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Outline the precautions taken to reduce mortality at calving time in a dairy herd - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 6 - 2007
Question 6
Outline the precautions taken to reduce mortality at calving time in a dairy herd. In a beef suckler system, describe the management practices necessary to achieve ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outline the precautions taken to reduce mortality at calving time in a dairy herd - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 6 - 2007
Step 1
Outline the precautions taken to reduce mortality at calving time in a dairy herd.
Answer
To reduce mortality at calving time in a dairy herd, several precautions should be implemented:
- Correct Age at Calving: Ensure cows calve at an appropriate age to promote optimal health and reproductive efficiency.
- Correct Weight of Cow: Monitor and maintain the proper weight of cows to avoid complications during calving.
- Easily Calving Bull: Utilize bulls known for producing offspring that calve easily to minimize distress and reduce mortality.
- Isolate Cow: Isolate the cow prior to calving to provide a calm environment and prevent stress.
- Know Calving Date from Records: Keep accurate records of expected calving dates to prepare adequately.
- Regular Inspection: Conduct regular inspections of pregnant cows to monitor their health and any signs of distress.
- Clean Environment: Maintain a clean environment to prevent infections.
- Fresh Hay or Straw: Provide fresh bedding such as hay or straw to improve comfort during calving.
- Navel Dipping and Colostrum: Dip the navel in antiseptic and ensure calves receive colostrum as soon as possible after birth.
- Assistance at Calving: Be prepared to assist during calving and have necessary equipment like a calving jack ready for use.
- Reduce Feeding Prior to Calving: Manage feeding to avoid complications related to excessive weight.
Step 2
In a beef suckler system, describe the management practices necessary to achieve high levels of production.
Answer
To achieve high levels of production in a beef suckler system, the following management practices should be implemented:
- Good Diet: Provide a balanced diet that meets the nutritional needs of both the cows and the calves.
- Condition at Mating: Ensure cows are in good body condition at mating to improve reproductive efficiency.
- Heat Detection: Implement effective heat detection practices to optimize breeding timings.
- Bull’s Fertility: Select fertile bulls and monitor their performance to ensure high conception rates.
- Breeding Records: Keep detailed records for monitoring breeding performance and identifying issues early.
- Housing: Provide adequate housing that protects animals from harsh weather conditions.
- Reproductive Efficiency: Monitor and improve reproductive efficiency through regular health checks and vet interventions.
- Calving Interval: Maintain an optimal calving interval to maximize production efficiency.
- Grazing System: Implement an effective grazing system to enhance pasture management and nutrition.
- Stocking Rate Control: Manage stocking rates that allow for optimal growth and reduce competition among animals.
- Disease Control: Maintain a robust disease control program to ensure the health of the herd.
Step 3
What is meant by a body condition score?
Answer
A body condition score (BCS) is a numerical assessment used to evaluate the fatness or condition of an animal, often on a scale from 1 to 5 or 1 to 9. It provides an estimation of the energy reserves an animal has based on its body fat and muscle development. This score helps inform management decisions regarding nutrition and health, particularly during critical periods such as breeding or calving.
Step 4
What is the relationship between body condition score and milk yield in the data above?
Answer
The data indicates that a higher body condition score correlates with higher milk yield. Specifically, Treatment B, which has a BCS of 3.00, yields 26.50 kg of milk per cow per day compared to Treatment A with a BCS of 2.73, yielding only 25.50 kg. This suggests that optimal body condition enhances the nutritional status of the cow, leading to improved milk production.
Step 5
Step 6
State two factors, other than BCS, that may influence the percentage fat in milk.
Answer
Two factors, other than body condition score, that may influence the percentage fat in milk are:
- Age of Cow: Older cows generally have higher fat content in their milk due to changes in metabolism and nutrient utilization.
- Genetics: The genetic makeup of the cow can affect milk composition, including fat percentage.