Food Animal Exam #2 Practice Questions (Swine, Beef, & Small Ruminants)
When do beef calf death losses most commonly occur? A. During times of high stress following beanding and other handling procedures. B. Shortly after shipping to new pastures or to feedlots. C. During the neonatal and growing periods preweaning. D. During the perinatal period following calving, followed by the neonatal period.
C. During the neonatal and growing periods preweaning. or D. During the perinatal period following calving, followed by the neonatal period.
How frequently do pigs go through estrus? A. 114-116 days B. 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days C. Every 21 days D. 5-8 months
C. Every 21 days
When is weaning done in calf/cow operations? A. Spring B. Summer C. Fall D. Winter
C. Fall
In the US beef industry we primarily use what two breeds? (Select two) A. Belted Galloway B. Brauhman C. Herford D. Texas Long Horn E. American Angus
C. Herford & E. American Angus
What system is key for disease detection in swine? A. Commercial production B. Ferral pig populations C. Re-emerging niche systems D. None of the above
C. Re-emerging niche systems
What is the biggest disease challenge of cattle in feedlot production? A. Lameness B. Injuries from fighting C. Respiratory D. Gastrointestinal E. All of the above
C. Respiratory
At what point are calved typically weaned? A. At 7 months B. When calves stop nursing C. At a weight of about 550 pounds D. Two of the above E. None of the above
D. Two of the above (A. At 7 months & C. At a weight of about 550 pounds)
What do the notches in pigs ear indicate? A. Right ear- Litter number B. Left ear- Individual number C. Both ears- Individual number for that year D. Two of the above are true E. None of the above are true
D. Two of the above are true (A. Right ear- Litter number & B. Left ear- Individual number)
What phase of life are most of the cattle in a feedlot? A. Wide distribution based on when they are brought to the lot B. Over 2 years of age C. Adults D. Yearlings
D. Yearlings
In the swine industry what procedures do producers preform on piglets at a young age? A. Castration of males B. Teeth trimming C. Cutting tails D. None of the above E. All of the above
E. All of the above
What things are good for pigs to decrease stress and promote cooperation. A. Upward incline with see-through divider B. Good lighting C. Movement in tandem (side by side) D. Slow, quiet, & calm environment E. All of the above
E. All of the above
What are the two biggest causes of calf death in the beef industry? (Select two) A. Respiratory disease B. Weather related C. Gastrointestinal disease D. Predation E. Calving
E. Calving & B. Weather related
Which of these is not one of the four things that calf/cow producers have to manage for? A. Nutrition B. Dystocia C. Infectious disease D. Calves E. None of the above
E. None of the above
True or false: All costs in the beef industry is tied back to a per breeding female basis.
True
True or false: Artificial insemination in swine production is more common than natural service.
True
True or false: Beef cattle prices rise and fall on a 10 year cycle.
True
True or false: Flow in pig production is highly predictable because of vertical integration.
True
True or false: Gestational crates are a source of animal welfare debate but the reasons for them is due to pigs have a hierarchical social structure and often fight.
True
True or false: Piglets are born anemic and receive an iron injection.
True
True or false: Rancher often also have other forms of revenue unrelated to their production.
True
True or false: Targets for calf/cow producers are: Pregnancy rate: 93-96% Calving period: <60 days Females open: 4-6% Fetal deaths: <2% Perinatal deaths: 4-6% Preweaning deaths of calves: 1%
True
True or false: Calving in cow/calf operations is typically seasonal.
True
True or false: Cereal grains are high in energy density and cattle grow faster on a diet high in these.
True
True or false: Finished pigs are market weight at about 6 months and around 300 pounds.
True
True or false: In the US beef industry cross breeds are what end up in the food chain.
True
True or false: Pork industry is focused on appropriate use of antibiotics, which this industry has dialed in more than others.
True
True or false: Pseudorabies is eradicated from domestic pigs.
True
True or false: Respiratory disease is a major concern for all cattle producers.
True
True or false: Swine facilities are managed as all-in, all-out systems.
True
True or false: Swine in concentrated animal feeding operations often are not for just production of pig products (meat) but a lot of systems will capture the methane from a barn and cell it as an energy source.
True
True or false: The most common way to observe & manage pens of the feedlot cattle is with a horse.
