Agr 1350 Flashcards
1
Q
What year is the earliest record of milk drinking
A
8000 BC
2
Q
When was the discovery of cheese made?
A
5000-6000 BC
3
Q
How did humans evolve to drink milk?
A
Mutation in lactase persistence gene, so lactase breaks down lactose in milk
4
Q
What animals can be used for dairy?
A
Goat dairy
Sheep dairy
Yak/Camel dairy
Watter Buffalo dairy
Dairy Cows!
5
Q
How is water buffalo dairy comparable to dairy cow dairy?
A
- Higher milk fat
- lower milk yield
-better immunity
6
Q
What are the different breeds of dairy cows?
A
Holstein
Jersey
Ayrshire
Milking Shorthorn
Brown Swiss
Guernsey
Canadienne
7
Q
How many dairy farms/dairy processors are in canada?
A
over 10,000 dairy farms and over 500 dairy processors
8
Q
What is the average milk production per cow
A
35 L/day
Global Average: 8 L/day
9
Q
What is DFC?
A
Dairy Farmers of Canada Organization
- National lobbying organization
- Responsible for policy, marketing, nutrition, market research
- voice of Canadian dairy farmers
10
Q
How many dairy farms in Ontario?
A
3,233
11
Q
Who are the biggest consumers/customers of dairy products
A
Starbucks and tim hortons!
12
Q
When/what did dairy farmers protest?
A
In 1967 dairy farmers protested on parliment hill for more regulation in milk prices, which let to quota being established
13
Q
What are the 3 Pillars of supply management?
A
Producer pricing, Production discipline, and Imports management
14
Q
What is producer pricing
A
-Ensured producers receive fair price for milk
- Prices set by Canadian Dairy Commission and Provincial Boards
- Producers paid based off milk components
- Price set to cover on-farm production costs + profit margin
- Dairy producers are NOT subsidized in Canada
15
Q
What is production discipline?
A
- Stable supply of Canadian dairy products to meet Canadian consumer demands
- Producers must purchase quota, entitling them to produce a certain amount of milk
16
Q
What is Quota in Ontario vs Alberta
A
In Alberta = $52, 987/kg of butterfat a day
(free trade)
In Ontario = $24, 000/kg of butterfat a day
(price is capped)
17
Q
How much would quota cost for the average farm in Ontario?
A
Average herd: 98 cows
Average milk production: 35 kg/d
Average fat production: 4.00 %
of cows X avg milk prod/day X quota conversion factor (0.0305) X $24, 000
18
Q
How is quota regulated?
A
There is some flexibility with quota (1-2%), but financial penalties for under or over producing
Producers can “save credits” when underproducing to allow over production later. Undeproduction credits can also be sold to others.
19
Q
How do dairy producers predict and control milk production?
A
- Cow nutrition
- Number of cows
- Underproduction credits
20
Q
What is Imports Management?
A
Limited foreign dairy imports to ensure Canadian demands primarily supplies by Canadian dairy
21
Q
What is Bovine Somatotropin
A
A.K.A recombinant bST or bovine growth hormone
- Produced naturally in cows
- Genetically engineered hormone supplemented to cows to increase milk
- Illegal in Canada and all EU countries (except USA)
- May increase mastitis, infertility, and lameness
22
Q
What are the life stages of dairy cows?
A
Fetus ~ Calf ~ Heifer ~ Adult cow
23
Q
How are calves conceived?
A
- 97% of farms use artificial insemination
-3% use natural breeding - 17% use a combination of AI and natural
24
Q
What is the artificial insemination process
A
- Semen collection from bull, typically at semen supplier companies
-Semen is collected and shipped to producers
-Semen may be collected from Holstein or other diary bulls, or even beef bull sometimes
25
What are dairy beef calves?
Dairy x beef crossbreed
- High body weight, growth weight, and sale value
- Low morbidity and mortality
-Liver abscesses risk
26
How is AI evaluated
-Semen is evaluated at lab
- evaluates mortality and morphology
- Sometimes semen is sexed
27
How is AI stored?
Semen is stored in tiny tubes
28
How many dairy cows are in Canada
Over 1, 000, 000
29
How much do Canada and Quebec make up dairy production
over 80%
30
How is AI timed
Heat/estrus is detected, maybe be induced with natural hormones, and allows batches of cows to be bred at once
31
How are pregnancy checks carried out on cows
- Ultrasounds
- Blood or milk tests
- Palpating
32
What are the advantages of AI
- Greater genetic advancement
-Transport of genetics worldwide
-Increased number of offspring
-Safety
-Semen selection
33
What is a disadvantage of AI
More labour, costs and planning
Semen must be stored properly, and costs include: semen, heat detection, hormones, equipment and labour
34
What is embryo transfer
Another reproductive option.
Cows bred normally, then embryo is extracted and transferred into surrogate.
35
Why might embryo transfer be used?
