ANSI 3653

Exam 3
Study Guide
Cow Nutrition
1. Assuming that a producer is experiencing a poor pregnancy rate (70-80% conception) in his
cow herd. The females have a discolored hair coat and significant recurrence of estrus
activity even though the females are apparently bred. Some calves have died at 7 – 10 days
of age with no apparent illness noted. What is the potential problem and what should be
done nutritionally to help in this situation?
2. True detection of a copper deficiency requires an organ assay. Which organ is tested to
determine copper levels? What is normal level of copper in this organ for mature cows?
Newborn calves?
3. Explain the visible signs of a potential copper deficiency in black-hided vs. red-hided cattle.
4. The importance of proper levels of trace minerals in the diets of beef cattle has been well
established. Copper deficiency has been noted in many regions of the U.S. Copper
deficiency affects reproduction as well as the immune function of baby calves. Organic and
inorganic sources of copper have differing absorption rates in beef cattle. Copper sulfate and
copper oxide are inorganic minerals. Copper lysine complex is an organic mineral source.
How do they differ in terms of absorption rates? If a producer desired to manage a copper
deficiency, which sources are the most desirable to use? Given examples of feed tags listing
the ingredients, be able to identify organic and inorganic sources of copper on a feed tag.
5. What vitamin is typically a problem in the wintering beef cow grazing warm season variety
forages? What symptoms are noted in this deficiency? Why is this vitamin not a problem in
wintering beef cows grazing cool season variety forages?
6. Winter stress is an important consideration in this state as well as many states to the north.
Assuming that a 1200 lb. average milking beef cow has a TDN requirement of 16.8 lbs. of
TDN per day. The beef cow is suffering from winter stress. The outside temperature is 10 o
F with a wind speed of 25 mph, resulting in a wind chill index of -17 o F. If the cow’s critical
body temperature is 30 o F, what would be her new TDN requirement adjusted for the winter
stress? How many pounds of bermudagrass hay (TDN = 65% on a dry matter basis) must be
fed to satisfy this new TDN requirement? If the forage is of excellent quality (2.7% of her
body weight in dry matter intake), can the female consume sufficient forage to satisfy her
TDN requirement? Explain.

Calf Nutrition

1. The newborn is born without important immunoglobulins (antibodies) against disease.

Nursing and receiving these valuable antibodies from mother’s milk is essential for life. The
first milk, colostrum, contains these very vital antibodies. Buildup of the antibodies in the
mammary gland of the mother starts approximately _________ weeks prior to parturition.
Since these antibodies are protein molecules, late gestation nutrition of the cow is vitally
important.
2. Once the calf nurses, the antibodies are absorbed rapidly. How soon after nursing can these
antibodies be detected in the newborn’s bloodstream?
3. The absorption of antibodies present in the colostrum by newborn calves is very restrictive
due to the closure of the esophageal groove to the large protein antibody molecules. The
greatest absorption occurs within the first __________ hours of life. Absorption of the
antibodies decreases by 50% at _______ hours after birth and the esophageal groove will seal
by 24 hours and the absorption of antibodies in the first milk will be 0%. Administering
colostrum to a 2 day old calf does little good other than the protein and energy rich milk.
Due the sealing of the esophageal groove at 24 hours of life, the antibodies present in the
colostrum cannot be absorbed from the intestine after 24 hours of life.
4. Feeding insufficient energy and/or protein to the late gestating female can potentially cause
many problems. What potential problems can result from improper feeding of the late
gestating female?
5. Calf scours or diarrhea at 7 – 14 days after birth is the result of insufficient colostrum
consumption and/or insufficient absorption of antibodies in the newborn calf. What
symptoms in the calf might a producer notice as characteristics of E. coli calf scours?
6. E. coli scours results in a very characteristic colored fecal material. What is this color? With
evidence of this fecal material, what should a producer do to aid in the treatment of calf
scours?
7. A producer called recently concerning the use of growth implants in pre-weaning calves. He
normally retains at least half of his heifers as herd replacements, but sells his steers and the
remainder of heifers at weaning. Ralgro, Synovex-C, Component E-C, Compudose, and
Encore are names of growth implants that have been licensed for use in pre-weaning calves.
What is the cost of these implants per dose? What added weight gain at weaning can be
expected from their proper use? Is there an age restriction for use of these implants on
heifers, especially if the heifers will be retained as a potential replacement heifer? Explain.
8. In terms of bull calves, steer calves, potential replacement heifers and non-replacement
heifers, what is the proper recommendation concerning pre-weaning growth implants?
9. What is creep feeding?
10. The most commonly used creep formulation is a 16-18% CP grain-based ration consisting of
corn, oats, soybean meal, molasses, added roughage plus minerals and vitamins. We have
formulated creep rations several times in lab. Answer the following questions concerning
grain-based creep feeding:
a. In spring calving situations with adequate forage available, what is the expected
weight gains at weaning associated with the added supplemental creep feeding? How
many lbs. of creep feed are typically required per lb. of additional calf gain?
b. In fall calving situations on dormant native range grass, what is the expected weight
gains at weaning associated with the added supplemental creep feeding? How many
lbs. of creep feed are typically required per lb. of additional calf gain?
c. Suckling intensity of calves has a direct effect on the estrus activity of females. Many
producers feel that creep feeding will reduce nursing pressure on cows and heifers
that are thin in body condition; therefore, removing the suckling intensity and
allowing the female to return to estrus. What effect does grain-based creep feeding
have on suckling intensity and milk consumption of the calves? Explain.
d. Calves being provided a supplemental source of protein and energy in the form of
creep rations have shown a preference for feedstuffs. When comparing milk, creep
and forage, what is the order of preference of nutrients by calves?
e. Is creep feeding desirable for young pre-weaning heifers? YES or NO. Explain.

