Beef breeds and dairy breeds are commonly found on Irish cattle farms - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 1 - 2015

1. Body Shape: Beef breeds typically have a block-shaped and thick neck appearance which signifies more muscle, whereas dairy breeds have a wedge-shaped body with a narrower build.

2. Shoulder Structure: Beef cattle usually have wide and fleshed shoulders, while dairy cattle have narrow and less fleshed shoulders.

3. Back and Hindquarters: Beef breeds possess broader backs and wider hindquarters compared to dairy breeds which have narrower backs and narrower hindquarters.

Condition scoring involves assessing the body fatness or thinness of cattle by applying pressure to specific areas of the backbone, typically using a scale of 1 to 5. A score of 1 indicates overly thin animals, while a score of 5 indicates excessively fat ones.

A condition score of 2.5 to 3 is generally recommended for cows at mating to ensure optimal reproductive performance.

A high condition score can lead to calving difficulties due to increased body fat, which may impede the birthing process. Additionally, over-fat cows have a higher risk of requiring cesarean sections or experience complications such as milk fever.

1. Known Supplier: Ensure that you only purchase replacement heifers from known suppliers who can vouch for the health and quality of the livestock.

2. Health Checks: Perform health checks for diseases or signs of good health, ensuring that the heifers are vaccinated and isolated before introduction to the herd.

1. Biosecurity Measures: Implement strict biosecurity practices such as controlling entry points and restricting access to visitors to minimize the risk of disease introduction.

2. Hygiene Practices: Maintain high hygiene standards by regularly cleaning and disinfecting housing and fencing to protect against pathogens.