Beef Challenge

Yr 2 WIT Ag Science - Beef Challenge

• You are challenged with planning the adaptions to existing structures and also proposing new structures that would be required for each of the following enterprises to function efficiently:

a) Calf to beef enterprise with calves purchased at 2 weeks while on milk. Farmer aims to have 70 calves ( 0-1 yr olds) and 70 x 1-2 yr olds on hand annually once the stock numbers are built up.

b) 80 cow suckler herd where replacements are all home bred and all stock are brought to slaughter at any of 16, 20 or 24 months.

c) Organic beef farm with 50 suckler cows, keeping their own replacements and finishing all stock.

d) Cattle feedlot system where stock are bought in as weanlings and a total 450 bulls are finished in batches of 150 over three distinct periods of the year.

As a group you will be required to present your proposals in class. Therefore they should be in PowerPoint form and should assess:

· animal welfare,

· waste storage,

· lying area,

· barrier space,

· suitability of structure for system,

· handling facilities,

· adhering to legislation,

· as well as working practically at farm level.

· remember that the feed, bedding and machinery needs to be stored over the winter also.

Marks will be awarded for accuracy, detail and explanations offered for decisions made in the final proposal