Beef and Dairy Cattle

Objectives:

1. Label the parts of cattle

2. Define key terms associated with cattle

3. Detail the history of cattle

4. Explain the economic importance of cattle in the US and the world

Key Terms

Calf: a baby

Bull: an intact adult male

Cow: a female that has given birth

Heifer: a female that has not given birth, usually under 1 year

Steer: castrated male

Key Terms

Cull: to remove inferior animals from a herd (usually sent to slaughter)

Veal: meat from young animals (6mo)

Wean: to remove a baby from mother to start on solid food.

Origin and History of Cattle

2 types of cattle developed around the world: Bos indicus (humped cattle)

Developed in AsiaBos taurus (European breeds)

Developed in Europe

Domesticated around: 6000 BCEdraft, meat, milkmeasure of wealth in communitiesselective and cross breeding early on (different breeds)

History of Cattle

Not native to USColumbus, 1493Portuguese traders 1553English Larger number in 1611Spanish longhorns in Mexico 1521

Economic Importance

Dairy:Milk production is the second largest animal

enterprise in the US ($ sales)The average American uses just over 570 lbs of

milk and dairy products each year.There are about 10 million cows in the US that

produce about 148 million lbs of milk a year.Veal productionOld cows sold for beef (ground)

Economic Importance

Dairy:Dairy operations come in 2 types: Class A and

Class BClasses refer to how the milk intended to be used:

Class A produced under strict standards Intended for fluid milk (like we drink)

Class BCan be produced under less strict standardsIndented to be used to make butter, cheese, ice

cream, and dry milk.

Economic Importance

Beef Cattle:#1 red-meat production industry in USAmericans eat about 96lbs of beef per year.

(total meat consumption is 245lb)Sales over $40 billion in cattle and calvesApproximately 100 million head of cattle and

calvesTX, NE, KS, CO, IA, CA leaders in beef salesCattle by products are used everyday.

Types of Beef Operations

Purebred Breeders:

Focus on improving genetic traits

Raise replacement animals for other purebred operators and those who want to improve herd genetics

Types of Beef Operations

Cow-Calf Operations

Serve to produce feeder calves for slaughterLocated in upper Great PlainsUsually sell calves to a feed-lot to fatten before

slaughterOften use purebred bulls

Types of Beef Operations

Slaughter Cattle or Feedlot Operations

Buy calves from cow-calf operations and feed them until they reach slaughter weight.

Located in the mid-west