Colostrum and dairy breeds
What breed is known for producing milk high in butterfat and protein?
Jersey
What is a dual purpose breed?
Calves can be used for milk production or beef
What is the scale used for body condition scoring?
1-5 1 = very thin 5 = very fat
What are two of the most common nutritional diseases dairy cows experience?
Grass tetany and milk fever
What is milk replacer?
dried milk powder that is mixed with warm water and fed to calves
What breed of dairy cow is known for being cheese production due to high levels of casein in the milk
Montbéliarde
What age are dairy calves weaned?
6 weeks
Approx what weight is a calf at birth?
40kg
What is the lactation period and what length is it in dairy cows?
Lactation = when they are producing milk, 305 days
List 2 pieces of equipment you should have ready when calving a cow
Caving jack, ropes, lubricant, gloves
Explain the 3,2,1 rule in relation to colostrum?
3 litres in the first 2 hours of life of the 1st milk.
List 3 signs of good housing for calves
Water access, ventilation, draught free, dry clean bedding, space, light
What is the leader follower grazing system and why do some farms use it?
Calves graze land before the cows - less parasites and better grass
Give 2 benefits of using artificial insemination over a live bull
safety, more breed selection, less disease
What does it mean to dry a cow off and how long is the drying off period?
It means to stop the cow lactating, 60 days
List 3 benefits of calves receiving colostrum?
Antibodies, warms calf, laxative, nutrients, energy
A calf has just been born, list and explain 4 steps of aftercare you would complete
Rub calf dry - warmth, circulation
Feed colostrum - immunity
Clear airways of mucus - breathe better
Dip navel in iodine - infection
Tag calf - identification
Define the term 'milking off her back'
Cow uses own energy reserves as she is not receiving enough nutrition, will start to lose weight
List 3 types of milking parlours
Herringbone, rotary, robot
What is the AM:PM rule when breeding?
If the cows is showing signs of heat in the morning you inseminate her in the evening
What piece of equipment measures the quality of colostrum?
Brix refractometer
What is the scratch factor in calves?
When you feed them hay to develop the rumen
List and justify 3 reasons for culling a dairy cow from the herd.
Infertile, improve genetics of herd, chronic diease/lameness, age, low yield
What BCS should a cow be when she gives birth and what is the risk if they have a low BCS.
3-3.5, risk of infertility after calving, low yield, weakness
List 3 pieces of equipment used for heat detection
Tail paint, chin ball, activity collars, Kamar device