Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Course Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)

AGS 226 - Beef Cattle Science

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Open
The practical application of technical information to lifecycle beef production with emphasis on calf/cow production and feedlot management.
Prerequisite: AGS 319  or AGS 114  or Instructor permission.
Competencies
  1. Assess industry production trends
    1. Examine shifts in production from state to state
    2. Discuss the development of increased cow herds in southeastern United States
    3. Examine the movement to larger feedlots
  2. Identify trends in consumer preference
    1. Relate data dealing with cholesterol and health
    2. Review cattlemen’s efforts to improve quality of their product
  3. Describe issues that impact the future of the beef industry
  4. Examine basic genetic principles
    1. Diagram results in color pattern in Angus cattle to illustrate recessive characteristics
    2. Diagram results in horn type to illustrate dominant characteristics
  5. Calculate genetic improvement
    1. Show the rate of progress in weaning weights through selection
    2. Predict birth weight of calves through bull selection
  6. Assess production efficiency levels
    1. Point out the influence of percent of calf crop on profitability
    2. Discuss the importance of calving rate
    3. Describe the effect of good average daily gains
    4. Illustrate the value of low feed efficiency
  7. Interpret production indexes by solving production index problems
  8. Critique the synchronization of estrous, superovulation, estrous detection, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer
    1. Outline the steps in synchronizing estrous
    2. Define superovulation
    3. Cite the methods of detecting estrous
    4. State the importance of artificial insemination to the beef industry
    5. List the advantages of embryo transfer
  9. Examine the growth and development of a beef animal
  10. Analyze feeder cattle types, sources available and marketing methods utilized
    1. Prepare a chart of feeder cattle types
    2. Outline methods used in marketing feeder cattle
  11. Evaluate the proper handling and feeding of feeder cattle
    1. Write a short essay on proper handling of feeder cattle
    2. Compare high energy and low energy diets
    3. Assemble data on proper facilities for feeding cattle
  12. Assess the management of the breeding herd for reproductive efficiency
    1. Criticize over-feeding of the cow herd
    2. Appraise data demonstrating the value of early rebreeding
    3. Explain the importance of a mineral feeding program
  13. Evaluate major breeds and their contribution to a genetic program
    1. Examine data showing the merits of each breed
    2. Analyze crossbreeding programs being used
    3. Diagram a desirable breeding program for an Iowa cow-calf operation
  14. Analyze the factors affecting selection efficiency of herd replacement
  15. Assess genetic and economic factors affecting sire selection
    1. Summarize heritability estimates for economically important traits in beef cattle
    2. Show how number of cows in the herd affect economic progress
    3. Compute economic progress for a single trait
    4. Demonstrate economic progress potential for several traits
  16. Describe methods of merchandizing and buying breeding stock
    1. Name the advantages of a public auction
    2. List the merits of a one day private sale
    3. Cite advantages of the show ring
  17. Critique advantages and disadvantages of various types of facilities
    1. Classify beef production facilities
    2. Analyze different types of facilities
    3. Select a facility for an Iowa cattle feeder
  18. Determine proper requirements for space allotment, feed and water
    1. Lay out a feedlot for a cattle feeder wanting 1,000 head capacity
    2. Show the proper amount of space, feed bunks and water troughs



Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)