Dairy Production Test 1
Pyometra
Closed infection of the uterus, the sequel to endometritis; pus accumulation
Lymph Nodes
Condition of lymph nodes can tell udder size and udder health
Farmers agree to have a certain amount of income/paycheck go towards stabilizing the market
Cooperatives Working Together
Weight after Calving
Cow is losing weight and putting her intake towards milk production at peak milk. Later she gains weight in preparation for calving.
Reducing Dystocia
Cows that are housed too close and bothered often have higher rates of stillbirths. Cows housed farther away and not checked on frequently also have issues.
Perinatal Mortality
Death that is before, during, or within 48 hrs. of calving (at least 260 days in gestation)
What does DBH stand for?
Difficult births in heifers
When does the majority of fetal growth occur?
During the last trimester - 190 to 283 days. Fetus goes from 4kg to 45kg.
Why do bacteria multiply rapidly in the udder?
Environment is warm and moist with lots of available nutrients
What are the 2 types of bacteria?
Environmental & Contagious
How do you enhance demand?
Export if supply is going up
Abortion
Expulsion of a non-viable fetus before the normal term of pregnancy. Normally occurs in 3-5% of cows. Rate at dry off/during transition is extremely low.
When do cows produce the least milk?
February, September and November
How do you control supply?
Herd buy out of cows when supply is going up
Who is more likely to have twins?
High producing cows
How much you feed the cow to get 100 lbs. of milk and then how much you get paid for that 100 lbs. of milk.
Income Over Feed Cost
Lack of uterine contractions/moving:
Inertia
Nutrition Induced Laminitis
Laminitis is caused by constriction of endotoxin release from microbial death in the gut which is caused by a ration that is too hot (too many readily digestible carbohydrates) - Dry cows in close up get more concentrate to increase gut health & therefore foot health - Should be Copper, Zinc, Vit. E and Selenium in the ration for foot health
Endometritis
Later in lactation
#1 reason mastitic infections acquired during the dry period
Left over milk - puts pressure on the fail-safes, causing leakages
When do cows produce the most milk?
March, April and May
An inflammation of the milk secreting tissues of the udder
Mastitis
Idea that a cow should make more milk the next lactation than the last, but then it caps out at the 4th lactation
Mature Equivalent (ME)
Milk Letdown Process
Only occurs after consistent stimulation. Sensory nerves send signal through spinal cord to the hypothalamus and then to the posterior pituitary which then releases it in the blood stream, carried by neurons to act on the epithelial cells in the udder.
Does undermilking or overmilking do more damage?
Overmilking
Leaving the machine on after milk flow stops
Overmilking
What affects total milk Produced?
Peak - diet Persistency - diet, metabolic disorders, mastitis Length - bred back, mastitis
Purpose of JVAC
Prevents E. coli
How to prevent edema buildup
Reduce salt intake precalving or treat with lasix as a diuretic to dehyrdate them adn make them move more fluid
Milk that can't be removed with additional stripping
Residual Milk
Locomotion Scoring for Lameness
Scale of 1-5, 1 being ideal and 5 being severely lame 1. Stands & walks with a flat back 2. Stands flat but walks with an arched back 3. Stands & walks with an arched back 4. Begins to be classified as lame; stands & walks with an arched back & favors 1 limb 5. Classified as lame; stands & walks with an arched back & is refusing to bear weight on 1 limb
Influence of Sympathetic Nervous System on Milk Letdown
Scaring the cow causes an epinephrine release which pushes blood to the extremities, reducing blood to the udder and milk letdown. Epinephrine binds to proteins in order to pass through the blood stream, the same proteins that oxytocin usually binds to, meaning oxytocin can't get through. - Milk letdown response is delayed with age which affects milking time in the parlor.
Pulsation Ratio
Should be 60:40
Far off cows
Should be 7, but they were 8+.
Close up cows
Should be more acidotic. They were more consistent and scored better. The farm should start lowering pH 2 weeks befroe calving.