- Allows faster genetic advancement on cow side
- Not limited to one offspring/year
-embryos can be stored and transported globaly
36
What are Heifers?
Female dairy animals that have not had a calf.
37
First breeding criteria
- typically 13 - 15 months of age
- Depends on body weight, frame size, producer goals, breed
38
What does TMR stand for?
Total Mixed Ration
39
What does TMR contain
- Silage
-forages: hay or straw
-Grains
-Premix: vitamins/minerals
40
What in included in concentrate mixture
- Feed additives
- Protein, starch, fat supplements
- Minerals + vitamins
- grains
-Non-forage fibre sources
-Amino acids
41
Why is concentrate fed?
- Decreases labour to mix one large batch
- Increased mixing accuracy
42
Why are grains important for cows?
- Main energy source for cows
- High in starch ~ ferment to VFA's
-Protein source
- Processing influences nutrient and digestibility values
43
What are common grains for cows?
- Corn, barley, oats, triticale, wheat, rye
44
what are VFA's
Volatile fatty acids
- main energy source for mature cow
-Butyrate, acetate, propionate
45
Why are forages important?
- Largest dietary component
- Main fibre source
- Can be a source of protein and starch
- increases salivary bicarbonate secretion
-Rumen health
46
What are common forages
- Pasture grazing, hay, straw, silage, haylage, and baleage
47
How is hay harvested?
1. Mowed
2. Raked and merged
3. Balled
4. Stored
48
Why is straw important
- High in fiber, low in other nutrients
- used to increase fiber and dilute dietary starch
49
Types of silage
- Barley
-Corn
-Alfalfa
- Triticale
- Sudan
50
What is the main component of TMR
Silage
51
How is silage stored
Feed preserved by fermentation and production of lactic acid, anaerobically stored
52
What are types of silage storage
-Packing pits (reduces oxygen to prevent spoilage)
-Upright silo
-Silage bag
53
What is a ruminant
An animal with a four-chambered stomach that regurgitates and chews cud.
54
How long does a cow ruminante for?
8-9 hours per day
55
Why is rumination important?
Feed breakdown
-increases microbial digestion and rate of digestion
Rumen health and function
- Milk fat
-Salivary buffer production which prevents ruminal acidosis
56
What is ruminal acidosis
When pH in the rumen becomes too low/acidic
- pH < 5.5
57
What are consequences of ruminal acidosis
- Reduced feed intake
-inflammation
-reduced milk yield and milk fat
58
Acidosis management
- Dietary buffers
-adequate grain consumption by dry cows
-adequate forage consumption by fresh cows
59
what is "scratch factor"
Forage helps with scratch factor which is the physical abrasion to "exfoliate" dead cells in rumen
Allows growth of new cells and absorption of VFA's
Prevents Acidodis
60
Disadvantages of TMR feeding
- Not always feasible for small herds
- Can be overmixed or undermined
- One size does not fit all
61
What is the ideal BCS
2.75 - 3.25
62
What is DMI?
Dry Matter Intake
More DMI = more energy intake for health, reproduction, milk yield
63
What factors affect DMI
- Ration formation
- Particle size
-Feeding frequency
- Water availabily + feed pushup
- Cow comfort
64
How are cows picky about particle size?
Cows will sort TMR to avoid eating very long or very fine particles.
Majority of feed should be short-medium sized
65
What is used to sort TMR
Penn State Particle Separator
1. Long particles
2. Medium particles
3. Short particles
4. Fine particles
66
How does water availability affect cows
Water availability and intake directly impacts DMI
even with water available if it is not good quality the cows won't drink. it
67
What does cow comfort depend on to ensure adequate DMI
Cow comfort depends on stocking density, stress, competition, and ability to rest
68
What is the transition period for cows?
A cow during closeup, to calving, then to fresh cow is in transition period
69
What does transition period cause changes in?
- Energy requirement
-Diet
-Hormones
-Metabolism
- Rumen environment
- immune status
70
How does a decrease in peak milk affect milk production
1 kg decrease in peak milk = 200 kg decrease over 1 lactation
71
When do we want to maximize DMI?
During the fresh period
72
How does fat mobilization affect over-conditioned cows?
Over conditioned cows mobilize excessive amounts of fat which contributes to ketone production, which then reduces intake and increases metabolic stress, leading to metabolic conditions
73
Cow presents with:
- Decreases intake
- Weight loss
- Decreases milk production
- Acetone breath
What is wrong?
This cow has ketosis ( and fatty liver)
74
What is ketosis and fatty liver?
Ketosis: High conc of ketones in blood
Fatty liver: fatty acid accumulation in liver
75
What are the causes and symptoms of ketosis and fatty liver?
Causes:
- decreased intake/insufficient carbohydrate intake
-excessive body fat (excessive mobilization)
Symptoms:
- decreased milk yield
-decreases intake
- reduced fertility
76
What is fat mobilization caused by?
What can it lead to?
- negative energy balance
-hormones
-stress at calving
High-fat mobilization prepartum or postpartum can lead to metabolic disorders.