Stocker Nutrition
1. What is the purpose of the stocker industry? What is the stocker industry’s role in beef
production?
2. What is the name of the precondition program discussed in class? What are the key elements
of this program?
3. Know the difference between Oklahoma Gold, Oklahoma Super Gold, and Oklahoma Green
Gold supplements (protein content, feeding rates, etc.), and which types of forages each
would be used for.
4. In class, we discussed the use of different forages for different weights of stocker cattle. The
three most widely used forages in a stocker program are winter wheat pasture (DM crude
protein value ~ 28%), summer Bermuda grass (DM crude protein value ~ 14%) or summer
native pasture (DM crude protein value ~ 9%). Typically two different weight classes of
cattle are used in stocker programs: light weight cattle (350-500 lb) and heavy weight cattle
(500-650 lb).

a. Due to their small size and inability to consume large quantities of dry matter due to
rumen fill, should 350-500 lb. calves graze cool season or warm season variety
forages in order to sustain daily gains in excess of 1.5 lbs. per day? Explain.

b. Because of their increased size and ability to consume greater quantities of dry matter
per day, should 500-650 lb. calves graze cool season or warm season variety forages
in order to sustain daily gains in excess of 1.5 lbs. per day? Explain.

c. What types of forages are most ideally suited for stocker programs for calves born in
the spring and weaned in the fall? Why?

d. What types of forages are most ideally suited for stocker programs for calves born in
the fall and weaned in the spring? Why?

e. Know a reasonable ADG estimate (discussed in class) for winter wheat pasture,
summer Bermuda grass, and summer native pasture.

Receiving Nutrition

1. What single factor of cattle at arrival influences most of the management decisions in the
feedlot?
2. What are the standard processing procedures for all cattle on arrival?
3. Define metaphylaxis. When would metaphylaxis be used as part of processing?
4. One of the problems with new arrival of cattle to a confined feeding facility is the inability to
get them to simply eat. Receiving programs are designed to acclimate the calves to a new
environment, establish health and promote efficient gains. Why do producers generally offer
calves good quality grass hay upon arrival rather than initially exposing them to a high grain
ration?
5. Alfalfa hay is an excellent forage source, but should be avoided in newly arrived cattle.
Why?