Avg. of the 2 highest production points on a cow's lactation curve
Summit
2 Kinds of Nerves
Sympathetic: fight/flight sensory nerves found on the skin of the mammary gland Parasympathetic: regulate daily processes - not found in the mammary gland
Preliminary Incubation (PI)
Tells us the amount of microorganisms present in milk due to poor sanitation, cooling or milking practices that happens after the milk is incubated at 55F for 18 hours. Less than 10,000 cfu/mL is low, over 20,000 is high.
What is the best method of treatment for mastitis?
Testing to know what you're dealing with
Point at which the cow is eating more than she's producing.
Threshold
Incomplete removal of the available milk
Undermilking
Considered waste, not used in manufacturing cheese:
Whey *We depend on casein*
When is demand greatest?
the Fall
When is supply greatest?
the Spring
Facilities Parameters
- 1 ft. fan per 10 ft. feed bunk - 110% stocking density - 18-30" of feed bunk space per cow - 1.6-2" of watering trough space per cow
Dairy Cow Origination
- 1st domesticated in Europe & Asia in New Stone Age - Used as early as 9000 B.C for milk - Calf stimulated milk letdown and milk filtering in 3500 B.C.
Prepatory Stage
- 2 to 6 hours - signs of onset of calf delivery become evident - fetus rotates itself form the normal position - stage ends when there is complete dilation of the cervix and the fetus enters the cervix
Close Up Cows
- 2-3 weeks prior to calving date, nearing parturition, monitored for signs of calving, dietary changes
Supernumerary Teats
- 20-25% of dairy animals have additional teats - Usually done because it diverts the milk supply - Teat is absent of hair and glands
What is the ideal calving BCS?
- 3.25-3.5 - BCS that are too high are just as bad as those that are too low
Expulsion Stage
- 30 mins. to 4 hours - cow: 45 mins and heifers: 90 mins - uterine contractions become more frequent & with more force, moving the fetus through the birth canal - the amniotic sac appears - Ends when the fetus passes the birth canal
Healthy gland somatic cells
- 60% macrophages - 25% lymphocytes - 15% neutrophils
Cleaning Stage
- 8 to 12 hours - expulsion of after birth: want to happen in the 1st 24 hours because E levels begin dropping after this and then contractions will not initiate themselves again - shot of prostaglandin and frequent milking will help - 4X milking in fresh cows also helps
Components of Cow's Milk
- 87% water - 4-5% lactose - 3.5-4% fat - 2-3% protein (2.5% casein, .5% whey) - <1% vitamins/minerals
How to optimize cow performance:
- Adequate ventilation - Accessibility of water and feed - Lighting - Cow comfort
Purpose of dry period
- Allows for involution and regeneration of secretory cells - Close ups (require more care) and Far offs
Mammary Gland Structures
- Alveoli: site of milk synthesis & secretion, lined with epithelial cells, nutrients are removed from blood & secreted into the lumen - Galactophores: duct system which drains the lobes of the mammary gland - Gland Cistern: large collection area for mammary ducts of 400 mL - Cricoid Fold: separates gland cistern and teat cistern - Teat Cistern: smaller collection point of 30-40 mL for milk - Furstenberg's Rosettes: several folds of tissue that separate the teat cistern and streak canal - Streak Canal: milk should stay in and bacteria out
Issues in the Industry
- Animal rights - Factory farming - Manure management - Dietary concerns - Decreasing profitability & sustainability - Competition with non-dairy products - Consumer concerns (hormones/antibiotics) - Eye witness footage
Outward Signs of Calving
- Animal separates herself, irritated and kicks at stomach, restless, lies down and gets back up - Mucous discharge, frequent urination, congestion in the udder, loose pelvic ligaments, swollen vulva
What is a transition cow?
