ruminant
What makes an animal a Ruminant?
4 stomach compartments
what percent of body weight do steers need to eat per day
2.5-3%
how much % of body weight do heifers generally eat?
2.5-3%
main component needed for hydration in cattle
water
how many times per day is best for feeding?
atleast 2 but more could be better.
what is the holding area for Cud?
Reticulum
what is the biggest risk period for animals to get adjusted to in feeding
phase 1 starting- focus is to get to 40% grain and 60% roughage
what should be the forage to grain split for slowly growing heifers?
75/25
what key nutrient do most cereal grains add to a ration
how is it best to ensure calf gets enough vitamins and minerals?
ensuring we add minerals etc into grain or silage rations daily for consistant feeding.
what is the key compartment for Water absorption?
omasum
which phase represents the highest average daily gain to gain more fat coverage
phase 3 - finishing
what should be the target % of mature bodyweight for breeding heifers?
65% at breeding
what do Urea, alfalfa, Peas and other concentrates have in common in a ration
protein
is a buddy animal always beneficial
no a buddy animal can also eat too much or be too dominant, this needs to be watched and managed. it can encourage competition for eating.
what is the largest compartment focused on fermentation and micro organism plant material breakdown
Rumen
what is the middle phase called and what is the focus?
growing it is increasing the grain to 1.5% BW
what should be the rough daily rate of gain goal for heifers?
1.5-1.75 lbs per day in most cases
what would Phos, calcium etc fall in in a feed catagory
minerals
what should we keep track of to adjust feed amounts
body weight increases and which phase of feeding we are in.
described as the true stomach with enzymes and acids for nutrient uptake
abomasum
what is frame scoring and what is the purpose
a hip measurement combined with age to determine rough end weight.
why is body scoring females so important in a breeding herd?
animals outside of 3-3.5 BCS have reduced pregnancy rates, longer calving intervals, higher risk deathloss, lower weaning weights etc.
what vitamins are most key in beef production
A D and E
what environmental factors can affect eating habits?