A18

Question 1

What is a dry period?

Answer 1

No milking

Question 2

How long is the dry period?

Answer 2

60 days, normally the last two months of the pregnancy

Question 3

what is the goal of a dry period?

Answer 3

To maximise the milk yield in the next lactation and minimizing the occurrence of metabolic diseases

Question 4

How many phases is dry period feed divided into?

Answer 4

2

1. 40 days pre-parturation
2. 14-21 days before parturation

Question 5

How to feed the cow in phase 1; 40 days pre-parturation?

Answer 5

Give ad libitum hay, 10-15kg corn silage

Question 6

How to feed the cow in phase 2; 14-21 days pre-parturation?

Answer 6

Gradual increase of concentrates: 1kg/Day up to 4-5 kg/Day

Question 7

What do we call the 2 weeks before calving?

Answer 7

Transition period before parturation

Question 8

How much does the foetus grow the last two weeks?

Answer 8

1 kg/Day

Question 9

How to feed the cow 2 weeks before parturation?

Answer 9

Concentrates are increased
Supplements are given to increase DMI(Dry Matter Intake), support the rumen funtion and protect the liver

Question 10

What type of supplements would you give 2 weeks before parturation and how much?

Answer 10

Yeast culture
- Dairy cow: 5 g/day
- Beef cow: 4 g/day

Anionic supplements: 100g/day to each cow

Question 11

How much CP 2 weeks before parturation?

Answer 11

15%

Question 12

How much CF 2 weeks before parturation?

Answer 12

14%

Question 13

How much Ca 2 weeks before parturation?

Answer 13

6.1 g/100 kg BW

Question 14

How much P 2 weeks before parturation?

Answer 14

4.2 g/100 kg BW

Question 15

What is milk fever and when does it occur?

Answer 15

It occurs directly after partiration, during lactation.
It happens because there is a large calcium demand for the milk production.

Ca is usually taken up from the bone for this purpose

Question 16

What can happen if we feed to much Ca in the last two weeks before parturation?

Answer 16

The Ca will decrease the secretion of PTH which will decrease the synthesis of the calcium binding protein, meaning the Ca cannot bind to the bones

Question 17

What can we do to prevent milk fever?

Answer 17

Give anionic compounds, such as MgSO4: 100g/day for each cow

Question 18

What are the P and Ca requirements during the drying off?

Answer 18

Ca: 6.1g/100kg BW
P: 4.2g/100kg BW

Question 19

How much Ca and P is given during lactation?

Answer 19

The need for calcium increases
So in addition:
Ca: 2.8g/kg of milk
P:1.7 g/kg of milk

Question 20

Which type of minerals to give in dairy cows?

Answer 20

Mg, Na, K, Cl, Zn, Cu, I, Se and Mn

Question 21

How much Mg would you give, and what happens if there is a deficiency?

Answer 21

2g/kg DM

Deficiency = gras tetany, milk fever, low DMI

Question 22

How much Na, K, Cl would you give, and what happens if there is a deficiency?

Answer 22

0.63 g/kg milk

Deficiency: Na-udder oedema
Decreased ruminal function, lamnitis, displaced abomasum

Question 23

What happens if there is a Zn deficiency?

Answer 23

Decreases fertility, immunity, ruminal function and horn quality

Question 24

What is the role of Mn?

Answer 24

Maintain function of the ovary

Question 25

What happens if there is a Cu deficiency?

Answer 25

Causes retained placenta, problems with bone formation and the nervous system

Question 26

What happens if there is a I deficiency?

Answer 26

Results in decreased function of the thyroid gland and therefore decreases the metabolic rate

Question 27

What happens if there is a Se deficiency?

Answer 27

reproductive and immunity-related problems. Can also result in dystrophy in calves

Question 28

What types of vitamin would you give in dairy cows?

Answer 28

Vitamin A, Beta-carotene, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B