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Question 1Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
In a dairy herd record, the period from one calving to the next calving of the same cow is known as which interval?
- Dry period
- Calving to conception interval
- Service period
- Calving interval Correct answer.
Explanation
The calving interval is the total time between two successive calvings of a cow, and a well-managed herd aims for about 12 to 13 months. It is made up of the service period plus the gestation length of roughly nine months.
Question 2Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A cow is normally expected to come into heat again after calving within which typical window under good feeding and management?
- 120 to 150 days
- 10 to 15 days
- 45 to 60 days Correct answer.
- 180 to 210 days
Explanation
Under adequate nutrition and body condition, a healthy dairy cow usually shows the first postpartum heat and can be bred around 45 to 60 days after calving. Delays beyond this suggest negative energy balance, uterine infection, or poor heat detection.
Question 3Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which practice best describes 'clean milk production' on a small dairy farm?
- Straining milk through cloth after it has cooled in an open vessel
- Milking directly into a bucket that is rinsed only with pond water
- Adding water to milk to reduce its fat percentage before sale
- Washing hands and udder, using clean dry utensils, and cooling milk quickly after milking Correct answer.
Explanation
Clean milk production relies on hygiene at every step: clean hands, a washed and dried udder, sanitised utensils, and rapid cooling to limit bacterial growth. These steps protect both keeping quality and public health.
Question 4Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
In cattle, the normal gestation period is closest to which duration?
- 150 days
- 283 days Correct answer.
- 365 days
- 210 days
Explanation
Cattle gestation averages about 280 to 285 days, so 283 days is the correct figure. Knowing this helps calculate the expected calving date and plan the dry period.
Question 5Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which feed is classified as a concentrate rather than a roughage in a dairy ration?
- Maize silage
- Paddy straw
- Berseem fodder
- Groundnut oil cake Correct answer.
Explanation
Concentrates are low-fibre, nutrient-dense feeds such as oil cakes and cereal grains. Groundnut oil cake supplies protein and energy in a small volume and is a classic concentrate ingredient.
Question 6Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which of the following is a characteristic sign of heat (estrus) in a dairy cow?
- Sudden drop in milk yield to zero
- Standing still to be mounted by another animal Correct answer.
- Complete refusal of feed for several days
- Continuous shivering with a dry muzzle
Explanation
Standing to be mounted, called the standing reflex, is the most reliable sign of true estrus in cattle. Other signs such as restlessness and mucus discharge support the diagnosis but are less definitive.
Question 7Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Colostrum is best described as which of the following?
- The first thick yellowish milk secreted after calving, rich in antibodies Correct answer.
- Milk with all fat removed
- Milk produced after the calf is one week old
- Milk from a cow treated with antibiotics
Explanation
Colostrum is the first milk after calving and is rich in immunoglobulins, vitamins, and minerals. A calf should receive it within the first hours of life because gut absorption of antibodies declines rapidly.
Question 8Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which housing arrangement is most suitable for loose housing of dairy cattle in a warm climate?
- Keeping animals in a closed room without ventilation
- Tying each animal to a short chain day and night
- Confining all animals in a single narrow stall
- Providing a shaded open shed with a feeding manger and a loose resting area Correct answer.
Explanation
Loose housing gives cows freedom to move, rest, and feed, and a shaded open shed with good ventilation suits warm climates. Adequate space and airflow reduce heat stress and injuries.
Question 9Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A cow producing 15 litres of milk per day should generally receive approximately how much clean drinking water per day?
- About 50 to 60 litres Correct answer.
- About 150 litres
- About 20 litres
- About 10 litres
Explanation
Water intake in dairy cattle is roughly three to five litres per litre of milk produced, plus maintenance needs. A cow giving 15 litres therefore needs around 50 to 60 litres or more, especially in hot weather.
Question 10Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which measure is the most appropriate first step to control mastitis in a dairy herd?
- Increasing the concentrate allowance during milking
- Practising post-milking teat dipping and maintaining milking machine hygiene Correct answer.
