The growth which occurs when an animal is fed well

after a period of restricted feeding.

During the store period the frame grows but little flesh

is put on, the winter prior to slaughter they are fed on a

high plane of nutrition

The animal experiences a higher growth rate than

those on a continuous high plane of nutrition.

Low cost system- housed in winter & have summer

grazing

Weig

ht

Time

Growth Curve for Animals fed poorly over the Winter for Beef Production- Compensatory

Growth

Refers to the shape of the animal & to the

distribution of muscle on the body.

Good conformation = where the muscle is

concentrated on parts of the carcase which has

most value

EUROP= Conformation E= BEST P WORST

12345 = Fatness

1 = leanest 5=Fattest

E U R O P

1

B PA PB PC

2

3

A 4L

4H

5

Most Irish Beef falls into the category of A.

This is moderate quality beef that can be

exported to less sensitive markets for a low price.

Beef in category B is excellent quality and can be

exported to markets like Germany and France.

Use of continental breeds and early slaughtering

can help improve the grade of the carcase.

I. Nervous Tissue first II. Then Bone III. Then Muscle and IV. Finally FAT From 2 years old there is a sharp increase in fat

% Wasteful to feed.

Early Maturing Breeds: Hereford (1.5-2.0) Intermediate Maturing Breeds: Hereford X

Friesian Late Maturing Breeds: Charolais (2.5 years)

This is carried out by farmers to assess if an animal is ready for slaughter or fit for mating.

It is carried out by running a hand along the rib cage and back bone to assess the level of fat cover.

In a scale of 0 to 5, 0 is extremely thin and 5 is extremely fat. Scores in the middle are most desirable.

It is very subjective and requires a lot of experience.

Sex

bull, steer, cow

Bulls grow fastest but mature later, while

heifers grow slowly but mature early..

Breed

Continental breeds= best –British- Dual

purpose- Dairy= worst

Explain the term compensatory growth.

Explain conformation with reference to the

EUROP scale

List the 4 stages of development in an animal.

Explain condition Scoring.

Veronica Walsh

Calving dates

Spring calving system

Cheap summer grass

Breeds

AI versus Bull

Diet- have to fed well before mating to improve its

condition scoring= higher chance of conception

Calving interval- every 12mths

Heat detection

Most suckler herds employ a spring calving system.

This is to get the best use of summer grass. Most income comes from the sale of the calves so it

is essential that each cow produce at least one reared calf per year.

Reproductive efficiency refers to the number of calves weaned per 100 cows served.

Good farms would have a Reproductive Efficiency of at least 90 – 100.

The most important factor for achieving productivity is diet.

Animals should be in good condition, but not fat, before mating.

They should have a condition score of 2.5 or greater .

Calving interval also needs to be considered. It is best to have a calving interval of 12 months

to get the most of the spring grass. Accurate heat detection is essential to ensuring

the cows become pregnant. In large farms, where a bull is feasible, the bull is

able to detect heat very efficiently.

Age

Disease free

No sign of discharge

Good Feet

Good Teeth

Breed

Pedigree

Udder Disease

Cows will come into heat 3 – 8 weeks after calving and every 21 days after.

The cow should be serviced by a bull or AI at each heat period or else essential time will be missed.

Detecting heat can be quite difficult, so the herd should be observed at least four times daily

Cows will attempt to mount other cows during this time so tail painting is a good method

Most servicing of cows is done by Artificial Insemination.

As soon as the cow is detected as being in heat, the AI station should be informed

Sperm of a superior bull can be diluted and is store in liquid nitrogen until a female is ready to be serviced.

This allows a large number of animals to be serviced by one bull.

The sperm is then introduced into the cows uterus artificially.

AI is extremely important in farm and herd management.

It involves the artificial insertion of sperm cells into a female.

The sperm (contained in semen) is obtained from genetically suitable males, selected for their characteristics.

It is used to improve the genetic quality of the herd.

Semen is collected, diluted and stored (usually in liquid nitrogen (-196oC) as it doesn’t damage the sperms cells but also extends their life) before being inserted into the female while in heat.

Can allow for one bull to serve up to 60,000 females.

Bull is not exposed to genital diseases.

Semen can be stored for many years.

Farmers can choose from a huge range of sires, depending on

the use of the offspring.

Fertilisation is more likely from AI.

More accurate calving times.

No need to purchase and care for a bull, meaning it is much

safer for the farmer.

Timing and heat detection are critical – more

work for the farmer at this stage.

More expensive if animals heat periods are

missed.

Missing heat periods also increases calving

interval.

Two ways to rate bulls

1. Performance testing- refers to keeping records of the

animals individual performance- growth rate, FCR- &

comparing them with records of other animals under

similar conditions

2. Progeny testing- refers to keeping records of an animals

offspring & comparing them with the offspring of other

animals under similar conditions

The Burdizzo is a castration device which employs a large clamp designed to break the blood vessels leading into the testicles.

When blood flow is lost the testicles shrink, soften, and eventually deteriorate completely.

Castration must be completed at least 4 weeks before weaning or at least 2 weeks after weaning.

1. What is meant by reproductive efficiency? 2. List the factors for selecting female breeding

stock. 3. What is AI? 4. Give the advantages and Disadvantages of AI. 5. Define the terms progeny and performance

testing 6. List the main factors in a successful beef

breeding strategy. 7. What is a burdizzo?

Vaccine is a non disease causing

dose of a particular disease.

Protect against!

Injection. (intravenous or

intramuscular)

When a pathogen enters the animal

an antigen will trigger the immune

system to produce antibodies.

These fight against the disease if

they come up against it in the

future.

Have an experienced person on hand during calving- observation

Feed colostrum within 6 hours of birth

Call a vet if necessary

Should be fed on an increasing plane of nutrition about 2

months prior to calving as the size of the womb increases

rapidly , the calf is developing quickly

Calf fed well 6-7 months of the year

Good foetal development

Strong healthy calves

Good milk production for 5-6 months

Good grass sufficient

Conc. fed prior to & after calving

The amount of food needed to keep the farm animal healthy but not productive.

The amount of food needed to make a farm animal produce meat, milk or eggs which is always more than the basic maintenance ration.

Veronica Walsh

Slatted Units are used for winter housing of beef animals.

These consist of separate slatted compartments sharing a central feeding area.

Dung and Urine drop through the slats and are collected in an underground tank.

The tank should have enough capacity of the whole winter.

Ventilation is important as methane gas is produced to the fermenting waste.

Floor Space

Feeding Space

Weanlings 1.4 m2 0.3 m

Fattening cattle

2.0 m2 0.4 m