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Animal Life > Cattle Husbandry > Flashcards

Cattle Husbandry Flashcards

1
Q

How does rumination work?

A

fibrous food microbially fermented in reticulorumen moves into abomasum regular digestion of fermented material

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2
Q

How much daily time does a cow spend ruminating?

A

7h - most laying down

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3
Q

What are the optimal rumen conditions?

A

pH 6-7 100-150L saliva 3.5kg bicarbonate

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4
Q

Describe forages

A

grass, maize, hay, straw silages grazing high in fibre - needs rumination

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5
Q

Describe concentrates

A

high concentration of nutrients provide most dietary requirements compound, barley, wheat, soya, brewer’s grains

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6
Q

What is TMR

A

Total Mixed Ration concentrates & forages mixed together

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7
Q

Dairy industry products

A

milk - liquid & solid (cheese/butter) meat - cull & young cattle hide - leather

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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

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9
Q

Describe innate vs acquired behaviours

A

Innate = instinctive

Acquired = learned

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10
Q

Examples of maintenence behaviours

A
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11
Q

What could be wrong with a cow’s physical environment if she is not getting enough nutrients?

A
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12
Q

How much time should a cow spend lying down?

A
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13
Q

What are possible changes in maintenence behaviour/health with poor cubicle design?

A

Inadequate time spent lying down (uncomfortable)

lameness

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14
Q

What issues can arise from cow curiosity?

A

foreign body = traumatic reticulitis/lead poisoning

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15
Q

Is licking/chewing/investigating new items an innate or acquired behaviour in cows?

A

Innate

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16
Q

What are some possible causes of excess aggression between cows?

A

inadequate space or food

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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)

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18
Q

Why can inadequate husbandry reduce fertility?

A

inability to recognize oestrus d/t reduced sexual behaviours

malnutrition

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19
Q

How often should a dairy cow calve?

A

every 365 days

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20
Q

What is a calving index?

A

the time between calvings

includes gestation & calving to pregnancy interval

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21
Q

What is a cow’s gestation length?

A

282 days

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22
Q

What is a cow’s calving to conception interval?

A

83 days

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23
Q

What are the methods for breeding cattle?

Which one is most common in the UK?

A

AI & natural service

AI

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24
Q

How often will a cow enter oestrus?

A

approximately every 21 days

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25
Q
  1. How long does oestrus last?
  2. When does ovulation occur?
A
  1. approximately 16 hours
  2. 12 hours after oestrus ends
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26
Q

Explain the AM/PM rule.

A

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.

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27
Q

Is the AM/PM method still recommended? Why?

A

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.

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28
Q
  1. What are the behavioural signs of oestrus?
  2. What are the physiological signs?
A
  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
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29
Q

What are the concequences of missing signs of oestrus for the farmer?

A

unsuccessful AI of cows not in oestrus & failure to inseminate cows in oestrus

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30
Q

What behaviours are required in a bull used for natural service?

A

strong signs of libido (flehman response = lip curl)

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31
Q

What are some advantages of AI?

A

accurate breeding records & improved management

rapid genetic improvement of heard

possible reduction in venereal diseases

can choose sexed semen (only heifers)

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32
Q

Who can perform AI?

A

trained farm staff

veterinarians

insemination service

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33
Q
  1. What is the major drawback of AI use?
  2. How can this be overcome?
A
  1. it is difficult to reliably identify oestrus
  2. natural service
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34
Q

How often does AI result in a cow being in calf?

A

50-60% of inseminations done at the correct time with correct technique & high quality semen

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35
Q

What are some pros and cons of natural service?

A

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

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36
Q

True/False:

Pregnancy confirmation is the general goal of early pregnancy checks.

A

False, it’s more accurate to look for non-pregnancy

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37
Q

Methods of non-pregnancy confirmation:

include timing for each

A

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)

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38
Q

Explain the pros/cons of each method of non-pregnancy confirmation.

A
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39
Q

What is a farm assistance scheme?

A

program to improve consumer confidence in food safety & provide traceability for UK farm produce

cover food safety, environmental protection, animal welfare

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40
Q

What are some of the negative aspects of current food assurance schemes?

A

too closely associated with agricultural industry (not representing consumers)

large number of different schemes creates confusion

41
Q

How are the concerns with farm assurance schemes being addressed?

A

umbrella organizaiton - Food Standards Agency

established core criteria for schemes & encourages cooperation between schemes

42
Q

What are the different levels of farm assurance schemes?

A

basic - red tractor logo, increase general standards of production, broken down into different sectors

premium - specific welfare or organic benefits

43
Q

Explain the red tractor assurance dairy scheme standards.

A

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
Q
  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?
A
  1. 3x that of baseline
  2. reduced milk production, malnutrition risk, disease risk, infertility, compromised welfare
45
Q
  1. How long is a standard lactation for a dairy cow?
  2. What are the phases of the lactation cycle?
A
  1. 365d
  2. 305d of lactation, 60d dry
46
Q

Describe the transition period in a lactation cycle.

A
47
Q

True/False

Dairy cows are safe/healthy during transition periods.

A

False

30-50% of dairy calves will be affected by a metabolic/infectious disease during transition period

48
Q

Draw & describe Wood’s Lactation Curve

A

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
Q

List the variables responsible for milk production.

A

genetic potential

nutrition

management

pregnancy

age

disease

50
Q

What is the most common feeding scheme for dairy cattle in the UK?

A

Pasture in the summer, housed in winter

moving toward housing full time for high-yield & robotically milked herds

51
Q

What are the differences in nutrition for a lactating vs dry cow?

A
52
Q
  1. What are the concequences of feeding too much concentrates?
  2. What are the concequences of feeding too little concentrates?
A
  1. rumen acidosis, obesity
  2. ketosis, malnutrition (affects fertility & lactation)
53
Q

Describe how/why concentrates are fed in the milking parlour.

