Cattle Husbandry Flashcards
1
Q
How does rumination work?
A
fibrous food microbially fermented in reticulorumen moves into abomasum regular digestion of fermented material
2
Q
How much daily time does a cow spend ruminating?
A
7h - most laying down
3
Q
What are the optimal rumen conditions?
A
pH 6-7 100-150L saliva 3.5kg bicarbonate
4
Q
Describe forages
A
grass, maize, hay, straw silages grazing high in fibre - needs rumination
5
Q
Describe concentrates
A
high concentration of nutrients provide most dietary requirements compound, barley, wheat, soya, brewer’s grains
6
Q
What is TMR
A
Total Mixed Ration concentrates & forages mixed together
7
Q
Dairy industry products
A
milk - liquid & solid (cheese/butter) meat - cull & young cattle hide - leather
8
Q
Draw cattle industry diagram & explain
A
Dairy herd produces cull cows for beef, young cattle for beef production, milk
Crossbread heifers can be used for producing beef cattle
Beef bulls are used to inseminate dairy cows (depending on traits looking for in offspring)
Beef herds produce both cull beef & regular beef production
9
Q
Describe innate vs acquired behaviours
A
Innate = instinctive
Acquired = learned
10
Q
Examples of maintenence behaviours
A
11
Q
What could be wrong with a cow’s physical environment if she is not getting enough nutrients?
A
12
Q
How much time should a cow spend lying down?
A
13
Q
What are possible changes in maintenence behaviour/health with poor cubicle design?
A
Inadequate time spent lying down (uncomfortable)
lameness
14
Q
What issues can arise from cow curiosity?
A
foreign body = traumatic reticulitis/lead poisoning
15
Q
Is licking/chewing/investigating new items an innate or acquired behaviour in cows?
A
Innate
16
Q
What are some possible causes of excess aggression between cows?
A
inadequate space or food
17
Q
What can happen when you introduce a heifer to a herd suddenly?
A
bullying - leads to malnutrition & mastitis (lays in dirty areas instead of cubicles)
18
Q
Why can inadequate husbandry reduce fertility?
A
inability to recognize oestrus d/t reduced sexual behaviours
malnutrition
19
Q
How often should a dairy cow calve?
A
every 365 days
20
Q
What is a calving index?
A
the time between calvings
includes gestation & calving to pregnancy interval
21
Q
What is a cow’s gestation length?
A
282 days
22
Q
What is a cow’s calving to conception interval?
A
83 days
23
Q
What are the methods for breeding cattle?
Which one is most common in the UK?
A
AI & natural service
AI
24
Q
How often will a cow enter oestrus?
A
approximately every 21 days
25
1. How long does oestrus last?
2. When does ovulation occur?
1. approximately 16 hours
2. 12 hours after oestrus ends
26
Explain the AM/PM rule.
Oestrus lasts 16 hours & ovulation occurs 12 hours after oestrus ends. So the AM/PM rule states if a cow is observed to be in oestrus in the morning you shoud perform AI in the evening, and vice versa.
27
Is the AM/PM method still recommended? Why?
No, because modern dairy cattle have reduced heat expression - makes it harder to spot. So AI should be performed as soon as oestrus is identified.
28
1. What are the behavioural signs of oestrus?
2. What are the physiological signs?
1. standing to be mounted, restlessness, grouping of cows together, scuffs on flanks/head of tail
2. increase in body temperature, bulling string (vaginal mucous discharge), decrease in milk yield
29
What are the concequences of missing signs of oestrus for the farmer?
unsuccessful AI of cows not in oestrus & failure to inseminate cows in oestrus
30
What behaviours are required in a bull used for natural service?
strong signs of libido (flehman response = lip curl)
31
What are some advantages of AI?
accurate breeding records & improved management
rapid genetic improvement of heard
possible reduction in venereal diseases
can choose sexed semen (only heifers)
32
Who can perform AI?
trained farm staff
veterinarians
insemination service
33
1. What is the major drawback of AI use?
2. How can this be overcome?
1. it is difficult to reliably identify oestrus
2. natural service
34
How often does AI result in a cow being in calf?
