Rumen Ecology / Animal Health, Dairy Cattle + Industry - Chap

Question 1

What is the function of the rumen?

Answer 1

Ferment food stuff to produce VFAs, microbial proteins, and B vitamins

Question 2

________ can pass through the rumen wall

Answer 2

VFAs

Question 3

What happens during rumen adaptation?

Answer 3

• Increase in rumen mass
• Increase in papillae
• Thin cell layer so more VFAs can be absorbed

Question 4

______ acts as a buffer to control rumen pH

Answer 4

Saliva

Question 5

How does an increase in roughage effect saliva production?

Answer 5

Increased saliva with increased roughage

Question 6

How much saliva is produced per day by dairy cattle?

Answer 6

180-250 L

Question 7

What factors play a role in increasing rumination time?

Answer 7

1. Increased rumen pH
2. Increased NDF/ peNDF

Question 8

Normal rumen pH?

Answer 8

5.5-7

Question 9

Metabolic diseases that can occur due to an altered ruminal ecosystem?

Answer 9

1. Bloat
2. Ruminal acidosis
3. Hypoglycemia
4. Diarrhea
5. Ulcers in GI tract
6. Reticuloperitonitis

Question 10

Acute ruminal acidosis is caused by an overproduction of __________

Answer 10

Ruminal D- lactate

Lactic acidosis, grain overload

Question 11

Sub acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) causes mucosal damage to the _________

Answer 11

Cecum

Question 12

Systemic effects associated with sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA)?

Answer 12

1. Laminitis
2. Liver abscesses
3. Caudal vena caval syndrome

Question 13

When should a rumenocentesis sample be collected in a TMR herd?

Answer 13

8 hours post feeding

Question 14

What is the rumen epithelium transition period?

Answer 14

3 weeks before calving to 3 weeks after calving

Question 15

How does weather affect rumination time?

Answer 15

Hot weather decreases rumination time

Question 16

_______ can be supplied in the diet of cattle to control gram positive bacteria

Answer 16

Ionophores

Question 17

What are the major costs for farmers?

Answer 17

Feed, Labor, and Capital/ Machinery

Question 18

What is a feed conversion ratio (FCR)?

Answer 18

ratio of dry matter intake to live-weight gain

Question 19

What factors are important for biological feed efficiency?

Answer 19

Feed intake, milk production, and BW change

Question 20

Which compartment does food travel to after the rumen?

Answer 20

Reticulum

Question 21

For dairy cow production, how long is the voluntary waiting period (VWP)?

Answer 21

60 days

Question 22

For dairy cow production, how long is the breeding season?

Answer 22

20 days

Question 23

For dairy cow production, how long is the gestation period?

Answer 23

283 days

Question 24

For dairy cow production, how long is the lactation period?

Answer 24

305 days

Question 25

For dairy cow production, how long is the dry period?

Answer 25

60 days

Question 26

What is the goal of a lactation curve?

Answer 26

12-12.5 months breeding interval or one calf per cow per year

Question 27

Your client wants to start a dairy farm. What time would be most efficient for calving?

Answer 27

22-24 months

Question 28

When visiting a farm, what animals don’t need to be examined?

Answer 28

Dry cows

Question 29

When visiting a farm, what animals need to be examined?

Answer 29

1. Fresh cows
2. Problem cows (repeat breeders)
3. Pregnant cows

Question 30

What is the calving index?

Answer 30

avg calving interval of all cows in a herd at any given time, expressed in days

Calculated retrospectively