- Stopping milking the affected quarter permanently in all cows
- Milking cows with wet, dirty teats to save time
Explanation
Mastitis control depends on reducing bacterial exposure at the teat end, so teat dipping after milking and clean, well-maintained milking equipment are core measures. Early detection and treatment of clinical cases complete the programme.
Question 11Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
In a balanced dairy ration, which nutrient group is chiefly supplied by green fodder such as maize or berseem?
- Energy, fibre, and some protein along with water Correct answer.
- Antibiotics and growth promoters
- Crude protein only
- Vitamins and minerals only
Explanation
Green fodder supplies energy, fibre for rumen function, a useful amount of protein, and considerable moisture. It forms the bulk of a ruminant ration while concentrates top up energy and protein for higher yields.
Question 12Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
What is the main purpose of the dry period in a dairy cow?
- To let the udder tissue regenerate and prepare the cow for the next lactation Correct answer.
- To increase the fat content of the milk sold during that time
- To reduce the cow's body weight deliberately
- To avoid the need for any feeding during late pregnancy
Explanation
The dry period of about 60 days allows secretory tissue in the udder to regrow and the cow to recover body condition before calving. Proper dry cow feeding also reduces metabolic problems at calving.
Question 13Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A farmer notices a cow with a swollen, hot quarter and clotted milk. Which action is most appropriate?
- Strip the affected quarter frequently, keep milking out, and seek veterinary treatment Correct answer.
- Stop milking the quarter completely and apply a tight bandage
- Mix the abnormal milk with the bulk tank to avoid waste
- Continue normal milking and ignore the signs
Explanation
Hot swelling with clotted milk indicates clinical mastitis, so frequent stripping of the affected quarter and prompt veterinary treatment are needed. Milk from treated cows must be withheld from sale for the withdrawal period.
Question 14Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which of the following best describes the purpose of dehorning in dairy cattle management?
- To reduce the risk of injury to animals and handlers in group housing Correct answer.
- To improve the digestibility of roughage
- To make the animal more resistant to heat
- To increase milk yield directly
Explanation
Dehorning or disbudding reduces injuries from horns during feeding and social interaction, protecting both animals and workers. It has no direct effect on digestion, yield, or heat tolerance.
Question 15Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which record is essential for calculating the total lactation yield of a cow?
- Only the purchase price of the animal
- The daily temperature of the shed
- The number of workers on the farm
- Daily or monthly milk yield entries with dates of calving and drying off Correct answer.
Explanation
Lactation yield is obtained by summing recorded milk weights from calving to drying off, so dated yield entries are essential. Calving and drying-off dates define the start and end of the lactation.
Question 16Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which of the following is the most reliable sign that a cow has actually conceived after artificial insemination?
- The cow stops showing heat and is confirmed pregnant by rectal palpation or ultrasound about 45 to 60 days later Correct answer.
- The cow shows heat again 21 days later
- The cow refuses all green fodder
- The cow's milk yield rises sharply the next day
Explanation
Non-return to heat plus veterinary pregnancy diagnosis by palpation or ultrasound is the reliable confirmation. Heat detection alone can miss silent heats, so a physical examination is needed.
Question 17Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A dairy ration is found to be deficient in minerals, particularly calcium, in a high-yielding cow after calving. Which condition is most directly associated with this deficiency?
- Bloat
- Milk fever (hypocalcaemia) Correct answer.
- Ketosis
- Foot rot
Explanation
Low blood calcium around calving causes milk fever, with muscle weakness and recumbency. Careful dry cow feeding and calcium management help prevent it.
Question 18Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which practice helps reduce heat stress in dairy cattle during summer?
- Providing shade, fans or sprinklers, and plenty of cool drinking water Correct answer.
- Closing all vents to keep the shed warm
- Restricting water to reduce urine output
- Feeding the heaviest concentrate meal at midday in direct sun
Explanation
Shade, air movement, sprinklers, and abundant cool water lower body temperature during heat stress. Shifting feeding to cooler hours also helps maintain intake and milk yield.
Question 19Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
In a crossbreeding programme for dairy cattle, what is the main advantage of using a crossbred cow such as a Holstein-Friesian crossed with a local breed?
- It is immune to all diseases
- It always produces more milk fat than any pure breed
- It combines higher milk yield with better adaptation to local heat and disease conditions Correct answer.
