Dairy Management

Question 1

What is a sweeper bull

Answer 1

Applies to a dairy herd that mostly uses AI

Question 2

When does a heifer calf get removed off the mother

Answer 2

0-72 hours old

Question 3

When is a dairy calf weaned

Answer 3

6-12 weeks once rumen has developed sufficiently

Question 4

When do heifer calves hit puberty and when are they served

Answer 4

10-12 months. Served around 15 months when 65% of mature weight

Question 5

How long are cows pregnant (Holstein Friesian) and what age will she have her first calf

Answer 5

Around 9 months = 282 days target calving age for mother is 24 months

Question 6

What is VWP

Answer 6

Voluntary waiting period. Waiting to serve her. Waiting for uterus to contract back from her last calf. Needs to wait until regular seasons again. Usually lasts 6 weeks

Question 7

How long between giving birth and pregnancy

Answer 7

3 months

Question 8

What is the calving interval

Answer 8

The time between the first calf to the second

Question 9

What is drying up and when does it happen

Answer 9

We stop milking the cow 2 months before giving birth again to allow udder to shrink, it gives the cow a rest from the energy demanding lactating

Question 10

When is usually peak yield

Answer 10

6-10 weeks post calving

Question 11

What is the value of milk based on

Answer 11

Volume
Content of milk solids (fat and protein)
Somatic cell count (number of white blood cells per ml milk)
Bactoscan (number of bacteria per ml of milk)
Antibiotic contamination
Water contamination

Question 12

What is milk quality

Answer 12

Butterfat - 4% associated with fibre in diet (via acetate)
Milk protein - 3.2% associated with energy in diet
Both are species dependent as well

Question 13

What are the diary breeds of cattle

Answer 13

Holstein
Friesian
Brown Swiss
Ayrshire
Channel island (jersey and guernsey)
Swedish red/ Norwegian red lower yield than Holstein but healthier
Simmental/fleckvieh - dual purpose (can be used for milk and beef)