Protein and Energy Imbalances in Ruminants Flashcards
What affects productivity in herds?
Genetics Feeding Environment Management Disease
Describe rumen fermentation and the environment needed for good rumen fermentation…
Maintain neutral rumen ph 6.2 -7
Saliva produced by cheweing and ruminating acts as a buffer
Needs 2-4cm fibres in diet
Chewing occurs when lying down in cattle
What is the problem with fibres length being:
a. Too long
b. Too short
A. Decreased rumen output
B. Outflow is too fast
How many hours should a cow spend lying down per day?
14
How many cows should be lying down one hour before feeding?
85%
How much trough space should each cow have?
60cm
Why is it a problem if cows are unable to feed after milking?
Go and lie down and pathogens can get up the open teat sphincter
What should you check in terms of feeding troughs?
Physical condition
Clean
Fresh food
What should you check in regards to water troughs for cattle?
Plenty of water Enough space around the water trough Flow rate Clean Dissolved solids
How can you measure how much cows are eating?
Dry matter intake
How can you calculate dry matter intake?
DMI = 0.025BW + 0.1 x milk yield
What is needed to formulate a diet ration for cattle?
Analysis of each feed competent (minerals, proteins, fats etc.)
What is true TMR?
Everything is fed in the TMR and nothing is fed in the parlour
Is silage aerobic or anaerobic? What does this mean for spoiling?
Anaerobic - When air enters secondary fermentation causes spoilage and mould can produce mycotoxins.
What is a TMR?
Total Mixed Ration
What are the common problems or mistakes made with grazing grass?
Over estimate the value of grazed grass
Bloat from clvoer rich pastures
Mg deficiency
What can be given as a buffer feed before turning out to grass?
Silage
Hay
TMR
Why is it a bad idea to use old tyres when making silage?
Old tyres contain small pieces of metal which may lead to hardwire disease.
What is the target milk fat %?
4.2%
What produces milk fat?
Acetat and butyrate
What happens to milk fat if concentrates:forage ratio exceeds 60:40?
Fat will drop significantly.
Low milk fat may indicate SARA.
What is the target milk protein?
3.4%
When does milk protein decrease?
After a period of inadequate energy intake.
How can you investigate feed of cattle?
Look at the feed Smell it Handle it Ask about it Check out ration, computer sheets
Describe dung scoring…
Score 1 - Loose and watery
Score 2 - Custard splatters far
Score 3 - Slow hand clap, does not stick to boots
Score 4 - Thick heavy consistency. Forms stacks and sticks to boots
Score 5 - Stiff dung that leaves boot impression (dehydrated)
When condition scoring cows in a herd which cows do you need to asses?
Dry cows
Freshly calved
2-4 weeks post calving
Late lactation
What problems can occur when there are feeding issues in the 6 weeks either side of calving?
Poor DMI Metabolic diseases - Ketosis - Fatty liver syndrome - Fat cow syndrome - LDA Poor milk production Poor fertility
Described the BCS for the dry cow…
Should remain constant during the dry cow stage
Dry off in the same BCS that the cow should calve at
Why should cattle not lose weight during the dry period?
It will cause excessive fat mobilisation and makes fatty liver and other metabolic problems more likely
What are metabolic profiles in cattle?
Planned regular blood tests that look at a number of metabolites in normal healthy cows in a herd.
What would be the 4 recommend times to carry out metabolic profiling in a herd?
Soon after spring turn out Mid-to-late summer when pasture quality is highly variable Soon after housing Late in winter housing Also any major changes in diet
Which 3 groups should be assessed in metabolic profiling of cattle? How many from each group?
- Early lactation, no more than 20 days calved
- Mid lactation (100-200 days)
- Dry cows within 14 days of calving
6 cows from each group
What are the common errors when carrying out metabolic profiling of cattle?
Sampling cows that have calved more than 20 days ago
Failure to include cows in their first lactation in each group
Sampling immediately after major management changes
Including problem or poor cows.
