Dairy Cattle & The Industry

Question 1

Describe feed efficiency & its terms.

Answer 1

-units of product output per unit of feed input
>unit: mass, energy, protein, economic Val
1. Feed conversion ratio (FCR)
-ratio of DMI to live weight gain
2. Residual feed intake (RFI)
-alt measure of efficiency
3. Residual gain (RG)
-diff between actual gain & predicted gain based on animal BW, intake, & comp

Question 2

Describe feed efficiency in cows.

Answer 2

-efficient in milk syn compared w muscle deposition
-milk prod = majority of modern cow energy
-factor imp for biological feed efficiency is feed intake, milk prod, & BW change *
-portion of cow life as heifer or dry cow alter feed efficiency + feed wastage + salability of milk & meat

Question 3

Describe nutrition & lactation curve in cows.

Nutrition

Answer 3

Question 4

Describe herd health.

Answer 4

-disease affect productivity -> affects profit margin

Question 5

Describe goals for reproduction.

Answer 5

-raising heifers (val at brith is 200-500$)
>on farm avg cost from birth to 61d = 326$ (5.31$/d)
>custom calf grower ($3.16/d)

Question 6

Describe hygiene & biosecurity.

Answer 6

-prevent transmission: vertical, horizontal, fomites

Question 7

Describe reproduction.

Answer 7

-age at first calving = 22-24mo
-efficiency in raising heifers = sig impact on profit
-heifers optimal body size & weight at breeding & calving
>55% mature BW at breeding
>85% mature BW at calving & 3.5 MCS

Question 8

Describe bull calves & welfare issues.

Answer 8

-bull calves = surplus products of industry *
-4 classes: bob veal, special fed veal, non special fed veal, heavy or western veal
-welfare issues: limited space, no bedding, no exercise, no contact w other calves

Question 9

Describe group raising.

Answer 9

-detect sick calves
-disease control
-cross sucking
-straw = abomasal ulcers

Question 10

Describe disease prevention.

Answer 10

-ID disease on farm
-timing for animals to be examined: fresh cow, problem cow, preg exam, replacement calves *
-best med = no/judicious medication *
-cost effective
-infectious = etiological agents
-non infectious = genetic, physical, toxic, metabolic

Question 11

Describe stress management.

Answer 11

-conducive environment
>reduce stress to reduce sickness & enable cattle to go back on feed more quickly
-heat stress management
>cooling, protection, housing, nutrition, handling, comfort, cows in milk, feed areas

Question 12

Describe lameness prevention.

Answer 12

-stalls, diets, flooring, hygiene, foot bath, routine foot trimming,
-goal for stalls: 10-12h lying time per day
>inc lying time -> dec lameness, biomechanical stress, exposure to manure slurry
-walkways: cows like soft surface
>rubber mat for return alley, holding pen, feed lane, back lane

Question 13

Describe disease prevention.

Answer 13

-hygiene, stress management, vaccination, meds
-udder health = surveillance, SCC, cultures, proper feeding