Unit Exam

Beef Cattle
Points Breakdown: Multiple Choice (5 points each), True/False (5 points each),
Matching (5 points each), and Essay Questions (7.5 points each). 100 possible points
Multiple Choice
1. Which one of these castration tools used in beef cattle management practices is
considered the "bloodless" method of castration? Circle all that apply
a. Emasculator
b. Emasculatome
c. Elastrator
d. Surgical
2. Which of the following is NOT a method of cattle identification?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Ear tagging
Branding
Color/size
Tattooing

3. What age of cattle typically bleed more when it comes to dehorning?

a.
b.
c.
d.

Younger
Early Maturing
Late Maturing
Older

4. What is considered to be the "true" stomach of the ruminant digestive system?

a. Rumen
b. Reticulum
c. Omasum
d. Abomasum
5. Which forage grown for hay production or rotational grazing is "stockpiled" due to its
rapid growth rate?
a. Red Clover
b. Tall Fescue
c. Orchardgrass
d. Ladino Clover

6. What is the location on a working facility called that is stationed directly behind the
squeeze chute?
a. Headgate
b. Working Chute
c. Palpation Cage
d. Sweep Tub
7. What is the most preferred age for bulls to be castrated?
a.
b.
c.
d.

At birth (within first 2 weeks)

3 or 4 months
Weaning
Whenever it is convenient for the farmer

8. Which of the following is NOT a method of dehorning cattle?

a.
b.
c.
d.

Chemical
Barnes dehorner
Hacksaw
Hot iron

9. An intramuscular injection is administered:

a.
b.
c.
d.

Between muscles
Under the skin
Within the muscle
In the eye

10. Which classification of drug is administered in order to prevent a disease?

a.
b.
c.
d.

Pharmaceutical
Modified Live Virus
Killed Virus
Biological

True/False
11. Keeping accurate identification records of your cattle is not that important.
a. True
2

b. False
12. Needle length and needle gauge strongly correlates to the type of vaccine and
injection you are giving.
a. True
b. False
Matching
Pair the following terms below with the word that they correspond with.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Forage/pasture management
Permanent I.D.
Vaccinations
Working facility
Castration
13. Tattoo pliers
14. Rotational grazing
15. Self-catching head gate
16. Subcutaneous
17. Vas Deferens

Essay
Please answer the following prompts in 4-5 sentences each.
18. Please briefly state the BQA guidelines associated with beef cattle.

19. Describe the components and functionality of an optimal cattle working facility.

Project: Cattle Operation Plan

This is a type of project that gives the students the opportunity to put all the
pieces together that they have learned in the unit into a visual. Since beef cattle is the
unit topic, the project will be centered on the industry aspects in which we talked about
in class. With this project, the students should have a visual drawing with key points on
a large poster board that hits on the key points of the unit such as rotational grazing and
pasture management, herd management and vaccinations, and a plan for a functional
working facility. The project is to be done with one other partner and is to be taken
seriously. This project is worth 50 points. The pair at the end that has the best Cattle
Operation Plan that will bring most success to them as the farmers will be the winners of
the class contest resulting in some kind of incentive.
The purpose of this project is for the students to take what they have learned
throughout the unit and apply it as if it were real life. Going through the steps that a
successful cattle farmer takes to ensure the best for his/her herd can aid in them
learning the material with a broader understanding.
The students will be expected to show how they would set up their pasture
grazing situation as well as how they will manage their forage crop for hay. Also, the
common management practices gone over in the unit should be implemented into this
plan. A calendar schedule of when these things take place will be helpful such as
vaccinations. Respectable management equals success in the cattle industry. Lastly, the
students will need to show the setup of a working facility with additional holding pens
and sorting alleys.
4

Rubric: Cattle Operation Plan

0-15 points
The student
did not
implement any
management
practices in the
plan.

16-30 points
The student
showed some
practices but
not in much
detail.

Forage and
Pasture
Management
Skills

The student
did not show
pasture/forage
in the project

The student
had pasture
but no
information as
to what they
were going to
do with it.

Working
Facility
Components

The student
did not
implement a
working facility
into the plan.

The student
had an
incomplete
facility lacking
major
components.

The student
implemented a
functional
working facility
with its
components
but lacked
other sorting
alleys and
holding pens.

Overall
Organization of
Project

The student
was not well
organized at all
for this project.

The student
had a fair
amount of the
requirements
but was hard to
follow clearly.

The student
was well
organized
overall but
lacked in some
areas.

Cattle
Management
Practices

31-40 points
The student
had
management
practices but
didnt
associate a
time as of
when they
were doing it
The student
had a decent
pasture/forage
plan but failed
to show how
they would
manage it.

41-50 points
The student
implemented
all practices
appropriately
with an
associated
calendar time.

The student
had a well put
together plan
for pasture and
forage with
appropriate
managerial
skills.
The student
implemented a
nicely
functional
working facility
with all
components
including
sorting alleys
and holding
pens.
The student
was very well
organized
throughout the
entire format
for the project.

Project Explanation
I am confident that this style of project for students to complete is a great,
reflective way to show that they have learned the material that they have been taught.
They get to do a hands on activity other than book work and also collaborate with
another student in the class of their choice. This should be a fun project, especially for
the agriculturally-oriented. Hopefully by putting together this plan, it will aid in the
potential success of their own future operation. I believe this is the most appropriate
assessment for the content due to the creativity involved in doing so.

Exam Explanation
My unit objectives of developing a knowledge base for basic beef cattle diets and
nutrition, distinguishing differences between management tools and their purposes, and
identifying components of a functional cattle handling/working facility align with my
learning objectives in this student assessment.
I have prepared a few questions within the exam that can help students
understand more about the ruminant digestive system and sufficient pasture and forage
management. One of the main points that I hit on was the management practices
because I feel they are extremely important when it comes to herd health and ethics of
the cattle. Understanding the purposes behind these management strategies will give
them more of a reason to act upon them. Being able to identify and understand the
functions and components of a cattle handling/ working facility is important for those
planning to have cattle. If something needs to be top notch on the farm, this is it.
By implementing worthy pasture management and nutrition for your cattle, they
will strive and perform better in the herd. Keeping up on the management practices for
the cattle is key to your success and better longevity to the cattle. Lastly, like mentioned
before, a functional working facility is very much so needed in order to perform any
procedures as well as those management practices on your cattle.