EPDs
What three EPDs does the Sow Productivity Index combine?
Number Born Alive, Number Weaned, and 21-day Litter Weight.
What does traceability assist in eradicating?
Animal diseases and disorders.
What is a risk of neck chains if not adjusted correctly?
They can get too tight or slip off.
About what percentage of sheep grade Prime or Choice?
92
Which tissue is the first to stop growing and reach a plateau?
Bone
What does a Marbling EPD predict?
The expected marbling potential of an animal's offspring.
What are farrowing crates used for?
Individualized stalls designed to house a sow and her piglets.
In the U.S. ear notching system, which ear holds the litter number?
The right ear.
Name three methods used to market cattle.
Direct trade, auction, and video auction/sale.
What is crossbreeding?
The mating of animals of different breeds.
What three factors does the Terminal Sire Index combine?
Days to 250, pounds of fat-free lean, and backfat.
. What historical event led to the start of animal identification in the early 1900s?
An outbreak of bovine brucellosis.
What is a scrapie tag used for in sheep and goats?
Required identification that helps control scrapie disease and traces the animal back to its original flock.
Name 2 traits to consider in visual selection.
Any 2 of: correctness of feet and legs, muscle, masculinity (bulls), femininity (cows).
What does a U.S. 1 grade indicate about a hog?
A very lean, heavy-muscled hog.
What does 21-day Litter Weight (LWT) predict?
The expected 21-day litter weight of an animal's offspring.
What must producers monitor to satisfy the freedom from fear and distress?
The animal's body movements, to make sure it is calm and not experiencing fear or distress.
Where are microchips/transponders typically implanted in livestock?
Between the shoulder blades or near the base of the ear.
What is the average dressing percentage for hogs?
70 percent
What are gestation crates used for?
Individualized stalls designed to house pregnant sows.
Define hybrid vigor (heterosis).
When crossbred offspring exceed the average of the two parental breeds.
What does the 28-hour law require for hauling livestock?
Livestock cannot be hauled by truck or train for more than 28 continuous hours without being unloaded for 5 hours.
Where did branding originate, and what was it originally used for?
Spanish conquistadors; used on cattle drives in the West to prevent cattle rustling.
What is the average target fat thickness for market sheep?
0.25 inches.
What is a pedigree?
An animal's record of ancestry.