Dairy Farming Flashcards
What is the lactation length? and the dry period?
300 days lactating, 60-100 days dry period
What is the Irish average number of lactations?
6
How long is gestation?
280 days
What is milk made up of?
80% water, 3.2% protein, 4% fat, 4.7% lactose, 0.7% minerals
Which breed is best for milk yield?
Holstein Friesian (25-35 kg/d)
What happens in stage 1-3 of parturition
- Contractions begin, calf rotates, water sac expelled (4-6 hrs) 2. Calf expelled through pelvic opening (1-2 hrs) 3. Placenta expelled (6-8 hrs)
What kind of assistance is needed at calving if any?
Correction of calf presentation, Use of calving jack, Pull down after head and shoulders are out (rotate calf 90 degree if hip locked)
What do you do after calving to ensure healthy calf?
Remove mucous from nostril, tickle nostril, hold from back legs, apply disinfectant to naval e.g iodine
Describe early lactation
Appetite is depressed, produce enough milk to feed 10 calves, big loss of nutrients from the body (glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, calcium), cows become thin, vulnerable to disease
What is a cows oestrous cycle?
21 days, where they’re in heat for 8-12 hours. They need to rebreed again 85 days after calving
What is submission rate? what is the acceptable target
% of cows detected in heat in the first 21 days breeding season, acceptable target >90%
What is a calving interval? what’s the target?
No. of days between calving, target is 365 days
What is six weeks calving rate? target?
the % of cows that have given birth 6 weeks after the predicted calving date, target 90%
What is infertile rate? Acceptable rate?
% of cows not pregnant by the end of breeding season. Rate <10%
Describe mid lactation
Appetite at maximum, cows fed pre dominantly grass diets, BCS should increase, milk yield decrease by 2%/week