- Any cow 3 weeks prior to and 3 weeks after parturition - Most vulnerable animal on the farm: most health issues & disorder related deaths - Critical time point for them
Stillbirth
- Born dead or dies within 24 hours - Occurs in 10-15% of heifers - Causes: assisting too early (broken ribs/vertebrae) or too late (suffocation)
Farm Data Analysis
- Calf death is 7% which is not great but not terrible - Most calves are born to cows that have been dry 45-69 days. - Most calves are born to cows at 270-279 days in gestation - Cull rate: almost all of our culls are during the 1st 30 days of lactation, showing a bad transition program
Dairy Industry Facts
- Calving interval benchmark is 12.5 - 13 months - Avg. cull age is 4-6. Most cows have 3-4 lactation cycles. - Grazing cows usually have longer productive lives.
Capacity to Produce Milk
- Can secrete 1.77 mL of milk per gram of milk secreting tissue - Produce above what's needed for calf through genetic selection and advancements in husbandry
Assisting
- Check when hooves become visible for correct position. If not reposition & wait 2 more hours. Then assist. - Always use lube and gloves. - Timing is essential - early is not better
Why move cows West?
- Climate (housing & pollution) - Quality & availability of feedstuffs - Population shift (transportation) - Available land
Environmental Bacteria
- Coliform bacteria & streptococci (other than Strep. Agalactiae) - Infections directly derived form the living environment - Known to spontaneously clear - Most likely culprit for clinical case - Length of infection: most last less than 30 days and very few become chronic - Found in the freestall barn, parlor and outdoors - More prevalent in humid weather than cooler weather states
Fetus Close to Calving
- Cortisol production increases as the fetus becomes a little stressed internally. - There's an increase in estrogen and a decrease in progesterone in response to this to get the body ready for detachment of the placenta from the uterus. - Regenerate alveoli - Initiate colostrogenesis
Lack/Failure of Hoof Care Induced Laminitis
- Cow's feet should be trimmed at dry off (so they don't go off feed & lower production) - Foot baths and regular hoof trims are main components for good foot health - Foot baths should have Copper Sulfate or Zinc Sulfate and Formalin
Regional Data
- Cows & milk production are increasing in the W and decreasing in the Midwest and SE. Staying the same in the NE.
4 Ways to Eliminate Mastitis
- Culling - Treatment in Lactation - Treatment at Drying Off - Spontaneous Recovery
DHIA
- Dairy Herd Information Association - Originally named Dairy Herd Improvement Association - Created with the sole purpose of improving records - DHI 202: whole herd summary - DHI-203: individual cow info - DHI 210: individualized - DHI 530: Herd Management Comparison - gives stats on all farms in GA - DHI 821: SCC summary - top 25% column shows info. on the top 25% of herds in GA - Dairy Records Management System - local SE company - Crossbred & grazing dairies are not enrolled in DHI
Life Cycle of the Cow
- Day 0: Birth (calves separated to ensure colostral intake & prevent bacteria exposure) - 6-8 Weeks: Weaning (increased grain intake, removal of MR diet) - 14-15 Months: Breeding - 24 Months: Calving (lactation lasts 305 days) - 27 Months: Breed the Cow & Peak Milk Production - 34 Months: Dry Off (lasts 45-60 days) - 36 Months: 2nd Calf
Ketosis
- Decrease in intake with a rapid increase in milk production so she begins mobilizing body fat (ketones). Poor quality ration also increases levels of ketosis - Causes: acetonemia, energy needs exceed dietary intake caused by milk production, overconditioning, poor feeds - Clinical Signs: sweet smell on breath, urine and milk; loss of appetite; dull and listless; decreased milk production; loss in body weight; lack of coordination - Type of Ketosis: primary ketosis, secondary ketosis, butyric acid ketosis, underfeeding ketosis, staggers & CNS depression and inappetence - Treatment: increased gluconeogenesis - propylene glycol, IV glucose, corticosteroids
Mastitis' effect on profitability
- Decreased milk production: 70% of total costs - Milk dumped due to treatment - Milk dumped due to too high SCC of >750,000 SCC - Veterinary & drug costs - Labor costs - Culling & death losses - Lost quality premium for >150,000 SCC
Factors that Influence Milk Yield & Composition
- Diet - Milking frequency - Milking procedure * Cows can be milked 4X a day for the 1st 2 weeks of lactation to increase production for the rest of their lactation cycle*
