Dairy cattle Flashcards
Define the following:
- Cow
- Dry cow (far-off and transition)
- Lactating cow
Cow = female that has given birth at least once
Far-off dry cow = not milking, between lactation’s, early into dry period
Transition cow = last 3-4 weeks of dry period (pregnancy)
Lactating cow = milking
Define the following:
- bull
- terminal sire
- bull beef
- stock bull
Bull = entire male
Terminal sire = his offspring reared for meat
Bull beef = entire males fattened for beef
Stock bull = breeding bull
What is an advantage and a disadvantage of a straw yard?
Adv = cow comfort/lying position - decreased lameness Dis = more bedding required, less choice - higher mastitis risk
How is bedding management maintained in a straw yard?
- compost effect, generates heat so bacteria don’t survive
- daily top up
- complete clear out every 3-6 weeks
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of cubicle housing
- easier to keep clean
- higher choice of bedding options
- more efficient use of space
- less mastitis
- more lameness
What are some flooring factors that need to be considered?
- provides grip
- slopes aren’t too steep
- avoid right angles (gentle curvature)
- can be easily cleaned
In an open pasture what factors need to be considered?
- effective fencing
- injury risks
- predators
- biosecurity
- weather shelter
How much colostrum should have been ingested by
1) 2 hours old?
2) 6-12 hours old?
1) 10% of body weight
2) another 10%
- force feed, legal requirement if haven’t fed by 6 hours old
What would a cuddle box be used for?
When snatching cows allows initial bonding for dam and helps disease control
When must a blood sample be taken from a calf to assess colostrum intake? What concentrations do you use to monitor this?
between 24 hours - 7 days old
conc of total protein or immunoglobulins
What is the milk per head/day that calf’s need
5-6 litres in a minimum of 2 feeds
- 15% of body weight in milk every 24 hours
What are the crude protein, fat and temperature requirements for milk replacer?
20-26% CP
18-20% fat
37-39 degrees
What are required in the diet for rumen development?
Forage for rumen growth
Grain for papili development
What is the minimum space requirement for calves?
1.8 x 1.0m
Length x withers
What factors need to be considered for good housing hygiene?
1) Bedding - clean, dry
2) Staff
3) Equipment
4) no contact with older cattle: airspace, faeces
5) all in, all out system
What is the target DLWG?
0.7-0.8 kg
At what weight/age are calves:
1) weaned
2) at puberty
3) service
4) 1st calving
1) >70kg, 2 months
2) 45-50&, 12 months
3) 65%, 15 months
4) 85-90%, 24 months
How do growth rates of bulling and dairy heifers differ?
Dairy require optimal growth rates - measured not maximal
For how many days after a calf is born can the dams milk not be sold?
3
What is the target age for 1st calving?
24 months
For how long are cows dried off for before birth?
2 months
What is the VWP?
Voluntary waiting period
- not going to try and get her pregnant, need to wait for the uterus to return to pre-pregnant size (involute) and resume cycles
How many days of the year do cows lactate?
305
Name some common dairy breeds
Holstein Friesian Brown swiss Ayrshire Jersey Guernsey
Which breed is a high performer but has high husbandry requirements?
Holstein
What is the definition of a lactating heifer?
female bovine that has given birth for the first time and is now producing milk
How long does it take to establish hierarchy within a herd?
7 days
How long is the oestrus cycle of a cow?
21 days, 2 days oestrus
What are the main behavioural signs indicating a cow is in oestrus?
Sniffing Rump and flank rubbing Mounting Standing to be mounted More often at night
What is mastitis?
Infection of the mammary gland - contagious
What is a high input - high output style of housing?
Housed all year round
Zero grazing
Compare the milk yield per cow when intensively farmed vs extensively farmed
intensive = 12,000L extensive = 4,000L
What can be tested that would indicate mastitis?
Somatic cell count
- high number of WBC’s in milk
How many more X maintenance requirements does a dairy cow need?
4
