Dairy SAQ's

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Questions and Answers

What role does the refrigerated capacity play in the dairy industry?

It ensures product safety and quality, enabling the sale of fresh milk.

What is the ideal weight range for an animal at mating?

300-350 kg

At what age should an animal ideally reach puberty for mating purposes?

15 months

What temperament is preferred for easier management of livestock?

Docile Signup and view all the answers

Why is good udder health important in livestock?

It ensures proper milk production and reduces health risks. Signup and view all the answers

What role does good body conformation play in livestock?

It contributes to overall health and productivity. Signup and view all the answers

Why is good foot health significant in animals?

It prevents lameness and ensures mobility. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of colostrum in a calf's early life?

Colostrum provides essential immunoglobulins and higher protein content, which are crucial for the calf's immune system. Signup and view all the answers

At what point is a calf introduced to transition feeds and why?

A calf is gradually introduced to transition feeds around 3-4 weeks to develop their rumen microflora. Signup and view all the answers

How does the housing of calves affect their health and development?

Proper housing protects calves from environmental stressors and diseases, which is vital for their growth and health. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Milk Replacer in calf feeding?

Milk Replacer is a powdered milk formula mixed with warm water, used after the initial feeding of colostrum and fresh milk. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the '3-2-1 Rule' in relation to calf feeding.

The '3-2-1 Rule' signifies that calves should receive 3 quarts of colostrum within 2 hours of birth, and then transition to other feeds. Signup and view all the answers

What factors indicate when older cows should be culled?

Older cows are culled based on declining milk yield, health issues, or aging, requiring replacement by younger heifers. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the term 'grading up' in dairy herds.

Grading up refers to improving the genetic quality of the herd by replacing lower yielding cows with higher yielding heifers. Signup and view all the answers

What role does Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) play in calf management?

BVD is a viral infection that necessitates the identification and culling of affected animals to prevent spread in the herd. Signup and view all the answers

What is the target Body Condition Score (BCS) for heifers at mating?

3.25 Signup and view all the answers

What is the target weight range for heifers to reach by mating?

300-330 kg Signup and view all the answers

What daily live weight gain (LWG) should replacement heifers achieve?

0.6-0.7 kg Signup and view all the answers

At what age should a heifer weigh approximately 370 kg?

15 months Signup and view all the answers

What essential dietary components should be provided ad lib for heifers?

Grass and silage with 75% DMD Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate weight of a replacement heifer at 12 months?

308 kg Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of mature weight should a heifer ideally reach by 24 months?

90% Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) in bull selection?

It evaluates the profitability of breeding choices. Signup and view all the answers

Why is monitoring the growth rate of replacement heifers critical?

To ensure they reach maturity and reproductive readiness in time. Signup and view all the answers

At what age should replacement heifers be placed in calf?

15 months Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Milk Pricing Overview

Price adjustments: -4.5c/l and +0.39c/l for storage bonus.
Deductions applied for high somatic cell count (SCC) of -0.15c/l and high total bacterial count (TBC) of -0.5c/l.
Price before VAT: 34.58c/l for one category and 27.83c/l for another.
VAT at 5.4% amounts to 1.87c/l and 1.5c/l respectively.
Total milk price results in 36.45c/l and 29.33c/l after VAT.
Payments received: €5,832 and €4,693.

Calf Rearing Principles

Calves initially receive colostrum, crucial for immunity.
Sequence of feeds: colostrum, fresh milk, milk replacer, and gradually introduced solid feeds.
Rumen develops through a 'scratch factor' introduced by solid feeds.
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) affects calves, requiring identification and culling of infected animals.

Nutrition of Calves

Fresh milk has 87.5% water and 12.5% solids while colostrum has 78% water and 22% solids.
Colostrum is richer in protein (14.9%) and immunoglobulins (6.0%) compared to fresh milk.
Calves are weaned from fresh milk once sufficiently developed.

Replacement Heifer Selection

Heifers commonly replace older cows to improve herd genetics and milk production.
Factors for selecting heifers include body conformation, temperament, health, age (15 months), and weight (300-350kg at mating).
Body Condition Score (BCS) of heifers should reach 3.25 at mating.

Growth Targets for Heifers

Daily live weight gain (LWG) should be between 0.6 kg and 0.7 kg.
Monitoring of target weights throughout development is essential, reaching a mature weight of 590 kg.
Weight milestones include:
- Birth: 42 kg
- 3 months: 123 kg
- 6 months: 164 kg (30% of mature weight)
- 12 months: 308 kg
- 24 months: 554 kg (90% of mature weight).

Farm Safety and Management

Emphasizes the importance of safety protocols and proper management practices to ensure calf health and farm efficiency.

Exam Preparation Focus

Essential characteristics of a replacement heifer include good body conformation, docile temperament, robust health, appropriate age and weight, udder and feet health.
Ensuring heifers have reached puberty is critical for successful breeding.

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Description

This quiz explores the key metrics used to assess dairy quality, including storage bonuses, somatic cell count (SCC), and total bacterial count (TBC). Understand how these factors impact dairy pricing and quality standards. Test your knowledge on the implications of these metrics in the dairy industry.