1. The Beef Industry

2. Since the main purpose of a beef animal is meat consumption, we look at it not only to identify its basic parts but also to identify the beef cuts on the animal.

3. Many other terms that should be known refer to beef cuts taken from an animal.

4. What are the common breeds of beef animals, and how do they differ?  The common breeds of beef animals in the United States were brought here from many different countries.  They include Angus, Charolais, Hereford and Polled Hereford, Limousin, Shorthorn, Simmental, Brahman, Brangus, and Beefmaster.  A. Aberdeen-Angus cattle, known here as Angus cattle, originated in northeastern Scotland and were brought to the United States in the 1870s.

5. Angus cattle are the most popular purebred beef cattle partially because they are vigorous and perform well in feedlots. The animals are polled, or born without horns. They are moderate in size compared with other breeds and are solid black or red. The red animals do not absorb as much heat as the black ones, making them more heat tolerant.

6. Angus cattle are known for their marbling, which is the desirable presence of fat in the muscle. The American Angus Association has been active since 1883 and has not allowed red calves to be registered since 1917. It was not until 1954 that the Red Angus Association was formed.

7.  The Charolais breed originated in the province of Charolais, France.

8. The animals have pink skin and are white to light straw colored. The breed is large compared with others. Mature bulls weigh 2,000 to 2,500 pounds, and mature cows weigh 1,500 to 1,800 pounds. Charolais cattle can be either polled or horned and are known for their heavy muscling. This breed is popular to crossbreeding programs to increase size and muscle in offspring of other breeds.

9.  Hereford cattle originated in Hereford County, England. In the United States, the first known purebred herd was established in 1840 in New York. Hereford cattle have white faces and red bodies, with white markings on the switch (tail), underline, below the hocks, and on both their crest and flank. They are tolerant to cold climates because of their thick coats.

10. The breed is horned and easy to handle because of its moderate size and docile nature. Polled Hereford animals were started in Iowa by Warren Gammon, who gathered animals that were naturally polled and bred them to make more polled animals. Polled Herefords have the same traits as Herefords and are eligible for registry in both the American Hereford Association and the American Polled Hereford Association.

11.  The Limousin originated in southwestern France. Limousin semen from Canada was brought tothe United States in 1968. The breed is wheat to rust red or orange colored, with the area around the muzzle a lighter version of the body color. Recently black lines of cattle have been developed.

12. Limousin cattle can be either polled or horned. The breed is long and shallow bodied and is known for calving ease. The cattle are also known for the leanness of their carcasses and for large loin areas. The cutability, or the amount of available retail cuts from the carcass, is high in Limousin cattle.

13.  The Shorthorn is a dual-purpose breed, meaning that it has been traditionally used for both milk and beef production. It originated in England and was named because of breeding practices that shortened the horns of the breed. Shorthorn cattle can be red, white, or roan and either horned or polled. They are short and are known to be docile animals with good mothering abilities. Both horned and polled animals can be registered with the American Shorthorn Association, which was organized in 1872.

14.  The Simmental originated in western Switzerland, where it derived its name from the Simme Valley. The breed is very old, dating back to the Middle Ages. However, Simmental cattle have been in the United States only since 1969, when they were brought here from Canada.

15. The color pattern includes a white face that is dominant and a red-and-white–spotted or nearly solid red body. Black lines of this breed have also been developed. Both polled and horned animals exist. The breed is known for rapid growth, thick muscling, and adaptability to many different climates.

16.  The Brahman originated in the United States after several animals were imported from India and bred to several British breeds. The Brahman was commonly used in crossbreeding programs, which led to the development of many desirable hybrids. The coloring can be light gray or red and sometimes almost black.

17. A Brahman is easily recognizable because of its loose skin, large hump over the shoulders, and large drooping ears. Sometimes called Zebu, Brahman cattle are popular because of their resistance to disease and insects, tolerance to heat, rapid weight gain, and quality carcasses. The breed, which is unpredictable in temperament, has an excellent ability to forage successfully on poor range.

18.  The Brangus is a cross of Brahman and Angus based on foundation stock that is 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus. Crossing Brahman and Angus cattle was done at the USDA Experiment Station in Jeanerette, Louisiana. Research started about 1932. Brangus cattle are polled animals, and their color is solid black. Because of their genetics, they have many of the same characteristics of the Brahman and Angus animals.

19.  Beefmaster cattle were developed in Texas in 1908 by combining ½ Brahman, ¼ Shorthorn, and ¼ Hereford. Coloration varies, but red is the dominant color. Beefmaster can be horned or naturally polled. The breed is very hardy and is known to milk well. Beefmaster cattle are popular because of their good temperaments, hardiness, heavy weaning weights, and rapid weight gain.

