1. Livestock Breeding Management Practices

2. Reproduction  Sexual reproduction involves both male of female animals.  Fertilisation = when a sperm from the male joins with an ovum (egg) from the female.  This then forms a Zygote. A fertilised egg.  The resulting Zygote grows into a young animal

3. Male Reproductive System  Structures and functions Testes (two)  Produce make sex cells or gametes (sperm). Sperm contain the genetic material from the male. Produce male hormones e.g. testosterone

4. Scrotum  The sac that holds the testes outside the body. The testes need to be kept slightly below body temperature, to maintain fertility Epididymis  Coiled tube where sperm is stored

5. Vas deferens (spermatic duct)  Tube that joins the epididymis to the seminal vesicles and uretha Seminal Vesicles  Sperm becomes mixed with fluid, which causes the sperm to swim. Sperm plus fluid is semen. Sperm need to swim so they can move along the female reproductive tract.

6. Prostate Gland  Where the fluid part of the semen is made Penis  Allows semen to be ejaculated into the female reproductive tract.

7. Female Reproductive System Ovaries  Produce female sex cells or gametes, called ova (eggs). Ova contain the genetic material of the females.  Hormones are produced that control the oestrous cycle

8. Fallopian Tube  Tube between the ovary and the uterus. The egg is fertilised in the fallopian tube to form a zygote, which becomes an embryo.

9. Uterus (womb)  A hollow muscular organ.  The embryo attaches itself to the wall of the uterus, where the cells continue to multiply, becoming a foetus.  The foetus is supplied with nutrients through the placenta

10. Cervix  A muscular area that provides entry into the uterus. Vagina  This provides an entry point for the penis to deposit the semen.  During birth, the young animal is pushed through the vagina to the outside

11. Stages of Reproduction Estrus – In livestock  All species of livestock have a set estrus cycle  The Estrus cycles occur during a set breeding time particular to each species  The cycle occurs in non-pregnant females of the species and is the set time between each estrus (ovulation)  This is when an egg is released from the ovaries and the females is most receptive to mating Livestock Period between ovulation Ovulation time Breeding Season Gestation period Cattle21 days17 hoursEarly Summer9 months Sheep16-17 days22-36 hoursAutumn5 months Deer17-22 days17 hoursAutumn7 months

12. Stages of Reproduction  Ovulation  At ovulation, ova is released from the ovary. The length of time between each oestrous cycle varies from different animals.

13.  Heat  Following ovulation, the female ‘comes on heat’, which means the female is ready for mating to happen.

14.  Mating  The male sperm enters the female and the sperm swim along the reproductive tract to the fallopian tubes.

15.  Fertilisation  When a sperm meets an egg inside the fallopian tube they join. The egg becomes a zygote and attaches itself to the wall of the uterus and starts to increase in size.

16. Heat detecting in dairy cattle  Detecting when a cow is in heat is important for dairy farmers as most dairy farmers use artificial insemination to impregnate their cows.  One of the most reliable indicators of a cow going into heat is observing it in a standing heat. When a cow will stand still and allow another cow to mount it, it is in a state called standing heat.  There are 2 main techniques used to see if a dairy cow is in heat.  1) Tail paint  2) Pressure sensitive pads  http://youtu.be/6NjycjfUAE8 http://youtu.be/6NjycjfUAE8

17. Tail Paint  Tail paint is painted or sprayed on the rump of the cow.  When it is rubbed off the cow is then artificially inseminated (A.I.) and a new colour is then applied.  If that colour becomes rubbed off, then the farmer knows that the cow was not fertilised and she has to be re-inseminated.

18. Pressure sensitive pads  Once a cow with a pressure sensitive pad is mounted, the colour of the pad will change usually from white to red. The more the cow is mounted the more predominate the colour change.

19.  Birth  Hormones initiate contractions of the walls of the uterus. This helps to push the animal through the vagina

20.  Lactation  Female produces milk. The first milk produced is Colostrum, which is thick and rich in protein and vitamins. Colostrum is important as it contains antibodies, which give the young animal short term immunity to some diseases.