Beef Gestation Length: 285 days Estrous Cycle Length: 21 days Dressing Percentage: 63% Calving Interval: The amount of time from when one calf is born until the next calf is born County in the nation that has the largest number of producing beef cows: Cherry

Body Condition Scoring

Photo 1: BCS 1. Emaciated with muscle atrophy and no detectable fat. Tail head and ribs project predominantly. Animal physically weak. Photo 2: BCS 2. Poor condition with muscle atrophy and no detectable fat. Tail head and ribs prominent.

Photo 3: BCS 3. Thin condition. Slight muscle atrophy. All ribs visible. Very little detectable fat.

Photo 4: BCS 4. Borderline condition. Outline of spine slightly visible. Outline of 3 to 5 ribs visible. Some fat over ribs and hips.

Photo 5: BCS 5. Moderate, good overall appearance. Outline of spine no longer visible. Outline of 1-2 ribs visible. Fat over hips but still visible.

Photo 7: BCS 7. Good, fleshy appearance. Hips slightly visible but ribs and spine not visible. Fat in brisket and flanks with slight udder and tail head fat.

Photo 6: BCS 6. High moderate condition. Ribs and spine no longer visible. Pressure applied to feel bone structure. Some fat in brisket and flanks.

Photo 8: BCS 8. Fat, fleshy and overconditioned. Bone structure not visible. Large patchy fat deposits over ribs, around tail head and brisket.

Photo 9: BCS 9. Extremely fat, wasty and patchy. Mobility possibly impaired. Bone structure not visible. Extreme fat deposits over ribs, around tail head and brisket.

Beef Breeds Breed

Place of Origin Color

Known for…

Angus

Scotland

Black

Belted Galloway

Black with a white belt around midsection

Braford Brahman

Imported to Pennsylvania in 1950 Southern Florida India

Mothering ability and Carcass Quality Called “Oreo Cookie Cows” because of their color pattern

Braunvieh

Switzerland

Charolais

France

White

Chianina

Italy

Gelbvieh

Germany

White or gray with black points Red

Hereford

Englandimported by Henry Clay of Kentucky

Red with White Very light gray or red to almost black Shades of brown, lighter around the muzzle

Red with white face and belly

3/8 Brahman, 5/8 Hereford Large hump over shoulder and neck, large ears, excess skin Similar to Brown SwissSometimes called Beef Brown Swiss, Association Headquarters in Lincoln, NE Large framed and heavy muscled Heavy muscled, long legs, used as draft animals Originally selected for meat, milk, and work Known as the “great improver”, dominant in the late 1800searly 1900s

Holstein

Netherlands

Black and white splotched

Limousin

France

Golden-red or Black

Maine Anjou

France

Piedmontese Santa Gertrudis Shorthorn Simmental

Italy King Ranch, Texas England Switzerland

Very dark red with white on head, belly, rear legs and tail Gray-white Deep cherry-red

Texas Longhorn

North America

Red, white, and roan Today- solid red or black Originally- spotted red and white Red, black, and white spotted

Known for milking ability, but account for 20% of beef production in the US Tremendous muscle and cutability Dual purpose breed- meat and milk production Double-muscling 5/8 Shorthorn, 3/8 Brahman Milking ability Among the oldest and most widely distributed of all breeds throughout the world To save the breed from extinction in 1927 they were preserved on wildlife refuges on Oklahoma and Nebraska, High fertility rates

The Ruminant Digestive System Order 1

Name Rumen

2

Reticulum

3 4

Omasum Abomasum

Appearance Largest compartment (cattle ~50 gallon cap.); covered with small papillae Honeycomb Pages of book “True stomach”; similar to stomach of monogastric animals

Function Storage; physical mixing Forces cud back into the mouth Absorption of water Acidic digestion (true stomach)

Quality Grading Quality Grading indicates expected palatability and is based on marbling and maturity. Maturity Classification A B C D E

Age of the Animal 9-30 months 30-42 months (2 ½- 3 ½ years) 42-72 months (3 ½- 6 years) 72-96 months (6-8 years) Over 96 months (over 8 years)

Equipment

Implant Disinfecting System

Implant Gun

Implant Needle

Implants

Newberry Castrator

Rice Pelvimeter

Obstetric Chain and Handle

Scrotal Circumference Tape

Burdizzo (Emasculatome)

Barnes Dehorner

Ear Tagging Pliers

Ear Tag Remover

Ear Tag and Button

Kamar Heat Detection Patch

Oral Wormer and Gun

Scotch Comb

Nose Tongs

Pistol-grip Syringe

AI Rod

AI Sheath

Emasculator

Balling Gun

Rumen Trocar

Magnet

Elastrator Bands

Electric Branding Iron

Drench Gun

Tattoo Pliers

Elastrator Warm Water Thaw