- It needs no fodder other than grazing
Explanation
Crossbreeding aims to combine the high milk potential of exotic breeds with the heat tolerance and disease resistance of local breeds. The result is a more productive and better-adapted animal under local conditions.
Question 20Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A farmer wants to estimate the expected calving date of a cow that was inseminated on 1 January. Using a gestation period of about 283 days, which date is closest?
- Around 20 November of the same year
- Around 10 October of the same year Correct answer.
- Around 1 December of the same year
- Around 1 October of the same year
Explanation
Adding 283 days to 1 January gives approximately 10 October of the same year. This calculation helps plan the dry period and prepare for calving.
Question 21Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A farm's herd record shows that 30 cows were inseminated and 18 were confirmed pregnant. What is the conception rate to service?
- 72 percent
- 30 percent
- 60 percent Correct answer.
- 48 percent
Explanation
Conception rate equals confirmed pregnancies divided by inseminations, multiplied by 100. Here 18 divided by 30 gives 0.6, which is 60 percent.
Question 22Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A dairy cow shows a sharp drop in milk yield, poor appetite, a sweetish acetone smell on the breath, and weight loss in early lactation. Which condition is most likely?
- Milk fever
- Bloat
- Mastitis
- Ketosis Correct answer.
Explanation
A sweetish acetone odour, reduced appetite, and falling yield in early lactation point to ketosis, a negative energy balance disorder. Treatment includes glucose therapy and improved energy intake.
Question 23Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A farmer's cows have a calving interval of 15 months while the target is 12 to 13 months. Which combination of causes most plausibly explains the extended interval?
- Feeding a balanced ration with adequate minerals
- Excellent heat detection with timely insemination
- Delayed first service after calving and poor heat detection leading to missed inseminations Correct answer.
- Regular veterinary pregnancy checks after insemination
Explanation
An extended calving interval usually reflects a long service period caused by delayed first insemination and missed heats. Improving heat detection and nutritional status shortens the interval.
Question 24Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
Which statement correctly explains why antibiotic-treated milk must be withheld from the bulk tank?
- The milk spoils faster in the tank
- The milk has a higher fat content than normal
- The milk cannot be cooled below room temperature
- Residues can harm consumers and interfere with starter cultures in dairy products, and the milk is legally unfit for sale Correct answer.
Explanation
Antibiotic residues in milk can cause allergic reactions and promote antimicrobial resistance, and they inhibit starter cultures in curd and cheese making. Milk from treated cows must be withheld until the withdrawal period ends.
Question 25Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A young calf is scouring and dehydrated. Which first-line management step is most appropriate?
- Move the calf to a wet, unbedded pen
- Give a large dose of antibiotic without veterinary guidance
- Continue milk feeding and give oral rehydration solution, and seek veterinary advice if signs worsen Correct answer.
- Stop all milk feeding for three days
Explanation
In calf diarrhoea, continued feeding plus oral rehydration maintains energy and replaces fluid losses. Veterinary advice is needed if the calf becomes weak or the scours persist.
Question 26Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
In a dairy herd, which practice is the standard method of identifying a calf individually at birth for record keeping?
- Ear tagging with a unique number soon after birth Correct answer.
- Marking the calf by coat colour alone
- Recording the calf only by its dam's name
- Waiting until first calving to assign an identity
Explanation
Permanent individual identification is the foundation of dairy herd records, because milk yield, health events and pedigree must be linked to one animal over its whole life. Ear tagging with a unique number at birth gives each calf a fixed identity that cannot be confused with herd-mates. Coat colour or dam's name alone cannot distinguish animals reliably.
Question 27Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A farmer wants to store green fodder for the lean season. Which method best preserves chopped green fodder with minimum nutrient loss?
- Sun-drying the chopped fodder to a crisp brown
- Stacking the fresh fodder in an open shed
- Soaking the fodder in water in an open tank
- Ensiling the chopped fodder in a sealed pit or silo Correct answer.
Explanation
Ensiling preserves chopped green fodder through controlled anaerobic fermentation, in which lactic acid bacteria lower the pH and suppress spoilage organisms. Nutrients, especially protein and carotene, are retained far better than in sun-drying. Sealing excludes air, which is essential for good fermentation.
