<P> There are many factors that come into play when selecting for a bull . Some of the most important factors are disease prevention / spread . Buying a bull who hasn't been tested for common diseases is a risk, it would more than likely transmit to a whole herd . Purchasing genetics that will improve the original herd rather than remaining the same or decreasing . Some breed for mothering abilities, some for size, some for meat properties, etc . Breeding Soundness Examination or BSE are essential to the quality of any bull, a general physical exam and inspection of both the genital organs and their productivity . Knowing more information about the animal will help make an educated decision . </P> <P> Cattle handlers are expected to maintain a low stress environment for their herds, involving constant safety, health, comfort, nourishment and humane handling . According to the Canadian National Farm Animal Care Council, beef cattle must have access to shelter from extreme weather, safe handling and equipment, veterinary care and humane slaughter . If an animal is infected or suspected to have an illness, it's up to the owners to report it immediately to a practicing veterinarian for either treatment or euthanasia . Depending on a multitude of factors (season, type of production system, stocking density, etc .), illness and disease and spread quickly through the herd from animal to animal . Owners are expected to monitor their cattle's condition regularly for early detection and treatment, as some cattle illnesses can threaten both cattle and human health (known as zoonotic) as witnessed with Mad cow disease and Tuberculosis . </P> <P> On average, cattle will consume 1.4 to 4% of their body weight daily . There are a range of types of feed available for these animals and many are depicted by location and financing . Some animals live on pasture their entire lives and therefore only experience fresh grass, these are typically cow - calf operations in more tropical climates . Backgrounded calves and feedlot animals tend to have different diets that contain more grain than the pasture type . Grain is more expensive than pasture but the animals grow faster with the higher protein levels . Since cattle are herbivores and need roughage in their diet, silage, hay and / or haylage are all viable feed options . Cattle weighing 1000 lbs. will drink an average of 41 L a day, and approximately 82 L in hot weather . They need a constant supply of good quality feed and potable water according to the 5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare . </P> <P> A steer that weighs 1,000 lb (450 kg) when alive makes a carcass weighing approximately 615 lb (280 kg), once the blood, head, feet, skin, offal and guts are removed . The carcass is then hung in a cold room for between one and four weeks, during which time it loses some weight as water dries from the meat . It is then deboned and cut by a butcher or packing house, the carcass would make about 430 lb (200 kg) of beef . Depending on what cuts of meat are desired, there is a scale of marbled meat used to determine the quality . Marbling is the fat that is within the muscle, not around it . The more marbled a cut is, the higher it will grade and be worth more . </P>

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