Infectious Lesions
- Digital Dermatitis: raw, bright red or black circular growth above the heel bulbs - Interdigital Dermatitis: destruction of skin between the claws - Heel Erosion: severe erosion of heel - Foot Rot, Foul or Phlegmon: swelling of the entire foot including the dew claws
Best time to treat mastitis:
- During the dry period
How to maximize labor:
- Enhance cow movement - Minimize time required to feed, bed and milk
Observations to Make:
- Evaluate calf position early - Hoof size - Duration in the stages of labor - Behavior of dam - Condition of amniotic sac
Mammary Gland
- Exocrine gland - Acts as food source: protein, sugars, fats, minerals, vitamins, water - Acts as protection: colostrum as passive immunity absorbed by the intestinal tract
Facility Issues NOT of Our Region
- Extreme cold at -25F - Think about teat dip type: emollients and powder, not barrier teat dips
Take care of the transition cow
- Feed right for growth (pelvis) - Take into account ration, dry length and BSC. - Cows shouldn't gain more than a 1/4 point max while dry. They should gain the last bit during lactation. - Vitamins/minerals: need more Vit E and Selenium *Can't get minerals while on concrete* - Let her exercise - Move her slow: less stress - Keep her clean - Monitor Stage 2 - Vaccinate - Know due dates
Aspects of Housing Facility
- Feeding surface: rough floor decreases intake - Flooring surface: concrete with grooves for foot health and traction - Feed Alley & Push Up: drive thru system, feed put out 2-3 times a day & pushed up several times per day - Bedding Material: sawdust, sand (inorganic & most widely used), straw, paper, mattresses, water beds - Ventilation: maximizes air flow & exchanges fresh air to remove noxious odors/pathogens & increase cooling capacity & airflow (lower mortality & morbidity) - Lighting: light affects IGF in cows, 16 hours light + 8 hours dark = optimum production
What determines timing of parturition?
- Fetus determines the date (24 hour period) - Dam determines the time (time of day)
At what point does classification change from abortion to death of a viable calf?
- Final maturation point of gut and lungs
Milking Parlor Types
- Flat-barn: similar to tie-stall barns, on same level - Side-entry: LEAST efficient, single lane return - Herringbone: cows angled at 45 to fit more, side attach milkers - Parallel: can fit more cows when turned at 90 angle, have rapid exit usually - Rotary: MOST efficient, lots of mechanical parts (can be problematic) - Automatic/Robotic: 1 milker/60 cows, 3-4 week training period, some cows will have to be culled
Types of Dairy Housing
- Free-stall: most common, maximize cleanliness, East-West orientation - Ties-stall: not built new, built to protect from cold, not practical, ventilation is poor - Loose Housing: loafing - Pasture based - Dry Lots: not good in the SE, used a lot in CA - Early Facilities: open barn with feed trough
Reality of Milk
- Goes into lots of products/multiple uses - Cheap in fluid form - Bulky (for transport) - Perishable - Easily sampled and tested - Easy to harvest - Efficient conversion of feed & low quality to protein
Cows with High Hooks
- Have pins farther down & cause the leg to swing farther under the cow (sickle legged) - Weight goes on back of the hoof & wears off the heel
Cows with Low Hooks
- Have pins higher up & cause the leg to swing farther back behind the cow (posty legged cow) - Weight goes on toe and wears down the toe & puts a lot of pressure on the hock joint
Facility Issues of Our Region
- Heat stress at 70F (THI: temperature, humidity index) - Decreases feed passage, DMI, blood flow to internal organs & milk production - Fixed with ventilation, moving air, misters, and evaporative cooling
Calving Variability
- Heifers & small cows can give birth up to 10 days early - Cows & large cows can give birth up to 10 days late
New mastitic cases
- Higher during the dry period than lactation - Udder will perform at 60-70% of its potential if it is infected at dry off or becomes infected during the dry period - Follow proper dry cow treatment to prevent mastitis in the next lactation - Spike of mastitic infections occurs around calving when the cow begins to let down their milk
Facts on Dystocia
- Higher rates in heifers vs. cows - Cow/calf death increases as calving difficulty increases - Bull calves are generally more compromised than heifer calves - Increased incidence of dystocia in the winter - Dystocia is the major cause of stillbirth - 50% of calf losses from birth to weaning occur in the 1st day of life
