CAC Livestock & Animal Science Flashcards

Which trace mineral deficiency is most commonly associated with white muscle disease (nutritional muscular dystrophy) in young calves and lambs?

Answer: Selenium

Selenium (often combined with vitamin E) deficiency causes white muscle disease, characterized by muscle degeneration in newborns.

The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program in the US focuses primarily on:

Answer: Promoting proper animal husbandry to ensure safe, quality beef

BQA provides science-based guidelines for injection sites, drug use records, and handling practices to ensure beef safety and quality.

In US sheep production, 'docking' refers to which management practice?

Answer: Removal of the tail to reduce fly strike and manure accumulation

Tail docking is performed on lambs to reduce fecal accumulation and lower the risk of flystrike (myiasis) in wool breeds.

Which livestock housing ventilation system uses no mechanical fans, relying instead on temperature differences and wind?

Answer: Natural ventilation

Natural ventilation systems use ridge openings and sidewall curtains to allow air exchange driven by thermal buoyancy and wind.

What is the primary purpose of a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) in dairy cow feeding management?

Answer: Deliver a nutritionally balanced diet in every bite, preventing selective feeding

TMR blends forages, concentrates, and supplements into a uniform mixture so cows cannot sort ingredients, ensuring consistent nutrient intake.

In US aquaculture, which water quality parameter is monitored most frequently as the primary indicator of fish stress?

Answer: Dissolved oxygen (DO)

Dissolved oxygen is the most critical water quality parameter; levels below 5 mg/L cause stress, and below 3 mg/L can cause fish kills.