Feedlot Nutrition
1. Define physiological maturity targets. How is it related to the finishing weight of small,
medium and large framed feeder calves?
2. What are the USDA Feeder Cattle Standards for frame and muscling?
3. Fat is deposited in the animal in a very unique order of deposit sites. Rank fat deposits
around the internal organs, intermuscular (fat between the muscle systems), subcutaneous
(fat below the skin surface) and intramuscular (fat within the muscle) in terms of earliest to
latest fat deposits.
4. The starter ration in a feed yard is typically ~ 40% roughage, ~ 60% concentrate. What are
the two options discussed in class for adapting cattle to the finishing ration?
5. Why do feedlots use a series of step up rations or two ration blending rather than just starting
the cattle on the finishing ration?
6. How many days are typically allowed for adaption using as series of rations or two ration
blending?
7. What is acidosis and why does it occur in a feed yard?
8. Name four symptoms of acidosis in feedlot cattle.
9. The ration sequence in a feed yard is based on the amount of roughage in each of the diets.
Alfalfa hay and corn silage have been historically used in finishing diets because they
possess high energy values as roughage sources. When determining the roughage percentage
for a feedlot ration containing both alfalfa hay and corn silage, how is this done? If I desired
to mix a 20% roughage feedlot diet, what would be acceptable percentages of alfalfa hay and
corn silage on a dry matter basis?
10. What are the Net Energy gain levels (Mcal/cwt) typically used in a four ration feedlot
feeding sequence? What are the crude protein percentages typically used in a four ration
feedlot feeding sequence?
11. In the high plains of Texas, the Oklahoma panhandle, western Kansas and eastern Colorado,
corn, milo, and possibly wheat can be used as the principal cereal grains in finishing rations.
Cereal grains are typically processed in some manner prior to being used in feedlot diets.
Grain processing methods used for each of these grains were discussed in class. Why are
these grains processed prior to feeding? Among the most popular cereal grains, which one
may be fed in the whole state, non-processed? Which cereal grain responds to processing by
having the greatest increase in feeding value? Be able to list common processing methods for
corn, milo and wheat.
12. Why is fat added to a feedlot ration?
13. Why is liquid molasses used extensively in feed yard rations that contain large quantities of
ground alfalfa hay? However, no molasses is used when rations contain silage. Why?
14. Vitamin E was added to Ration 4 in our lab exercise. Why was Vitamin E added to the
ration?
15. What is the primary purpose for use in feedlot diets and the dosage rate for each of the
following feed additives?
- ionophore (Rumensin, Bovatec)
- antibiotic (Tylan, Aureomycin)
16. Feedlots may use Rumensin 90, Tylan 40, Bovatec 68, Aureomycin 50 or other feed
additives in their rations. What does the numerical value (90, 40, 68 or 50) mean?
17. Given Table 16. Feed Intake of Growing/Finishing Beef Cattle, what happens to daily feed
intake as the Net Energy maintenance level of the diet increases from 0.4 Mcal/lb. to 0.7
Mcal/lb? What mechanism is controlling the amount of feed intake on diets from 0.4 Mcal
NE m/lb. to 0.7 Mcal NE m/lb.? Would a diet that is between 0.4 Mcal NE m/lb. to 0.7 Mcal
NE m/lb be predominantly concentrate or roughage?
18. Given Table 16 Feed Intake of Growing/Finishing Beef Cattle, what happens to daily feed
intake as the Net Energy maintenance level of the diet increases from 0.7 Mcal/lb. to 1.0
Mcal/lb? What mechanism is controlling the amount of feed intake on diets from 0.7 Mcal
NE m/lb. to 1.0 Mcal NE m/lb.? Would a diet that is between 0.7 Mcal NE m/lb. to 1.0 Mcal
NE m/lb be predominantly concentrate or roughage?
19. Using Table 16. Feed Intake of Growing/Finishing Beef Cattle, determine the pounds of dry
matter intake for a 900 lb. medium framed yearling steer consuming a 0.90 Mcal Net Energy
maintenance diet.
20. During lab and lecture we discussed bunk reading in a feed yard. Assuming that you
observed a completely slick bunk five hours after feeding, what does this tell you? What
would you prefer to see in terms of feed in the bunk? Assuming that you observed
substantial quantities of feed still in the bunk five hours after feeding, what does this tell
you?
21. Given a print-out of OSU_Ration_Calculator_2013 from lab, be able to compute how many
pounds of As-fed” feed might be used per day in feeding a pen of 200 head of medium
framed finishing calves at a feed yard.
22. Be able to calculate the cost per lb. of daily gain in the feed yard given a print-out of the
OSU_Ration_Calculator_2013 program.
23. Table 17. Net Energy Requirements of Growing/Finishing Beef Cattle (Mcal/day) was
discussed in detail in class. Net Energy maintenance requirements for various weights of
beef cattle are presented across the top of the table. Is there a difference in the amount of net
energy required for maintenance for a 900 lb. bull, heifer or steer? Is there a difference in net
energy requirement for maintenance for a 900 lb. medium framed steer vs. a large framed
steer? Explain.
24. Net energy requirements for gain are presented in the body of Table 17. What is the Net
Energy requirement for 3 lbs of average daily gain for an 800 lb. medium framed steer calf
(younger than 12 months of age)? What is the Net Energy requirement for 3 lbs of average
daily gain for an 800 lb. large framed steer calf (younger than 12 months of age)? Explain
why there is a difference.
25. What is the Net Energy requirement for 3 lbs of average daily gain for an 800 lb. large
framed yearling steer (older than 12 months of age)? What is the Net Energy requirement
for 3 lbs of average daily gain for an 800 lb. large framed yearling heifer (older than 12
months of age)? Explain why there is a difference.
26. From the “Feedlot Nutritionist Survey,” know the mean roughage level in starter/receiving
diets and the mean roughage level in finishing diets, the most common grain fed and most
common method of grain processing, the average protein, calcium, and phosphorus levels in
commercial feedlot diets.