77
How to identify, treat, and prevent ketosis and fatty liver
Identified with blood, urine, or milk ketone test
Treated with:
- Glucose and glycol: metabolic fuel to support complete combustion
-Vitamin B12: coenzyme to promote FA metabolism in liver
Prevention:
- Dry period BCS
- Promote Intake
- Manage disorders that decrease intake
78
Cow presents with severely watery and frothy stool, what is wrong?
Acidosis
(dee dee mega doo doo)
79
What do rumen papillae do?
Absorb VFAs and nutrients
80
How does acidosis occur
VFA accumulate in rumen if not absorbed, this lowers rumen pH, which induces rumen acidosis
or
too much grain intake leads to grain fermentation in hindgut, which leads to hindgut acidosis
81
Consequences of acidosis
- decreased rumen motility = decreases intake = decreased milk production
-Alters rumen microbial community
- causes gut cell damage and inflammation
82
How to manage acidosis
- Dietary buffers
-adequate grain consumption by dry cows and adequate forage consumption by fresh cows
-particle size, avoid over mizing
83
Cow presents with a kinked neck, is lying on its side unable to stand, cold ears, weak and fast heartbeat, bloat, and low body temperature.
Had milk fever/ low blood calcium
84
What is milk fever?
Low blood calcium immediately after calving since milk and colostrum drain cows of calcium.
Calcium is needed for muscles, not enough calcium = slow muscle contractions and muscle tremors
85
What is DCAD
DCAD = dietary cation-anion difference
86
How do anionic salts reduce DCAD
Want to reduce cations in closeup diets so anionic salts are added and lower blood pH which increases calcium mobilization within the cow
87
Ways to manage milk fever
- Dry period management is essential
-Anionic salts
-avoid high cation forage
-intravenous or intramuscular calcium for treatment
88
What is retained placenta and metritis
RP: cow does not expel fetal membranes within 12 hours
60-80% of cows with RP will develop metritis
Metritis: Uterus inflammation
89
Causes of RP/metritis
- Muscle impairments
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Hormonal imbalances
- Reduced intake
- Obesity
- High blood FA and ketone conc
90
What are the consequences of RP/metritis
- Reduces reproductive efficiency
- Reduced milk yield
- Systemic inflammation
91
A farmer flicks a cows side and hears a "ping" sound, what might be the problem?
Displaced abomasum
92
What is a displaced abomasum
When the abomasum shifts position, most shift left, sometimes right. Cow will stop eating
93
What are the causes of displaced abomasum
- Calving or pregnancy-related (uterus shifts abomasum position)
- Metabolic disorders
- Low rumen fill around calving
94
How to prevent displaced abomasum
- ensure adequate forage in TMR
- promote feed intake
- Manage other disorders that decrease intake
95
Displaced abomasum management treatment
- rolling cow
- surgery
96
What is udder edema
accumulation of fluid in the udder
Heifers are more prone
97
What are the causes of udder edema
Fetal growth causes increased pressure and blood flow to the udder, decreasing blood flow away from udder
Colostrum synthesis increases fluid in udder
excessive BCS, genetics and nutrition
98
Udder edema managament
-genetic considerations
-BCS management
-Nutritional management
-treat with diuretics
99
What are some consequences of metabolic disorders
- Reduced DMI
-metabolic stress
-reduced milk yield
-reduced fertility
100
What is a leaky gut?
With metabolic disorders and gut inflammation, the gut barrier can become leaky and increase permeability to toxins
101
What is MUN?
Milk Urea Nitrogen
cows convert nitrogen to protein but if nitrogen is not used then it is excreted in milk or urine
102
Why does MUN happen?
- too much protein or non-protein nitrogen being fed
- imbalanced amino aids being fed
- not enough carbohydrates being fed
103
What happens for housing for a prepartum cow?
3 weeks before calving, a prepartum cow is moved to a closeup pen
104
What is the housing option for a CUD transition cow
The cow is moved to a maternity/calving pen a few hours or days before calving
this pen can be group or individual
105
What is the housing option for a fresh transition cow
-cow is moved to pen for postpartum cows
-cows may stay for 1-21 days after calving
106
What are the stages of lactation
-fresh
-early lactation
-mid-lactation
-late lactation
107
What are the stages of parity
-primiparous (one calf)
-multiparous (has had multiple calves)
108
What may cows be grouped by throughout lactation
Stages of lactation
Parity
Milk production
109
What are the types of dairy systems
-Pasture
-Drylot
-Tie-stall
-Free stall
110
What are the main types of dairy systems in Canada?
