AVS 110 - Dairy Production ..

Carbon footprint

The total greenhouse gas emissions from milk production including animals, cropping, fertilizer, and manure.

Dairy

The leading animal industry in Idaho for farm receipts, totaling $10.7 billion in sales.

Cow Numbers

Approximately 718,288 cows in Idaho.

Calf

Young animal less than one year of age.

Heifer

Young female prior to having her first calf.

Steer

Young male castrated before puberty.

Bull

Sexually intact male.

Cow

Sexually mature female having had at least one calf.

Freemartin

Female that was born twin to a male; usually infertile.

Calving

Act of giving birth.

Dystocia

Calving difficulty.

Milk

Secreted by female mammals to nourish their young.

Colostrum

The first highly nutritious milk, rich in antibodies.

Milk Components

Includes water, fat, lactose, protein, and minerals.

Mammary gland

Responsible for the production of milk.

Lactation

Secretion of milk by the mammary glands.

Mastitis

Inflammation of the udder, typically caused by a microbial infection.

Somatic Cell Count (SCC)

An indicator of milk quality and food safety, defining the concentration of white blood cells in the milk in response to mastitis causing bacteria.

Dry period

Period of time that one stops milking a cow until she freshens (calves).

Transition period

Period from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after parturition (calving).

Holstein

Dairy breed originating from Holland, weighing 1,400 lbs, producing 21,091 lbs of milk at 3.66% fat.

Red and White

Dairy breed originating from Holland, weighing 1,400 lbs, producing 19,140 lbs of milk at 3.68% fat.

Jersey

Dairy breed from Jersey Isle, weighing 1,000 lbs, producing 14,396 lbs of milk at 4.7% fat.

Ayrshire

Dairy breed from Scotland, weighing 1,200 lbs, producing 15,430 lbs of milk at 3.85% fat.

Guernsey

Dairy breed from Guernsey Isle, weighing 1,100 lbs, producing 14,398 lbs of milk at 4.48% fat.

Brown Swiss

Dairy breed from Switzerland, weighing 1,500 lbs, producing 16,974 lbs of milk.

4.04% fat

A measurement indicating the fat content in a substance.

Milking Shorthorn

A dual purpose breed of dairy cattle developed in the British Isles, known for low milk production and very small numbers in the US.

Milk Production

The process by which cows, goats, and sheep produce milk, with cows dominating the US industry.

Milk Composition

The nutritional makeup of milk, which varies by species and is related to the growth requirements of young.

Harp Seal nursing duration

4 weeks, during which the pup is heavier than the mother at weaning.

Milk Composition (per 100 g fresh milk)

Nutritional values of different species' milk including protein, fat, carbohydrates, and energy content.

Cow Milk Composition

Water - approximately 86-87%, Solids - approximately 12-14.5%, Lactose 4.5 - 5%, Fat 3.5 - 5%, Protein 3 - 3.8%, Minerals/Vitamins <1%.

Holstein Total Solids Calculation

12.16% T.S. x 7360 kg/lactation = 895 kg of total solids produced/lactation (140% of her body weight).

Jersey Total Solids Calculation

14.42% T.S. x 5060 kg/lactation = 730 kg of total solids produced/lactation (170% of her body weight).

Milk Components - Fat

3.5-5.0%, the most variable of all milk components, primarily in the form of triglycerides.

Milk Components - Protein

3.0-3.8%, highest in colostrum, varies by breed, age of cow, stage of lactation, and feed.

Casein

78-85% of total protein in milk, important for milk processing due to its tendency to coagulate.

Milk Components - Lactose

4.5-5%, a major milk solid that is a disaccharide and least variable of all milk solids.

Milk Synthesis

Dependent on blood supply, supply of milk precursor, endocrine support for lactogenesis, and milking frequency.

Lactation

The secretion of milk from the mammary gland after parturition, defined as the time period during which the mammary gland secretes milk.

Lactation period in cow

305 days.

Mammary Gland

An exocrine gland common to all mammals, responsible for milk production.

Teat cistern capacity

30-45 milliliters.

Gland cistern capacity

Holds up to 400 milliliters of milk, serving as a collecting area for the mammary ducts.

Alveolar components

Include epithelial cells for milk synthesis, lumen for collecting milk components, myoepithelial cells for milk ejection, and terminal duct for milk transport.

Blood requirement for milk production

One gallon of milk requires 400 gallons of blood being passed through the udder.

Blood flow to mammary gland

Determines milk producing capability of the cow.

Progesterone

Stimulates alveoli growth and retards milk synthesis.

