Chapters 27, 28, & 5

Unit 12: Dairy

ObjectivesUnderstanding of various breeds of dairy

cattleGenetic progress and selectionKnowledge of nutritional concernsUnderstanding of operations, facilities, and

waste managementDisease pressures

Unit 10: Dairy

BreedBreed MilkMilk FatFat ProteinProtein

AryshireAryshire 1581415814 3.893.89 3.163.16

Brown SwissBrown Swiss 1773217732 4.064.06 3.363.36

GuernseyGuernsey 1467514675 4.534.53 3.373.37

HolsteinHolstein 2161421614 3.663.66 3.053.05

JerseyJersey 1554015540 4.614.61 3.593.59

Milking ShorthornMilking Shorthorn 1645416454 3.623.62 3.113.11

Red & WhiteRed & White 2001120011 3.73.7 3.023.02

Norwegian redNorwegian red 1305913059 NANA NANA

MontebeliardeMontebeliarde NANA NANA NANA

Dairy TypeUsed to evaluate dairy cattle

Stature, angularity, long/lean neck, etc.Good dairy type often leads to good milk

productionBut, not always

Dairy Cow Unified Scorecard & Linear Classification Scoring SystemEvaluates cows on basis of typeAids in selection of superior individuals

Dairy TypeCows/bulls are rated in each of the

following categoriesGeneral appearanceDairy characterBody capacityMammary system

Final score is added upExcellent (EX): 90-100Very Good (VG): 85-89Good Plus (G+): 80-84Good (G): 75-79Fair (F): 65-74Poor (P): 50-64

Dairy TypeClassification score can be used in

calculating the Predicted Transmitting Ability for Type (PTAT)Aids in the selection processCan be a sales tool

Improving Milk ProductionMilk production has changed greatly

through time1940 23.7m cows avg. 4622lbs./c/yr2005 ~9.m cows avg. 19500lbs./c/yrHas increased 320 lbs/c/yr in the last decade

aloneDue to:

GeneticsFeedingManagement

Figure 27.2 Changes in milk production in the United States, 1940–2005. Source: Adapted from USDA data.

Selection of Dairy CowsAvg. productive life is short (3-4 yrs.)

Many culled due to:Reproductive failureLow milk yieldUdder breakdownPoor feet/legsMastitis

Heifers should be chosen from families that are superior in these categories

Selection of Dairy CowsRecords are essential

National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improvement ProgramIndustry-wide production-testing and record-keeping

programAka DHIFacilitates the creation of a national production

database

Selection of Dairy CowsOptions for DHI

Supervised test-technician weighs and samples milk for all cows in a 24 hr. period

Partially supervised-samples are taken alternately a.m. or p.m. by a technician and another person

Owner sampler-production data recorded by someone other than a technician

Supervised electronic test-data collected electronically and certified by a technician

DHI records are standardized to lactation length, 2x milking, and mature age305 MEIncreases accuracy of comparison

Figure 27.3 An individual cow record used in the DHIR program. Source: Iroquois Holsteins.

Breeding Dairy CattleExtremely importantMay be the most challenging aspect of

managing dairy operationsVisual detection of estrus

RestlessnessEnlarged vulvaDrop in milk production (temporary)Permit other cows to mount

Majority of cattle are bred AIHigh quality semen $25-150/unitLower quality semen $5-20/unit

Breeding Dairy CattleNatural service has mostly been unpopular for 3

reasons:Genetic superiority of AI bullsAvailability of superior semen through AISafety

Heritabilities for traits are widely varied, but highly accurateLow her. (5-10%)

Ketosis, mastitis, cystic ovaries, milk feverMedium her. (25-30%)

Yearly milk, protein, solids-not-fat, fat yieldHighly her. (>30%)

% fat, % prot., solids-not-fat

Breeding Dairy CattleInherited abnormalities

Short bones, rectal-vaginal constriction, dumps, fused teats, flexed pasterns (feet turn back), hairlessness, syndactylism (one toe)Very rareOften result in death

Genetic advancement has been so rapid because of the high use of AISuperior sires may have >100,000 daughtersData on each sire tends to be quite accurate

Breeding Dairy CattleCrossbreeding is not common due to no

improvement in milk productionHas been some crossbreeding to improve

componentsEx. No crossbreeding program can equal the

Holstein in milk productionSire genetic evaluations are based on data of

sire’s daughter compared w/ contemporary herdmates

PTAMeasured based on superiority/inferiority of his

daughters

Sire SelectionBest Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP)

Method used to calculate PTACan compare bulls between herds, bulls within

herds, and bulls with offspring in many herdsPTA’s calculated for:

MilkProteinFatTypeDollars returned

Net Merit Can give an economic value to an individual

Sire SelectionTPI (Type Production Index)

Can give one value combining PTA’s of milk, type, udder composite, and fat

Helpful in predicting offspringGood sales tool

Dairy farm demographicsAvg. size 100 milking cows, 30 dry cows,

100 heifersFarm 200-300 ac. Raising most of own

forageMarket milk through cooperativeSell ~2.2m lbs. milk annually

Worth ~$230,000Avg. capital investment ~$500,000

Nutrition of Lactating CowsAverage 305d lactation production 16,870Many herds avg. >25,000/c/yrTop producing cows >40,000 lbs/c/yrSome may avg. >150 lbs./d

>5 lbs. milk fat>4.5 lbs. protein

Nutrition of Lactating CowsWorld Record Lactation?

