cow/calf management test questions
and answers a+ graded
Define puberty CORRECT ANSWERS When an animal has reached sexual maturity
Describe 2 factors that impact when puberty occurs CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Genetics:
minimum age requirements vary with species and breed
2. Body Size: achieve a target weight before breeding
Describe 3 products (hormones, or other substances) that can be used in
synchronization protocols for beef cattle. CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Gonadotropin-
releasing hormone (GnRH) products
2.Progestogens-used to maintain progesterone levels at high enough levels to prevent
estrus and ovulation.
3.Prostaglandin F2alpha products- induce estrus in cattle by causing premature
regression of the corpus luteum
Colostrum CORRECT ANSWERS the first milk, very important for newborns to get this
after birth because it builds their immunity.
Cotyledon CORRECT ANSWERS Blood vessels in the placenta
Dystocia CORRECT ANSWERS abnormal birth
How many days does pregnancy (gestation) last in cattle? CORRECT ANSWERS 283
days
How long should you wait to assist a cow after you observe the cow pass a water bag
before she has calved? CORRECT ANSWERS 60 minutes
List 3 methods of identifying cattle AND for each tell whether it's permanent or
temporary: CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Tagging- temporary, could get snagged or ripped
out
2. Branding- permanent
3. Tattoo- permanent
What is Hardware disease? CORRECT ANSWERS Swallowing foreign objects, usually
metal, it sits in the reticulum & can penetrate the reticulum
What is bloat? CORRECT ANSWERS Gas build up in the stomach from eating too
much of something such as grains or legumes in a pasture; causes a lot of pressure in
rumen; cattle die from suffocation
, List the 5 essential nutrients AND which one will cause death most rapidly if it is absent:
CORRECT ANSWERS 1. energy (carbohydrates and fats)
2. proteins
3. Minerals
4. Vitamins
5. Water***
What is weaning rate? CORRECT ANSWERS # of calves born/# of females exposed
X100
What is a desirable calving sequence? And why is calving sequence important?
CORRECT ANSWERS Calving sequence: the % of calves born at 21-day intervals from
the start of calving
Importance:
-Get more pounds to sell with older calves at weaning
-Cows that calved earlier have a greater probability of getting pregnant
-Cow herds with a tight calving sequence have a marketing advantage
What are the advantages to having a defined Breeding Season in a beef cow herd? Are
there disadvantages? CORRECT ANSWERS Advantages:
-allows matching nutritional needs of the herd to forage resources
-You have time to prepare cattle for rebreeding
-Vaccinating is easier because calves are around the same age
Disadvantages:
-more intense monitoring of breeding and calving
How many days is the average weaning age of beef calves in the United States?
CORRECT ANSWERS 205 days old
What is the age that a cow stops growing, reaches her mature size? CORRECT
ANSWERS 4 years old
The estimated forage intake of beef cows is what % of their body weight? CORRECT
ANSWERS 2.5%
What is creep feeding? CORRECT ANSWERS Providing supplemental feed for calves
in an enclosure that cows cannot enter
List 4 commonly used intake control systems for supplementing beef cattle: CORRECT
ANSWERS 1. timer on feeders
2. salt mixed in with feed
3. Physical limiters (blocks and tubs)
4. Liquid suppléments
and answers a+ graded
Define puberty CORRECT ANSWERS When an animal has reached sexual maturity
Describe 2 factors that impact when puberty occurs CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Genetics:
minimum age requirements vary with species and breed
2. Body Size: achieve a target weight before breeding
Describe 3 products (hormones, or other substances) that can be used in
synchronization protocols for beef cattle. CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Gonadotropin-
releasing hormone (GnRH) products
2.Progestogens-used to maintain progesterone levels at high enough levels to prevent
estrus and ovulation.
3.Prostaglandin F2alpha products- induce estrus in cattle by causing premature
regression of the corpus luteum
Colostrum CORRECT ANSWERS the first milk, very important for newborns to get this
after birth because it builds their immunity.
Cotyledon CORRECT ANSWERS Blood vessels in the placenta
Dystocia CORRECT ANSWERS abnormal birth
How many days does pregnancy (gestation) last in cattle? CORRECT ANSWERS 283
days
How long should you wait to assist a cow after you observe the cow pass a water bag
before she has calved? CORRECT ANSWERS 60 minutes
List 3 methods of identifying cattle AND for each tell whether it's permanent or
temporary: CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Tagging- temporary, could get snagged or ripped
out
2. Branding- permanent
3. Tattoo- permanent
What is Hardware disease? CORRECT ANSWERS Swallowing foreign objects, usually
metal, it sits in the reticulum & can penetrate the reticulum
What is bloat? CORRECT ANSWERS Gas build up in the stomach from eating too
much of something such as grains or legumes in a pasture; causes a lot of pressure in
rumen; cattle die from suffocation
, List the 5 essential nutrients AND which one will cause death most rapidly if it is absent:
CORRECT ANSWERS 1. energy (carbohydrates and fats)
2. proteins
3. Minerals
4. Vitamins
5. Water***
What is weaning rate? CORRECT ANSWERS # of calves born/# of females exposed
X100
What is a desirable calving sequence? And why is calving sequence important?
CORRECT ANSWERS Calving sequence: the % of calves born at 21-day intervals from
the start of calving
Importance:
-Get more pounds to sell with older calves at weaning
-Cows that calved earlier have a greater probability of getting pregnant
-Cow herds with a tight calving sequence have a marketing advantage
What are the advantages to having a defined Breeding Season in a beef cow herd? Are
there disadvantages? CORRECT ANSWERS Advantages:
-allows matching nutritional needs of the herd to forage resources
-You have time to prepare cattle for rebreeding
-Vaccinating is easier because calves are around the same age
Disadvantages:
-more intense monitoring of breeding and calving
How many days is the average weaning age of beef calves in the United States?
CORRECT ANSWERS 205 days old
What is the age that a cow stops growing, reaches her mature size? CORRECT
ANSWERS 4 years old
The estimated forage intake of beef cows is what % of their body weight? CORRECT
ANSWERS 2.5%
What is creep feeding? CORRECT ANSWERS Providing supplemental feed for calves
in an enclosure that cows cannot enter
List 4 commonly used intake control systems for supplementing beef cattle: CORRECT
ANSWERS 1. timer on feeders
2. salt mixed in with feed
3. Physical limiters (blocks and tubs)
4. Liquid suppléments
