BEEF PRODUCTION

Beef

Compensatory Growth

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

Wei

gh

t

Time

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

Growth

Conformation

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 carcass which has most

value

EUROP= Conformation E= BEST P WORST

12345 = Fatness

1 = leanest 5=Fattest

Grading Carcase Quality

EE UU RR OO PP

11

BBPAPA PBPB PCPC

22

33

AA4L4L

4H4H

55

Grading Carcase Quality

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.

Development

I. Nervous Tissue firstII. Then BoneIII. 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)

Condition Scoring

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.

Factors Affecting Conformation

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

Learning Check....

Veronica Walsh

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.

Breeding Programme

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

Breeding Management

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.

Breeding Management.

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.

Selecting Female Farm Stock

Age

Disease free

No sign of discharge

Good Feet

Good Teeth

Breed

Pedigree

Udder Disease

Heat Detection & AI

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

A.I.

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 - 2

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.

AI – Advantages

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.

AI - Disadvantages

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.

Bulls

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

Castration

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.

Learning Check....

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

testing6. List the main factors in a successful beef

breeding strategy.7. What is a burdizzo?

Vaccination of farm animals

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.

They do not work against viruses

To reduce calf mortality

Have an experienced person on hand during calving- observation

Feed colostrum within 6 hours of birthCall a vet if necessary

Late Pregnancy - Feeding

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

Feed for Maintenance

Veronica Walsh

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.

Buildings used in Beef Production

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 & Feeding Space Required

Floor Floor SpaceSpace

Feeding Feeding SpaceSpace

WeanlingsWeanlings 1.4 m21.4 m2 0.3 m0.3 m

Fattening Fattening cattlecattle 2.0 m22.0 m2 0.4 m0.4 m