Lucy LaFoster Dairy Cleveland, NC365d75,275lbs.

Great need for energy and total lbs. of feedEx. Cow producing 40lbs. Milk, 1400 lbs. BW

needs 1.25x more energy for lactation than maintenance

Nutrition of Lactating CowsDairy cow lactation curvesEarly stages of lactation

DMI and energy intake lag behind milk prod.BW is lostNegative energy balance

Mid lactationDMI finally catches up to milk prod. needsBW begins to climbReproductive performance is much better

Nutrition of Lactating CowsLate Lactation

DMI stays adequate for daily milk prod.Cows gain BWShould be preg.

Body Condition Scoring1-5 scaleMuch like the beef scaleCritical gauge for cow health and nutritional

needs

Nutrition of Lactating CowsElements of a successful dairy nutrition

programWaterHigh quality feedstuffsAdequate length of fiberOptimal level of grain supplementMonitor cud chewingSufficient bunk spaceConsistent, high DMI

Nutrition of Lactating CowsFeed available 24 hrs./d

Especially after milkingNo free-choice ration components

This can varyConcentrate on cow comfortMinimize variation in feedstuffsManage health problems

Nutrition of Lactating CowsIdeal day in the life of a cow

50% lying down21% eating13% milking4% drinking6% each social and lockups?

What should rations be based on?High-quality forages are cheapest, most

effective source of nutrients

Nutrition of Lactating CowsTMR

Total mixed rationAll feed components are mixed into one

presentationRations should closely reflect stage of

lactationNumber of rations on a farm

Depends on sizeMust match the number of effective rations

to what is most economical and efficient

Nutrition of Lactating CowsLets look at a 500 cow dairy

What types of rations would we need?What types of rations would match cow needs?

Ration componentsForages must be tested regularlySupplements should be formulated to match

production goals based on forage qualityEnergyProteinMin/vit

Feed cost typically is ~50% of farm expenses

Figure 28.1 Nutrient and milk yield relationships during lactation and gestation. Courtesy of Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc. Adapted from Nutritional Needs of Dairy Cows (Growthlines). Fall 1989.

Adjusting for Heat StressMay decrease milk prod. 8-10lbs./c/dStress begins at 77FSymptoms of heat stress

Temp >102.5Excessive panting

What else do they lose?Decreased DMI

As much as 15%Decreased pregnancy rate

Can be 20%

Nutrition of Dry CowsFeeding and management heavily

influences production in next lactationDrying a cow off

Stop milkingTreat for mastitis

Dry period is 45-60dMuch research is being focused on this area

Nutrition of Dry CowsMust be separated from milking herd

Nutritional differencesNot milkingCow comfort

Close-up dry cowsLast 14-21d of dry periodSeparate if possibleClosely monitor feed intakeCan greatly reduce health problems at

calving

Nutrition of Replacement HeifersMost can do well on high forage and 2-3 lbs.

grainHeifers should be large enough to breed at

15 mos.800 lbs.Weight is more critical than ageHeavier heifers will milk more first lactationWhy?

Recent studies on accelerated heifer growthReaching breeding wt. at 12-13 mos.What is the economic gain?

Calving OperationsMust be clean and well-beddedAssistance necessary if cow has not calved

after 4-6 hrs. of laborDip navel in iodineColostrum feeding

Antibodies for disease resistanceShould be fed within the first hour2nd feeding within ~6 hrs.Gut closure

Nursing is not permitted usuallyRemove asap

Calving OperationsFirst 4-8 wks.

Milk replacerWhy not whole milk?

WaterDry feedSeparate from other calvesWean as soon as they are eating ~3 lbs./d for

3 d

Milking and Housing FacilitiesFree stallsTie/Stanchion stallsLoose housingPastureWhich is the most efficient?Which is the most comfortable?Which is the most popular?Milking Center/parlorManure must be done at least daily, usually

2-3xUnless on bedded pack

Figure 28.3 A water flush free-stall barn with individual lock-in stanchions. These facilities provide for inside feeding of a totally mixed ration. Courtesy of Colorado State University.

