Dairy Cattle 2 Flashcards
What is the traditional method of dairy cattle feeding?
Roughages and concentrate are fed at choice but separately
OR
Concentrates may be fed to cows individually according to milk production
What are the advantages of the traditional feeding system for dairy cattle
Less specialized equipment
Cow feeds according to needs (in theory)
Allows adjusting concentrate feeding to stage of lactation
Allows individual feeding for each cow
What are disadvantages to the traditional feeding system in dairy cattle?
Low producing cows generally overfed on concentrate and high producing cows are usually underfed
Dust in milking parlor-> hygiene
Cleanup of uneaten grain
Milking may be delayed b/c animals are eating
Cows restless during milking
Less control over feeding program
Continuous adjustment of concentrate to match production is needed
What is challenge or lead feeding?
Feeding higher levels of concentrate to try and induce more milk production (often practiced in small Jersey)
What is TMR
Total mixed ration
All ingredients blended together then fed to the cows free choice
T/F: when feeding TMR, no concentrates are fed on the milking parlor
True
What are advantages to TMR?
Each cow receives a balanced diet
Each cow is challenged to produce maximum genetic potential
Feed used more efficiently
Fewer cows have digestive problems or go off feed
No addition of minerals separate from ration
Less labor during feeding
Problems with low milk fat reduced
Cost of cow housing and feeding facilities are decreased
What are disadvantages to TMR?
Special equipment required for weighing and mixing ration
Hay is hard to include (very light)
Low-producers tend to get too fat
Cows need to be divided into groups
What are 6 common mistakes in TMR?
Errors in mixing and scales Top dress Free choice Wet ingredient testing Error in mixing time Changing batch size
Why are cows grouped with TMR feeds?
Divide cows into similar production and nutrition needs
What is an automatic concentrate feeder?
Device attached to cow -> transponder to control amount of feed to each animal
Idea is to allow high-producing cows have access to more concentrate
T/F: when using TMR it is not important to weight he amount of hay
False
T/F: When using TMR, it is important to know the protein and moisture content of roughage such as corn silage
True
Why do the baby moos need colostrum?
Have an epitheliochorial placental that does not allow the transfer of immunoglobulins
Proteins actively participate in the protection of the neonate against pathogens and other postpartum environmental challenges
T/F: colostrum = milk
False.
Which animal would have the colostrum have a higher variety of immunoglobulins?
A. Cow at first lactation
B. Cow at second lactation
C. Cow at third lactation
C. Cow at third lactation
-> most exposure to disease -> best immune system and passive transfer
How is colostrum absorbed in the GI?
Proteolytic activity in the GI tract
Trypsin inhibitors present in colostrum
** conditions disappear in 48h post -partum***
Colostrum composition is regulated by what hormones during colostrogenesis
Estradiol and progesterone
How much colostrum does a dairy calf need?
1gallon within 12hrs of birth
2quarts within 1hr of brith and 2quart by 12hrs later
essential to avoid Failure of passive transfer
Can artificial colostrum replace the real thing?
Nope
Is nutritionally correct but does not include IGs
What are clinical signs are associated with failure of passive transfer?
Discharge -eyes and nose
Polyarthritis- joint and stance
Depressed
Scours
After colostrum uptake and before weaning, how are calves fed?
Artificial milk
Fat 10-20%
Protein >20%
Fiber <0.15%
Important to have protein of milk origin
Is individual or collective feeding better for feeding calves?
Individual - can measure the intake
When does weaning from artificial rearing occur?
6-8weeks of age
Palatable pellets should be gradually introduced from week 1
T/F: calves weaned before 5 weeks of age tend to be less resistant to disese
True
How are dairy heifers fed?
Good quality forage
Some grain/concentrate is always need -> growth and development
Can also use silage or TMR
What problems can be associated with corn silage and breeding age heifers
Result in poor growth and fat -> dystocia
Is added to meet protein needs
What breed of moo has the highest percentage of milk fat?
Jersey at 4.9%
What are non-nutritional factors that can change milk fat?
Season Stage of lactation -> lowest milk fat at peak lactation Genetics, breed, and selection High somatic cell counts -> mastitis Milking equipment problems Improper handling of samples
What nutritional factors can cause low milk fat?
Low fiber
Low forage
High non-fiber carb intake
Ration particle too fine / too coarse
Protein deficiency
Mineral deficiency (sulphur)
Energy deficiency
Why do we used the pen state shaker box?
