Dairy Cattle Flashcards
world dairy cow numbers and milk production
head: india, brazil, pakistan, china, Ethiopia
milk production: united states, india, brazil, germany, russia
production/cow: israel, united states(23,055lb), korea, denmark, estonia
other products from dairy cattle
larger export market for butter, cheese, and dried milk products
milk is perishable and heavy
united states dairy industry
dairy industry makes up 10% of all US agriculture
of all animal agriculture: 23.6%
efficiency of dairy cattle
best at converting feed to human food; milk is a continuous production for a cow
dairy cattle prior to 1960
out grazing on pastures, no grain in diet
smaller herds
milk production/cow was moderate
dairy cattle post 1960
maintained in confinement
herds are larger and more efficient
more grain in diet-more energy
milk production/cow 2 to 4 times increased
capitol investments
refrigerated bulk tanks
confinement facilities
feed harvest and storage
better quality feed
minimal waste during harvest and storage
feed delivery
movement away from component diet
replaced with total mixed rations (TMR); deisgned to meet that cows needs, esp at peak lactation
united states dairy cattle milk production
california, wisconsin, idaho, new york, texas (just kicked out PA)
trends
fewer dairy cows but increase in milk production
dairy type
sum of physical characteristics that adapt an animal to a particular use
-product=milk
-quantity of milk
-% fat content
dairy type- general appearance
dairy character: lean, no excess fat cover, lack of muscling, angularity
energy is going to milk production
dairy type- mammary system
support of udder
attachment
synthesis of milk components
high metabolic demand
dairy type- body capacity
produce calf
ruminant
large volume forage/feed
dairy type- soundness
teat structure
mouth and teeth
feet and legs
dairy breed origin
dairy cattle have all been imported from Europe- temperate climates
crossbreeding not as common as other species
the six major breeds (in order of popularity)
holstein, jersey, brown swiss, guernsey, ayrshire, milking shorthorn
holstein
originated in the netherlands and northern germany
second oldest of the pure dairy breeds
black and white, or more rarely, red and white
unmatched milk production
mature cow size is about 1500lbs
most common breed in US
jersey
originated on the island of jersey (off the coast of the British Isles)
color is fawn or cream with black muzzles
smallest of the dairy cow breeds (~1000lbs)
highest amount of fat in the milk
guernsey
originated on the isle of Guernsey (off the coast of the British Isle)
fawn colored with white markings
mid size of the dairy breeds (mature cow size ~1100lbs)
milk produced has high fat content
^makes cheese and butter