True
How long does gestation take in pigs? A. 114-116 days B. 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days C. 21 days D. 5-8 months
A. 114-116 days or B. 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days
At what point to piglets get weaned? A. 18-26 days B. 2 months C. 25+ pounds D. 15-20 pounds E. When piglets stop nursing
A. 18-26 days or D. 15-20 pounds
Match the terms to the definitions. A. Boar B. Gilt C. Sow D. Farrowing E. Barrow F. Piggery 1. Intact adult female 2. Female pig up until first litter 3. Parturition 4. Pig farm 5. Castrated male 6. Intact adult male
A. Boar-6. Intact adult male B. Gilt-1. Intact adult female C. Sow-2. Female pig up until first litter D. Farrowing-3. Parturition E. Barrow-5. Castrated male F. Piggery-4. Pig farm
Manure handling practices in confined swine operations focuses on? (Choose all that apply) A. Capturing methane for energy. B. Reducing the smell the facility produces. C. Liquid slurry for land fertilizers. D. Reducing negative environmental impacts.
A. Capturing methane for energy. C. Liquid slurry for land fertilizers. D. Reducing negative environmental impacts.
What are finished cattle? A. Cattle ready for slaughter B. Cattle on pasture that are supplemented with feed C. Cattle in a feed lot D. Cattle ready for sale E. None of the above
A. Cattle ready for slaughter
What are the four stages of swine production? (Choose all that apply) A. Farrowing/Lactation B. Weaning C. Gestation D. Grow-Finishing E. Nursery
A. Farrowing/Lactation C. Gestation D. Grow-Finishing E. Nursery
Mulesing or breech clips are most commonly used on which of the following to prevent severe myiasis. A. Fine wool sheep breeds with heavy merino influence. B. Terminal lambs with heavy Suffolk influence. C. Hair breed sheep such as Dorpers. D. Fiber breed goats such as Angoras.
A. Fine wool sheep breeds with heavy merino influence.
Which of the following statements about steroid hormone use in growing beef cattle is correct? A. Long acting hormone implants placed subcutaneously in the ear modify growth characteristics of the animals to enhance weight gain and muscling. B. Feed grade hormones are most commonly used so that the level administered can be adjusted and increased throughout the feeding period. C. Steroid hormones present a significant challenge to beef quality because the residue levels are high and can be transferred to human eating the beef. D. Steroid hormones are most commonly used in fed bulls to augment the amount of hormones produced by the testes.
A. Long acting hormone implants placed subcutaneously in the ear modify growth characteristics of the animals to enhance weight gain and muscling.
What best describes the relationship between meat goat population centers and meat goat slaughter centers. A. Meat goats are predominately raised in rural TX and slaughtered in the urban Northeast. B. Meat goats are predominately raised and slaughtered in rural TX. C. Meat goats are predominately raised and slaughtered in the urban Northeast. D. Meat goats are predominately raised in the urban Northeast and slaughtered in rural TX.
A. Meat goats are predominately raised in rural TX and slaughtered in the urban Northeast.
Which of these are concerns for calf/cow producers when their herds are out grazing? (Choose all that apply) A. Nutritional deficiencies B. Exposure/environmental hazards C. Toxic plants D. Parasites/diseases E. Injuries
A. Nutritional deficiencies, B. Exposure/environmental hazards, C. Toxic plants, D. Parasites/diseases, & E. Injuries
How often are calf/cow herds handled? A. Only a couple times a year B. Basically never unless absolutely necessary C. Regularly throughout the year D. None of the above
A. Only a couple times a year
What program is all pork in consumption system are under? A. PQAPlus B. SPF herd C. CAFO D. None of the above
A. PQAPlus (Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program)
Excessive glycogenolysis & high body temperatures prior to slaughter result in these two meat qualities based on stress level. (Match) A. Pale soft & exudative pork B. Dark firm & dry pork 1. Chronic stress 2. Acute stress
A. Pale soft & exudative pork-2. Acute stress B. Dark firm & dry pork-1. Chronic stress
What types of animals do seed stock producers have in their herds? A. Pure bred animals with desirable traits B. Animals that get sold into the marketplace for consumption C. Animals that produce calves for any industry type D. None of the above
A. Pure bred animals with desirable traits
What does SPF stand for? A. Specific Pathogen Free herd B. Specific Parasite Free herd C. Special Program Farm herd D. Specific Pharmacologic Farm herd
A. Specific Pathogen Free herd
What is split suckling? A. Splitting piglets into two groups to give them an equal chance at nursing. Groups are regularly swapped. B. Splitting litters an hand feeding half then swapping them with the other half that is with the sow. C. Splitting litters between sows if one did not have piglets survive birth. D. This does not happen in the swine industry.