Clues that stalls aren't comfortable:
- Idle standing - Perching
Developing mastitis
- If cows develop mastitis mid-lactation: problem with parlor procedures or freestall barn environment - IF cows develop a problem later in lactation: poor parlor procedure
Dystocia is most commonly a result of:
- Improper nutrition - Abnormal presentations - Excessive fetal size (long gestation length, male calf, fetal-dam incompatability) - Multiple births
Production Facts
- India is #1 for milk cows (U.S. is 4th) - U.S. & Japan are #1 for highest avg. milk production - India is #1 for world's largest milk producing country & the largest consumer of dairy products - Asia is having the most growth
Metritis
- Infection of the reproductive tract/uterus less than 21 days post calving or DIM: most often due to invasion of microorganisms - Chances increased by RPs and difficult calving - Treatment: flush with antibiotics, induce heat with prostaglandin, uterine evacuation with oxytocin
Causes of Abortion
- Insemination of pregnant cattle - Rough handling - Ingestion of feeds containing toxins, mold or high levels of estrogen - Microbial infections - Twins
Goals of the facility:
- Labor efficient - Ease of animal movement - Maximize cow comfort - Address environmental concerns - Cost effective
Mastitis impact on cheese making
- Macrophages mistake fat droplets for bacteria & engulf/destroy them instead of the bacteria, lowering milk quality for making milk
Life Cycle of Mammary Gland
- Mammogenesis: structural development (pregnancy) - Lactogenesis: milk synthesis & secretion (parturition) - Involution: rejuvenate & replenish (dry off)
Statistics for States
- Mexico: highest milk prod. per head - Alaska: lowest milk prod. per head - Georgia is 24th in total lbs. of milk - Avg. cow in the U.S. produces 22,588 lbs of milk/year
Why keep cows in the East?
- Milk Deficit Area - Access to Large Markets - Cheaper Land Prices
Milk Fever
- Milk production causes extra drain on blood Ca. Compensatory metabolic pathways don't react fast enough. - 2 Sources of calcium is gut absorption and from bone stores via parathyroid hormone - Feeding DCAD (dietary cation anion difference) increases speed of PTH response and mobilization of calcium - Occurs in 8% of cows in 82% of herds. Lowly heritable - 75% occur between 1 & 24 hours post calving - Lethargic, not eating, temp. drops, staggering, lack of gut motility
Condition of the Amniotic Sac
- Milky white = normal - Mustard/brown = stress - Red fluid = hemorrhage/late fetal death - Fetid fluid (brown/gross smelling) = early death
Supportive System of Udder
- Minimizes injury & makes milking easier - Median Suspensory Ligament (R/L) - responds to milk weight; elastic tissue - Lateral Suspensory Ligament (F/B) - inflexible, fibrous connective tissue
Post-Parturition Exam of the Dam
- Monitor for retained fetal membranes - Watch for uterine prolapse - Monitor for trauma and infection of the reproductive tract - Metabolic Disorders - Nerve Damage
Rumen Acidosis
- Nutritional imbalances causing low rumen pH. Caused by a low fiber and high concentrate feed. - Clinical and Subclinical: SARA (Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis) - 2 Types: Periparturient (under 30 DIM) and over 30 DIM, usually from ration being reformulated - Microflora in rumen want pH of 5.9-6.5. High concentrate ration lowers pH, lowers microbe growth, lowers fiber digestion, shifts VFA production and increases microbial death - Treat with alkalizing agents. No good treatment, prevention is key. - Prevention: lead feeding of concentrates, encourage DMI, maintain adequate fiber in ration, feed TMR, add buffers to the ration
Retained Placentas
- Occurs in 10-15% of otherwise normal calving animals - Causes: difficult/premature calving, nutritional deficiencies, high milk producers, twins, improper vaccination, fat cow - Do NOT manually remove - Treat with oxytocin & prostaglandin or antibiotics to minimize infection and stimulate uterine contractions. - After expulsion, uterus shrinks back to normal size via "involution"
Abnormal Presentation
- Occurs in ~1 in 20 animals or 5% of the time - Malpresentation: poor presentation, anything but normal - Breech: backwards (specifically)
Ways that cows get mastitis:
- Other cows - Environment - Us - Milking machine
What is the Mammary Gland?