Estrogen

Stimulates duct growth and initiates prolactin release from pituitary gland.

Prolactin/Cortisol

Initiates protein synthesis and increases lactose, casein synthesis.

Oxytocin

Stimulates milk let-down in response to suckling.

TMR

Total mixed ration, the most widely used diet type.

Forage + Concentrate

Common in pasture-based systems.

Pre-weaning dietary goals

Develop rumen (microbiome, epithelium, musculature) and provide rapidly digestible scratch factor.

Pre-pubertal heifers dietary goals

Develop body (especially mammary gland) and limit ADG to avoid overfattening mammary gland.

Dry period dietary goals

Recovery of mammary gland and management of body condition score with high forage, low energy.

Lactation dietary goals

Meet energy and protein demands of milk production and maximize intake to minimize negative energy balance.

Calving Stage I

Dilation & distension surrounding birth canal, enlargement of mammary gland, frequent changes between standing and lying down, ends at full cervical dilation.

Calving Stage II

Appearance of amniotic sac, abdominal contractions, feet first, anterior or posterior presentation, progress every 15-20 min.

Calving Stage III

Expulsion of fetal membranes (up to 24 h) and removal of fetal membranes from maternity pen.

Dystocia scoring system

1 - No assistance, 2 - Assistance (1 person), 3 - Assistance (2+ people), 4 - Assistance (mechanical), 5 - Surgical procedure.

Colostrum quality

Green - OK > 50 mg IgG/mL, Yellow - Mix with green 20-50 mg IgG/mL, Red - Discard < 20 mg IgG/mL.

Breeding goals

55% mature BW at 14 months and ADG between 1.5 and 2 pounds.

First calving goals

Achieve 82% of final BW and calve by 23 months.

Gestation length

Approximately 280 days.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Allows for intensified selection at lower cost and fewer bulls needed to breed a large number of females.

Embryo Transfer

Used for purebreds only and is cost-prohibitive for commercial producers.

Voluntary Waiting Period

60 to 70 days for uterine involution and preparation for new pregnancy.

Calving interval

Optimum is 13-14 months.

Dry Period (Multiparous)

No milking for 45 to 60 days prior to calving.

Milk Fever

Hypocalcemia occurring in > 2nd lactation.

Ketosis

Fat mobilization leading to the development of ketone bodies such as acetone, acetoacetate, and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA).

Mastitis

Inflammation/Infection of mammary gland with negative impact on animal health, milk yield, shelf life, flavor, and processing abilities.

Mastitis treatment cost

Approximately $200 per case.

Mastitis causes - Contagious

Includes Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus.

Mastitis prevention

Includes post milking teat disinfection and prompt treatment of clinical cases with antibiotics.

Milking Routine

Includes pre-dip, strip, wipe, attach, and post-dip.

Milk Production

The process of generating milk from dairy cattle, measured in million pounds.

Lactation

The secretion of milk from the mammary gland after parturition.

Dystocia

Calving difficulty, where assistance may be required during birth.

Colostrum

The first highly nutritious milk secreted by mammals, rich in antibodies.

Holstein

A breed of dairy cattle known for its black and white coloration and high milk production.

Mastitis

Inflammation of the udder, typically caused by a bacterial infection.

Somatic Cell Count (SCC)

An indicator of milk quality that reflects the concentration of white blood cells in milk.

Freemartin

A female that was a twin to a male and is usually infertile.

Milk Composition

The constituents of milk, including water, fat, lactose, protein, and minerals.

Calf

A young animal, specifically a young bovine, less than one year of age.

Heifer

A young female bovine that has not yet had her first calf.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

A breeding technique that involves the insertion of sperm into a female's reproductive tract without natural mating.

Nutrition - TMR

Total mixed ration; a feeding strategy that combines all feed ingredients into a single feed.

Transition Period

The period from three weeks before to three weeks after calving, critical for nutrition and management.

Breeding Goals

Targets set for the breeding success of dairy cattle, including weight and age at first calving.

Metabolic Diseases

Disorders that can affect lactating dairy cows, such as milk fever and ketosis.

Milk Yield

The amount of milk produced by a cow, often measured in pounds per year.

Dairy Genetics

The study and application of genetics in breeding programs to improve dairy production.

Milk Production per Cow

The average quantity of milk produced by an individual cow, usually measured annually.

Carbon Footprint

The total greenhouse gas emissions directly and indirectly attributable to milk production.

Milk Components

Specific elements of milk, which include fat, protein, lactose, and ash.

Teat Cistern

A duct in the teat that holds milk, with a capacity of 30-45 milliliters.