1) What are the criteria for selecting a replacement heifer in a dairy herd a) A BCS of 3.25 at mating and reach target weight of 300kg b) Come from a dairy breed: HF, Jersey, BF c) Has good teeth and feet, free of disease d) well developed udder (4 teats uniform size),good udder conformation e) be offspring from a high EBI sire f) come from a good mother (good fertility, easy calving, docile) 2) What are the reasons for culling a cow from a dairy herd? a) Age - % of fat and protein decreases/ yield decreases b) Health - lameness, disease c) Grading up the herd - improve genetic merit of herd, replace older cows d) Problems with milk production eg high SCC, poor yield, milk quality, recurring mastitis, e) problems with fertility - difficulty getting into calf / calving difficulties 3) What are the benefits of colostrum? a) High in immunoglobulins -protect calf against disease b) High % of fat and protein - High energy content c) High fat content has a laxative effect and cleans out the calves digestive system d) correct balance of nutrients for immature stomach - prevent scour 4) Describe how to look after a newborn calf immediately after birth. a) Receives at least 3L of colostrum within first 2 hours. b) Navel is dipped in iodine to prevent infection c) Calf is removed from mother and grouped with calves of similar age d) Calves are fed with milk replacer twice a day at the same times each day to prevent scour. e) Calves ears are tagged for identification, traceability and BVD testing. f) access to hay, concentrates and fresh water 5) Describe the nutrition required for a calf from birth to weaning.  a) Receives at least 3L of colostrum within first 2 hours. b) Calves are fed with milk replacer twice a day at the same times each day to prdgy c) access to hay to develop the rumen d) concentrates  e) fresh water 6) Describe the weaning of a calf after 6 weeks.  a) Weaned off liquid milk and grass at 6 weeks old.dg b) Calves take in 750g of concentrates per day. c) Calves put out on grass and feeding of concentrates continued. d) Provide High Quality grass with high DM% e) Graze using leader follower system grazing f) Calves continue to graze over summer months and into autumn. 7) Describe the characteristics of the Holstein Friesien that make it suitable for use in a dairy herd. a) Bred to produce High milk volume and protein yields. b) Long calving interval. 8) he characteristics of the Jersey that make it suitable for use in a dairy herd. a) Easy calving, b) high fertility c) no lameness d) Milk has high butterfat content and high protein 9) List out the key Information (statistics) on dairy cattle.  a) length of oestrous cycle = 21 days b) duration of oestrous = 18-24 hours c) gestation period = 283 days (9.5mths) d) lactation period = 305 days e) drying off period = 60 days f) calving interval = 365 days 10) Describe the housing of calves.  a) Well-ventilated and draught free prevent pneumonia b) Clean and dry bedding of straw c) clean fresh water d) Good hygiene in feeders and troughs to prevent scour 11) Describe the management of a cow in early lactation. a) Good quality silage > 75% b) supplemented with concentrates c) Turn out to grass early and rotational grazing d) Supplement diet with minerals to prevent grass tetany and milk fever e) Clean water supply. f) “Milking off her back” occurs (energy reserves depleted due to giving birth and producing milk) 12) Describe the management of a cow in mid to late lactation. a) Heat detection Aids are used identify cows that are in oestrous. b) Dairy cow is in calf c) Rotational Grazing (Paddock or Strip) d) Good Quality Perennial ryegrass e) Feed value of Autumn grass is lower - diet is supplemented with concentrates f) Cow is dried off 60 days before calving to maximise the yield in the next lactation. 13) Describe the factors that determine the output and quality of produce (milk). a) Milk solid content (fat and protein) as this is what farmers are paid for b) Fertility and survival rates. This is to ensure they can breed their own replacements. Farmers must use high EBI bulls. 14) Describe ways in which a farmer could increase the protein and fat content in his milk.  a) Change the breed b) Increase DM% in grass c) Incorporate Multispecies Sward 15) Describe how a farmer could reduce the TBC and SCC in his milk.  a) Teat-dipping after milking b) Clean and maintain housing, cubicle beds, parlour and holding yards c) Add lime to cow mats in cubicle housing d) Wash the cows udders and teats and dry them before milking e) Check for mastitis: use a strip cup and look for abnormalities f) Treat Mastitis: dry cow treatment, drying off period, cull cows with recurring mastitis. 16) Describe two methods of heat detection on Irish farms. a) Tail painting - top of cows tail painted with a bright colour b) Kamar device - chamber containing a dye attached to tail / bursts revel red colour on mounting c) activity meter - cows in heat are restless and activity rises on meter

Dairy -Nutrition and housing Flash Cards - (Answer A to move on)

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