- Part of the reproductive system - relies on the same hormones - Includes teats, duct system & lobules
Milk Price Volatility
- Price doesn't fluctuate much with supply or demand: inelastic. - Milk price paid by consumers doesn't change with supply/demand. - Cheese demand is greatest during Thanksgiving
Facilities should:
- Promote comfort & health for optimum productivity - Give animals the opportunity to express/perform to their full genetic potential - Phenotype (milk production) = Genotype (genetic ability to produce milk) + Environment (housing/environmental effect on milk production)
Ways to Prevent Mastitis
- Proper milking hygiene - Proper milking vacuum - Pulsation ratio: 50:50 - Dipping of teats prior to/after milking - Attending to squawks - Treatment at drying off - Timely/efficient treatment of clinical cases - Culling chronic cows - Good nutrition to fight infections - Clean living environment - Milk infected cows last - Feed cows after milking
Pros & Cons of Seasonal Calving
- Pros: easier on the cows (weather) - Cons: no steady milk supply/income
Proteolytic and Lipolytic
- Proteolytic breaks down protein - Lipolytic breaks down fats
Ways to Diagnose Milk Fever
- Pull urine pH - Draw blood and send to lab
Off-Flavors
- Rancid: lipolytic - Bitter: proteolytic - Salty: mineral balance
Subclinical vs. Clinical
- Ratio of clinical to subclinical cases is 1:15-40 - Clinical: visual signs of mastitis - Subclinical: no visual signs of illness, elevated SCC, milk culture results, most costly form of mastitis
How she bears weight:
- Rear legs bear the most weight - Rear feet - outside claw wears the most - Front feet - inside claw wears the most
Lymph System
- Regulates fluid balance within the udder and combats infection, normally drained - Udder edema: excess accumulation of lymph fluids in tissue spaces; dexamethasone or massaging helps - Most edema is in 1st calf heifers
Body Condition Scoring
- Score of 1-5 with 1/4 point increments - Look at the side of the cow: hook to thurl to pin (V shape = 3.0 or less, U/crescent = 3.25 to 3.75, Flat/straight = >4.0) - Look at ligaments: sacral ligament connects the spine and hooks; tailhead ligament connects the spine and pins - Look at the spinal protrusion and short ribs; skinnier = lower score
Milk Fever Stages
- Stage 1: lethargic with staggers; use Cow Gel - Stage 2: more severe, lack of coordination, cow attempts to get up; use IV calcium - Stage 3: cow doesn't attempt to get up (S-curve in spine - throws head back)
Factors that Influence SCC:
- Stage of Lactation - Cow Age - Season of the Year - Herd Size - Geographic Location - Level of Milk Production
Types of Cow Side Mastitis Tests
- Strainer - Bovinet: paper - Mast-D-Tect: measures the amount of electrical conductivity due to ion charge correlating with level of somatic cells - CMT
Contagious Bacteria
- Streptococcus agalactia - can be treated - Staphylococcus aureus - treatment very ineffective - Mycoplasma infection - no treatment (most likely clinical flare ups) - Found in the parlor: lot to do with milking procedures - Transfer pathogens from animal to animal
Causes of Lameness
- Structural issues - Injury - Nutrition - Cow Comfort - Lack/failure of Hoof care
Blood System
- Substrates for milk come from circulatory system - 1 gallon of milk for every 500 gallons of blood - Precursors of Milk: glucose, amino acids (fat, lactose, proteins), fatty acids, minerals - Propionic is very important - puts glucose back into the mammary gland
Udder Development
- Udder capacity increases until animal reaches 6 or 3-4 lactations - Rear quarters produce more than forequarters: 60% vs. 40% - Greatest increase in udder capacity is between 1st and 2nd lactations - They should produce 77-78% of what they produce in the 2nd lactation in the 1st