A

an amount of concentrates is given to each individual cow when milking her (8kg/day max)

54
Q

What is a third mid-day feed?

A

cows are given a third meal in a trough/over silage between milkings

limited benefit

55
Q

What is an out of parlour feeder?

A

computerised feeding station with ID tags to feed individual amounts based on a cow’s production

56
Q

What are the pros/cons of TMR?

A

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
Q

How can you increase the chances of oestrus detection?

A

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
Q

What are the benefits of oestrus synchronization?

A

more predictable oestrus so easier to detect

can organize calving to be in batches

AI can be at a fixed time after treatment

59
Q

What are the main traits chosen via AI?

A

milk yield

milk composition

conformation

disease resistance/longevity

calving ease

60
Q

Explain how dairy sires are evaluated.

A

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
Q

List PTAs dairy sires are evaluated on.

A

PIN (profit index) - expected increase in revenue per lactation

PLI (probable lifetime index) - expected lifespan/health status

conformation

calving ease

62
Q

What is Herd Health?

A

the treatment of the herd as a whole to:

increase productive lifetime

ensure welfare

increase farm efficiency/profitability

food quality

*preventative medicine*

63
Q

What is milk recording?

A

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
Q

What are the most common encouraging factors to transition to organic farming?

A

financial incentives

personal beliefs

65
Q

How can a farm convert to organic farming?

A

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
Q

What are some standards of organic farming that are of interest to veterinarians?

A

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
Q

What are the advantages of block calving?

A

control over nutrition

autumn: milk price increase, mid-lactation for spring grass
spring: peak lactation on spring grass
summer: higher milk price @ peak

68
Q

List some disadvantages of block calving.

A

autumn: high husbandry costs @ peak lactation
spring: not feasible in poor grazing areas
summer: dry on spring grass (calving & metabolic issues, fat)

69
Q

Describe year-round calving. Include advantages & disadvantages.

A

calving year-round (cows calve at different times)

advantages: consistent production
disadvantages: difficult to manage = inefficient fertility/nutrition

70
Q

What is the main goal in housing cattle?

A

cow comfort

71
Q

What will the concequences of inadequate housing be?

A

less time spent lying down

less time ruminating & low milk yeild

illness/lameness & welfare concerns

72
Q

What are the main management aims for cattle housing?

A

clean dry bedding

clean comfortable cows

free access to feed & water

freedom of movement & no welfare compromise

73
Q

What should you consider when designing cattle housing?

A

internal layout of building

space requirements (laying, feeding, movement)

bedding material/amount/availability

slurry handling system

labour

installation & maintence costs

74
Q

What are the requirements of a straw yard?

A

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
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages to cubicle housing?

A

advantages: house more cows, lower cost/cow maintenence
disadvantages: high installation cost, difficulty refurbishing, more bullying

76
Q

If done incorrectly, what negative effects can come of cubicle housing?

A

decreased laying down = lameness

reduced rumination = reduced productivity

dirty/inadequate beds = cows in passages = mastitis

injury d/t trapped legs/teat damage

77
Q

Describe cubicle requirements:

A

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
Q

List cubicle bedding options. Include advantages/disadvantages.

A

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
Q

How can you improve ventilation in cattle housing?

A

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
Q

What constitutes an ideal cow track & why?

A

good drainage & solid surface for comfort & cleanliness

low maintenence

planned well for cattle movement (avoid bottlenecks)

81
Q

List the milking routine.

A

let cows in

feed cows

foremilk

teat washing

attach cluster

automatic cluster remover

post milking teat disinfection

milk cooling

82
Q

What is the purpose of foremilk stripping?

A

aid mastitis detection

lower bactoscan (removes bacteria in teat canal)

stimulate milk let down *main reason*

83
Q
  1. What is the purpose of teat washing?
  2. How is it performed?
  3. How can you reduce washing time during milking?
A
  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

  1. clean & dry housing
84
Q

How can you reduce incidence of environmental mastitis?

A

clean/dry bedding

predipping (disinfect teat prior to milking)

85
Q

How does the automatic cluster removal system work?

A

prevents overmilking damage

releases the cluster from the teats when milk flow drops below 0.5-0.2kg/min for at least 20sec

86
Q

How does post milking teat disinfection work?

A

immersion of each teat in disinfection immediately after milking

usually an iodophor/hypochlorite

kills bacteria, reduces infection spread, improves skin condition

87
Q

What temperature should milk be cooled to after milking?

A

4C ASAP

88
Q

What is the ideal milking order?

A

most susceptible to mastitis (fresh calvers, peak lactation)

most cows

cows with mastitis

89
Q

What are the 3 main designs of milking parlours?

A

static

rotary

robotic

90
Q

What are the main types of static parlours? Include pros/cons.

A

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
Q

What are the main batch cow parlour types?

A

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
Q

What are the main pros & cons of rotary parlours?

A

p: easy to automate
c: costly (initial & maintenence), can’t renovate easily

93
Q

What are the main pros/cons of robotic milkers?

A

p: labour saving, high welfare, increased yields, allows increase herd size
c: expensive

94
Q

What is the main principle of milking machines?

A

remove milk quickly from udder with little risk to udder health

95
Q

How does a milking machine work?

A

vacuum applies pressure to end of teat - opens teat canal

constant vacuum level throughout

pulsation system for adequate blood

96
Q

What mechanical factors affect milking rate?

A

pulsation rate (50-60/min)

pulsation ratio (length of milkout compared to phases)

vacuum pressure 50kPa

cluster weighs 3kg

97
Q

Explain the cycle of mechanical milking.

A

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
Q

Describe proper milking machine maintenence.

A

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)

Animal Life (4 decks)

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