattle Bullock
Bovine How long is a cows gestation period? 9 months The average calf weighs how much? 70 - 80 lbs How much does the average cow weigh? Bull? 1000 lbs and 1500 – 2000 lbs
Bovine What do cattle eat? Grasses, hay, grains, & silage How much water will the average cow drink in a day? 50 gal Having a four part/compartment stomach, cows are known as? Ruminants