Dairy production Flashcards
organic vs conventional milk
both: tested for abx, regulated by PMO, tested for bacteria, somatic cells
organic: may have stricter guidelines, illegal to withold treatment to maintain organic status
heifer
female bovine that hasnt had calf
calf care right after birth
born in clean, dry pen
remove from cow asap and put in calf hutch
colostrum asap (for immune system)
bull calves
dont stay at farm for more than a few days
mostly byproduct
nursing cows are fed:
fed whole milk or milk replacers
then offered calf starter in a few days grain with lots of protein
when are calved weaned?
~8 weeks
then fed calf grower concentrate
when do heifers begin to calve?
2 years
How long are cows in milk until peak lactation?
2 month
how often are cows milked?
2-3x/day
herringbone parlor
parallel parlor
rotary parlor
transition from dry to lactating cow
most challenging transition
starts 3 weeks prior to calving
lactating cow nutrition
50-50-50
Lactating Cows eat a diet that is:
50 pounds of Dry matter
50% moisture
~50% grain and 50% forage
milk production lactation curve
- increases for several weeks to a peak 40-100 days in milk
- then decreases as the lactation proceeds 8-10% a month.
corn silage
The entire corn and ear chopped up and stored anerobically so that it ferments
haylage
Alfalfa, Grasses or small grains (rye, barley, wheat) that is chopped up and fermented
TMR
mixed feed of grain and forage
how are cows housed?
Concrete lots with 4’ X 8’ beds called freestalls: may or may not have access to outside lots called exercise lots.
Dry Lots with shade cloth
Some loose housing uses a bedded shed called a bedded pack
On pasture with only a concrete lot to hold cows for milking and feeding
Stanchion: Stall for living and milking
dairy cow management cycle
dry cows
Mammary gland and digestive system need a rest for the next production to be optimal
Milk removal stops 60 days before the next parturition to give the cow a dry period.
Cow should be housed separate from the lactating herd and fed a mostly-roughage ration
far off dry cows
End of last Lactation
R&R for the Rumen and Udder
close up dry cows
Beginning of Next Lactation
Udder Development
Fetus Development
Preparation of the rumen for high energy diet
