Transcript Beef Intro

Animal, Plant & Soil
Science
Lesson C7-1
The Beef Industry
Interest Approach

Invite a beef cattle judge to your
classroom to talk about beef cattle. Also,
put up large pictures of beef breeds. Have
students glance at the breed pictures, and
play an observation game. Ask the
students to describe the pictures after you
have given them only a few seconds to
look at the images.
Objectives
Define terms used to describe beef
animals, and identify the parts of a
beef animal.
 Compare and contrast the common
breeds of beef animals.
 Recognize the advantages and
disadvantages of beef production.
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Objectives
Determine the facility and equipment
needs in beef production.
 Identify the leading states and
nations in beef production, and
determine the major export and
import markets for the United States.
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Objectives
Examine the impact of the beef
industry on the economy.
 Identify common parasites and
diseases that affect beef cattle, and
determine appropriate prevention and
treatment methods.
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Terms
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anthelmintics
beef
bovines
bull
calf
castration
cow
cutability
dehorning
 dual-purpose breed
 heifer
 herd
 marbling
 polled
 steer
 veal
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What are the proper terms used in
describing beef cattle, and what are the
parts of a beef animal?
Knowing basic beef cattle
terminology is important.
 A. The following are
common names and terms
used in describing beef
cattle.
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1. Cattle are bovines,
which are members of the
genus Bos.
What are the proper terms used in
describing beef cattle, and what are
the parts of a beef animal?
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2. A mature male is a bull.
3. A mature female is a cow.
4. A young male is a bull.
5. A young female is a
heifer.
6. A castrated male is a
steer.
7. A newborn is a calf.
8. A group of cattle is a herd.
What are the proper terms used in
describing beef cattle, and what are
the parts of a beef animal?
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B. The main purpose of a beef animal is
meat consumption, so people look at it
to identify its basic parts and to identify
the beef cuts on the animal.
What are the proper terms used in
describing beef cattle, and what are
the parts of a beef animal?
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C. Many other terms that should be known
refer to beef cuts taken from an animal.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
The common breeds of beef animals in the
United States were brought here from
many countries.
 They include Angus, Charolais, Hereford
and Polled Hereford, Limousin, Shorthorn,
Simmental, Brahman, Brangus, and
Beefmaster.
 A. Aberdeen-Angus cattle, known here as
Angus cattle, originated in northeastern
Scotland and were brought to the United
States in the 1870s.
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What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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Angus cattle are the most popular purebred
beef cattle, partially because they are vigorous
and perform well in feedlots.
The animals are polled, or
born without horns.
They are moderate in size
compared to other breeds
and are solid black or red.
The red animals do not absorb as much heat
as the black ones, making them more heat
tolerant.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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Angus cattle are known for their marbling,
which is the desirable presence of fat in the
muscle.
The American Angus Association has been
active since 1883 and has not allowed red
calves to be registered since 1917.
The Red Angus Association was formed in
1954.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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B. The Charolais breed originated in the
province of Charolais, France.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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The animals have pink skin and are white to
light straw colored.
The breed is large compared to others.
Mature bulls weigh 2,000 to 2,500 pounds, and
mature cows weigh 1,500 to 1,800 pounds.
Charolais cattle can be polled or horned and
are known for their heavy muscling.
This breed is popular in crossbreeding
programs to increase size and muscle in the
offspring of other breeds.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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C. Hereford cattle originated in Hereford
County, England.
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In the United States, the first
known purebred herd was
established in 1840 in New
York.
Hereford cattle have white
faces and red bodies, with white markings on
the switch (tail), underline, below the hocks,
and on both the crest and flank.
They are tolerant of cold climates because of
their thick coats.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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The breed is horned and easy to handle
because of its moderate size and docile nature.
Polled Hereford animals were started in Iowa
by Warren Gammon, who gathered animals
that were naturally polled and bred them to
make more polled animals.
Polled Herefords have the same traits as
Herefords and are eligible for registry in both
the American Hereford Association and the
American Polled Hereford Association.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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D. The Limousin originated in
southwestern France. Limousin semen
from Canada was brought to
the United States in 1968.
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The breed is wheat to rust red
or orange colored, and the
area around the muzzle is a
lighter version of the body color.
Recently black lines of cattle have been
developed.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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Limousin cattle can be polled or horned.
The breed is long and shallow bodied and is
known for calving ease.
The cattle are also known for the leanness of
their carcasses and for large loin areas.
The cutability, or the amount of available
retail cuts from the carcass, is high in Limousin
cattle.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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E. The Shorthorn is a dual-purpose
breed, so it has been used for milk and
beef production.
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It originated in England and was named
because of breeding practices that shortened
the horns of the breed.
Shorthorn cattle can be red, white, or roan and
horned or polled.
They are short and are known to be docile
animals with good mothering abilities.
Horned and polled animals can be registered
with the American Shorthorn Association,
which was organized in 1872.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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F. The Simmental originated in western
Switzerland, where it derived its name
from the Simme Valley.
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The breed is very old, dating
back to the Middle Ages.
