lecture 1

Cards (47)

  • how many breeds of dairy cattle are there?
    5
  • cows produce about how many pounds of milk per day; what is the composition of this
    100; 88% water, 3-3.5% protein, 5% lactose, and 4-5% fat
  • heifer
    animal that has never given birth
  • nulliparous heifer

    never given birth and is not pregnant
  • primigravid heifer

    one pregnancy, never birthed yet
  • replacement heifer

    cow chosen to birth a calf over another
  • primiparous cow

    one birth, first lactation
  • multiparous cow

    2+ births and lactations
  • freshen
    just gave birth
  • pre-fresh
    immediately after birth
  • transition cow

    3 weeks prior and 3 weeks post birth (6 weeks total)
  • colostrum
    first milk after birth; high in protein, fat, and antibodies
  • milk
    complete lacteal secretion
  • mastitis
    disease of udder; inflammation of mammary gland
  • parity
    how many births; 2nd parity = 2 births
  • TMR
    total mixed ration; all nutrients in one feed
  • quarter/gland
    udder has 4 separate glands, one associated with each udder
  • dam
    mother
  • total gestation of calf
    9.2 months or 283 days
  • once born, the calf is fed...
    colostrum
  • in the U.S...
    it is typical to separate the calf from the dam
  • calves are placed in...
    hutches; either individually or in groups
  • calves are given vaccinations to keep them healthy
  • how much weight do calves gain per day
    about 1 kilo or 2 pounds per day for 3 months
  • calves are either bucket or bottle fed for 2 months, when they are then weened to solid foods
  • calf rearing consists of continued vaccination, weaning, dehorning, and observation for possible diseases (respiratory, scours, and ostitis)
  • dehorning
    most calves have genes for horns; at about 4 weeks old, the buds are burned to form a fissure
  • puberty in calves is dependent on body weight
  • puberty starts at around 50-55% of mature body weight; around 8-10 months
  • in puberty, the ovaries become active, and the cow exhibits estrus or heat
  • in puberty, it is important to think about timed AI programs, which sync heat cycles among all cows to allow group breeding
  • cows go into heat every 21 days
  • breeding can occur at 60% mature body weight
  • once bred, it is important to still monitor the cow as they are still growing; pay attention to weight, hygiene, and BCS
  • during calving/parturition/freshening, it is crucial to watch for dystocia
  • dystocia is the rough calving or complications during birth
  • parturition is the initiation of lactation (colostrum and milk)
  • colostrum lasts for the first 1-2 milkings
  • milk demands calories from body and the diet
  • negative energy balance
    lose weight because of the need of abundant nutrients; can create metabolic diseases