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The heifer shown is a Blonde d'Aquitaine - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question (b) - 2022
Question (b)
The heifer shown is a Blonde d'Aquitaine. State if this breed is a continental or british breed by placing a tick (✓) in the correct box. | British breed | Contine... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The heifer shown is a Blonde d'Aquitaine - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question (b) - 2022
Step 1
Step 2
Explain the underlined term.
Answer
Conformation refers to the shape, structure, and overall physical appearance of the animal. A grade of 'U' indicates that the heifer has superior conformation, meaning it has a desirable body shape and muscle distribution, which is important for quality meat production.
Step 3
Calculate the average daily gain (ADG) of the heifer from March to September.
Answer
To calculate the Average Daily Gain (ADG), we can use the formula:
ext{ADG} = rac{ ext{Final Weight} - ext{Initial Weight}}{ ext{Days}}
Substituting the values:
ext{ADG} = rac{788 ext{ kg} - 533 ext{ kg}}{185 ext{ days}} = rac{255 ext{ kg}}{185 ext{ days}} \approx 1.38 ext{ kg/day}
The average daily gain (ADG) of the heifer from March to September is approximately 1.38 kg/day.
Step 4
Suggest one advantage of compensatory growth.
Answer
One advantage of compensatory growth is that it allows the animal to catch up in weight gain after a period of restricted nutrition or growth. This means that after a growth setback, the animal can put on weight and muscle more rapidly when given an adequate diet, resulting in potentially higher production efficiency.