Dairy Mgt : Production cycle and systems (1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering production cycle stages, beef production from dairy, and production systems.

Colostrum management

The management of a newborn calf's first milk intake to provide antibodies and energy; essential for immune protection and growth.

Newborn calf

0-5 days

colostrum management and proper nutrition are critcriticalicl

watch out for: watch colostrum mgt, safety of calf, and interactions with mom

Pre-weaned milk calf (heifer)

5-60 days

watch out for: respiatory disease, scours, monitor live weight gain

Weaned

60-90 days

caves transition into larger group housing. They are finished on milk and socialising with the herd. Fresh air and ventilation are key

watch out for: Stress from changes (social, environmental, nutritional) monitor live weight gain

Heifer

3-15 months

Heifer is gaining weight and achieving live weight against targets for their breed. Lots of feed, fresh bedding and ventilation are key.

Watch out for: Developmental and live weight gain

Breeding should occur at around 55% of mature body weight and 90% of mature stature (bred at 15 months)

Production Cycle

24 months +

Heifer is gaining weight, continues to grow and moving from pregnant to locating high-quality feed, fresh bedding and ventilation are key.

Watch out for: development, live weight gain, and stress from change

Enter lactating herd

Gestation around 9 months(283 days) to calf at 24 months

calf every 12 months

Voluntary waiting period

45 to 60 days

Dry off Period DIM

DIM at day 305 is usually 45 to 60 days

Enter lactating herd

Transition of a cow from the dry period into lactation and milk production.

Finished steers percentage

Finished steers account for about 13% of total beef production.

Finished heifers percentage

Finished heifers account for about 2% of total beef production.

Cull cows percentage

Cull cows make up about 7% of total beef production.

Beef-on-dairy crossbreeding

Crossing dairy cattle with beef sires to improve carcass traits and contribute ~18–24% of total beef production.

Production Systems -confinement

Cows live inside all/most of time

Food delivered to animals

freestall, tie stall, compost bedded pack, dry lot systems

Production systems – Freestall

confinement system with individual stalls and access to feed, allowing free movement within a barn.

Production systems – Tie-stall

Confinement system where cows are tethered in stalls with limited movement.

Production systems – Compost bedded pack

Bedded pack system using composted bedding for resting, with manure managed beneath.

Production systems – Dry lot

Outdoor non-confinement system with cows kept on dirt or concrete lots and access to feed.

Production systems – Non-confinement

Cows live outside most of the time

Pasture

Production systems – Semi-confinement

Hybrid system combining confinement housing with partial pasture access.

Confinement pros

Higher milk production and solids; controlled environment; tailored dietary management.

Confinement cons

Higher capital and operating costs; potential lameness and health issues; reduced natural behaviors; environmental concerns.

Non-confinement pros

Improved welfare and natural behaviors; lower housing and bedding costs; potential grass-fed marketing premium.

Non-confinement cons

Lower and more variable milk production; exposure to weather; requires skilled pasture management; seasonal milk supply.

7 Stages of a Cow

Newborn/Colostrum 0-5 days

Pre-weaned milk calf 5-60 days

Transition 60-90 days

Heifer/Steer 3-15 months

Breeding 15 months

Milking 24 months

Dry Period/Maetrnity Yearly(0-30 days)