50-60% of inseminations done at the correct time with correct technique & high quality semen
35
What are some pros and cons of natural service?
pros: correct oestrus identification
cons: venereal disease spread, inaccurate records for day of service, costs of keeping/renting a bull, aggressive behaviours, uncertain fertility of bull
36
True/False:
Pregnancy confirmation is the general goal of early pregnancy checks.
False, it's more accurate to look for non-pregnancy
37
Methods of non-pregnancy confirmation:
include timing for each
return to oestrus (18-24d post insemination)
manual rectal palpation (6-8w after conception)
transrectal ultrasonography (4w post conception)
hormone assays (low progesterone 24d post insemination = no conception)
pregnancy associated glycoproteins (60-90d post conception)
38
Explain the pros/cons of each method of non-pregnancy confirmation.
39
What is a farm assistance scheme?
program to improve consumer confidence in food safety & provide traceability for UK farm produce
cover food safety, environmental protection, animal welfare
40
What are some of the negative aspects of current food assurance schemes?
too closely associated with agricultural industry (not representing consumers)
large number of different schemes creates confusion
41
How are the concerns with farm assurance schemes being addressed?
umbrella organizaiton - Food Standards Agency
established core criteria for schemes & encourages cooperation between schemes
42
What are the different levels of farm assurance schemes?
basic - red tractor logo, increase general standards of production, broken down into different sectors
premium - specific welfare or organic benefits
43
Explain the red tractor assurance dairy scheme standards.
Standards are set by farmers, dairy industry, veterinarians, and milk industry reps.
Key criteria MUST be passed, if failed have 28 days to rectify. Recommendation criteria are not required.
15 standards of assessment including:
documets, traceability, milk production, housing, feed & water, biosecurity, medicine & husbandry practices, nutrient management
Vets are essential for:
herd health & performance review, annul antibiotic review (including highest priority antibiotic use)
44
1. During peak lactation how significant are a dairy cow's energy requirements?
2. If these needs are not met what can happen to the cow?
1. 3x that of baseline
2. reduced milk production, malnutrition risk, disease risk, infertility, compromised welfare
45
1. How long is a standard lactation for a dairy cow?
2. What are the phases of the lactation cycle?
1. 365d
2. 305d of lactation, 60d dry
46
Describe the transition period in a lactation cycle.
47
True/False
Dairy cows are safe/healthy during transition periods.
False
30-50% of dairy calves will be affected by a metabolic/infectious disease during transition period
48
Draw & describe Wood's Lactation Curve
Standard lactation period is 305d with 60d dry period. Calving date is day 1.
Milk production peaks ~60d post calving & gradually decreases until dry period.
Transition period is between 3w prior to and 3w post calving - is very difficult on cow.
DMI is dry matter intake, refers to amount of feed/nutrition required to support baseline function in cow.
Bodyweight change shows weight loss after calving, at service/AI time, and continuing through lactation. Bodyweight decreases significantly post calving, dry period helps them regain lost weight & return to appropriate body condition prior to calving again.
Dry period is 305d after calving, in preparation for calving again in 60d.
49
List the variables responsible for milk production.
genetic potential
nutrition
management
pregnancy
age
disease
50
What is the most common feeding scheme for dairy cattle in the UK?
Pasture in the summer, housed in winter
moving toward housing full time for high-yield & robotically milked herds
51
What are the differences in nutrition for a lactating vs dry cow?
52
1. What are the concequences of feeding too much concentrates?
2. What are the concequences of feeding too little concentrates?
1. rumen acidosis, obesity
2. ketosis, malnutrition (affects fertility & lactation)
53
Describe how/why concentrates are fed in the milking parlour.
an amount of concentrates is given to each individual cow when milking her (8kg/day max)
54
What is a third mid-day feed?
cows are given a third meal in a trough/over silage between milkings
limited benefit
55
What is an out of parlour feeder?
computerised feeding station with ID tags to feed individual amounts based on a cow's production
56
What are the pros/cons of TMR?
