Chapter 13

Last Class: Overview of Beef Industry

• Lesson Objectives:

  • Discuss reasons for large U.S. beef industry and its locations.

  • Determine role of genetics in current and future beef industry.

  • Explain the breeds revolution and its implications for U.S. beef industry.

  • Outline management of feeds and reproductive efficiency.

  • Review health challenges in beef cattle.

This Class: Overview of Dairy Industry

• Lesson Objectives:

  • Explain reasons for size of U.S. dairy industry and some historical context.

  • Determine process of lactation and hormonal roles.

  • Assess dairy content yields and associated consequences.

  • Identify genetic roles in the dairy industry.

  • Describe management practices for reproductive and feed efficiency.

  • Review common health challenges in dairy cattle.

Dairy Industry Statistics

• Dairy as the third ranking industry in animal agriculture (behind beef and poultry):

  • Produces approximately 14% of the world’s cow’s milk.

  • Dairy sales account for 10% of total agriculture in the U.S.

  • Dairy cattle also contribute beef (~18-22% of U.S. total).

  • Originates from cull dairy cows and Holstein calves sent to feedlots.

  • Majority of veal from dairy calves fed all-milk diets before slaughter.

Purpose of U.S. Beef Cattle Industry

• Main purpose is efficient use of resources unfit for human consumption (e.g., grass).

  • Beef cattle convert inedible grass into valuable food and by-products.

  • Roughage conversion primarily showcases cattle's contribution to human welfare.

  • Out of 1,022 billion acres of agricultural land in the U.S.:

  • 60% designated as grazing land.

  • Grazed lands include:

    • Expansive dry lands in the western U.S.

    • Unsuitable croplands due to topography or other limitations.

    • Coasts and swampy areas as well as forested regions.

    • High elevation grazing land in mountainous areas.

Purpose of U.S. Dairy Cattle Industry

• Goals:

  • Utilize resources humans cannot use to produce consumable food.

  • Most feed energy originates from forages.

  • Forage conversion essential for dairy production efficiency.

Dairy Industry Financial Overview (10-2016)

• Overview of cash receipts:

  • Dairy products accounted for 10% of total agriculture cash receipts.

  • Livestock and products without dairy account for 36.4%.

  • Dairy cash receipts make up around 21.6% of total livestock cash receipts.

Characteristics of Dairy Farming

• Milking Requirements:

  • Regular intervals; minimum twice a day, seven days a week.

• Advantages:

  • Utilizes feed roughages that would otherwise go to waste.

  • Generates steady, year-long incomes.

  • Consistent labor throughout the year.

  • Low death loss with good management.

  • Use of technology for:

  • Milking.

  • Feeding.

  • Herd care (e.g., manure management).

• Disadvantages:

  • High capital investment necessary.

  • Intensive labor requirements.

  • Rigid milking schedule critical for operations.

  • Development of high-producing dairy herds takes 3-4 years.

Historical Perspectives on Dairy Cattle

• Milk and beef cattle historically were similar until around 1850.

• Commercial milk processing initiated post-Civil War (1861-1865).

• Notable milestones:

  • 1856: Patent of condensed milk.

  • 1861: Advancements in mechanical refrigeration.

  • 1875: Introduction of silos for winter feed storage.

  • Early 1900s: Formation of testing and recording associations.

  • 1914: Adoption of tank trucks for milk transport.

  • 1932: Launch of vitamin D fortified milk.

  • 1930s-40s: Use of artificial insemination.

Structure of the Dairy Industry

• Dairy cows’ milk production has more than doubled over 50 years while herd numbers have decreased by over 30%.

  • Use of Bovine Somatotropin (BST) approved as of 1993 to enhance production.

  • Dairy farms consolidation:

  • Herd size averages:

    • 1954: 10 cows per farm

    • 2001: 94 cows per farm

    • 2022: 316 cows per farm.

• Geography of Dairy Farms:

  • Located near human populations; movement westward due to climate and population pressure.

  • California has been the leading milk producer since 1994.

  • Top states include California, Wisconsin, Idaho, Texas, and New York.

Lactation Process in Dairy Cattle

• The udder comprises four glands, with each quarter connected to a teat:

  • Each teat contains alveoli that form milk.

  • Pathway of milk: milk cavities to ducts, gland cistern, out through teat.

  • Hormonal control over production and release mechanisms.

• **Growth of Mammary Glands:

  • Hormones:**

  • Female sex hormones (progesterone, estradiol) promote mammary growth.

  • Prolactin is crucial for maintaining lactation, particularly around parturition.

  • Trigger for ‘milk let down’ is hormonal (oxytocin) and sensory stimulation from teat contact.

Dairy Breeds

• Seven major dairy breeds prevalent in the U.S., with Holsteins making up 95% of DHIA tested cows.

• Common cross-breeding: Jersey-Holstein mix to shift focus towards fat and protein production.

• Dairy Breed Statistics (Production Levels, 2025):

  • Ayrshire: 4% butterfat, average 17,000 lbs milk/year.

  • Brown Swiss: 4% butterfat, average 22,000 lbs milk/year.

  • Guernsey: 4.7% butterfat, average 17,000 lbs milk/year.

  • Holstein: 3.5%-4% butterfat, average 23,000 lbs milk/year.

  • Jersey: 5% butterfat, average 16,000 lbs milk/year.

  • Milking Shorthorn: 3.8% butterfat, average 15,000 lbs milk/year.

  • Red and White: same as Holstein but differentiated by color genetics.

• Dairy Herd Improvements:

  • Managed via Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) for:

  • Profitability.

  • Nutrition.

  • Reproductive management.

  • Mastitis control.

Dairy Content Yields

• Increased significantly for milk, fat, and protein, noting associated costs:

  • Dairy breed yield comparisons illustrate steady increases in productivity but potential increased health issues (mastitis).

Health in Dairy Cattle

• Mastitis: Inflammation decreasing milk quantity and quality:

  • Caused by various infectious organisms.

  • Symptoms include inflamed udders, milk abnormalities, loss of production, and other systemic signs.

  • Somatic cell count goals: average 150,000 - 200,000 cells/ml; ideally, 90% of herd below 200,000 cells/ml.

• Displaced Abomasum: Surgical correction is often necessary after it displaces due to gas accumulation.

• Milk Fever (Hypocalcemia): Lowered blood calcium, critical post-calving; symptoms include loss of appetite and reduced feces/urine.

Reproduction and Nutrition in Dairy Cattle

• Nutritional needs intersect growth, pregnancy, milk production, and maintenance:

  • Specific dietary requirements during various life stages.

• Strategic calving intervals: ideally every 13 months; considerations for optimal recovery and reproductive capacity.

• Feed cost factors: 45%-65% of total dairy operation costs; necessity for high-quality forages and supplements.

• Feeding Systems:

  • Traditional grazing systems or dry lot confinement:

  • Offers specifics on ration composition.

  • Total mixed rations (TMR) used for close monitoring of feed intake and costs.

Animal Behavior and Herd Management

• Cows establish social hierarchies affecting feeding and movement;

  • Diet and space management crucial for herd well-being and productivity.

Conclusion of Class

• Summary includes lesson objectives pertaining to historic, nutritional, reproductive, and health management in the U.S. dairy industry, focusing on assessing trends and emerging issues.