A. Splitting piglets into two groups to give them an equal chance at nursing. Groups are regularly swapped.
The demand-driven peak for slaughter lambs is highest at this time of year. A. Spring B. Summer C. Fall D. Winter
A. Spring
When is calving in calf/cow operations? A. Spring B. Summer C. Fall D. Winter
A. Spring
When are calve most susceptible to disease? A. While nursing B. During transport C. After weaning D. They are always susceptible
A. While nursing
At what phase/age are pigs at the highest risk period for transmission of disease. A. Suckling piglets in farrowing/lactation stage B. Weaning piglets in nursery stage C. Growing pigs in the finishing stage D. Gilts in the pre-breeding time frame E. None of the above
B. Weaning piglets in nursery stage
How many heifers are kept as replacements each year out of 85 calves weaned? A. 2 B. 7 C. 15 D. 22
C. 15
What is the worlds land mass is grazing land in millions of square kilometers? A. 33.2 B. 15.1 C. 56.3 D. 16.9 E. 5.2
C. 56.3
How long should swine be rested at the harvesting facility. A. 1 day B. 6-8 hours C. At least 2 hours D. They don't need to be rested
C. At least 2 hours
What are fed cattle? A. Cattle ready for slaughter B. Cattle on pasture that are supplemented with feed C. Cattle in a feed lot D. Cattle ready for sale E. None of the above
C. Cattle in a feed lot
What are the 3 types of swine systems? (Choose all that apply) A. Gestational B. 3 site system C. Nursury D. Farrow-to-finish E. 2 site system
B. 3 site system D. Farrow-to-finish E. 2 site system
What is the calf crop of a mature cow herd? A. 100% B. 85% C. 72% D. 97%
B. 85%
What is the typical pen size on a feedlot in the beef industry? A. 50-75 head B. About 200 head C. Around 500 head D. 1,000+ head E. Just what every number fits in the pen
B. About 200 head
Why do beef producers have to slowly transition beef to a grain based diet? A. Grain processing B. Adaptation of the rumen microbes C. Promote steady growth of the animals D. All of the above
B. Adaptation of the rumen microbes
What types of animals do commercial producers have in their herds? A. Pure bred animals with desirable traits B. Animals that get sold into the marketplace for consumption C. Animals that produce calves for any industry type D. None of the above
B. Animals that get sold into the marketplace for consumption
When are beef calves typically weaned? A. When they reach 800 lbs of body weight. B. At about 7 months of age. C. Between 2 and 3 months of age. D. When the cow delivers her next calf.
B. At about 7 months of age.
What is the major focus in feed lot cattle in the beef industry? A. Feed efficiency B. Carcass quality & size C. Rapid growth D. Preventing mating behaviors
B. Carcass quality & size
Which of the following is true? (Choose all that apply) A. Feral pigs are the same as wild boars. B. Columbus brought pigs over to the Americas. C. Domestic pigs are increasingly becoming a companion animal. D. Boars make up the food supply.
B. Columbus brought pigs over to the Americas. C. Domestic pigs are increasingly becoming a companion animal.
When do beef cows experience their peak nutritional demand for energy and protein? A. In the days immediately surrounding delivery of the baby calf. B. During the lactation period. C. During winter when it's cold. D. During late gestation when the fetus is growing rapidly.
B. During the lactation period.
Your client would like to add small ruminants to his operations to improve fire mitigation by clearing brushy undergrowth from his property. You advise him to purchase which species? Choose the best answer. A. Sheep B. Goats
B. Goats
What indicates unhappy piglets? A. Litter spread out across the sty. B. Huddle up/pile of piglets. C. Dirty piglets D. Active piglets
B. Huddle up/pile of piglets.
What are the two enrichments for pigs that mimic natural behavior. (Choose two) A. Sand or dust to allow them to roll or wallow B. Objects that roll to promote nosing C. Objects that can fit into their mouths for chewing D. Brushes to give them something to scratch on E. None of these are enrichments
B. Objects that roll to promote nosing & C. Objects that can fit into their mouths for chewing
What are the two challenges swine producers face? A. Piglets have issues nursing naturally B. Sows and piglets like different temperature zones C. Sows often crush the piglets D. Sows and piglets require different bedding types/depths
B. Sows and piglets like different temperature zones C. Sows often crush the piglets
When are bulls introduced in a calf/cow operation? A. Spring B. Summer C. Fall D. Winter
B. Summer
What are the benefits of a short breeding season in the beef industry? (Choose all that apply) A. Increased access to feed B. Uniform weaning weights & ages C. Better marketing of calves D. Short calving season E. Improved return to breeding
B. Uniform weaning weights & ages, D. Short calving season, & E. Improved return to breeding
Your client is building a new sheep race for husbandry and loading. The race is narrow enough to encourage a "follow the leader" design, tends uphill towards the horizon, and starts outside and terminates in a building. What is one challenge with this design. A. Sheep prefer not to see other sheep in front. B. Sheep prefer to move downhill. C. Sheep do not like to move from light to dark. D. Sheep prefer to move in tandem like pigs.
