Answer :
In managing beef cattle, there are several practices that are essential for ensuring the health and productivity of the cattle:
Castration: This is a common management practice where young male cattle are castrated to improve the safety and manageability of the herd, influence meat quality, and reduce aggressive behavior.
Internal parasites: Managing internal parasites is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of cattle. This involves regular deworming and monitoring of cattle to prevent health issues caused by parasites such as worms.
Artificial insemination: This is a technique used for breeding cattle. It involves manually depositing semen into the reproductive tract of female cattle to facilitate selective breeding and improve genetic quality.
Feed lot prices: This is not a management practice for beef cattle. Instead, feed lot prices refer to the cost associated with feeding cattle in a controlled environment known as a feedlot, where they are fattened before slaughter.
Thus, among the options provided, 4. Feed lot prices is NOT a management practice for beef cattle. It's an economic consideration related to the process of cattle production, not a practice implemented directly on the animals.