Beef and Dairy Cattle

Objectives: 1.Label the parts of cattle 2.Define key terms associated with cattle 3.Detail the history of cattle 4.Explain the economic importance of cattle in the US and the world

Key Terms Calf: a baby Bull: an intact adult male Cow: a female that has given birth Heifer: a female that has not given birth, usually under 1 year Steer: castrated male

Key Terms Cull: to remove inferior animals from a herd (usually sent to slaughter) Veal: meat from young animals (6mo) Wean: to remove a baby from mother to start on solid food.

Origin and History of Cattle 2 types of cattle developed around the world:  Bos indicus (humped cattle) Developed in Asia  Bos taurus (European breeds) Developed in Europe Domesticated around: 6000 BCE  draft, meat, milk  measure of wealth in communities  selective and cross breeding early on (different breeds)

History of Cattle Not native to US  Columbus, 1493  Portuguese traders 1553  English Larger number in 1611  Spanish longhorns in Mexico 1521

Economic Importance Dairy:  Milk production is the second largest animal enterprise in the US ($ sales)  The average American uses just over 570 lbs of milk and dairy products each year.  There are about 10 million cows in the US that produce about 148 million lbs of milk a year.  Veal production  Old cows sold for beef (ground)

Economic Importance Dairy:  Dairy operations come in 2 types: Class A and Class B Classes refer to how the milk intended to be used:  Class A produced under strict standards Intended for fluid milk (like we drink)  Class B Can be produced under less strict standards Indented to be used to make butter, cheese, ice cream, and dry milk.

Economic Importance Beef Cattle:  #1 red-meat production industry in US  Americans eat about 96lbs of beef per year. (total meat consumption is 245lb)  Sales over $40 billion in cattle and calves  Approximately 100 million head of cattle and calves  TX, NE, KS, CO, IA, CA leaders in beef sales  Cattle by products are used everyday.

Types of Beef Operations Purebred Breeders:  Focus on improving genetic traits  Raise replacement animals for other purebred operators and those who want to improve herd genetics

Types of Beef Operations Cow-Calf Operations  Serve to produce feeder calves for slaughter  Located in upper Great Plains  Usually sell calves to a feed-lot to fatten before slaughter  Often use purebred bulls

Types of Beef Operations Slaughter Cattle or Feedlot Operations  Buy calves from cow-calf operations and feed them until they reach slaughter weight.  Located in the mid-west