Beef Cattle

Beef Cattle Breeds

Long Horn:- Original beef cattle- USA/Spanish extraction- Lean meat

Angus Aberdeen- 1930’s or earlier- Solid black, occasionally red- More fat in meat for a better taste- Polled: born without horns- Black, red becoming more popular

Hereford- More fatty meat, increases flavor- Red with a white face- Polled or horned- White on underline

Black Baldy- Not a breed, a hybrid of breeds- Hereford/angus cross- All black cow with a white face

Charolais- 1940- Leaner meat- Good conversion of fiber to meat- White/cream color- High carcass quality and good taste

Simmental- Brought from Canada- Red and white spotted- White face with yellow skin- Good conversion of fiber to grain,- High carcass value

Limousin- From France- Wheat or rust colored

Chianina- Italy- White with black switch on tail- Largest of modern breeds, 4000 lb male, 2400 lb

female

Brahma- India- Grey or red- Hump on shoulder, heat tolerantSanta Gertrudis- texas, cherry red- First north american cross breed

Beef Cattle Operations

• Cow/Calf- Conditioning, weaned, introduce grain,

vaccinated- Calves in spring, feb, mar, april- At 6 months, sold as 500 lb feeders

Cow Calf system

• Replacement heifers• Calves to feed out or sell• Average birth weight 75-80lbs• Average weaning weight 400-500 lbs• Weaning weight: influenced by environment

factors, sire and dam growth genetics, and dams milk production

Preconditioning

• A vaccination, nutrition, and management program designed to prepare young cattle to withstand the stress of weaning and shipment

• Backgrounding- Also called stocker- Buy 6 mo old calves and switch gradually to

hay

Backgrounding

• Weaned cattle turned out on pasture/corn stalks

• Average daily gain is 2 lbs• Move to feedlot at 800-900 lbs

• Finisher- Stock yard feeder- 1 year old on high concentrates for 6 months- 18 months at 1000 lbs for slaughter

Feeder Cattle

• Purchased at 800-900 lbs• Exercise restricted an fed concentrates for 90-

120 days• Average daily gain is 3 lbs• Finished cattle average market weight is 1200

lbs

Beef Cattle Processing

Handling- Movement of cattle at plant, stress diminishes

quality of meat- Captive bolt renders animal unconsciousKosher- Processing is a religious ritual slaughter

Beef Grading

• Quality- based on marbling, firmness and color

1. Prime2. Choice3. Select4. Standard• Maturity- age of animal at slaughter

Cost Benefit Ration

• If cost of medical care exceeds the potential return on investment then it is not a viable option

• Production animal medicine requires an understanding of the fluidity of the animal production industry

• Variable expenses: feed, livestock, labor, equipment, land, interest, meds, vaccines, veterinary care

Efficiency

• Minimize infectious disease, parastism• Maximize rate of gain• Feed conversion ratios ( lb of feed/lb gain)- Beef cattle 8-10 lb feed /lb gain- Hogs 3-6 lb feed /lb gain- Poultry 2 lb feed/lb gain

Variable product value

• Supply and demand• Public perception may determine value• Genetically engineered products banned in

some areas• Mad cow disease rendered all british beef

worthless