Total Mixed Rations
potentially best concentrate feeding method
mixed forages & concentrates fed from trough
maximises DMI (good for high yield)
not individually targeted
feeding throughout day ad lib
57
How can you increase the chances of oestrus detection?
increase frequency & duration of observation for signs of oestrus
heat detection aids (chalk/paint, hormone assays, milk temperature, pedometers)
accurate record keeping
oestrus synchronization
58
What are the benefits of oestrus synchronization?
more predictable oestrus so easier to detect
can organize calving to be in batches
AI can be at a fixed time after treatment
59
What are the main traits chosen via AI?
milk yield
milk composition
conformation
disease resistance/longevity
calving ease
60
Explain how dairy sires are evaluated.
via daughters' traits with controls for herd management/nutrition
measures the expected performance of a future animal based on the traits of the sire's previous offspring
gives an estimated breeding value (EBV) - transmission of this genetic merit measured by predicted transmitting ability (PTA)
61
List PTAs dairy sires are evaluated on.
PIN (profit index) - expected increase in revenue per lactation
PLI (probable lifetime index) - expected lifespan/health status
conformation
calving ease
62
What is Herd Health?
the treatment of the herd as a whole to:
increase productive lifetime
ensure welfare
increase farm efficiency/profitability
food quality
\*preventative medicine\*
63
What is milk recording?
at regular intervals milk samples are taken from each cow to analyze for SCC, BF, MP
also collect other data related to health/wellness
information stored in a database
64
What are the most common encouraging factors to transition to organic farming?
financial incentives
personal beliefs
65
How can a farm convert to organic farming?
2 year conversion period - during this time all practices must be organic but nothing can be labelled organic
money
there are assistance schemes to help
66
What are some standards of organic farming that are of interest to veterinarians?
all animal feed must be organic
60% of DMI must be grass/conserved forage
housing standards are different
no open herds
antibiotics/wormers only used with special permission
increased drug withdrawl times
animal only gets 3 tx of non-organic meds over life or non-organic animal forever
67
What are the advantages of block calving?
control over nutrition
autumn: milk price increase, mid-lactation for spring grass
spring: peak lactation on spring grass
summer: higher milk price @ peak
68
List some disadvantages of block calving.
autumn: high husbandry costs @ peak lactation
spring: not feasible in poor grazing areas
summer: dry on spring grass (calving & metabolic issues, fat)
69
Describe year-round calving. Include advantages & disadvantages.
calving year-round (cows calve at different times)
advantages: consistent production
disadvantages: difficult to manage = inefficient fertility/nutrition
70
What is the main goal in housing cattle?
cow comfort
71
What will the concequences of inadequate housing be?
less time spent lying down
less time ruminating & low milk yeild
illness/lameness & welfare concerns
72
What are the main management aims for cattle housing?
clean dry bedding
clean comfortable cows
free access to feed & water
freedom of movement & no welfare compromise
73
What should you consider when designing cattle housing?
internal layout of building
space requirements (laying, feeding, movement)
bedding material/amount/availability
slurry handling system
labour
installation & maintence costs
74
What are the requirements of a straw yard?
thick bedding, good ventilation
daily addition of straw, 2x daily scraping of loafing area
complete scraping q4-6w
1.25m2 straw per 1000L of milk per cow (up to 7.3m wide)
2m2 loafing per cow (scraped, 3.7m wide)
bedding & loafing separated by 30cm dividers with slope toward loafing
3.8m segments for cleanliness
75
What are some advantages and disadvantages to cubicle housing?
advantages: house more cows, lower cost/cow maintenence
disadvantages: high installation cost, difficulty refurbishing, more bullying
76
If done incorrectly, what negative effects can come of cubicle housing?
