Photo AI
Describe the management practices necessary to maximise the growth of housed weanlings during their first winter - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question Question 1 - 2016
Question Question 1
Describe the management practices necessary to maximise the growth of housed weanlings during their first winter. Describe a suitable grazing system which might be ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe the management practices necessary to maximise the growth of housed weanlings during their first winter - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question Question 1 - 2016
Step 1
Describe the management practices necessary to maximise the growth of housed weanlings during their first winter.
Answer
To maximize the growth of housed weanlings during their first winter, several management practices should be implemented:
-
Housing Requirements: Ensure adequate space for each animal, providing at least 1.4 m² floor space and 7 m³ air space per weanling. Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent respiratory issues.
-
Health Monitoring: Regularly monitor for parasites and diseases. Implement effective biosecurity measures to minimize health risks.
-
Nutrition: Provide high-quality feed that includes silage and supplements rich in energy and protein to support optimal growth rates. Adjust the diet to meet the specific needs of weanlings.
-
Water Supply: Ensure a constant supply of clean, fresh water as dehydration can hinder growth.
-
Social Grouping: House weanlings in similar weight groups to reduce stress and competition for resources.
Step 2
Describe a suitable grazing system which might be used in a beef enterprise to achieve optimum production.
Answer
A suitable grazing system for a beef enterprise is the rotational grazing system. This system can be illustrated using an example of a paddock setup:
-
Two Points of Operation: Implement a rotational schedule where pasture is divided into sections, allowing animals to graze in one area while the other is rested. This promotes healthier grass growth and reduces parasite load.
-
Leader-Follower System: Introduce a leader-follower grazing strategy, where more dominant animals graze first, followed by younger or less dominant animals, ensuring even pasture utilization.
-
Benefits: This system results in better grass quality, improved animal health via reduced parasite exposure, and overall enhanced production efficiency.
Step 3
Outline the main features of this system.
Answer
The EU beef carcase classification system has several key features:
- Grading process: It is a grading system used in factories to assess carcases based on fat content and conformation.
- Classification Scores: Carcases are scored from 1 to 5 for fat and E to P for conformation, assisting producers in understanding product quality and market standards.
Step 4
Using this system, indicate a suitable score for a highly productive Continental beef animal and a British crossbred beef animal.
Answer
For a highly productive Continental beef animal, a suitable score on the EU classification system would be E1 or E2 for conformation and U1 or U2 for fat cover.
For a British crossbred beef animal, an appropriate score might be R4 or R5 for conformation and either O4 or O5 for fat score.
Step 5
Describe a suitable strategy which could be used to improve the classification of Irish beef cattle in the future.
Answer
A suitable strategy to improve the classification of Irish beef cattle could involve crossbreeding practices. This includes:
- Using High-Quality Bulls: Introduce high-quality beef bulls, such as Continental breeds, known for superior growth rates and carcass quality.
- Selective Breeding: Implement a careful breeding program that focuses on optimal slaughter age and weight while ensuring animals are finished on high-quality forage.
- Animal Management: Monitor health closely and employ best practices in animal husbandry to enhance overall cattle quality and ensure optimal classification at slaughter.