8.5 Lesson 4 Ask a Farmer: Exercise

Summary

The transcript discusses a conversation about cattle breeding, focusing on heavily muscled cows, particularly Belgian Blues. The speaker details their experience with various breeds over 20-25 years, highlighting the muscling traits of purebred versus crossbred calves. The discussion also touches on cattle exercise, revealing that while Belgian Blues are generally docile and not highly active, calves may develop muscle growth over time. The speaker emphasizes that no steroids are used in their breeding process and expresses uncertainty about whether regular cows could build muscle through exercise alone, attributing muscle growth mainly to genetics and diet.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been working with heavily muscled cattle, particularly Belgian Blue, for 20-25 years.
• 😀 The speaker's cattle herd includes various breeds, including Simmentals and Herefords, alongside the Belgian Blue.
• 😀 The main goal of breeding is to observe how different breeds respond to crossbreeding with Belgian Blue bulls and what the resulting calves look like.
• 😀 Purebred Belgian Blue calves are born with heavy muscle, while crossbred calves may not show muscular traits immediately and may take 3-4 weeks to develop them.
• 😀 Some crossbred calves may not develop the muscular traits of the Belgian Blue if they take after their mother’s breed instead.
• 😀 The speaker's Belgian Blue cattle are docile and easygoing, often allowing the speaker to lay on them in the pasture without any movement.
• 😀 Belgian Blue cattle do not engage in extensive physical exercise, as they are slow-moving animals and only exercise when necessary.
• 😀 The cows in the herd do not engage in structured exercise routines or workouts. They are more focused on grazing and their natural behavior.
• 😀 The calves, however, are more active and engage in some level of movement, though the focus is more on natural activity rather than physical training.
• 😀 The speaker dismisses the idea of giving cattle steroids to enhance their muscle growth, emphasizing that genetics play a primary role in their muscular traits.
• 😀 The speaker expresses uncertainty about whether a regular cow could be exercised to develop larger muscles, suggesting that nutrition and genetics are more significant factors.

Q & A

What breed of cattle is known for being heavily muscled?

The Belgian Blue breed is known for its heavily muscled traits, with purebred calves being born with significant muscle mass.

Do crossbred cattle also exhibit heavy muscle development like purebred Belgian Blues?

Crossbred cattle may start to develop muscle after three weeks to a month, but it depends on genetics. Some may inherit the muscle traits from the Belgian Blue bull, while others may not develop significant muscles if they take after their mother's traits.

How do Belgian Blue cows compare to regular cows in terms of exercise habits?

Belgian Blue cows are generally docile and slow-moving. They do not engage in much exercise unless necessary. While calves are more active, the adult cows live a relaxed lifestyle and do not perform structured physical exercise.

Is it common for heavily muscled cattle to exercise as part of their routine?

No, heavily muscled cattle like Belgian Blues do not have an exercise routine. They typically live a relaxed lifestyle, with minimal physical activity unless required.

Do you need to feed cattle a special diet to help them build muscles?

While feeding cattle a lot of grain may increase their body size, muscle development in breeds like the Belgian Blue is mainly due to genetics. A special diet may help them grow larger, but it won't necessarily change the muscle definition.

Can regular cows, without heavy muscle traits, undergo exercise to build muscles?

The speaker is uncertain about this. They suggest that muscle development is more dependent on genetics than on exercise, and it's unclear whether regular cows can significantly increase muscle mass through exercise.

How does the breeding of Belgian Blue cattle influence their muscle development?

The breeding of Belgian Blue cattle, particularly through the use of a purebred Belgian Blue bull, is key to their muscle development. Crossbreeding allows for different genetic combinations, and muscle mass is one of the traits that may be passed down.

Do Belgian Blue cows exhibit any unusual behaviors compared to other cattle breeds?

Yes, Belgian Blue cows are known for their docile nature. The speaker mentioned that they could lay with the cows in the pasture without the animals moving, highlighting how calm and easygoing these cattle can be.

How long does it typically take for crossbred calves to show signs of muscle development?

For crossbred calves, it can take about three weeks to a month before they start to show any muscle development. However, this depends on the genetics they inherit from their parents.

Do the cows ever require specific exercises for their muscle development?

No, the cows do not require specific exercises for their muscle development. Their muscle mass is largely influenced by their genetics, particularly in breeds like the Belgian Blue.