Dairy Cattle

Reasons to use AI

• check for sperm for superior milk-producing genes

• sort sex cells to get more females

• intensely managed so used to being handled

• dairy bulls are mean

lactation length

10 m

drying off

ending lactation

colostrum length

first 7 days

what produces more milk: a longer peak production time or more milk produced during peak production time

longer peak production time

how often are cows milked?

2-3 times a day

innovated tech

• computer records (even before internet)

• AI

• centralized records program: DHIA

• heavy inspection and maintenance of machinery

why is supplemental grain important?

milk needs high nutrients

roughage prevents

• metabolic issues (sickness)

• milk fat percentage decrease (lower quality)

feeds include

• high energy (included in milk)

• high protein (included in milk)

• high roughage

feeding habits

• energy / protein concentrate twice a day

• constant access to roughage

free style stall

• loaf around between milking

• access to roughage

• sand keeps udders healthy

• defecate in gutter, not sand (collected for fertilizer)

• pasture at night

milk machine process

• rubber lining collapses on teat (oscillates), creating pressure

• vacuum transports

machine issues

• over milking

• wrong pressure

• damage to mammary gland or teat

antibodies in milk

• 1/3 of humans allergic

• tank-side tests of milk before purchased

• dumped if positive

• used to treat cow

• while on, milk is dumped (red band, last one milked)

weaning time

1-2 days after birth, 7-9 weeks after calf hutch

calf hutch biosecurity

socialization without infection

calf hutch diet

1-2 gallons of milk a day

Dairy vs beef cattle

• more docile

• more human interaction

• used for milk and meat

• less muscular

why is dairy industry struggling

• # of farms declined; more cows per farm

• more mass-produced

where in NC are dairy farms

piedmont around cities, mountains

influence on NC

• government bought out 1/5 of producers to lower production in 90’s

• farms turning to suburbs (selling land for money)

farm locations in US

Ca, WI, NY, Id, PA

• fresh produce

• south is too warm for cows

holstein

larger, hit puberty later

jersey

smaller, hit puberty earlier

gestation

284 d (9 m)

rebreeding

at least 60 d after

milk consumption trend

growing with development of countries: high protein, energy