Dairy Lab Presentation

T/F: Dairy Production is highly specialized.

True

why is dairy production highly specialized?

it deals with production, processing, and distribution; producers must invest in cows, machinery, barns, and parlors; it requires more technical skill than other livestock enterprises

what number of cows are involved in an average U.S. dairy?

200 milking cows

how many acres of land are farmed in an average US dairy?

200-300 acres

has the number of dairy herds been increasing or decreasing?

decreasing

have average herd sizes been increasing or decreasing?

increase

have the total number of dairy cows in the US been increasing or decreasing?

decreasing

has milk production per cow been increasing or decreasing?

increasing

why does total U.S. milk production continue to increase?

as a result of good breeding, feeding, health, and management

what is the standard for reporting milk production?

305-day 2X ME (twice daily, 12 hr intervals; mature equivalent adjusment)

what is considered mature in dairy production?

5 to 8 years of age the month lactation begins

what is the yearly milk production overall in pounds?

16,000 to 26,000 lbs

what is the yearly milk production of a family dairy in pounds?

16,000 to 18,000 (some >20,000)

what is the yearly milk production for a corporate dairy in pounds?

27,000 to 29,000 lbs

what is the yearly milk production for the AU CVM dairy herd in pounds?

\~22,000 lbs

what is the average world production?

5,165 lbs

what is the top country for milk production?

India

What is the top country for dairy cattle?

United States

what is the top state for dairy cattle?

California

what breed of dairy cattle is light to deep cherry red or mahogany with white and normally have dark eyes and muzzle?

Ayrshire

are Ayrshires horned or polled?

both, horns characteristically turn up

what is the mature body weight of Ayrshires?

1200 lbs.

where did Ayrshires originate from?

Scotland

what is an Ayrshires average production?

14,400 lb. milk; 3.9% butterfat

what climate do Ayrshires typically live in?

Northern Temperate

what is a strong point for Ayrshire cattle?

they are very hardy and can tolerate extremes in climates

what are three reasons Ayrshires are not popular?

nervous disposition, low milk production, and low milk solids content

what breed of dairy cattle is solid brown varying from light to dark with a black muzzle encircled by a mealy colored ring?

brown swiss

are brown swiss horned or polled?

both

what is the mature weight of a brown swiss?

1400 lb.

where did brown swiss originate from?

Switzerland

what is the average production of brown swiss cattle?

16,000 lb. milk, 4.0% butterfat

what are some characteristics of brown swiss cattle?

they are hardy, heavy-boned; thick; dual purpose in europe; one of the oldest breedsw

what size are calves at birth?

large → 110-120 lb.

what climates do brown swiss do best in?

they are adapted to cooler climates but do well in warm climates

what breed of dairy cattle are shades of brown with white and a lighter color around eyes and muzzle?

Guernsey

are Guernsey cattle horned or polled?

both

what is the mature weight of a Guernsey cow?

1100 lb.

where did Guernsey cattle originated from?

Channel Islands (Isle of Guernsey)

what is the average production of a Guernsey cow?

13,400 lb. milk, 4.5% butterfat

why is there a yellow color to a Guernsey’s milk?

because of the high fat content

what is important to note about Guernsey cattle legs?

the breed has characteristic leg problems (cow-hocked; wing shouldered)

what breed of dairy cattle is brown, tan, and with or without white markings?

Jersey

are Jersey cows horned or polled?

both

where did Jersey cows originated from?

Isle of Jersey (England)

what is the average production of Jersey cows?