Control the nutrient content and particle size of TMR
What is the % of total weight of TMR in the upper, middle, lower, and bottom pans of the shaker box?
Upper: 2-8%
Middle: 30-50%
Lower: 10-20%
Bottom: 30-40%
Dairy cattle BCS is done on what scale?
1-5
BCS?
Very think
Showing deep depression around tailhead
No fat covering rump and loin
BCS 1
BSC?
Moderately think
Sallow cavity around tailhead
Small amount of fat covering rump and Lon
2
BCS?
No cavity around tailhead
Fatty tissue over whole rump and loin
3
BCS?
Moderately fat
Fold of fatty tissue over tailhead
Patches of fat over the rump
Fairly heavy fat covering the loin
4
BCS?
Very fat
Railhead buried in fat
Heavy fat covering rump and loin
5
Why do we care about BCS in milk production
Think -> health issues
Fat -> difficulty calving and higher risk of fatty liver syndrome
BCS to improve efficiency and herd health
At calving, BCS should be?
3-3.5
After the voluntary waiting period, 85days after calving, what is the usual BCS of the cow
2-2.5
What should the BCS of a cow be in in phase one of lactation?
3.0-3.5
If the dairy cow in early lactation has a BCS of 3-3.5, but is not producing enough milk, you should check the ration for?
Appropriate protein and mineral levels
BCS in early lactation usually drops to 2-2.5 (reach peak lactation at this stage)
An adult cow passes feces how often?
Every 2 hrs
-amount and consistency of manure varies with feed and water intake
What are the 3 C’s in manure observation?
Colour
Consistency
Content
Colour of manure is influenced by feed type, bile concentration, and passage of feedstuffs. What feedstuff will result in a dark green, dark brown, and yellow olive manure?
Dark green - fresh forage/pasture
Dark brown - hay ration
Yellow olive - TMR (grain and forage)
Loose feces can indicate ________ and solid feces can indicated ___________
Heat stress; dehydration
T/F: it is normal to have large portions of undigested grain or forage in manure
False
- poor rumen fermentation
- poor hindgut or large intestine fermentation
What is the milk fat in Holstein cows?
2.5%
Which metabolic disorder is related to low fiber and high grain intake?
Acidosis
Which metabolic disorder is caused by calcium deficiency?
Milk fever
Which metabolic disorder is caused by magnesium deficiency
Grass tetany
Laminitis is associated with what metabolic disorder
Acidosis - high grain intake
What is the cause of bloat ? What type of forage is associated?
Accumulation of excess grass in rumin
-> alfalfa –» frothy bloat, traps tiny bubbles in fiber mat
Cows have …
Accelerated respiration and pulse Diarrhea Freq urination Depressed appetite General weakness Trembling, staggering Frothing at mouth Dark blood
EDx?
Nitrate poisoning
Excess in feed/water -> bacteria convert to nitrite -> reduced O2 carrying capacity
Hind limb stiffness Partial paralysis Unable to rise Poor appetite Dry muzzle Reduced rumen movement Slow respiration Low temperature and cold ears
These are all symptoms of?
Milk fever
What animals are more susceptible to milk fever
Jerseys and old animals
Loss of appetite High pulse rate Diarrhea Low skin temp Dehydration Drop in urine pH Low rumen ph Laminitis
These are symptoms of??
Acidosis
A cow that is standing with with front feet elevated, what disease is this sign associated with?
Hardware disease
-> elevate front so pressure falls back off the heart
Stiff movement
Loss of appetite
Frequent urination
Convulsions
Theses symptoms are associated with?
Grass tetany
Reduced feed intake Low milk yield a Appear starved, depressed and dull Inactive rumen Acetone odor of breath Weight loss Unexplained increase in milk fat
These symptoms are associated with what disease?
Ketosis
- > due to impaired carbohydrate and VFA metabolism
- > mobilization of fat (common in high producing cows)
Discomfort and pain
Reduced intake of feed and water
Reduced milk yield
Reduced volume of feces/dark coloured feces
Ping sound heard with stethoscope over rib cage
These symptoms are associated with what disease?
Displaced abomasum
Is a displaced abomasum for common on left or right? Which has the better prognosis
Normally to left -> better prognosis
What disease is associated with cows out on spring pasture
Grass tetany