Heifer Development
1. Name the three factors that are important in determining the point at which a young heifer
will reach puberty and initiate estrus activity. Know the difference between the “traditional”
and “modern/western” heifer development strategies.
2. A friend of your family has asked your assistance with her crossbred replacement heifers.
Last fall she weaned the spring calving heifers and the lightest heifer that was selected as a
replacement for the herd weighed 550 lbs at 8 months of age. If the heifers are deemed to
mature into 1200 lb. mature cows, what is the desired percentage of mature body weight
that we would want the heifers to weigh at least 30 days prior to the breeding season?
3. A new commercial cow-calf producer just purchased a group of 7-8 month old heifers that he
intends to develop as replacement females. However, he is not sure at what age he should
breed his females for the first time. What options exist in terms of age at first breeding and
thus, age at first calving?
4. One method of replacement heifer development from weaning to first breeding is to feed the
heifers to gain a steady amount of gain per day (1-2 lbs.) throughout the developmental
period. Another method is to allow them to gain at a slow rate early in the developmental
period (~1 lb. per day) and then at a faster rate during the last 60-90 days prior to breeding
season. Which method generally results in an increased estrus activity as well as a higher
first service conception rate?
5. Cool season variety forages, such as wheat pasture, can be excellent forages to use for the
development of spring-calving replacement heifers from weaning to first breeding. Explain
 why? What is a concern that arises when using wheat pasture for heifer development if we
are attempting to harvest the grain?
6. What body condition score is recommended for heifers at calving? Why?

Bull Nutrition
1. Know the important ages in relation to sexual maturity (interest, ejaculation, and natural
service) of bulls.
2. Many producers purchase 12-18 month old bulls in the spring of the year from performance
bull testing centers and/or registered breeders to be used as breeding bulls. Many times these
bulls go into a negative energy balance after purchasing and lose significant amounts of
weight prior to and during the breeding season. Why does this happen? Explain the proper
management of “fleshy” bulls after purchasing and prior to the breeding season to insure
proper breeding performance.

