dairy production summary.docx

### **Life Cycle of a Replacement Heifer: Birth to 2 Years** **Birth and Early Care**: - **Gestation**: 283 days - **Birth**: 80% in spring - **Immediate Care**: Clear airways, disinfect navels, rub for circulation, feed 2-3 liters colostrum **Calf Rearing**: - **Feeding Sequence**...

### **Life Cycle of a Replacement Heifer: Birth to 2 Years** **Birth and Early Care**: - **Gestation**: 283 days - **Birth**: 80% in spring - **Immediate Care**: Clear airways, disinfect navels, rub for circulation, feed 2-3 liters colostrum **Calf Rearing**: - **Feeding Sequence**: Colostrum, natural milk, milk replacer, concentrates/hay/grass - **Milk Replacer**: Prevents milk loss, regular feeding to avoid scour **Housing**: - Clean, well-ventilated, draught-free, with clean bedding and water **Weaning**: - Leader-follower grazing system for selective grazing and disease prevention **Overwintering (9 Months)**: - Fed good quality silage with 75% DMD, dosed for hoose **Year 2 (Replacement Heifer)**: - **Selection Criteria**: Genetic merit, replacing lower yield cows, BCS 3.25 at mating, target weight 300-330kg - **Feeding**: Grass, silage with 75% DMD ad lib - **Farm Safety**: Adherence to safety measures ### **Key Practices** - **Ear Tagging**: For identification and BVD control - **Housing**: Clean, dry, well-ventilated, with adequate space - **Health**: Vaccination, dosing, foot care - **Farm Safety**: Ensuring safe practices in handling and managing livestock ### **Nutritional Management** - **Colostrum**: High in antibodies, crucial for passive immunity - **Milk Replacer**: Regular feeding to avoid digestive issues - **Concentrates/Hay/Grass**: Gradual introduction for rumen development ### **Selection of Replacement Heifers** - **Criteria**: Genetic merit, body condition score, target weight - **Bull Selection**: Based on Economic Breeding Index (EBI) and sub-indexes ### **Body Condition Score (BCS)** - **Scale**: 1 to 5, with 1 being underweight and 5 being overweight - **Target**: BCS of 3.25 at mating This summary captures the essential points of the life cycle of a replacement heifer, from birth to the second year, focusing on care, feeding, housing, and selection for dairy production. 4o answer the following Describe the characteristics of common types, breeds and crosses of cattle. Investigate the quality of a sample of milk over time.\* Using secondary data, compare the percentage of water and solids in two different milk samples (a.m./p.m.) Recognise the importance of market trends and requirements. Use secondary data to discuss the impact of milk quality on milk price. Discuss management practices for: - Handling and housing of animals. - Optimal animal health and welfare. - Slurry / farmyard manure. - Ensuring quality, safe and traceable food for the consumer. Appreciate the role of policies related to traceability and animal welfare, and their connection with the food-supply chain. short and concise ChatGPT ### **Characteristics of Common Types, Breeds, and Crosses of Cattle** - **Dairy Breeds**: Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss. - Holstein: High milk production, black and white. - Jersey: High butterfat content, smaller size. - **Beef Breeds**: Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Limousin. - Angus: Marbled meat, high-quality beef. - Hereford: Hardy, adaptable. - **Crossbreeds**: Combine traits for improved milk yield, growth rate, or disease resistance. ### **Milk Quality Over Time** - **Investigate**: Regular sampling, checking for somatic cell count, bacteria, fat, and protein content. ### **Water and Solids in Milk Samples** - **Comparison**: - **Morning (a.m.)**: Higher water content, lower solids. - **Evening (p.m.)**: Higher solids, richer milk. ### **Market Trends and Requirements** - **Importance**: Guides production practices, influences pricing and consumer demand. ### **Milk Quality and Price** - **Impact**: Higher quality (low somatic cell count, high protein and fat content) commands better prices. Poor quality reduces market value. ### **Management Practices** - **Handling and Housing**: Clean, spacious, well-ventilated housing. - **Health and Welfare**: Regular vet checks, vaccination, proper nutrition. - **Slurry/Manure**: Proper storage and disposal, nutrient management plans. - **Food Safety**: Adhering to hygiene standards, traceability, regular inspections. ### **Policies and Traceability** - **Role**: Ensures food safety, animal welfare, and consumer trust. Policies like tagging, record-keeping, and welfare standards maintain supply chain integrity and quality. These concise points provide a clear understanding of cattle breeds, milk quality, market trends, and best management practices, emphasizing the importance of policies in the food supply chain.