AVS 110L - Dairy Unit Lab

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.

Negative Energy Balance (NEB)

The period of time a cow is expending more energy producing milk than the energy provided by her feed intake.

Peak Lactation

The period of time a cow produces the greatest amount of milk.

Colostrum

The first highly nutritious milk produced by a cow after calving.

Dairy Cow Evaluation

Assessing dairy cows based on various selection criteria to determine quality.

Dairy Strength

A combination of 'dairyness' and strength that supports sustained production and longevity.

Udder Depth

The measurement of how deep the udder is in relation to the hock; an important characteristic for evaluating udder quality.

Predipping

A milking procedure where the cow's teats are dipped in a disinfectant solution to kill bacteria before milking.

Milk Letdown

The process triggered by oxytocin that causes milk to be released from the inner tissues of the udder.

Dry Period

Period of time that one stops milking a cow until she freshens

Early Lactation / Fresh Period

Period of time that a cow is expending more energy producing milk than the energy provided by her feed intake

Who is the Dairy Unit Manager

Logan Harper

How many cows are in the UI dairy herd?

101

What breeds make up the UI dairy herd?

Mainly Holstein, some jersey cross and one milking shorthorn

When is breeding season?

Breed quarterly, based on calving dates

What methods are used to breed the cows?

AI or embryo transfer

When are calves weaned from their mother?

1 or 2 days old

When are calves weaned from milk?

60 days old

When are calves moved from individual to group housing?

45 days old

How often are cows milked?

twice daily

4 times daily if fresh cow

• to stimulate hogher milk production

How long does it take to milk the cows?

10min per session

What is the fat composition of the milk at UI dairy

4.2% fat

What is the protein composition of the milk at UI dairy?

3.2%

Wat is the vitamin/mineral composition of the milk at UI dairy?

5.6%

What happens with the milk from cows with the red leg bands?

Freshly calved nonsaleable

• dumped or fed to calves

Recent mastitis

• dumbed

What does the blue leg band mean?

“Bad” or nonproducing quarter

• typically from reoccurring mastitis

How much milk does the UI dairy ship monthly?

218,000lbs/month

• 25,000 gallons

How much milk does a cow produce daily?

72lbs/cow/day

What type of barn / housing does the UI dairy use?

Free stall with compost bedding

• hind quarters hang off end of tall to keep manure out of the compost bedding

What is unique about Holsten hides?

No two cows are the same, calf will look similar to the cow but never the same

What is a regular heart rate in dairy cattle?

60-70bpm

What is a regular respiration rate in dairy cattle?

10-30bmp

What is a regular rectal temerature in dairy cattle

101.5

What does the California Mastitis Test (CMT) test for?

Somatic Cells (SCC)