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3. (a) Compare summer grazing and winter fattening as systems for finishing beef animals - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 3 - 2011
Question 3
3. (a) Compare summer grazing and winter fattening as systems for finishing beef animals. (b) Describe four qualities a farmer would look for when selecting replac... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:3. (a) Compare summer grazing and winter fattening as systems for finishing beef animals - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 3 - 2011
Step 1
Compare summer grazing and winter fattening as systems for finishing beef animals.
Answer
Summer grazing involves using all the grazing to finish cattle or beef. This method requires little labor input, as the cattle are able to graze freely on grass. It does not involve any hay or silage, and there is minimal need for concentrates. On the other hand, winter fattening involves housing the cattle during the colder months and feeding them silage or hay, often requiring significant labor for feeding and care. In this system, most of the feed comes from stored forage, and it can be more intensive as it requires monitoring of feed quality and cattle condition.
Step 2
Describe four qualities a farmer would look for when selecting replacement heifers for a dairy herd.
Answer
When selecting replacement heifers, a farmer should consider the following qualities: 1. Teats/Fertility: Good teats are essential for milk yield; 2. High Milk Yield: Choose heifers from breeds that are known for their high milk production; 3. Good EBI (Economic Breeding Index): This metric helps in determining the future profitability of the heifer; 4. Health and Condition: Look for heifers that are healthy, have good body condition, and come from mothers who have previously shown they can produce quality milk.
Step 3
Explain the underlined term and give an example of FCE for a named farm animal.
Answer
Food Conversion Efficiency (FCE) is a measure of how efficiently an animal converts food consumed into weight gain. For example, in pigs, FCE can be expressed as a ratio of the amount of feed consumed to weight gained, typically ranging from 1.75 to 3.25:1.
Step 4
Explain why FCE decreases with age in an animal.
Answer
As animals age, body tissues develop in order: nerve, bone, muscle, and fat. Fat deposition increases, while the efficiency of converting feed to gain decreases. Younger animals are typically more efficient as they have a higher proportion of lean body growth compared to older animals.
Step 5
Explain how a farmer might improve the FCE of his herd.
Answer
A farmer can improve FCE by ensuring high-quality diet which includes increased concentrates and reduced roughage. Additionally, introducing new animals to the herd can enhance genetics and thereby performance. Management practices such as disease control, maintaining good housing conditions, and managing environment heat stress are also vital for improving FCE.