Texas FFA Livestock Judging PracticeTest

What type of feeding strategy is often used to raise beef cattle?

1. Free-range grazing

2. Pasture-based feeding

3. Semi-confinement feeding

4. Intensive confinement feeding

The correct answer is: Pasture-based feeding

Pasture-based feeding is a widely adopted strategy in raising beef cattle because it allows the animals to graze on grass and other forage, which is their natural diet. This method not only promotes the health and welfare of the cattle, as it provides them with exercise and the opportunity to exhibit natural behaviors, but also supports environmentally sustainable practices. Grazing on pasture benefits soil health and can aid in carbon sequestration, making it a more sustainable choice compared to more intensive feeding strategies. In pasture-based systems, the cattle are usually rotated through different grazing areas to allow pasture recovery, which ensures that there is constant availability of high-quality forage. This method is also often more cost-effective, as it reduces the need for purchased feed, allowing producers to utilize the forage produced on their farm efficiently. The other feeding strategies present different characteristics; for example, free-range grazing generally involves animals roaming without defined pasture management, which can lead to overgrazing. Semi-confinement feeding typically involves some level of structure or shelter but still allows for partial grazing, which may not optimize forage utilization as effectively as a full pasture-based system. Intensive confinement feeding focuses on maximizing production through controlled feeding in confined spaces, which may risk animal welfare issues and is often more reliant on commercially