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