Module 4-dairy production

Question 1

how is the can dairy industry run

Answer 1

The Canadian dairy industry is supply-managed; a national system that ensures production meets demand

Question 2

does Canada do much import or export of dairy

Answer 2

There is relatively little import or export of dairy products into or out of Canada

Question 3

how is the production of milk regulated

Answer 3

National production of milk is regulated by a quota system whereby dairy producers purchase “Milk Quota”

Question 4

in Canada how do you purchase milk quota

Answer 4

you purchase “Milk Quota” through a bidding system

Question 5

how does milk quota work

Answer 5

The purchased Milk Quota gives the producer the right to produce a set number of kilograms of milk, the amount of milk that can be produced is determined by how much milk is required. The price paid to the producer for milk is set by a “cost of production” formula. The set price and the assured market for milk provide dairy producers with stable economic returns

Question 6

how is the supply management system maintained to prevent lots of dairy imports

Answer 6

The supply-management system has historically been maintained by applying high rates of duty to imported dairy products.

Question 7

how big is the Canadian dairy industry

Answer 7

In 2018, just under one million cows made up the Canadian dairy herd producing 89.8 million hectolitres of milk (1 hectolitre = 100 litres)

Question 8

what are the top three dairy-producing provinces

Answer 8

1) Quebec 2) Ontario 3) BC

Question 9

what is Canadian dairy known for

Answer 9

high-quality dairy products and superior genetics

Question 10

what dairy products does Canada export

Answer 10

imports of cheese, milk protein, exports of cheese, ice cream and whey products. Canada also exports its superior dairy genetics in the form of embryos, semen and live cattle

Question 11

when was the management supply system introduced in Canada

Answer 11

The supply management system of Canada’s dairy industry was implemented by the Canadian Dairy Commission created in 1966

Question 12

how much milk do Canadian dairy cows produce per lactation

Answer 12

Canadian dairy cows produce more than 10,000 kg of milk during a lactation cycle

Question 13

how many breeds make up the Canadian dairy herd

Answer 13

seven

Question 14

what breed makes up the vast majority of the herd

Answer 14

Holstein

Question 15

why is the Holsten so popular

Answer 15

The Holstein has been specially bred for high milk yield and her milk production in 2018 was 2,500 kg higher than in 2001

Question 16

what does higher milk yield per cow mean

Answer 16

the demand of milk has been met with a smaller herd size

Question 17

what is the average culling age of cows

Answer 17

five years

Question 18

what has caused a younger culling age

Answer 18

the high milk yield per cow

Question 19

what are the characteristics of the other dairy breeds milk

Answer 19

they have lower milk yields with higher fat and protein content

Question 20

how big is the average Canadian dairy farm

Answer 20

it is home to 89 cows in production; some will milk as little as 30 and other places milk up to 3,000 +/-

Question 21

what are the dairy breeds (top 3 in order)

Answer 21

Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, brown swiss, milking shorthorn, guemsey, Canadienne

Question 22

how old are Holstine heifers when they become sexually mature

Answer 22

around twelve months of age

Question 23

when are Holstine heifers usually bread

Answer 23

they are usually inseminated for their first calf between fifteen and eighteen months of age

Question 24

how long is a dairy cow gestation length

Answer 24

around nine months

Question 25

how old are heifers when they have their first calf

Answer 25

around two years of age

Question 26

how soon after being born are calfs removed from their mom

Answer 26

within the first few hours

Question 27

once calves are removed what are they fed

Answer 27

heifer calves destined as replacements will be fed colostrum, usually from their own mothers

Question 28

why is colostrum so important

Answer 28

it is rich in antibodies that are necessary for calves. Calves are born without antibodies, colostrum is necessary to provide the calves with protection against pathogens via passive immunity

Question 29

how soon after being born do calves need colostrum

Answer 29

it should be supplied to calves within 6 hours of birth

Question 30

why is it important for calves to get colostrum right after birth

Answer 30

calves’ gastrointestinal tracts can directly absorb antibodies for only a limited period following birth; additionally, the level of antibodies in the colostrum drops as time from birth increases

Question 31

what happens to calves not retained

Answer 31

Calves that are not retained are usually shipped to sales barns immediately after birth, approximately 20 to 25 percent of shipped calves are not supplied with colostrum prior to shipping. Approximately half of the calves not supplied with colostrum will die and, if they survive, their growth rate is considerably slower than that of calves supplied with colostrum. The majority of calves not retained by the dairy farm are destined to become veal.

Question 32

what will retained calves be raised on

Answer 32

Retained calves will be raised on whole milk or milk replacer which will gradually be replaced with concentrates and forage

Question 33

how long after a calf is born does it take the cow to make regular milk

Answer 33

about 3 days after the calf is born cow will make regular milk

Question 34

how many days will cows produce milk for

Answer 34

around 305 days

Question 35

how soon after calving are cows re-inseminated

Answer 35

around 3 months after calving

Question 36

what is the dry period? how long is it?

Answer 36

the time between the end of lactation and before the next calf is born. it’s around 60 days

Question 37

when are cows culled

Answer 37

when milk production drops this is usually after three lactations