DHIA Report

Question 1

What are data analysis computer programs useful for?

Answer 1

Examining several parameters both an individual cows and on the herd as a whole

Question 2

What does DHIA stand for?

Answer 2

Dairy Herd Improvement Associations

Question 3

What does it mean if somatic cell counts are high <30 days in milk?

Answer 3

Dry cow and pre fresh housing may need attention. If only lactation 1, look into heiferhousing and management.

Question 4

What does it mean if somatic cell counts are high 30-220 days in milk?

Answer 4

Ineffective milking procedure or marginal equipment. Could be ineffective control of cow to cow spread where contagious pathogens are of concern or high exposure to environmental pathogens.

Question 5

What does it mean if somatic cell counts are high >220 days in milk?

Answer 5

Possibly over milking late lactation cows, contracting a contagious pathogen from other cows. Chronic cows may also fall into this group

Question 6

What does it mean if the somatic cell count trend from <30 to >220 is low to high?

Answer 6

Target milking procedure and teat dipping, have equipment and vacuum levels checked at least every 6 months. An inconsistent dry cow program may also be a problem.

Question 7

A ____ percent of Cures and _____ percent of new infections would indicate the dry cow program is effective.

Answer 7

high, low

Question 8

What might a high percent of new infections indicate?

Answer 8

May indicate the dry cow program or housing needs attention.

Question 9

What percent of new infections in a herd lowers the somatic cell count?

Answer 9

4-7%

Question 10

What percent of new infections in a herd maintains the current somatic cell count?

Answer 10

8-12%

Question 11

What percent of new infections in a herd increases the somatic cell count?

Answer 11

>15%

Question 12

What percent of the herd should be infected?

Answer 12

<20%

Question 13

In the current somatic cell count evaluation, how many first lactation cows should be in the 0 to 3 range?

Answer 13

90%

Question 14

What does it mean if less than 90% of first lactation cows are in the 0 to 3 range in the current somatic cell count evaluation?

Answer 14

Heifer management may be compromised

Question 15

In the current somatic cell count evaluation what percent of the whole herd should be under a linear score of 4?

Answer 15

80%

Question 16

What should the sum of chronics and new infections be?

Answer 16

<20%

Question 17

What does it mean if the sum of chronics and new infections are under 20%?

Answer 17

This designates the attempt to control spread is working.

Question 18

What linear scores are considered negligible with respect to mastitis?

Answer 18

0 and 1

Question 19

What linear scores are considered suspicious with respect to mastitis?

Answer 19

2 and 3

Question 20

Cows with linear score above __ are considered likely to be infected with mastitis.

Answer 20

4 (200,000)

Question 21

What does it mean for those with linear scores above 7 (1,600,000)?

Answer 21

They probably have clinical signs of mastitis and may have a significant impact on bulk tank somatic cell count

Question 22

How is monthly somatic cell count money loss calculated?

Answer 22

Current linear score times yield loss times average milk price

Question 23

What is the year somatic cell count summary used for?

Answer 23

Used to determine which lactation is the problem and when most infections occur

Question 24

What is the main goal for changes in somatic cell count status?

Answer 24

To have more cures than new infections for both Fresh versus Last Dry Off and Current versus Last Test

Question 25

What is the raw somatic cell count and what should it be similar to?

Answer 25

It is weighted by pounds of milk and should be similar to the bulk tank test

Question 26

What does an increase in somatic cell count score indicate?

Answer 26

Indicates that sub clinical mastitis is becoming increasingly more common and severe

Question 27

At what raw somatic cell count ar cows considered infected?

Answer 27

>200,000

Question 28

What does the production index indicate?

Answer 28

Percentage of milk that this cow produces in comparison to the average cow in the herd

Question 29

What is the fat protein ratio and what does it indicate?

Answer 29

Ratio of milk fat percent to protein percent. indicates metabolic problems resulting from an inadequate transition management program.