Dairy ManagementDairy Management

Chris EllasonChris Ellason

4 groups of dairy cows4 groups of dairy cows

Far- off dry cows: Cows from time quit Far- off dry cows: Cows from time quit producing milk until 21 days before producing milk until 21 days before calvingcalving

Close up dry cows: Within 21 days of Close up dry cows: Within 21 days of calvingcalving

Fresh Cows: Cows that recently calvedFresh Cows: Cows that recently calved Lactating Cows: Cows that are producing Lactating Cows: Cows that are producing

milk in the milking stringmilk in the milking string

CalvesCalves

Aloud to get colostrum then removedAloud to get colostrum then removed Bull calves fed for veal or castrated and fed for Bull calves fed for veal or castrated and fed for

beefbeef Heifers are grown, bred, and milked for at least Heifers are grown, bred, and milked for at least

one lactationone lactation Calves are put into individual pens and fed milk Calves are put into individual pens and fed milk

or milk replacer for 4-8 weeksor milk replacer for 4-8 weeks Given hay and grains to get them to start eating dry Given hay and grains to get them to start eating dry

feeds feeds

BreedingBreeding

Most are bred by artificial InseminationMost are bred by artificial Insemination Sexed semenSexed semen

Some embryo transferSome embryo transfer Very little natural serviceVery little natural service

RationRation

Far- off: 100% forageFar- off: 100% forage Close up: 75% forageClose up: 75% forage Fresh: 65-75% forageFresh: 65-75% forage Lactating: 50-60% forageLactating: 50-60% forage

ProblemsProblems

Dystocia: Problems calvingDystocia: Problems calving Milk Fever: Ca deficiencyMilk Fever: Ca deficiency Retained Placenta: Caused by genetics, Retained Placenta: Caused by genetics,

dystocia, K overload, Vitamin E dystocia, K overload, Vitamin E deficiencydeficiency Cows show to produce 5-8% less milk Cows show to produce 5-8% less milk

lifetimelifetime

Mastitis: Infection in the udderMastitis: Infection in the udder

TerminologyTerminology

SCC: Somatic Cell CountSCC: Somatic Cell Count Amount of cells that are in the milkAmount of cells that are in the milk Max SCC: 750,000 SCC/ literMax SCC: 750,000 SCC/ liter

Primiparous: Cow that has had only one Primiparous: Cow that has had only one calfcalf

Multiparous: Cow that has had multiple Multiparous: Cow that has had multiple calvescalves

DIM: Days in milkDIM: Days in milk

Various Milking ParlorsVarious Milking Parlors

Single side openingSingle side opening Rotary tandemRotary tandem Rotary herringboneRotary herringbone Double herringboneDouble herringbone TurnstyleTurnstyle Polygon herringbonePolygon herringbone TrigonTrigon