tie-stall and free stall
111
What is tie-stall housing
-cows tied in stalls
-cows eat/sleep, and are milked in stalls
-go outside during the day for exercise
112
What are the advantages of tie-stall housing
- Individualized cow monitoring and management
-no competition for food and water
-individual cow space
113
What are the disadvantages of tie-stall housing
- less exercise
-less cow socialization
-stall sanitation must be managed
-increases milk labour
-heat detection is harder
114
What is free stall housing
- cows not tethered to stalls (free to wander)
- cows walk to milking parlour
- Pens made up of stalls for resting and feed alleys for eating
115
What are the advantages of free-stall
-unrestricted movement of cows
-improved heat detection
-more cow exercise
-more cow socialization
116
Free-stall disadvantages
- food and water competition
- cow hierarchy
-can decrease resting and eating time for cows
- more disease transmission
117
What factors should be considered when it comes to barn design
- types of bedding in stalls
-stall design
-stocking density
-ventilation
- heating and cooling
-food and water location
118
What are the types of milking systems in Canada
- Tie-stall/pipeline
-Parallel
- Tandem
-Herringbone
-Rotary
-Robot
119
What is tie-stall/pipeline milking
- Cows milked in stalls
- Milkers walk to cows
- Milk enters pipeline and travels to bulk tank
120
What are parallel, tandem and herringbone parlour milking
- Cows walk from pen to milking parlour
- differences show in how the cows stand and how milkers access the cows
121
What is rotary parlour milking
- Increased milking speed/eficiency
- milkers stand in one place and parlour turns
122
What is a robotic milking system
- Robot located in free-stall pen
-grains offered to cows
- cows decide when to be milked
-less labour for producers
- less ability to increase milk production
123
What is a holding pen
A pen cows walk to and wait in until milked
124
What are the steps of the milking process
1. Pre-dip
2. Wipe
3. Strip
4. Lag time
5. Attach milking unit
6. Milk cow
7. Post-dip
125
What is the pre dip step of the milking process
Disinfectant dips the teat, and cleans teats which reduces microbes on teat surface ( mainly environmental mircobes) left on for 20-30 seconds
126
What is the wipe and strip step of the the milking process
Wipe teat with paper towel, which stimulates milk let down
then strip is hand milking the teat a couple of times to produce a couple streams of milk, to detect abnormalities.
127
What is lag time?
(60-90 seconds)
Starts with the first contact with teats (wipe or strip) allows oxytocin to stimulate milk let down
128
What hormone stimulates milk let down
oxytocin
129
What is the attach and milk step of the milking process
Vacuum on milking machine sucks out milk, but vacuum setting is important.
too low of a setting leaves milk in udder
too high of a setting can cause teat blowout
130
What is the post-dip step of the milking process
Disinfectant dips the teat, this cleans teat and reduces microbes, but mainly contagious microbes
131
What kinds of teat disinfectant is there
Iodine, chlorhexidine, lactic acid, chlorine dioxide
132
What is something that is really important when it comes to milking cows
Consistency
133
Which cow milk does not enter the bulk tank
Fresh cow milk and treated cow milk does not enter the bulk tank, they are dumped.
134
What is treated cow milk
milk from a cow that has been administered antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, hormones, etc.
135
How would you be able to identify a cow whose milk cant be sent to the bulk tank
By their leg band
136
What are the goals of milking
- To increase milk yield per cow
- Manage udder hygeine and health
- Prevent mastitis
137
What are ways to evaluate milk success
- Evaluating milk production over total lactation
- Breed Class Average
-Milk testing
138
What is breed class average?
Milk, fat, and protein index
Used to compare of cows of different breeds, ages and months of calving
139
What is mastitis
-Inflammation, infection, or trauma of the udder
- Due to bacterial infection via teat ends
140
What are the clinical symptoms of mastitis
- Swelling
- Redness
- Hard quarters
- Heat
- Abnormal milk
- Decreased milk yield and components
- Elevated SCC
141
What are the subclinical symptoms of mastitis
- Milk appears normal
- Elevated SCC
- May have decreased milk yield and components
142
What is somatic cell count
- Mostly white blood cells, some epithelial cells
- The count in the milk produced by cow
143
What are the ranges for SCC
<100, 000 - healthy cow
>200, 000 - Infection present
>300, 000 - severe infection present
144
What is linear score
Another way to evaluate mastitis
Represents linear relationship between SCC and milk losses
145
What impacts to mastitis have on the industry
- Animal health and welfare consequences
- Milk losses - money loss
- Treatment costs
- Proaction penalties
146
At what point does proAction administer a financial penalty for SCC
If the bulk tank SCC is over 400, 000 there are financial penalties
147
What does cargill do?
Provides, food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way
148
What are some things that dairy nutritionists do?
- Ration balancing and enterprise consulting
- Dairy records analysis and benchmarking
- Support sales reps with troubleshooting on farm problems
-Sales rep training
-New product development
-Technology development
149
What are the 3 main rumen fuels
- Starch
- Digestible fibre
- Sugar
150
How might dairy nutritionists evaluate manure
Through manure screening
151
What are some basics that cows must have
- easily accessible, clean water
- lots of light
- Fresh air, with cooling systems
- Dry comfortable beds
- Lots of space
- Balanced ration consistently mixed feed
152
How many hours of light should cows get
6-8 hrs for a dry cow
16-18 hours for a lactating cow
153
What are the best indicators of health in dairy cows
feed intake and milk yield
154
What are the stages of milk collection (cow to bulk tank)
1. Milk is produced
2. Milk enters pipeline
3. Milk enters bulk tank
4. Milk is stored in bulk tank
155
What is pipeline cooling?
