Breeds & Industry
Approximately how long is a dairy cow's gestation?
About 283 days, or roughly 9 months.
What machine rapidly cools milk on the farm?
A bulk milk tank or bulk tank cooler.
What is the term for giving birth in a cow?
calving
Why do producers breed beef breeds into their dairy cattle?
to increase the market value of non-replacement calves and provide an extra stream of farm income
Which dairy breed is famous for its black-and-white markings and high milk volume?
Holstein
A cow's udder is swollen, hot and painful, and her milk looks abnormal. What condition might she have?
Mastitis, inflammation of the mammary gland, often associated with infection.
What is the dry period?
The period before calving when the cow is not milked so her mammary tissue can rest and prepare for the next lactation.
What liquid separates from curds during cheesemaking?
Whey
What are the four separate sections of a dairy cow's udder called?
Quarters
At what age do you want heifers to have their first baby?
2 years
What does pasteurization do?
Heats milk to a specified temperature for a specified time to destroy harmful microorganisms.
Why does a cow need to give birth to begin a new lactation?
Hormonal changes associated with calving initiate milk production.
Outline the steps of preparing the cow’s udder before attaching the milker.
Dip–Strip–Dry–Apply
Which dairy breed is known for rich milk with high butterfat and protein?
Jersey
What does homogenization do to milk fat?
Breaks fat globules into smaller droplets so cream separates less readily.
What are the four periods of lactation?
Freshening, dry matter intake, late lactation, dry period (60 days)
What ingredient in milk is primarily responsible for forming cheese curds?
Casein, a major milk protein.
Why does a cow have four separate mammary glands?
Each quarter functions largely independently, helping limit the spread of infection between quarters.
Name 5 different dairy parlors.
Herringbone Parlor, Parallel/Side-by-Side Parlor, Rotary/Carousel Parlor, Swing-Over Parlor, Tandem Parlor, Robotic Milking System
A cow produces milk for months after calving, but production gradually declines. What stage of the production cycle will eventually follow?
The dry period before her next calving.
What is the teat cistern?
The space inside the teat where milk collects before leaving the udder. It stores milk temporarily; it does not produce milk.