Dairy Herd Health

Question 1

what makes good colostrum?

Answer 1

Quality:
IgG >10g/L
STP >5.2g/dL
Brix refractometer >7.8%

quality is effected by age, breed, amount, time collected

Quantity:
- avg holstein needs 100g IgG (85%) colostrum will provide this
- Need 4L in first feeding

Question 2

why is colostrum important?

Answer 2

neonatal ruminants are born without active immunity and must survive the first 4-5 weeks of life with the passie immunity they get from the colostrum

Question 3

when should you give colostrum?

Answer 3

ideally within 1-2 hours of birth but max is within 6 hours of birth

Question 4

heat treatment ___ effect absorption of IgG while bacterial load __

Answer 4

did not, did

Question 5

should you use colostrum replacer or supplement

Answer 5

REPLACER

Question 6

traditional dairy calf rearing calls for ___ bottle __ day for __

Answer 6

1 2quart, 2 times a, 8 weeks

Question 7

what is a benefit of individual housing and a disadvantage?

Answer 7

no nose to nose contact but negative effects on cow welfare (socialization)

Question 8

what is the most efficient method to get calves fed more and more often? what else does this increase?

Answer 8

group housing -> may increase risk of pneumonia and diarrhea

Question 9

what vaccinations can be given from day 1 to weaning?

Answer 9

intranasal vaccination of MLV IBR will stimulate IgA and humoral and cell mediated immunity and can override maternal antibodies

Question 10

dehorning should be done before __ weeks. what are the 3 methods?

Answer 10

12, caustic paste, hot dehorners (most common), and gougers/surgical methods

Question 11

when should you start weaning?

Answer 11

start when calf is eating 2.5 - 3lbs of starter grain for a minimum of 3 days. Best to slow wean to 1 feeding a day and/or limit automatic intake for 1-2 weeks

Question 12

what 2 things should happen from day 1 to weaning?

Answer 12

1. intranasal MLV IBR
2. Dehorn

Question 13

T/F: there is evidence that too much energy in the diet from weaning to ~9 months as the mammary gland develops can result in too much fat deposition in the developing mammary gland which will reduce lactation potential

Answer 13

T

Question 14

T/F: you should assess BCS in dairy cows to monitor progress in the development of dairy heifers

Answer 14

F, frequent checking of weights - not BCS in dairy heifers

Question 15

T/F: the weaning dairy calf is a full ruminant

Answer 15

F

Question 16

if calves get good passive immunity they can hold off until ___ months for the 1st viral respiratory __ vaccine then booster at 6 months

Answer 16

3-4, parenteral

Question 17

what 3 things does the clostridial vaccine include?

Answer 17

pinkeye, M haemolytica, H somnus

Question 18

Brucellosis is the __ vaccine which is a __ vaccine that can only be given to heifers between ___ months of age in VA and is a human safety issue

Answer 18

RB 51, MLV, 4-12

Question 19

how do you remove extra teats?

Answer 19

sharp scissors and a good tail jack at 6 mths old - don’t forget fly spray

Question 20

dairy heifers use more __ vaccines than beef, what are the common ones?

Answer 20

MLV

BVD, IBR, BRSV and PI3 w/killed lepto or lepto hardjo separately

Question 21

dairy cows are bred by __

Answer 21

AI

Question 22

calving interval goal is __ months

Answer 22

13

Question 23

shorter calving interval =

Answer 23

more money

Question 24

what is the voluntary waiting period and what is the average in the US?

Answer 24

the producer does not breed the cow regardless of signs of heat -> the avg time is 53 days and you should aim for 60d

Question 25

what vaccine should be given during the voluntary waiting period?

Answer 25

MLV viral resp/repro vaccine

Question 26

when should you start trying to get the cow pregnant again?

Answer 26

<82 for first

Question 27

what is the goal for days open (when she gets preggo)?

Answer 27

<115 days, sound the alarm at 150

Question 28

VWP is __ and __

Answer 28

set and not changed

Question 29

what is the dry period?

Answer 29

typically the 60 days before calving where milk STOPS

Question 30

what treatments/preventative measures are taken to prevent mastitis during the dry period?

Answer 30

antibiotics to all 4 quarters and all cows and teat sealants

Question 31

__ and __ are highly conserved in the gram negative bacteria that cause mastitis which allow the vaccine against the __ to protect against several species __,__ and __

Answer 31

Lipid A, Core antigen, core antigen, E.coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter

Question 32

what diseases are more likely to occur in the first 30 days of milk?

Answer 32

hypocalcemia
retained placenta
metritis
ketosis
displaced abomasum
mastitis

Question 33

how should we prevent hypocalcemia?

Answer 33

the dry period diet should be low calcium and other cations, feed a DCAD diet (high in anions) and monitor. Then post calving you can supplement calcium and monitor serum Ca+ 24-48hrs fresh.

Question 34

retained placenta and metritis

Answer 34

• monitor dry matter intake during close up
• if cow retains then producer should monitor eating and temp once a day
• monitor at herd check - palpate all fresh cows for metritis

Question 35

ketosis

Answer 35

• negative energy balance
• two types: primary occurs at peak lactation and the cow can’t eat enough to support heavy milking; secondary occurs in the fresh period where something is causing the cow to not eat enough

Question 36

overconditioning in the dry period is a risk factor for __

Answer 36

ketosis/fatty liver

Question 37

Displaced Abomasum (DA)

Answer 37

any illness that causes a cow not to eat increases the risk of DA but in this case it mostly occurs in the fresh period

Question 38

peak or summit milk @

Answer 38

60-100 DIM