20. What are the advantages and disadvantages of beef production?  Beef production has several advantages and disadvantages.  A. The advantages of raising beef cattle are: 1. Beef cattle eat roughages. 2. While beef cattle are good foragers, they do not essentially need to be fed daily. 3. If a producer follows good management practices, then typically death losses are reasonably low in the production of beef cattle.

21. 4. Beef cattle can be raised in small numbers or by several thousand head. 5. Meat is a constant demand by consumers. 6. The beef industry provides many jobs. 7. Beef cattle provide an interest to FFA and 4- H projects.

22.  The disadvantages of raising beef cattle are: 1. A producer can take on several risks by raising beef cattle. 2. The efficiency of a beef animal is not as stable as that of other livestock. 3. A beef cow has a 283-day gestation period. 4. The cost of starting a beef operation is expensive.

23. What facilities and equipment are required in beef production?  Beef cattle facilities and equipment can be reliant on the various types of production and climate.  Number of cattle, amount of space, kind of facility, location, herd and property security, environment and climate conditions, amount of money readily available for investment, and use of other facilities and equipment are all key factors in planning for beef cattle production.

24.  A. Shelter for beef cattle can be loose and open yet provide enough protection from wind, rain, cold, and heat.  B. Fencing is another important component of raising beef cattle.  C. Pens and corrals are used to confine beef cattle and are important components in feedlots.

26.  Other equipment in beef production is used for castration, dehorning, and identification purposes.  1. An elastrator or Burdizzo is used in castration. Castration is the removal or destruction of the testicles of a male so it does not breed.  2. There are many ways to dehorn cattle. Dehorning is the removal of the horns from horned breeds.

27.  3. Many types of identification are used in beef cattle production. Examples are ear tags, ear tattoos, neckbands, branding, nose prints, DNA testing, and microchips. New ear tags allow for electronic tracking of animals. Nose prints and DNA testing show precise identity of animals. Microchips can be placed beneath the skin of animals, and scanners will decode their signals.

28. What are common parasites and diseases that affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate prevention and treatment methods?  Several common parasites and diseases can affect beef cattle.  Good management systems and prevention programs can control these.  A. Common external parasites include flies, mosquitoes, lice, mites, and ticks. Sanitation practices applied to facilities and equipment can reduce these parasites.

29.  B. Common internal parasites include roundworms and flatworms. Anthelmintics are chemicals used to control worms and deworm animals. These chemicals can be injected, given orally, applied by a pour-on method, or mixed with feed.  C. Diseases can drastically affect a beef herd. Veterinarians help producers manage herd health in the presence of diseases.

30.  1. Bovine virus diarrhea (BVD) is an acute contagious disease of cattle. This disease can be spread by contact. Boots worn from farm to farm must be cleaned and disinfected before the wearer enters a farm. Signs of BVD are fever, diarrhea, poor gains, discharge from the nose, dehydration, and lameness. Vaccination is possible. However, no specific treatment exists. Producers may use electrolytes and fluids to rehydrate animals.

31.  2. Brucellosis (Bangs) is another disease that can affects cattle. It is classified as a reproductive disease. A common sign is cattle aborting after the fifth month of pregnancy. There is no cure for brucellosis. When purchasing replacement heifers, be sure they come from a brucellosis- free herd.

32.  3. Blackleg is highly infectious, noncontagious disease of cattle. A major symptom is inflammation of the muscles. Animals can come into contact with the bacteria through spores from contaminated pastures. The bacteria may live in the soil and be present for years. Prevention is very important. Calves should be vaccinated at two and six months of age.

33.  4. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), also known as red nose, is a viral infection of the respiratory system. The virus that causes this disease is also responsible for infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV), which affects the female reproductive tract. This virus can spread by contact with infected animals or through the air. Cattle with IBR show signs of fever, rough breathing, and weight loss. Cows with IPV have vulvar discharge and vulvar swelling. When a new shipment of cattle enters a feedlot, vaccination is highly recommended as a preventive.

34.  5. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by several strains of bacteria. Some common signs are fever and depression. Cattle should be vaccinated twice a year.  6. Campylobacteriosis is a venereal disease. The main symptom is infertility in females. Cattle should be vaccinated before breeding. Vaccination should then be repeated annually.

35.  7. Bovine trichomoniasis is a venereal disease marked by infertility and early abortion. This disease is spread by sexual contact among bovine animals. Cows that have been infected should rest at least 90 days from sexual contact with a bull. Use artificial insemination to prevent this disease in a herd. Also, use “clean” bulls (free of this disease) as a further safeguard. Because no official treatment exists, infected bulls should be slaughtered.

36.  8. Johne’s disease is caused by bacteria in contaminated feed and water. This disease has increased among herds throughout the United States in recent years. The bacteria are commonly carried through fecal materials. The same equipment used to clean pens should not be used to feed cattle. Signs of this disease are diarrhea and weight loss. There is no treatment.