The Dairy Industry And Management

Question 1

Milk composition including % of each component (per litre)

Answer 1

87% water
5% lactose
4% fat
3.2% protein
1% minerals (incl. Ca) & vits

Question 2

Which countries are the biggest consumers of milk per capita

Answer 2

Ireland and UK

Question 3

No. Of cows=
Milk production=

(Levels going up or down?)

Answer 3

Steady
Going ^

Question 4

World milk demand=
Wold milk production=
World number of cows=
Average herd size is going up
Average milk production per cow=
Number of dairy farms=

Going up or down?

Answer 4

• World milk demand is going up
• World milk production is going up
• World number of cows is steady (slightly up)
• Average herd size is going up
• Average milk production per cow is going up
• Number of dairy farms is going down

Question 5

What are the biggest challenges of dairy farmer

Answer 5

Cost of production
Cultural stigma
Disease
Nutrition
Repro management
Competition between big and small farmers

Question 6

What are cull cows

Answer 6

Dairy cows which When are done producing milk, will be sold for meat

Question 7

Where does a dairy farmers income come from (% of each)

Answer 7

1% = Others
1% = Silage, crops
1% = Calves/heifers
3% = Cull cows
15-20% = Subsidies
75-80% = Milk

Question 8

How much income roughy do farmers get per litre of milk?

Answer 8

40p!!! (But they are differences between farmers contracts)

Question 9

What is the biggest cost of production for dairy farmers?

Answer 9

Feed 35-40%
Labour 20-25%
Calves (heifer rearing) 15-20%
Fuel, fertiliser, machinery 10-15%
Vet 1-3%

Question 10

Pros and cons of indoor herd

Answer 10

Pros;
-more control of cattle; feed, nutrition, disease
-easier to move to milking parlour

Cons;
-lameness bigger problem

Question 11

Pros and cons of outdoor herd

Answer 11

Pros;
-consumers prefer free range grazing cows

Cons;
-weather dependant—>
rain is bad for nutrition & sun can cause heat stress

Question 12

Name the different types of barn dairy infrastructures that exist

Answer 12

-Group housing on straw mostly for dry cows and heifers
-New cubicle housing with slatted floor
-Sand bedded cubicles with passage/tractor scraper
-Tie-up barn – cups moved down the line while cows remain in situ
-Herringbone type pit – cow about 45
-Rotary with external working

Question 13

How long does it usually take to milk a cow?

Answer 13

5 minutes ideal (5-7)

Question 14

Why do you post dip a cows teat after milking it

Answer 14

To keep it protected from disease whilst the teat is taking its time to close
But mainly to kill bacteria that has been left over by the milking equipment