In line cooling of the milk where the milk is cooled in the milk pipelines before it enters the bulk tank
156
What are the advantages of pipeline cooling?
- Prevents microbial growth
- Saves electricity
- More efficient then cooling entire bulk tank
- Saves money
- Warmed water and be recycled and repurposed
157
What is a bulk tank?
Stainless steel holding tank for all milk until milk pickup
- for milk cooling and storage
- must be kept very clean
- bulk tank regulations are controlled by ProAction
158
what are the functions of the bulk tank
-cools milk
- refrigerates milk at 1-4 ̊C
- agitates milk to prevent separation or clumping
159
At what temperature is milk stored at
1-4 ̊C
160
Milk collection/processing (bulk tank to shelf)
1. Milk is stored in bulk tank
2. Milk is graded on farm
3. Milk is picked up
4. Milk transport
5. Milk processing
6. Milk and dairy is transported to store
161
What is milk grading?
On farm grading of the milk before it is loaded into milk truck
- done by certified Bulk Tank Milk Grader (milk truck driver)
- If milk fails the test the whole tank is dumped
162
What does milk grading check for
checks temperature, odour, and appearance (colour, consistency, debris)
163
How often is milk picked up
Every two days
164
What is milk testing
- Sample is collected during the milk pickup and sent to a lab
165
What does milk testing test for
- Antibiotic residues
- Milk components
- Foreign contaminants
- Freezing point
- SCC
- Bacteria count
- Pathogens
166
What is the milk transport process
-Milk from bulk tank is loaded to refrigerated milk truck
- same truck picks up from multiple farms and separated by individual tanks for each farm
167
T of F: It is legal to sell milk that has not been pasteurized as long as it has been tested
False- it is illegal to sell unpasteurized milk
168
T or F, milk does not have to be homogenized but most of it is
True, milk does not have to be homogenized but most milk is
169
What is pasteurization?
Heating raw milk to high temperature to destroy pathogens
Heated to at least 72 ̊C for at least 16 seconds
170
Does pasteurization affect milk nutrients?
It affects milk nutrients very little
171
What is homogenization
- Breaking up milk fat into tiny particles and blending evenly for uniform milk
- Keeps milk fresh for longer
172
What are some additional forms of milk processing
- Skimming milk
- Milk fortification
- Enzyme or acid addition
- Fermentation
- Bacteria addition
- Heating
173
What is skimming milk
Milk is separated via centrifugal separation
- fat rises to the top ( cream layer)
- some or all fat is removed from milk
174
What is milk fortification?
The deliberate increasing of the content of one or more micronutrients to improve the nutritional quality
It is legally required in Canada
175
What nutrients are added to the milk during milk fortification?
Vitamin D
Vitamin A ( added to any skimmed milk)
176
What are the different types of milk
-Lactose free milk
-Micro filtered, fine filtered, or ultra filtered milk
- Ultra pasteurized milk
- A2 Milk
- Unhomogenized milk
- Organic milk
177
What are A1 and A2 milks
A1 and A2 are types of protein in milk. Some people cannot digest A1 milk. A2 milk only contains A2 protein
178
How many organic dairy farms are there in Canada?
About 80
179
What is proAction?
National Quality & Customer Assurance Program
created by farmers with our stakeholders for the benefit of the whole industry
180
What is quality assurance?
The systematic efforts taken to assure that the products delivered to customers meet the contractual performance, design, reliability, and maintainability expectations of that customer
181
What is the vision of proAction?
Through proAction Canadian dairy farmers collectively demonstrate responsible stewardship of their animals and the environment, sustainably producing high-quality, safe, and nutritious food for consumers
182
What industries does proAction have partnerships with?
- Dairy producers
- Veterinarians
- Federal/provincial government
- Academia
- Service organizations
183
What is SOP?
