Pest/Disease
Is there a vaccine for Bovine Respiratory Disease?
Yes
What is the term for the process of a cow giving birth?
Calving
What does "liveweight" refer to?
Weight of animals alive, before slaughter
What does it mean if an animal is polled?
The animal has no horns
What is the purpose of a graph?
To display data visually so patterns, trends and relationships can be identified.
What is Liverfluke and how can we control it?
Liver fluke is a parasitic flatworm that infects cattle, damages the liver and can cause weight loss and poor growth.
Control methods:
Use appropriate flukicide treatments.
Drain wet areas where possible.
Reduce cattle access to snail habitats in wet paddocks.
Monitor cattle for signs of infection.
Define breeding enterprise
A breeding enterprise is a cattle operation where animals are bred to produce calves for future breeding or beef production.
Identify two ways farmers can improve animal welfare during cattle handling.
Move cattle calmly and avoid shouting or sudden movements.
Use appropriate handling facilities to reduce the risk of injury and stress.
What is a common reason for castrating male cattle?
To prevent breeding and reduce aggression
Which type of graph is most suitable for showing cattle weight changes over time? Explain why.
A line graph, because it shows changes in weight over time and makes trends easy to identify.
Name 3 ways disease can impact animal health/productivity
Causing the animal to loose condition (weight)
Infertility
Pain and discomfort for the animal
What is Artificial insemination?
Fertilizing a breeding cow with sampled sperm from a bull
List a sign of stress in cattle?
Rapid movement
Rapid breathing
Aggressive behaviour
Isolation from herd
What are some characteristics that will assess during cattle judging?
Conformation:
- Straightness of back
- Leg conformation
- Foot conformation
Identify three important features of a correctly constructed graph.
A clear title.
Both axes labelled with the correct units.
An appropriate scale.
Explain four ways farmers can reduce the risk of pests and diseases spreading through a cattle herd.
Vaccinate cattle against relevant diseases.
Quarantine new or sick animals.
Maintain clean yards, equipment and water sources.
Monitor cattle regularly for signs of illness or parasites.
Briefly explain what happens to female AND male calves when born into a breeding enterprise
Female calves (heifers): The best are kept as replacement breeders to produce future calves. Others may be sold for beef.
Male calves: Most are castrated to become steers for beef production. Selected males may remain entire as bulls for breeding.
What is the main advantage of grazing cattle on pasture rather than feeding only grain?
Pasture is usually cheaper than grain, provides natural grazing and fibre for healthy rumen function, and allows cattle to feed naturally.
In which part of the cow’s stomach does most fermentation and digestion of fibrous feed occur?
The rumen contains microorganisms that break down fibrous feed, such as grass and hay, through fermentation. This allows cattle to obtain nutrients from plant material.
How do you calculate an average?
Average = Total of all values ÷ Number of values
Explain how pests and diseases can affect the productivity and profitability of a beef cattle enterprise.
Cattle may lose weight or grow more slowly.
Animals may produce less meat.
Treatment increases costs for farmers.
Sick animals may have reduced fertility.
Severe disease can cause deaths, reducing farm income.
Describe the steps involved in calving and how farmers ensure the health of both the cow and calf.
Before calving
Farmers monitor the cow for signs that birth is approaching, provide suitable feed and water, and ensure there is a clean, safe area for calving.
During calving
The cow experiences labour and delivers the calf. Farmers monitor progress from an appropriate distance and seek veterinary assistance if there are signs of difficulty or an abnormal delay.
After
The farmer checks that:
The calf is breathing and responsive.
The cow is recovering and does not show signs of serious injury or illness.
The calf receives colostrum, the first milk, which supplies antibodies important for early immune protection.
The calf and cow can bond and the calf can suckle.
Any necessary identification and health records are completed.
List the key requirement for animal welfare in beef cattle farming?
Adequate food and water: Provide enough nutritious feed and clean water.
Shelter and protection: Protect cattle from extreme weather and provide suitable shade where needed.
Good health: Prevent, identify and treat injuries, illness and disease.
Suitable living conditions: Provide enough space, safe fencing and appropriate ground conditions.
Low stress: Handle cattle calmly and avoid unnecessary fear, pain or distress.
Humane handling and transport: Use appropriate methods when moving, transporting and restraining cattle.
Responsible breeding and management: Ensure calving, castration, vaccination and other procedures are managed appropriately to minimise pain and suffering.
Humane euthanasia: Ensure severely injured or sick cattle are treated promptly or euthanised humanely when necessary.
Describe how branding and ear tagging are used in cattle management and explain their importance for farm operations.
Branding uses a permanent mark on cattle to identify ownership, while ear tagging uses numbered tags to identify individual animals.
Importance: Both help farmers keep accurate records, track health treatments and vaccinations, monitor breeding and manage livestock effectively.
Explain the difference between a line graph and a column graph, and give one example of when each would be used.
Line graph: Shows changes over time, such as cattle weight as they grow.
Column graph: Compares different categories, such as the number of cattle of different breeds.