Dairy Cattle- Lecture 3

Just a note for y'all. All information in the study set comes from the slides presented in lecture. If there are any problems or any feedback you would like to give, go right on ahead, I won't be offended ( I promise :) )

Holstein

>90% of dairy cattle

black and white

netherlands

most milk produced

large

Jersey

brown

jersey island

best milk fat

small

tie stall

confined to specific stall

stand up and lie down, can’t turn around

bedded

herringbone parlor

the milking machines are positioned in the middle - the 'spine' of the fish - between two aisles with room for the cows

colostrum

milk produced during the first few days after birth

high in antibodies

passive immunity

total mixed ration (TMR)

combination of forage + grain

bovine somatotropin

hormone naturally produced by cattle

regulates growth

increases milk production

free stall

alley with pens on sides

group cows into pens

cow may move freely between stall and feed area

can select individual stall

rotary parlor

the cow stands on a circular raised platform, allowing you to attach them from below

transition cow

last 3 weeks of gestation to 3 weeks postpartum

most stressful event

diet changes

suppression of immune system

mastitis

infection of the udder

decreases the quality and quantity of milk produced

risk factors: poor milking sanitation, dirty facilities

treatment: antibiotics

milk fever

low blood calcium

common around calving

milk production- sudden loss of body calcium

veal

meat from calves

parallel parlor

also called side-by-side parlors, have cows stand next to each other in parallel lines. The cows will be side-to-side, facing away from a central aisle. This design leaves the rear of the cows open for milking

robotic parlor

With sensors, milking cups attach to the teats of the cow from underneath, after sanitation to minimize mastitis. The robot then continues to milk the cow until finished, detaches from the cow, and she is free to go from the machine

dry off

abruptly end milk secretion and seal the teat canal as quickly as possible; 60 days

top dairy states

California and Wisconsin: Virginia is 25th

milking cows

sell milk by lbs

quality (milk solids) —> fat and protein

quantity

Pasture

part or all day grazing

may be supplemented

generally lower milk yield

less manure disposal

brought in 2-3x per day for milking

individual dairy calf housing

separate pens or hutches

less disease spread

limited mobility

most common

group dairy calf housing

generally older than 14 days

social interaction and activity

may have automatic milk feeders

Dairy herd improvement association

help improve genetics

data collection and storage

records processing centers

Council for Dairy Cattle Breeding

milk yield

pregnancy

stillbirth

teat size

udder depth

somatic cell count

Heifer development

goal: calve before 24 months, calving weight- 1,200- 1,250 lbs, breed at 15 months

small group housing

feed high-quality hay, silage, pasture- supplement with grain

growth monitoring (moderate energy intake - height and weight)

rBST

marketed at Posilac, approved for use in the US in 1993

improves milk production by 10-15%

most dairy processors in the US no longer accept rBST-treated milk due to questions about safety