C. Sheep do not like to move from light to dark.
The majority of beef herds in the US are "Spring Calving" herds. Why are cows bred to calve in the Spring? A. They are seasonal breeding animals and most fertile in the Fall months. B. They are seasonal breeding animals and most fertile in the early summer. C. They are bred so that calving is timed to provide access to grass for lactating cows and growing calves. D. They are bred so that calves don't have to suffer from heat stress during the summer.
C. They are bred so that calving is timed to provide access to grass for lactating cows and growing calves.
Why is cross fostering done in the swine industry? A. To remove piglets from unfit sows. B. To reduce the energy requirements on lactating sows. C. To even out litter size. D. This is not done in the swine industry.
C. To even out litter size.
How long are sows in farrowing crates? A. Less than a week B. Over a month C. 2 weeks D. 3 weeks
D. 3 weeks
When do pigs reach puberty? A. 114-116 days B. 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days C. At 21 days D. 5-8 months
D. 5-8 months
What percent of calve in a beef operation are sold a year out of 85 calves weaned? A. 80 B. 55 C. 15 D. 70
D. 70
What are the reasons for culling an animal from a herd? A. Old age B. Poor production C. Infertility D. All of the above E. None of the above
D. All of the above
How long is gestation in cows? A. 283 days B. About 40 weeks C. 10 months D. All of the above
D. All of the above (commonly used is 283 days)
What are non-fed cattle? A. Cattle ready for slaughter B. Cattle on pasture/range C. Cattle in a feed lot D. Cattle culled then sold E. None of the above
D. Cattle culled then sold
The beef industry is overwhelming reliant on what? A. Corn industry B. Bi-products from human consumption C. Hay production D. Grasslands
D. Grasslands
Pigs are kept where? A. This isn't important in pig production. B. Mostly in the southern US. C. All over the country/world. D. In the same area where their food is produced.
D. In the same area where their food is produced.
Excited or stressed pigs are a welfare issue and a risk of? A. Nothing B. Cold pigs resulting pale meat C. Dead pigs before slaughter D. Poor quality pork
D. Poor quality pork
What is the number one focus on a calf/cow operation? A. Increasing calf survival B. Decreasing costs C. Increasing feed efficiency D. Reproductive parameters E. All of these are too important to rank
D. Reproductive parameters
At what point are feedlot cattle sent to slaughter? A. 90-150 on feed at the feed lot B. When ever the best market price is C. Around 1400 pounds D. Two of the above E. None of the above
D. Two of the above (A. 90-150 on feed at the feed lot & C. Around 1400 pounds)
True or false: If you work with commercial pigs you can have pigs at home.
FALSE
True or false: Grass on grasslands grows for more than 6 months out of the year.
False
True or false: There is no need to start with a warm up ration for cattle brought into the feed lot, they can be started on a grain diet.
False
True or false: Trichinosis is not well controlled in the US national herd.
False
True or false: Cows are seasonal breeders
False
True or false: The beef industry utilizes lands otherwise suitable for the crop industry.
False
True or false: Pig shows are not terminal events.
False, all pigs go to. market from show to prevent disease at the farm.
True or false: Feral hog invasion is not restricted to a portion of the U.S., their population covers most of the states.
False, at this point their distribution is in the southern US
True or false: Hormones are allowed in raising hogs or poultry.
False, federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones
True or false: Feedlots in the beef industry do not use hormonal implants in the cattle in their operation.
False, implanted in ear-promote growth.
True or false: Approximately 80% of income from culled animals & 20% from calves.
False, inverse is true.
True or false: The beef industry is mostly an integrated system.
False, it is mostly segmented.
True or false: The heart of the feed lot is the pens holding cattle.
False, it's the feed mill.
True or false: Large farms with confined populations of pigs does not need to be centrally focused on biosecurity for animal health.
False, this is a key focus for swine vets.
True or false: It is really common for beef producers to lease federal land in the eastern US.
False, this is true in the western US.
True or false: Feral swine are not a concern for ecological damage.
False, very big concern.