However, Simmental cattle
have been in the United
States only since 1969,
when they were brought here from Canada.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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The color pattern includes a white face that is
dominant and a red-and-white–spotted or
nearly solid red body.
Black lines of this breed have been developed.
Both polled and horned animals exist.
The breed is known for rapid growth, thick
muscling, and adaptability to many different
climates.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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G. The Brahman originated in the United
States after several animals were
imported from India and bred to several
British breeds.
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The Brahman was commonly
used in crossbreeding
programs, which led to the
development of many
desirable hybrids.
The coloring can be light
gray or red and sometimes almost black.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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A Brahman is easily recognizable because of its
loose skin, large hump over the shoulders, and
large drooping ears.
Sometimes called Zebu, Brahman cattle are
popular because of their resistance to disease
and insects, tolerance to heat, rapid weight
gain, and quality carcasses.
The breed, which is unpredictable in
temperament, has an excellent ability to
forage successfully on poor range.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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H. The Brangus is a cross of Brahman and
Angus based on foundation stock that is
3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus.
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At the USDA Experiment Station in Jeanerette,
Louisiana, Brahman and Angus cattle were
crossed.
Research started about 1932.
Brangus cattle are polled animals, and their
color is solid black.
Because of their genetics, they have many of
the same characteristics of the Brahman and
Angus animals.
What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
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I. Beefmaster cattle were developed in
Texas in 1908 by combining ½ Brahman,
¼ Shorthorn, and ¼ Hereford.
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Coloration varies, but red is the dominant
color.
Beefmaster can be horned or naturally polled.
The breed is very hardy and is known to milk
well.
Beefmaster cattle are popular because of their
good temperaments, hardiness, heavy
weaning weights, and rapid weight gain.
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of beef production?
Beef production has several advantages
and disadvantages.
 A. The advantages of raising
beef cattle are:
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1. Beef cattle eat roughages.
2. While beef cattle are good foragers, they do
not essentially need to be fed daily.
3. If a producer follows good management
practices, typically death losses are reasonably
low in beef cattle production.
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of beef production?
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4. Beef cattle can be
raised in small numbers
or by several thousand
head.
5. Meat is constantly in
demand by consumers.
6. The beef industry provides many jobs.
7. Beef cattle provide an interest to FFA and 4H projects.
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of beef production?
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B. The disadvantages of raising beef cattle
are:
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1. A producer can take on several risks by
raising beef cattle.
2. The efficiency of a beef animal is not as
stable as that of other livestock.
3. A beef cow has a 283-day gestation period.
4. The cost of starting a beef operation is
expensive.
What facilities and equipment are
required in beef production?
Beef cattle facilities and equipment can be
reliant on the various types of
production and climate.
 Number of cattle, amount of
space, kind of facility, location,
herd and property security, environment
and climate conditions, money readily
available for investment, and use of other
facilities and equipment are key factors in
planning for beef cattle production.
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What facilities and equipment are
required in beef production?
A. Shelter for beef cattle can be loose and
open yet provide enough protection from
wind, rain, cold, and heat.
 B. Fencing is another
important component of
raising beef cattle.
 C. Pens and corrals are used to confine
beef cattle and are important components
in feedlots.
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What facilities and equipment are
required in beef production?
What facilities and equipment are
required in beef production?
D. Other equipment in beef production is
used for castration, dehorning, and
identification purposes.
 1. An elastrator or Burdizzo
is used in castration.
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Castration is the removal or
destruction of the testicles of
a male so it does not breed.
2. There are many ways to dehorn cattle.
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Dehorning is the removal of the horns from
horned breeds.
What facilities and equipment are
required in beef production?
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3. Many types of identification are
used in beef cattle production.
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Examples are ear tags, ear tattoos,
neckbands, branding, nose prints,
DNA testing, and microchips.
New ear tags allow for electronic
tracking of animals.
Nose prints and DNA testing show the precise
identity of animals.
Microchips can be placed beneath the skin of
animals, and scanners will decode their
signals.
What are the leading states and nations in beef
production, and what are the major export and
import markets for the United States?
Statistics show the leading states and
nations in beef production and the major
export and import markets for the United
States.
 A. The leading beef-producing states,
based on beef cash receipts for 2009, are
the following: (1) Texas, (2) Missouri, (3)
Oklahoma, (4) Nebraska, (5) South
Dakota, (6) Kansas, (7) Montana, (8)
Kentucky, (9) Tennessee, (10) Iowa.
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What are the leading states and nations in beef
production, and what are the major export and
import markets for the United States?
B. The top 10 beef-producing nations are
the following: (1) United States, (2)
Brazil, (3) European Union, (4) China, (5)
Argentina, (6) India, (7) Mexico, (8)
Australia, (9) Russia, (10) Canada.
 C. The top 10 world exporters of beef are
the following: (1) Brazil, (2) Australia, (3)
India, (4) New Zealand, (5) Canada, (6)
Argentina, (7) Uruguay, (8) United States,
(9) European Union, (10) Ukraine.
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What are the leading states and nations in beef
production, and what are the major export and
import markets for the United States?
