AGR 2350 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Marker-Assisted Selection, Estrous Cycle, Cattle

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Agriculture
• Course: AGR 2350
• Professor: Vern Osborne

Document Summary

Forage based although use significant grain in finishing programs. Utilize land not capable of crop production. Add value to forages and grains raised on crop-land. Growth (birth, weaning, yearling), maternal (milk), reproductive (scrotal, calving ease), meat quality (marbling, rea) Shelf life & ease of preparation food safety. Wean 500-600 lb calf at 7-8 months of age back grounding/stocker. Classes of beef cattle in a cow-calf operation. Market (up until weaning or later, typically steers and non-replacement heifers) Commercial (lbs of weaned calf, quality of weaned calf) Goal to have cows conceive by about 80 d postpartum to maintain yearly calving interval. Objectives in feeding the beef breeding cow herd. To produce a 90% plus calf crop of healthy calves at a reasonable cost. To have brood cows rebred by 80-85 d postpartum so to produce one calf every year. Goals in feeding the cow ensure adequate body condition for: Growth in the 2 to 3 year old replacement heifer.