Dairy Cattle Nutrition Flashcards
gestation peroid
280 days
how long does lactation last
305 days
how long is the dry peroid
60 days
T/F dairy farms have births year round
true
how many lactations are dairy cows profitable for
3-5
when is peak lactation
weeks 4-10
T/F DMI decreases with lactation
false (increases)
how much of the total production cost is feed
40-50%
what is milk production limited by
genetic
environment
what are nutrients used for in dairy cows
- Growth in the immature animal
- Pregnancy (especially the last 3 months)
- Fattening/Regaining normal weight lost during lactation
- Maintenance
- Lactation / Milk Production
T/F A cow in lactation and fed correctly will use 1⁄2 feed for maintenance and 1⁄2 feed for milk production
true
what is the basis of ration
roughages (pasture, hay, silage)
T/F dairy cattle need to be supplemented
true
concentrates, grains
moisture content of hay when bales
≤20%
T/F as green chop matures cow will eat less of it
true-less energy intake
what is one of the most popular roughages for dairy cattle
corn silage
what needs to be supplemented with corn silage
protein
minerals
what is straw
non-grain part of crops (wheats/oats)
what does straw add to the diet
fiber
T/F straw is a cheap alternative for feeding dry cows and older heifers
true
what is pasture ideal for
old heifers and dry cows
why is pasture not good for lactating cows
rarely get enough dry matter, get drops in production
if low what can be a limiting factor in milk production
energy content
how much TDN do grains contain
70-80%
T/F processed grains are less digestible
false (more digestible)
what can lead to acidosis
finely ground grain
what it the most commonly used grain
corn
T/F cows tend to feed better when there is corn in the ration
true
what cereal has a higher protein content and lower energy content and digestability than corn
oats
which 2 cereals should not make up more the 1/2 the grain ration
barely and wheat
T/F quantity of protein is more important than quality
true
what is corn gluten meal
by product of the wet milling of corn for starch and syrup
lbs/head/day of corn gluten meal
5
soybean meal
- Excellent source of protein
- Found in many supplements
- Highly palatable
sunflower meal
- Good source of Protein and Phosphorus
* Less palatable
linseed meal
- Good protein supplement
- Adds shine to hair coat – sale and show animals
- Palatable but laxative
cottonseed meal
- High protein content
* Palatable but may cause constipation
how much feed-grade urea can be added to a ration
no more 0.4 pound/head/day
T/F Feed grade urea should be increased gradually
true - ruminal bacteria may adapt
by products of food industry
alfalfa meal
beet pulp
citrus/tomato pulp
whole cottonseed
molasses
Ca:P ratio
1.2:1 to 2:1
what % of milk is water
85%
T/F lactating cows need water in relation to size more than any farm animal
true
pH of rumen
6.5
what compounds do rumen microorganism digest
cellulose
hemicellulose
what are the VFA found in ruminants
acetate, proprionate, butyrate
advantages of rumen microorganisms
- Microorganisms can convert inexpensive non-protein N sources into protein for animal use
- Microorganisms can also make their own B vitamins
- Microorganisms can also breakdown some toxins –> ruminant less affected by some poisonous plants
disadvantages of rumen microorganisms
- Feed eaten by the animal gets digested by the microorganisms before being absorbed by the animal
- Sometimes Microorganisms will decrease the quality of the feed before the animal uses it (especially proteins)
protein and energy guidelines for lactating dairy cows
- Not more than 18-19% CP (Dry Matter basis) in early lactation
- Gradually reduce to 13% CP (Dry Matter basis) in middle/late lactation
- Total ration should contain 60-70% TDN = 0.6-0.8 Mcal net energy per pound of feed
fiber guidelines
- Forage is the basis of dairy feeding
- High quality forages, if available, should be used, especially in early lactation
- Feed cows 1.5-2.8 pounds of forage (Dry matter) per 100 pounds of liveweight
- Fibre in the ration is needed to maintain milkfat
- Minimum 15% Crude Fibre in the Diet
carbohydrates guidelines
• Milk production and feed efficiency may be achieved by balancing the
amount of NDF and soluble carbohydrates (sugars and starches)
- High level of soluble carbohydrates –> acidosis, low milk fat
- Soluble Carbohydrates recommended at a level of 30-35%
- NDF recommended at a minimum of 28%
- ADF level of 19-21 % is recommended
mineral guidelines
Concentrate mix should contain 0.5-1.0% salt and 1% should be a Calcium-Phosphorus supplement
what are the most expensive part of the ration
grains and protein supplements
what are the 4 feeding phases of dairy cows
Phase 1: Occurs during the first 70 days of lactation; Highest milk production
Phase 2: 70-140 days after calving; Decreasing milk production; Highest DM intake
Phase 3: 140-305 days after calving Continual decrease in milk production
Phase 4: Dry period (40-60 days) Beginning of new lactation period
what are the feeding phases based on
milk production, fat test, DM intake, changes in BW
what it the most critical feeding peroid
phase 1
rapid increase in milk production, max production 4 weeks after calving
methods of feeding dairy cows
- Traditional
- Challenge or Lead Feeding
- Total Mixed Rations
- Automatic concentrate feeders
major disadvantage to traditional feeding
low producing cows frequently overfed on concentrates
when in challenge or lead feeding used
very small operations
high-producing dairy farms
TMR
divided into groups according to production levels
very popular in modern dairy farms
equipment needed for TMR
mixer blender unit
weighing device
automatic concentrate feeders: 3 types
magnetic, electronic and transponder
main goal of automatic concentrate feeders
allow high producing cows to have access to more concentrate
T/F Colostrum proteins actively participate in the protection of the neonate against pathogens and other postpartum environmental challenges
true
T/F protein absorption is mainly based on immunoglobulins in colostrum
true
T/F colostrum is milk
false
what regulates colostrum
hormones (estradiol and progesterone)
how much colostrum does a dairy calf need
- 1 gallon within 12 hours of birth
- 2 quarts w/i 1 hr of birth and 2 by 12 hr later
- Absolutely essential to avoid FAILURE OF PASSIVE TRANSFER
Failure of passive transfer
discharges
polyarthritis
depressed
scours