Standard operating procedures
184
What are the modules of proAction
1. Milk quality
2. Food safety
3. Biosecurity
4. Traceability
5. Environment
6. Animal Care
185
How does proAction ensure food safety
- HACCP approach
- Best management practices
- Critical control points
- Routine records
186
How does proAction deal with AMR
- Have commonly used large quantities of antibiotics for disease prevention and disease treatment
187
What are prevention strategies for bacterial disease
- Environmental hygiene
- Optimizing nutrition
- Immunization
- Genetic resistance
- Surveillance for AMU outcomes
188
What are alternative approaches to bacterial disease other than antimicrobial use
- Pathogen specific antibodies
- Phages
- Microbiome re-introduction
- Targeted vaccines
- targeted AMU
189
What is the biosecurity module about in proAction
- Book developed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
-Provides guidance for maintaining herd health and welfare
- Contains strategies for 4 major control areas ( animal health, animal additions and movement, premises management and sanitation, and people and equipment
190
What is the traceability module of proAction
Based on Premises Identification Number (PID)
All animals double-tagged
All movements reported
191
What is the animal care module for proAction
- Based on the Code of Practice for Dairy
- includes on farm assessments of animal based measures at least every two years
- Random representative sample of milking cows
- Very prescriptive criteria for animal assessment
192
What are animal based measures in relation to proAction
- Lameness
- Injuries
- Cleanliness
- Body condition
193
How is hocks scored
Score A for acceptable
- Includes no swelling, to <1cm swelling, with minimal hair loss or bald area only on hock
Score U for unacceptable
- Includes medium (1-2.5cm) to major (>2.5 cm) swelling and/or bald area/lesion
194
How are lameness assessments carried out in free stall
How the cows walk are assessed and scored with a locomotion score based on their gate
Gait score 1-3 is acceptable, but 3 has to be monitored, score 4-5 is lame and unacceptable
195
How are cows assessed for lameness in tie-stalls
Standing on edge, weight shift, uneven weight, and uneven movement are assessed
196
What can farmers do to improve identifying lame cows
comparison of herd to other farms to avoid barn blindness
197
What is the timeline for calf and heifers
Birth ~ 0 months
Weaning ~ 2 months
Breeding ~ 1 year
1st Calving ~ 2 years
198
What are the objectives of calf rearing
-Minimize time to first calving
-Maximize milk production potential
Health, growth, rumen development
199
What is the most critical time in a calfs life?
Its birth
200
What are factors that are important in newborn calf care
- Sanitation
- Ventilation
- Temperature
- Processing
- COLOSTRUM
201
What processing steps are there in newborn calf care
- Cow calf separation
- calf dried
- blanket if necessary
- RFID tag
- Vaccinations
202
What are the different methods of cow-calf separation
- Separation immediately after birth
- Separation within 1-4 hours of birth
- Cow and calf are kept together throughout milk feeding period
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What is the reasoning behind cow calf separation and the different times
- Less disease transmission
- Less risk of calf injury or death
- less time for bonding~ less stress
Some separated after hours since cow licking newborn calf stimulates blood flow
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What procedures happen during neonatal calf care?
Disbudding
Vaccines
Castration
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What is colostrum?
The first milk produced by the cow, containing antibodies, immune cells, hormones, and is dense is energy, protein, vitamin A, and NaCl
206
How does colostrum develop the immune system
- provides IgG
- provides passive immunity from mom
- IgG protects calves from disease
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How long does it take for the intestinal barrier close after birth
24 hours
208
How long until there is zero IgG absorbed in the cow after birth
36 hours
209
Is it better to wait to feed colostrum?
No colostrum needs to be fed ASAP
210
What is the ideal colostrum protocol
First colostrum feeding of 3L within 1 hour of birth and second feeding of 2-3L, 10-12 hours after birth
211
Does feeding a set volume of colostrum guarantee adequate IgG intake?
No, it does not, colostrum varies in quality
212
How is colostrum tested
With a brix refractometer where: >22% is required
with a colostrometer where: >50 mg/ml is needed
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What can colostrum quality be affected by
Parity, diet, season, lactation and dry period, genetics, precalving leakage
214
How many grams of IgG should be transferred to the calf
100 g of IgG
215
What is fed to calves in pre-weaning feeding
Milk/MR
Calf starter
Forage
216
What are the different volumes/levels of feeding for calves
Limit fed: 4-6 L/d
Intensified: >8 L/d
Ad libitum = unlimited milk
217
What are the goals of limit feeding for calves
Minimum nutrients, encourages greater calf starter intake
- greater rumen development
-earlier weaning
218
What are the goals of intensified feeding for calves
- closer to natural condition
-improves health and welfare
- supports faster growth rates
-sooner breeding and calving
comes with delayed rumen development and delayed weaning
219
How is milk fed to calves
Nipple drinking (faux nipple from bottle or bucket)
or bucket drinking
220
What are the advantages of nipple drinking for calves
- more natural
-saliva production - acid-base balance
- Milk directly enters abomasum, bypasses the rumen
221
What are the disadvantages of bucket drinking for calves
- calved drink too fast and may aspirate
- milk does not bypass rumen
222
Why is calf starter used
It is the biggest contributor to calf rumen development
Calf starter ~ rumen development ~ rumen growth
223
How does solid feed improve the rumen physically and which diet is best
Solid feed helps the rumen develop and develop papillae, specifically milk and grain diet is best
224
What are some advantages that forage feeding for calves provide for the rumen
- Increases rumen growth
- scratch factor (scratches off dead epithelium cells allowing new growth)
- Decreased acidosis risk
- earlier ruminating and salivary buffer
225
What are the types of pre-weaning housing
- Individual
- pair
-group
-with dam
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What does individual pre-weaning housing provide
- reduced contact b/w calves
- reduced disease transmission
227
What code of practice is being issued in relation to pre-weaning housing?
