Dairy Cattle Life Cycle

Question 1

“Complete” management system

Answer 1

Perform all aspects of dairy management including: calf-rearing , growing food for cows, milking
(Most farms in north east follow this system)

Question 2

“Specialized” management system

Answer 2

Milking operation only 
Sell all calves, buy replacements 
Buy food 
In stated like Cali where land is scarce (south west, far west) 
Larger # of cows

Question 3

“Heifer farms” management system

Answer 3

Take heifer calves from milking operations, raise them, breed them, return or sell just before calving

Question 4

It is essential that a calf receives what

Answer 4

Colostrum

Question 5

What is colostrum

Answer 5

First milk produced by the dam. Contains moms antibodies and nutrients

Question 6

How much colostrum should a calf consume

Answer 6

At least 4 quarts within first 24 hrs of life (ab10%of body weight)
Ideally 1/2 of this within 6 hours

Question 7

Why a calf needs colostrum

Answer 7

Anti bodies in colostrum stimulate immune system

After 24 hours, calf unable to use antibodies

Question 8

What happens to bull calves

Answer 8

Sold for veal (under 3 months old), sold to be raised for beef, occasionally kept for breeding occasionally

Question 9

What happens to heifers

Answer 9

Usually kept as replacements for farm, sometimes sold to be raised as replacements, sometimes sent to heifer farms to be raised and returned

Question 10

Heifers less than 2 months old are kept in what and why

Answer 10

Hutches or individual stalls in barns.

They are separated to prevent disease transmission and to monitor food intake

Question 11

What does it mean for a calf to be weaned

Answer 11

Taken off milk diet and fed adult food

Question 12

Heifers are weaned at ____ months old

Answer 12

2

Question 13

After heifers are weaned they are moved to

Answer 13

Pens of similar size group housing (so no cows eat more than others)

Question 14

First estrous cycle begins at approximately ____ months

Answer 14

12 months (puberty)

Question 15

Yearling heifers are usually bred at _____ to _____ months

Answer 15

12-15

Question 16

How is pregnancy diagnosed

Answer 16

Rectum palpitation

Question 17

Once a heifer is bred she a called a

Answer 17

Bred heifer

Question 18

Gestation period of a cow
Upon calving (freshening) she is called
She then becomes a

Answer 18

9months (280 days)
A “first calf heifer”
Cow

Question 19

A cow is usually bred her second time ab how many months after the first

Answer 19

2-3 months

Question 20

2 months before 2nd calf is born, she won’t be _____ for a period of time.
This is called

Answer 20

Milked 
Rest period (aka dry period)

Question 21

Lactation lasts ab _____ months

Answer 21

10 months

Question 22

The time from one calf born to the next is known as the _____
Optimally this period is ____ months long

Answer 22

Calving interval

12-13 months

Question 23

Define an open cow

Answer 23

Not pregnant, usually first two months after calving

Question 24

Define a dry cow

Answer 24

Not lactating

Question 25

Define dry (rest) period

Answer 25

Period not lactating, usually last 2 months of pregnancy

Question 26

Why are dry (rest) periods important

Answer 26

Allow udder to rest and prepare for next lactation

Question 27

Define lactation

Answer 27

Production of milk. (10 month optimum)