Sheep Section
1. How do sheep compare nutritionally with cattle? How many ewes are equivalent to one
beef cow?
2. What is the difference in reproductive ability between white faced ewes and black-faced
ewes? Explain. Why is this important for the sheep breeder?
3. Is energy or protein the common limiting nutritional factor in sheep?
4. Name the three most critical periods during the productive cycle of a breeding ewe.
5. Feeding a diet with enhanced energy that causes rapid weight gain prior to and during the
early stages of the breeding season is called ___________________.
6. What affect does age have on flushing ability? What affect does body condition prior to
the breeding season have on flushing ability?
7. Flushing results in an overall increase in conception rate of ______ to _____ % and
number of twin births of ______ to ______ %.
8. _______________ ____________ is a nutritional condition caused by a lack of usable
carbohydrates (sugars, starches) and generally occurs in thin, poor conditioned ewes,
particularly in older ewes or ewes carrying multiple fetuses. Increasing demands of fetal
growth become too great for the available carbohydrate source and finally results in
paralysis.
9. What are the signs of twin lambing disease?
10. The nutrient requirement tables for sheep provide nutrient requirements for ewes nursing
singles versus twins. What effect does suckling rate have on milk production of the ewe?
Do dams of singles give the same amount of milk as if they had twins?
11. Weaning is generally at _____ to ______ weeks.
12. Is the composition of the protein feed important? Can urea be fed to sheep?
13. What minerals are important in sheep nutrition? Why?
14. A ewe should gain the most weight during what period of her production cycle?
15. Studying the nutrient requirement tables of sheep, a ewe's TDN requirement is highest
during which stage of her production cycle? A ewe’s crude protein requirement is
highest during which stage of her production cycle?
16. The Sheep Industry Council has developed a body condition scoring system to assess the
nutritional status of ewes. The scoring system is based upon the amount of fat cover
 down the backbone and over the ribs and can be easily determined by "handling" (feeling
the backbone and ribs). What numerical scoring system is used?
17. The feeding and management strategy for ewes prior to the breeding season was
discussed in class. Approximately four weeks prior to the breeding season, the backs of
ewes are felt to determine the ability to feel the backbone or not. What does feeling the
backbone versus not feeling the backbone when handling the backs of ewes prior to the
breeding season tell the producer? Explain the feeding strategy for flushing for ewes that
are THIN vs. ACCEPTABLE in body condition at the time that the backbone is palpated.
18. At mating, the ideal body condition of a ewe in proper nutritional status for this period of
her productive cycle is?
19. At lambing, the ideal body condition of a ewe in proper nutritional status for this period
of her productive cycle is?
20. For spring lambing ewes, how many pounds of a concentrate mix must be provided in
addition to pasture grass for flushing?
21. During late gestation of a spring lambing ewe grazing warm season variety forages,
addition concentrates must be provided. How many pounds of a concentrate mix must be
provided in addition to pasture grass for the late gestating ewe?
22. Cool season variety forages are utilized to provide most, if not all, nutrients for the late
gestating ewe as well as the early lactation ewe in a spring lambing program. In a spring
lambing program, why is wheat pasture a more desirable forage to use rather than
Bermuda grass?
23. Bloat and grass tetany are important concerns when using lush, vegetative pasture for
ewes? How are these problems managed?
24. Wool production is important in commercial sheep production. How does energy and
protein consumption affect wool growth?
25. Because of multiple births, potential for orphans, mis-mothered lambs and other
problems, the necessity to care for new born lambs is very critical. How soon after birth
should a lamb receive colostrum? Why is colostrum milk vital for the new born lamb?
26. A lamb must receive colostrum within the first hour after birth in order to obtain much
needed antibodies against disease. Why?
27. Is there a difference in cold versus warm milk for orphan lambs? Which can be better
self-fed?
28. A creep ration for young lambs is encouraged to support the development of the rumen.
The recommended protein level of creep rations for lambs is _____ %.
29. Generally, the only vitamin that may be deficient in diets of young lambs may cause a
nutritional muscular dystrophy condition called white muscle disease. The vitamin
deficiency resulting in this condition is _________ ? What mineral deficiency is
associated with this condition?
30. A normal feeder lamb starter ration consists of 80% alfalfa pellets, 15% whole corn and
5% medicated mineral and vitamin premix. The finishing ration consists of 80% whole
corn, 15% alfalfa pellets and 5% finisher mineral and vitamin premix without
medications. Diet changes in feeder lamb rations normally occur 6 to 9 times during the
finishing period with stepwise increases in corn and decreases in alfalfa. Why?
31. Why is ammonium chloride included in all finishing rations for lambs?
32. What is urinary calculi and why is a problem?
 33. Table 6. Net Energy Requirements for Small, Medium and Large Genotypes was utilized
in lab to illustrate proper feeding management for lambs. Assuming an 87% Dry Matter
ration that contains 0.9 Mcal of NE maintenance per lb. and 0.58 Mcal of NE gain per lb.
on a “Dry Matter” basis, how many pounds of dry matter ration are required for an 88 lb.
large framed lamb to gain 0.99 lbs. per day? What would be the “as-fed” intake per head
per day?
34. Table 7. Crude Protein Requirements illustrates the daily crude protein requirement of
lambs of varying weights. Assuming that you desire to feed an 88 lb. large framed lamb
gaining 0.99 lbs. per day 4 lbs. of feed on an “as-fed” basis, what must be the percentage
of crude protein in the diet on an “as-fed” basis to satisfy the protein requirement of the
lamb?

Meat Goat Section

1. While sheep are similar to cattle, goats are more like ______.
2. A body condition scoring system has been developed to assess the nutritional status of
does. The scoring system is based upon the amount of fat cover down the backbone and
over the ribs and can be easily determined by "handling" (feeling the backbone and ribs).
What numerical scoring system is used?
3. At mating, the ideal body condition of a doe in proper nutritional status is ____ ?
4. At kidding, the ideal body condition of a doe in proper nutritional status is ____ ?
5. Name the three most critical nutritional periods in the production cycle of a breeding doe.
6. How does flushing in the meat goat nutritional program differ for the sheep program?
Explain.
7. What is pregnancy toxemia?
8. At the end of pregnancy in the doe, it is recommended that pregnant does do not exceed a
body condition score of _____ to help prevent pregnancy toxemia.
9. The feeding strategies for a late gestating doe and an early lactating doe are very similar.
The only difference is the quality of forage that the does are consuming based upon the
time of the year. Outline the common feeding strategy for these productive periods.
10. Consuming colostrum is critical for the newborn kid within the first hour after birth.
However, it is recommended that newborn kids consume approximately ____ pint of
colostrum within the first 12 – 24 hours after birth to receive valuable antibodies for
protection against diseases.
11. What is enterotoxemia?
12. Following weaning at ____ to ____ months of age, should do well on good quality
pasture or supplemental hay plus approximately _____ lbs. of concentrate per day.
13. It is desired that young does reach ______ to _____ % of their mature body weight by
months of age for proper reproductive performance.