Figure 28.6 Modern milking machines have dramatically reduced the labor intensity of dairy farming. However, close supervision of the milking process is required to ensure that the udder and teats are clean prior to milking, that the suction cups are applied correctly, and that the milking machine is removed from the cow as soon as milking is complete. Courtesy Managing Milk Quality, copyright 1998. ITA LaPocaitiere, www.hoards.com.

Waste ManagementMany local, state, and federal regulationsMust now have a nutrient management plan

Certified Livestock ManagerSC study

>75% of dairies overfeeding PNew NRC has decreased the recommended

P feeding rateNutrient Management Plan

Site informationName, contact info., emergency info.

Production dataNo. animals, amount of waste

Waste ManagementPermit informationManure application records

Date, amount, no. acres, method, applicator, wind speed/direction, temp, soil conditions, sky conditions

Test resultsSoil testsNutrient tests

Dead stock disposal plan

Milking OperationsConcrete platform raised ~30”Speeds milking, reduces labor, easier to

operateMilking procedure

CleanForestripAttach unit within 1 min.

Milking OperationsDip in iodine solutionManual removal of unit, or by automatic takeoff

Automatic takeoffs are stimulated due to milk flow rateProlonged exposure to vacuum will damage the teat

endEquipment must be sanitary

High milk qualityPrevent disease problemsRegular milking schedule

2X3X4Xcombinations

Controlling DiseasesSimilar diseases in dairy and beef cattleMore stringent specifications for milk

thoughBang’s Disease (Brucellosis)

Reduces fertilityTransmitted sexually, so risk is not high

anymore

Controlling DiseasesMastitis

Inflammation of the mammary glandCosts the dairy industry >$1.5b/yr.

~$200/cow/yr.Can be hard to detect early

Somatic Cell CountCMT

Clinical mastitis is easily detectedWhite chunksWatery/bloody milk

Controlling DiseasesUnder can be swollen, red, and hardCow may be febrileTwo types of mastitis

ContagiousCan be passed from cow to cowOrganisms must live in milkPrevention by clean milking systems, clean

hands, gloves, proper milking procedureNot easily eradicated

EnvironmentalOrganisms are picked up from the environmentCaused by unsanitary conditionsReadily responds to treatment

Controlling DiseasesCows w/ mastitis have a high cull rate

10 more days to first service, .5 more services/conception, 25 more days open

Various treatment optionsMilk must be withheld according to label

Costs and ReturnsLarge farms not necessarily better

Economics of scale don’t always work outPerformance should be compared against

industry benchmarks4.5 turns/hr in the milking parlorLabor cost/cwt milkDIMHeat detection rateSCCEtc.

Milk Production

Dairy cows produce >80% of world’s milk supplyGoats, buffalo, sheep, yaks, camel

U.S. by far the leading producerOne cow at an avg. of 18,200 lbs. can

provide enough milk for 40 people for a yearIf you include the amount of milk used for

other products

Milk Composition88% water8.6% Solids-not-fat

Protein, lactose, minerals3-4% milk fatMilk not legally salable until the 11th milking

Also need to test for antibiotics

Milk CompositionMilk is very dense in nutrients, while not

being extremely high in caloriesMilk fat

Taste component of milkCheese yield

CarbohydratesLactose (~4.8%)>1/2 of SNF

Milk CompositionProteins

~3.3% protein38% of SNFCasein and Whey are the two main milk

proteinsVitamins

A, B, C, and D are available in milkMinerals

Good sources of Ca, P, and Zn

Milk Products in the U.S.

Fluid milk>92% of milk sold is Grade A milkHomogenized to prevent separation of milk

fat<4% milk fatPasteurization kills disease-causing

pathogensCream

>18% milk fatCoffee creamer, whipping cream

Milk Products in the U.S.Butter

>80% milk fatIs one of the oldest forms of preserving milk

Cheese>400 different kinds of cheeseSoft, semisoft, hard, very hard

Based on moisture contentCottage cheese (80%) to Romano (32%)

Made by coagulation and curdling

Milk Products in the U.S.100 lbs. milk will produce 8-16 lbs. of cheese

Ice CreamMany different formsIce cream, custard, French ice cream, Ice

milk, frozen yogurt, sherbetCustards have egg yolks >1.4% by wt. addedIce milk-less fat, more sugar (soft serves)Yogurt-less fat, less sugar, more acidSherbet-low in milk fat and solids, higher sugar

Milk Products in the U.S.Eggnog

Contains egg yolks, egg whites>6% milk fat, 8.25% SNF

Figure 5.5 The modern dairy tree showing the many products and by-products of milk. Source: J. Dairy Sci. 64:1005.

Figure 5.11 Percent changes in dairy product consumption 1975-2005. Source: USDA.