Displaced Abomasum
- When the abomasum moves to anywhere but on the right side below the rumen - Most frequent in high yielding cows. Moderately heritable (.24) - Gas dilation expands the abomasum - bicarb reacts with HCl to produce gas - Ping Test: used to determine DA's. Ping on the cow. Get a thud when on rumen. Full & gassy rumen makes a ping sound. - Clinical Signs: off feed, depression, dehydration, secondary ketosis, asymmetrical bloating, little manure produced, arched back - Treatment: do nothing, roll her, surgery - Prevention: lead feedign; slug feeding vs. TMR
Non-Infectious Lesions
- White Line Lesion: abscesses form between sole and wall - Sole Hemorrhage: discoloration of the sole - Soul Ulcer: raw sore on inner side of outside hind claws - Corkscrew Claw: rapid irregular growth of the claw with rotation - Horizontal Fissure/Hardship Groove: claw wall parallel to hair-line cracks & eventually breaks off - Vertical Fissure: vertical split in front/side of claw - Interdigital Hyperplasia: rapid growth of skin/tissue between the digits, forming a firm mass
How to determine calf viability
- Withdrawal reflex (pinch between digits of the hoof) - Suckle reflex - Check for heartbeat (in chest for forward facing or around umbilicus for rear facing calf) - Rectal reflex
Mastitis effect on milk composition
- decreases milk production by causing tissue damage - reduced lactose production and scar tissue formation - increased proteolytic and lipotlytic enzymes = decreased milk components - decreased shelf life
Federal Milk Marketing Orders
- tells you what milk prices will be for the next month in a given region - 3.5& milk blend price sets the minimum standard for butterfat - Milk Margin Protection Program
How the SC work:
- tissue damage - release of chemical compounds - scar tissue can develop (causing blind quarters, most common in heifers) - SC get the call - Purpose: combat infecting microorganisms through phagocytosis & assist in repairing damaged tissues - Highest SCC is 1-40 days in lactation
Signs the Calf is in Distress
- water sac visible > 2 hours with no signs of progress - color and reflex of tongue (pink b/w contractions, purple during contractions) - dam relaxes: should be less than 15 minutes (can cause calf death and dam partial paralysis)
Top Producing States
1. California 2. Wisconsin 3. Idaho 4. New York 5. Pennsylvania
Things to Consider when Trimming
1. Claw Length - should be 3 in. & perpendicular to sole 2. Sole Thickness - 0.25 inc. & flat 3. Heel Depth - 1.5 in. deep heel 4. Keep balance between claws & trim normal claw first
Top 3 reasons for dystocia in heifers:
1. Inadequate pelvis 2. Reproductive tract 3. Faulty Disposition
3 Factors that Influence Lactation Initiation
1. Nutrition 2. Health 3. Genetics
3 Primary #s that Dictate How much Milk a Cow Produces:
1. Peak milk production 2. Persistency 3. Lactation Length
Stages of Parturition
1. Prepatory 2. Expulsion 3. Cleaning
After seeing 2 hooves, wait:
2 hours!!
Most efficient volume of milk letdown occurs at:
2 minutes after stimulation - Returns to basal levels at 10 minutes
Avg. dairy cull rate
30%
Most costly disease in the dairy industry
40% of all cows in herds WITH mastitis control programs are infected in an average of 2 quarters. Costs 200$ per year per cow.
Europe limit on SCC:
400,000/mL
2 Adjective Kinds of Nerves
Afferent: nerves that go away from the body part Efferent: nerves that go towards the body part
Standard Plate Counts (SPC)
Bacteria content of raw milk; nothing over 100,000 cfu/mL allowed. <10,000 is easily achievalbe
What are Somatic Cells?
Body cells composed mostly of white blood cells
Overconditioned & Underconditioned
Both have the same problems - calving difficulty and metabolic disorders