13,400 lb. milk, 4.7% butterfat (highest % of all breeds)

what is important about Jersey cows?

they are the second most popular breed in the U.S. because of milk butterfat pricing system and relatively high milk production compared to smaller body size and feed consumption

what is necessary for proper record keeping?

identification

what are different forms of identification?

ear tags, hide brands, neck chains, tattoos

which identification technique is used most widely?

ear tags

why are ear tags the most widely used identification form?

they are easy to read and match the electronic ID number

what are forms of hide brands?

freeze branding and hot iron

what is the most common temporary form of identification?

neck chains

what do most purebred registries require?

tattoos

what is the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA)?

a national, industry-wide dairy production, testing, and management record-keeping system

what is the DHIA the primary means for?

genetic improvement is made in dairy cattle in the U.S.

what does the DHIA provides farmers with?

cow production records, reproductive records, mastitis control data, bull test data, suggestions for culling, recommendations for nutrition and breeding, suggested dry dates, and due dates

what is a calving interval?

a period of time from one calf to the next (about 13 months)

what is Freemartin?

a sterile female born twin to bull calf

what is the gestation length in dairy cattle?

\~280 days

what is the lactation period of dairy cattle?

the length of time cow is producing milk; from calving until dry

what is the predicted transmitting ability (PTA)?

the estimate of genetic superiority (or inferiority) that an animal will transmit to offspring compared to herd mates

what is the normal herd turnover percentage in dairy cows?

\~30%

what are the primary reasons for culling dairy cows?

reproductive failure, low milk yield, udder breakdown, foot and leg weaknesses, and mastitis

what is the average productive life in dairy cows?

3-4 years

when breeding dairy cattle, how often are the checked for estrus?

twice daily

when are heifers large enough to breed?

at \~15 months

when do heifers calve?

as 2 year olds

what may dairy cows show when in estrus?

restlessness, enlarged vulvas, temporary decline in milk production, and may permit other cows to mount them

what percentage of AI uses superior sire semen?

80-90%

when should you inseminate?

while the cow is standing in stall of stanchion \~12 hours after estrus is detected

where is semen deposited?

in the body of the uterus

what are most dairy cattle?

straightbred

why are most dairy cattle not crossbred?

crossbred failed to lead to significant improvements in milk production

what is milk production controlled by?

many genes (effect of each gene is unknown and difficult to manipulate)

what is only in female?

sex-limited trait

what is highly influenced by enviornment?

milk production

what is an important step in calving operations?

separating those ready to calve from the herd and placing in a clean maternity stall

what should be done as soon as the calf arrives?

it should be wiped dry and any membranes covering the nostrils of mouth should be removed

what should the navel be dipped with to deter infection?

iodine

what is it important to ensure calves receive?

colostrum

what should calves be immediately identified with?

ear tattoo, ear tag, and photographs

when should dehorning be done?

between 1-4 weeks of age

what does removing supernumerary teats do?

it may interfere with milking and has no value

do dairy calves usually nurse their dams?

no

how are dairy calves fed?

by hand from birth until one week after weaning → then raised in groups

what happens to bull calves?

many producers remove and feed for veal or castrate and feed for beef

why are heifers grown, bred, and milked for at least on lactation?

to evaluate its milk production

what are the types of housing systems?

stall barns and loose housing

stall barns

tie stalls, free stalls, cows can be observed more frequently than in loose housing

loose housing

herd handled on group basis, except at milking; may be open lot or enclosed; less labor intensive, save bedding, cost less to construct

what types of needs are challenging and complex?

nutritional needs

when do nutritional needs vary?

during production cycle

when should rations be formulated?

for each period of the cycle

what are the two most limiting nutrients?

water and energy

why is dairy cattle nutrition based on roughages (hay and silages)?

they are a cheap source of nutrients and are often produced on the farm

what are fed at a level consistent with milk production, body weight, and nutrition in roughage?

concentrates (grains)

what is a total mixed ration (TMR)?

blending all feedstuffs to meet energy, protein, mineral and vitamin requirements; preferred method of feeding dairy cows

what is a common practice to abruptly stop milking?

drying off lactating cows

how do you dry off lactating cows?

a buildup of pressure causes secretory tissues to stop producing milk and at the last milking, cows are infused with a treatment to prevent mastitis