Beef Cattle (Bovine)
Herd- A group of cattle Beef- Meat from cattle Veal- Meat from a very young beef cattle, less than 3 months Estrus (Heat)= Avg- 12hr, Range- 6-27hr Estrous (Cycle)= Avg- 21 days, Range-19-23 days Gestation- 283-297 days Ejaculate Volume= Bull 3-8 ml |
Black Angus
MaleBull- Intact
Jumper Bull- Intact male that has just reached maturity and is used for breeding Gomer Bull- Use to detect if females are in heat Steer- Castrated BEFORE maturity Stag- Castrated AFTER maturity |
FemaleCow- Intact that has given birth
Heifer- Young female that has not given birth, 1-2 years old Springing Heifer- First time mom, first calf with the heifer, 2-3 years old |
BabyCalf- Very young male/female
Calving- Giving birth to beef cattle |
Beef Production-
1. Cow-Calf Operation – Beef production begins with ranchers who maintain a breeding herd of cows that nurture calves every year. When a calf is born, it weighs 60 to 100 pounds. Over the next few months, each calf will live off its mother’s milk and graze grass in pasture.
2. Weaning – Beef calves are weaned at six to 10 months of age when they weigh between 450 and 700 pounds. These calves are now grass-fed in pasture.
3. Stockers and Backgrounders – After weaning, cattle continue to grow and thrive by grazing during the stocker and backgrounder phase.
4. Livestock Auction Markets – After weaning and/or during the stocker and backgrounder phase, cows are sold at livestock auction markets. About 1/3 of cows stay on the farm for breeding purposes.
5. Feedlot – The next step in beef production is when mature calves are moved to feedlots. Here, they typically spend four to six months, during which time they have constant access to water, room to move around, and are free to graze at feed bunks containing a carefully balanced diet. Veterinarians, nutritionists and cattlemen work together to look after each animal.
6. Packing Plant – Once cattle reach market weight (typically 1,200 to 1,400 pounds and 18 to 22 months of age), they are sent to a processing facility. USDA inspectors are stationed in all federally inspected packing plants and oversee the implementation of safety, animal welfare, and quality standards from the time animals enter the plant until the final beef products are shipped to grocery stores and restaurants establishments.
7. Food Service and Retail – The final step in beef production is when beef is shipped and sold in the United States and abroad. In the retail and food service channels, operators take steps to provide consumers with the most safe, wholesome and nutritious products possible.
Beef Animal Welfare Concerns
-Branding, Castration, Dehorning, Cancer eye, Downers, Slaughter/Harvest, Gomer Bulls, Feedlots, Handing/Transport
Veal Animal Welfare Concerns
-White Veal Production, Behavioral Deprivation, Flooring Systems, Diet, Group Housing
Body Condition Score
Cows
- Cows will breed all year round and are not as affected by the day/night pattern (photoperiodicity) as sheep, goats and deer. But their breeding activity may be reduced in mid winter.
- Cows tart to cycle usually about 6 weeks after calving. They can show heat 3 weeks after calving but rarely conceive to this mating.
- They may show a silent heat with ovulation but no heat signs. Problems seem to be more in Holstein Friesians than Jerseys.
- The cow ovulates a few hours after the end of standing heat which has important implications for artificial insemination.
- Puberty is about 6-9months of age but some calves can show heat before that. This can be a hazard as they get pregnant and have to be aborted.
- Cattle cycle every 21 days (range 18-24) if not mated, and are on heat for about 8 hours (range 2 –12 hours).
- Signs of heat in the cow:
- Vocalise a lot
- Vaginal discharge – clear viscous fluid
- Walk around a lot to find other cows
- Cows form Sexually Active Groups (SAGs) of 3-5 cows
- Cows on heat mount other cows
- They stand to be mounted
- Milk is not let down fully
- The cow is the only animal that shows this clearly-defined mounting behaviour. It is thought to have evolved to give visual signals to the bull.
- A cow that will stand for cow will not immediately stand for the bull. This is has a teasing effect on the bull and while challenging his libido concentrates his semen.
Bulls
- Bulls will mate all year round, and do not show a "rut" like sheep, goats and deer.
- Mounting and ejaculation is very quick by the bull. He grasps cow with his front legs and his whole weight is propelled on the cow. This has implications for heifer mating by large stud bulls that can damage them.
- A bull may serve a cow up to 3 times before she stops accepting him. He will hang around a served cow for a day or so in the wild. On the farm he is generally allowed two services and is then separated. This is danger time, as the bull always reckons he wants one more and tries to get back to the cow - perhaps with a human in the way.
- Running one bull with 30-50 cows (dairy or beef) is normal. The bull is changed regularly incase he is infertile.
- Fighting among bulls is common during mating and injuries are common eg. shoulders, legs, and penis.
- In the wild Chillingham herd in UK, the king bull does all the mating until he is challenged by a young bull and they usually fight to the death for leadership.
- Bulls are regularly reared in homosexual groups so mounting and fighting behaviour is common, often leading to injury.
- Bulls may have to learn how to mate a cow, and this may take a few days to learn (and waste time) at the start of mating to learn.
- Libido testing can be done using the Blockey test. Here a cow is held in head bail and the number of mounts made by each bull is recorded. This must be done under vet supervision to avoid injury to the cow.
Top 5 States Beef
1. Texas
2. Nebraska
3. Kansas
4. California
5. Oklahoma
Copyright July 2015 Animal Management. All rights reserved. Built by Jordan Bayliss