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1. The leading nations to which the United
States exports are the following: (1)
Mexico, (2) Canada, (3) Japan, (4) Taiwan,
(5) Hong Kong.
D. Although the United
States is the largest
producer of beef in the
world, it is also a large
importer of beef.
What are the leading states and nations in beef
production, and what are the major export and
import markets for the United States?
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1. The top nations from which the United
States imports beef are Australia, Canada,
and New Zealand.
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The beef from Australia and New Zealand is
mostly used for ground-beef products.
2. The United States also imports
beef from Argentina and Brazil.
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Cooked beef products are the main
beef products imported from these
two countries.
How does the beef industry affect
the economy?
The beef industry is important to the
economy.
 Cattle and calves lead farm
commodities.
 Producers earned the largest
cash receipts in the United States.
 A. Beef is the number one selling protein
in the United States.
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Beef cattle production represents the largest
single segment of U.S. agriculture.
What are common parasites and diseases that
affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate
prevention and treatment methods?
Several common parasites and diseases
can affect beef cattle.
 Good management systems and
prevention programs can control
these.
 A. Common external parasites include
flies, mosquitoes, lice, mites, and ticks.
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Sanitation practices applied to facilities and
equipment can reduce these parasites.
What are common parasites and diseases that
affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate
prevention and treatment methods?
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B. Common internal parasites include
roundworms and flatworms.
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Anthelmintics are chemicals used to control
worms and to deworm animals.
These chemicals can be injected, given orally,
applied by a pour-on method, or may be mixed
with feed.
C. Diseases can drastically affect a beef
herd.
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Veterinarians help producers manage herd
health.
What are common parasites and diseases that
affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate
prevention and treatment methods?
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1. Bovine virus diarrhea (BVD) is an acute
contagious disease of cattle.
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This disease can be spread by contact.
Boots worn from farm to farm must be cleaned
and disinfected before the wearer enters a
farm.
Signs of BVD are fever, diarrhea, poor gains,
discharge from the nose, dehydration, and
lameness.
Vaccination is possible.
No specific treatment exists.
Producers may use electrolytes and fluids to
rehydrate animals.
What are common parasites and diseases that
affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate
prevention and treatment methods?
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2. Brucellosis (Bangs) is another disease
that can affect cattle.
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It is classified as a reproductive
disease.
A common sign is cattle aborting
after the fifth month of
pregnancy.
There is no cure for brucellosis.
When purchasing replacement
heifers, be sure they come from a brucellosisfree herd.
What are common parasites and diseases that
affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate
prevention and treatment methods?
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3. Blackleg is a highly infectious,
noncontagious disease of cattle.
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A major symptom is inflammation
of the muscles.
Animals can come into contact
with the bacteria through spores
from contaminated pastures.
The bacteria may live in the soil
and may be present for years.
Prevention is extremely important.
Calves should be vaccinated at two and six
months of age.
What are common parasites and diseases that
affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate
prevention and treatment methods?
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4. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), also
known as red nose, is a viral infection of the
respiratory system.
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The virus that causes this disease is also responsible for
infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV), which affects the
female reproductive tract.
This virus can spread by contact with infected animals or
through the air.
Cattle with IBR show signs of fever, rough breathing,
and weight loss.
Cows with IPV have vulvar discharge and vulvar
swelling.
When a new shipment of cattle enters a feedlot,
vaccination is highly recommended.
What are common parasites and diseases that
affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate
prevention and treatment methods?
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5. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by
several strains of bacteria.
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Some common signs are fever
and depression.
Cattle should be vaccinated
twice a year.
6. Campylobacteriosis is a venereal
disease.
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The main symptom is infertility in females.
Cattle should be vaccinated before breeding.
Vaccination should be repeated annually.
What are common parasites and diseases that
affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate
prevention and treatment methods?
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7. Bovine trichomoniasis is a venereal
disease marked by infertility and early
abortion.
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This disease is spread by sexual contact
among bovine animals.
Cows that have been infected should rest at
least 90 days from sexual contact with a bull.
Use artificial insemination to prevent this
disease in a herd.
Also, use “clean” (free of this disease) bulls as
a further safeguard.
Because no official treatment exists, infected
bulls should be harvested.
What are common parasites and diseases that
affect beef cattle, and what are appropriate
prevention and treatment methods?
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8. Johne’s disease is caused by bacteria in
contaminated feed and water.
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This disease has increased among
herds throughout the United
States in recent years.
The bacteria are commonly
carried through fecal materials.
The same equipment used to clean pens
should not be used to feed cattle.
Signs of this disease are diarrhea and weight
loss.
There is no treatment.
Review
What are the proper terms used in
describing beef cattle, and what are
the parts of a beef animal?
 What are the common breeds of beef
animals, and how do they differ?
 What are the advantages and
disadvantages of beef production?

Review
What facilities and equipment are
required in beef production?
 What are the leading states and
nations in beef production, and what
are the major export and import
markets for the United States?

Review
How does the beef industry affect the
economy?
 What are common parasites and
diseases that affect beef cattle, and
what are appropriate prevention and
treatment methods?
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