effective april 1, 2031, calves that are healthy, thriving and compatible must be housed in pairs or groups by 4 weeks of age
228
What does pair pre-weaning housing provide
- Some social contact for calves
- may increase feed intake
- more disease transmission
229
What does group pre-weaning housing provide
- Most social contact
- may or may not decrease feed intake because of competition
- most disease transmission
230
What are the risks with calf rearing with cow during pre-weaning housing
- potential disease transmission
- unknown volume of milk consumed
231
What is the most common infection/risk for calves
diarrhea/scours
232
What does weaning transition provide changes in
- diet
- anatomy and physiology
- housing
233
How does diet change during weaning transition
from primarily liquid to entirely solid feed. Fed calf starter and forage
Rumen starts fermenting VFA's
234
How does the anatomy of the calf change during weaning transition
- Microbial community development
- Huge rumen growth with VFA production
235
Why might housing change during the weaning transition
- dominant vs submissive calves
- competition for feed and water
- increased activity
236
What are some things to consider during weaning
Timing and duration
237
What are the different timings of weaning
Early: 4-6 weeks of age
- limit fed milk during pre-weaning, with more starter intake.
Late: 8-12 weeks of age
- intensified milk feeding during pre-weaning with less starter intake
most common age: 8 weeks
238
How does the volume of milk fed during pre-weaning affect the timing of weaning
With more starter intake being fed pre-weaning, the rumen develops faster and the calf can wean earlier, but with little starter intake, the rumen is less developed and the calf has to wean later on
239
What are the types of weaning duration
- Abrupt
- Step down
- Gradual
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What is abrupt weaning
All milk is removed from calf at once, this is more stressful for the calf and there are greater reductions in intake and growth
241
What is step-down weaning
Typically one or two steps b/w pre and post weaning
- milk is reduced in steps
- step ranges from 2-20 days
242
What is gradual weaning
- Milk allocation is gradually decreased each day until calves are weaned
- typically done over 1-2 weeks
243
What behaviours can reveal calf stress
- cross suckling
- vocalization
-pacing
244
What is included in post-weaning feed
Calf starter
- grains
-premix
-non-forage fiber
+
Forage
-hay
-straw
-silage
245
What can happen if you feed starter and forage as a mixture
may decrease intake and average daily gain
246
At what age should silage start being fed
3-4 months of age
247
What is mammary development
Duct growth and differentiation into lobuloalveolar system
occurs before puberty (9 months)
248
What are the physical requirements of heifers before breeding
Weight should be 55% of mature herd size (350 kg)
Frame size should be at least 49 inches tall
should be 14 months on average
249
What kind of semen is used for heifers?
Sexed semen
250
What is animal welfare?
The physical and mental state of an animal and the extent the animal can express natural behaviours
251
What are the five freedoms?
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst.
2. Freedom from pain, injury and disease.
3. Freedom from distress.
4. Freedom from discomfort.
5. Freedom to express normal behaviours / behaviours that promote well-being.
252
What is freedom from hunger and thirst?
- ensuring adequate feed and water is provided
- providing the RIGHT feed
- ensuring sufficient access to feed and water
253
What is freedom from pain, injury and disease?
-Management to eliminate or reduce painful procedures
- Hygiene and sanitation
-Barn design
- pain and health management
254
What are some hygiene and sanitary actions that farmers can take to ensure cow health
- Hygienic milking protocols
- regular scrapings of floor
- frequent stall cleaning
- foot baths
255
What is used for pain management for cows
NSAIDs ( Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
and topical or injectable anesthetics
256
What are ways that farmers can ensure the general health is managed for the cows
-Keeping health records and frequently health monitoring
- Regularly schedules vet visits
- Timely treatment of diseases and disorders
- Preventative care
(biosecurity, vaccines, nutrition)
257
What is freedom from distress
- promote physical health and pain management
-gentle and calm handling
- staff training
- housing design
-barn management
-design of handling systems
258
What is freedom from discomfort
ensuring cow comfort through:
- Stocking density
- temperature regulation
- foot/hoof care
- bedding
- stall design
259
What things ensure good foot care
proper hoof trimmings, footbaths, and flooring
260
What is the best type of bedding for cows
Sand
261
What is a stall consideration for cow comfort
Stalls should be long enough for comfort and easy standing, with adequate lunge space, and also short enough so that cow is not sitting in manure
262
What is freedom to express normal behaviours
things like brushes, pasture, exercise, enrichment, cow-calf rearing, free stalls enable normal behaviours
263
What are methods of euthanasia
captive bolt, gunshot, drug administration
264
What ensures that dairy cow welfare is managed
-Animal cruelty laws
