Dry & Transition Cow Management and Culling Decisions Flashcards

1
Q

What are the goals of a dry period (6 possible answers)

A
  • maximize mammary gland health
  • maximize income from milk
  • no negative impacts on fetal development ( no dystocia, low stillbirth rate)
  • no reduction of colostrogenesis
  • increase productive life of cow
  • decrease incidence of metabolic disorders in transition cows
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2
Q

What are the 2 strategies used for beginning drying off procedures?

A
  1. discontinue milking
  2. lengthen milking intervals
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3
Q

How long do dry periods last?

A

30 to 60 days

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4
Q

What happens physiologically to dairy cows during their dry period?

A

their old milk-producing cells regress and are replaced by new cells; a calf is also developing

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5
Q

What should cows be treated with after their final milking before going dry?

A

long-lasting mastitis antibiotic and their teats should be dipped with a barrier-type teat dip

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6
Q

How is feeding a dry cow different from feeding a lactating cow?

A

dry cows require less dry matter (1/2 their intake during lactation) and so they’re given lower quality, bulky forage

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7
Q

What should the body condition score of a dairy cow be during the dry period?

A

3.5 (range is 3.25 to 3.75)

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8
Q

DMI is ____ of body weight in dry cows

A

2%

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9
Q

DMI decreases to ____ of body weight during the last 3 weeks of the dry period due to the estrogen effect and loss in appetite.

A

1.6%

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10
Q

What does extending the length of the dry period do?

A

it increases feed & management costs (not recommended)

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11
Q

Cows having no dry period decrease production by what percent?

A

25%

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12
Q

Why is it suggested that cows may not need a long dry period? (argument for shortening dry periods)

A

cows have unique mammary tissue remodeling that occurs quicker than other mammals. The alveolar structures remain intact

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13
Q

What are the 2 phases of a dry period?

A
  1. cessation of lactogenesis in the mammary gland
  2. period of colotrogenesis
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14
Q

initiated 3 weeks prepartum; rapid differentiation of secretory epithelium; immunoglobulin production; increased fat, protein and carbohydrates synthesis and secretion

A

colostrogenesis

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15
Q

Cows 21 days before and after calving

A

transition cows

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15
Q

Cows 21 days before and after calving

A

transition cows

16
Q

What is the main goal of transition cow management?

A

maximize DMI and prepare the rumen

17
Q

Drying off to 14-21 days prior to calving

A

far off or dry cows

18
Q

14-21 days prior to calving date

A

close up or prefresh cows

19
Q

All dairy cows need at least 30 days of a dry period to avoid….

A

decreased production and poor colostrum quality

20
Q

What is a way to treat milk fever in transition cows?

A

give calcium bolus and monitor their cation-anion differentiation ration (Ca:P)

21
Q

Why is it better to have cows calve in a maternity pen vs out in a pasture

A

calving out in the pasture results in calves being born in isolated corners of the pasture in unfavorable conditions; other cows can interfere with the calving process or potentially harm the calf.

22
Q

Maternity pens should have…

A

a solid, concrete base that’s easy to clean between calvings and is well-bedded

23
Q

When should cows be placed in maternity pens?

A

1 week prior to expected calving date

24
Q

Culling is a balancing act between what 3 factors?

A

milk production, animal health and genetic progress

25
Q

Cows that must leave the herd because they have low production due to health and/or reproductive problems and/or incurable diseases

A

Involuntary cull

26
Q

Cows that must leave the herd because they are not profitable enough and can be replaced by more profitable cows

A

voluntary cull

27
Q

(sold + died) divided by average herd size

A

culling rate

28
Q

Higher culling rates lead to higher…

A

costs of replacements

29
Q

The national average cull rate for dairy cows in the U.S. is…

A

35%

30
Q

The goal range for culling rates

A

25-40%

31
Q

Where do cull cows go?

A
  • majority go to market/auction
  • some go directly to slaughter plant
32
Q

What situations would lead to a cow being culled immediately?

A
  • milk prevented
  • teat injury
  • downer cow
33
Q

What situations would lead to a cow having a delayed culling?

A
  • milking routine is not affected
  • treated cows
  • reproductive disorders
34
Q

What are 3 fundamental questions to ask when considering culling economics?

A
  • is the barn filled to capacity?
  • is it more profitable to keep or replace a cow?
  • what is the overall cull rate?
35
Q

What are 3 culling goals?

A
  • identify the least profitable cows
  • minimize abrupt loss of profitable cows
  • optimize the carrying capacity of high-producing cows on the dairy