decreased laying down = lameness
reduced rumination = reduced productivity
dirty/inadequate beds = cows in passages = mastitis
injury d/t trapped legs/teat damage
77
Describe cubicle requirements:
4'x8'
partitions w/o vertical bars that prevent diagonal laying
head rail for waste separation & standing comfort
brisket board for waste separation & laying comfort
firm base w/ comfortable bedding
kerbstone max 13cm tall
2.4m wide passageways
10% more cubicles than cows
consistent maintenence
78
List cubicle bedding options. Include advantages/disadvantages.
straw
a: comfortable
d: linked to mastitis, difficult to manage with slurry systems
mats/mattresses
a: comfortable, low maintenence cost
d: high initial cost, needs additional bedding topper
sand
a: comfortable, minimises bacterial growth, cheap
d: harmful if not deep enough, incompatable with some slurry systems
sawdust/shavings
a: cheap, absorbant
d: linked to mastitis
79
How can you improve ventilation in cattle housing?
building design w/o long narrow yards
25-30cm ridge open to roof
gaps between roofing sheets
.5cm grooves in roof corregations
yorkshire boarding
fans
80
What constitutes an ideal cow track & why?
good drainage & solid surface for comfort & cleanliness
low maintenence
planned well for cattle movement (avoid bottlenecks)
81
List the milking routine.
let cows in
feed cows
foremilk
teat washing
attach cluster
automatic cluster remover
post milking teat disinfection
milk cooling
82
What is the purpose of foremilk stripping?
aid mastitis detection
lower bactoscan (removes bacteria in teat canal)
stimulate milk let down \*main reason\*
83
1. What is the purpose of teat washing?
2. How is it performed?
3. How can you reduce washing time during milking?
1. prevent high bactoscan
2. wash w/ running water & disinfectant, dry w/ clean paper towel
medicated paper towel is fine if teats are visibly clean
3. clean & dry housing
84
How can you reduce incidence of environmental mastitis?
clean/dry bedding
predipping (disinfect teat prior to milking)
85
How does the automatic cluster removal system work?
prevents overmilking damage
releases the cluster from the teats when milk flow drops below 0.5-0.2kg/min for at least 20sec
86
How does post milking teat disinfection work?
immersion of each teat in disinfection immediately after milking
usually an iodophor/hypochlorite
kills bacteria, reduces infection spread, improves skin condition
87
What temperature should milk be cooled to after milking?
4C ASAP
88
What is the ideal milking order?
most susceptible to mastitis (fresh calvers, peak lactation)
most cows
cows with mastitis
89
What are the 3 main designs of milking parlours?
static
rotary
robotic
90
What are the main types of static parlours? Include pros/cons.
abrest - side by side
c: high time requirement per cow
tandem - nose to tail
p: milk several at a time so faster, but have to let cows in/out individually
91
What are the main batch cow parlour types?
chute - head to tail
p: less labour intensive
herringbone - angled
p: more cows & can be automized
side by side - cows at right angles to pit
p:shorter & wider building than herringbone
92
What are the main pros & cons of rotary parlours?
p: easy to automate
c: costly (initial & maintenence), can't renovate easily
93
What are the main pros/cons of robotic milkers?
p: labour saving, high welfare, increased yields, allows increase herd size
c: expensive
94
What is the main principle of milking machines?
remove milk quickly from udder with little risk to udder health
95
How does a milking machine work?
vacuum applies pressure to end of teat - opens teat canal
constant vacuum level throughout
pulsation system for adequate blood
96
What mechanical factors affect milking rate?
pulsation rate (50-60/min)
pulsation ratio (length of milkout compared to phases)
vacuum pressure 50kPa
cluster weighs 3kg
97
Explain the cycle of mechanical milking.
air removed from shell lining opening
vacuum inside liner & shell open MILKOUT
air allowed into shell liner closes
air in shell, liner closed, MASSAGE
98
Describe proper milking machine maintenence.
daily wash up after milking - removemilk residues - 18l hot water per milking unit
liners - extend milking machine life - replaced q6m
weekly maintenence
routine specialist testing q6m - static (not milking) & dynamic (milking)