-Dairy code of practice
-ProAction mandatory requirements and audits
-Training and SOP's
265
What improvements have been made for dairy cow welfare over the years
* Genetic selection for health traits
* Pain management
* Tail docking
* Veal calves
* Transport
* Branding
266
What does the dairy industry negatively contribute to the environment
- Greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide)
-Nitrogen
-Phosphorous
267
How is methane produced from cows
cows eat and enteric fermentation occurs in the rumen which forms the byproduct methane, methane then releases into environment (usually burps)
268
What are ways to manage methane from cows
- Nutrition
- Microbiology
- Genetics and genomics
- Methane capture and digestion
269
How can you adjust forage to manage methane production
You can adjust the concentrate ratio since different carbohydrates ferment to different VFAs
270
What feed additives can help with methane management
- Rumensin/monesin/ionophores
- 3NOP
- probiotics and prebiotics
- yeast
271
What is methane capture and digestion on dairy farms
1. manure covered in pit
2. anaerobic fermentation produces methane
3. methane captured under pit cover
4. methane can be burned for energy or fuel
272
How can you manage carbon dioxide from dairy farms
- Nutrition, microbiology, genetics
- increasing tech and machinery efficiency
- green energy sources
- tree planting
273
What are sources of nitrogen on a dairy farm
- Nitrous oxide from manure and crop production
- Ammonia from cow and manure
- Nitrogen in synthetic and organic fertilizers
274
How to manage nitrogen excretion on dairy farms
- Improve protein nutrition
- improve soil health
- efficient and careful use of fertilizers
- adjust irrigation techniques
275
What are the sources of phosphorus on dairy farms
1. Cow manure
2. Crop fertilizers
276
How to manage phosphorus on dairy farms
- Manage P content in fertilizers/ use of them
- Manure management
- Managing P supplementation for cattle
277
What are some examples of byproduct feeding?
- Store wastes, composts
- Brewers grain
- Soybean hulls
278
How much of Canada's farmland does dairy production use? How much of all Canada's land?
2% and 0.2% respectively
279
How can water be used efficiently on farms
Recycling water
- water used for cooling milk can be used to water cows or clean
- Greywater can be used to wash parlours
Efficient use of water
- Strategic cleaning
- trough selection
- rainwater capture
280
What are areas of involvement for a dairy cow vet
- reproduction
- milk production and quality
-quota management
- Animal health
-lameness
-nutrition
281
What makes up the pregnancy rate for cows
Conception rate X insemination rate
282
How is reproduction monitored by a vet
- Rectally palpating ultrasound
- Uterus horns are scanned
- Data sheets with insemination Vs conception rates are evaluated
283
How does pregnancy rate relate to milk profit
Most milk is produced recently after calving so the most money is made with lots of pregnancies
284
What can farmers use to see what they should improve for profit
Farmers can use data sheets to identify areas of improvement and to evaluate the components of the milk they are producing
285
What cows are at the most risk of disease
Calves and cows in the transition period
286
What is an overlooked component in milk in relation to profit
The optimizing the SNF ratio can bring in lots of profit
287
What percent of dairy farms in Ontario are organic
2.5%
288
T or F: There are more tie stalls in Quebec compared to all of the other provinces combined
True
289
What does the herd navigator measure
- Progesterone
-BHBA
-MUN
290
What are three rumen fuels that Matt Groen described?
- Sugar
- Starch
- Digestible fibre
291
What is the transition cow period defined as relative to calving?
-3 weeks to +3 weeks
292
What is commonly tested in milk to assess protein nutrition status?
MUN
293
What is the starch% and CP% of a typical lactating cow diet?
25% Starch, 16% CP
294
How many dairy cows are there in Canada
1,000, 000
295
T or F: Ontario and Quebec account for 60% of the dairy cows in Canada?
False they account for 70%
296
What is the runner up animal for global dairy industry
Buffaloes
297
What percent of national herd is holstein?
93% of national herd
298
What percent of national herd is Jersey?
4%
299
How much milk per holstein cow
11, 253 kg milk per cow
300
Why are jersey cows used aswell
They have high fat and protein contents
301
What is DFO
Dairy farmers of Ontario
- Regulatory body and marketing organization representing dairy farmers in Ontario
- Ensure adherence to legislation and regulation
- set milk price for processors
302
What percent of retail sales goes to just fluid milk
- 0.7%
303
What is the average Canadian milk price
$1.50
304
What are strategies to reduce stress over the weaning period
- Gradual weaning
(ensure minimal daily dry intake feed pre-weaning)
-High-quality calf starter and clean water
- Paired or group housing may increase intake
305
In Matt Groen's guest lecture, he talked about how ruminants are the
"ultimate upcyclers". Explain why this is.
Cows turn fibre and other carbohydrates we often can’t use as humans into proteins we can
306
What does rumen fuel drive?
Rumen Fuel drives energy, microbial protein production, fibre digestion, and most importantly, production and profit.
Feeding Cows = Feeding the Rumen