Question 28Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A dairy cow is in mid-lactation and the ration is being balanced. Which combination correctly pairs a feedstuff with the nutrient it chiefly supplies?
- Mustard cake as the main source of energy
- Mineral mixture as the main source of protein
- Ground maize grain as the main source of energy Correct answer.
- Maize grain as the main source of crude fibre
Explanation
Cereal grains such as ground maize are concentrated sources of starch and therefore of energy in the ration. Protein cakes supply protein, while roughages supply most of the fibre. Mineral mixtures supply calcium, phosphorus and trace elements rather than energy or protein.
Question 29Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A cow is 20 days past service and the farmer wants an early check for pregnancy. Which practice is appropriate at this stage?
- Begin a course of antibiotic infusion into the uterus
- Perform rectal palpation of the uterus and ovaries by a trained person Correct answer.
- Start drying off the cow immediately
- Wait for the next heat and inseminate again without any examination
Explanation
Rectal palpation of the reproductive tract by a trained veterinarian or technician can detect pregnancy from about five to six weeks, and earlier examination can at least identify whether the animal has cycled or not. Non-return to heat is only a presumptive sign and cannot confirm conception. Drying off or treating with antibiotics without diagnosis is unjustified.
Question 30Dairy Farm Management and Animal Husbandry Practices
A crossbred cow calved three weeks ago and is now off feed with a firm, swollen quarter and fever. The herd has had two similar cases this month. Which analysis best explains the pattern and the priority action?
- The cases are unrelated accidents, so only the affected quarter needs treatment
- The pattern indicates a ration deficiency, so only the mineral mixture needs changing
- The pattern shows a contagious disease of the feet, so footbaths should be the first measure
- The pattern suggests an environmental udder infection, so milking hygiene and bedding management should be corrected alongside treatment Correct answer.
Explanation
Repeated udder infections within one herd over a short period point to an environmental source of bacteria, typically contaminated bedding and poor pre- and post-milking hygiene. Treating the individual quarter alone leaves the source intact, so the correct analysis combines therapy with correction of housing and milking routine. Ration or foot problems do not explain swollen quarters.
Question 31Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
In a dairy cow, milk synthesis occurs in which cells of the mammary gland?
- Alveolar epithelial cells Correct answer.
- Suspensory ligament cells
- Teat sphincter cells
- Ductal myoepithelial cells
Explanation
Milk is secreted by the secretory epithelial cells lining the alveoli, which take up nutrients from the blood and convert them into milk constituents. Myoepithelial cells contract to squeeze milk out, while sphincter and ligament tissues are structural and non-secretory.
Question 32Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Which hormone is primarily responsible for the milk ejection reflex in a milking cow?
- Prolactin
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Oxytocin Correct answer.
Explanation
Tactile stimulation of the teat releases oxytocin from the posterior pituitary, which causes myoepithelial cells to contract and let down milk. Prolactin supports milk synthesis rather than ejection, and the steroid hormones govern mammary development and pregnancy.
Question 33Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
The first milk secreted after calving, which is rich in immunoglobulins and important for calf survival, is called:
- Mastitic milk
- Homogenised milk
- Skim milk
- Colostrum Correct answer.
Explanation
Colostrum is the thick yellowish secretion produced in the first few days after calving, containing high levels of antibodies, vitamins and minerals. Calves need it soon after birth because intestinal absorption of antibodies falls rapidly within hours.
Question 34Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Before attaching the milking machine, the recommended udder preparation step is to:
- Apply a thick layer of oil to the teats
- Clip all udder hair daily
- Leave teats wet so cups slip on easily
- Wash teats and dry them with a clean individual towel Correct answer.
Explanation
Cleaning teats and drying them with a clean single-use towel removes dirt and bacteria and provides the stimulation needed for oxytocin release. Dry teats also help the teat cups stay in place without slipping and reduce water-borne contamination of milk.
Question 35Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Which practice best reduces the risk of mastitis spread between cows during milking?
- Milking infected cows first
- Post-milking teat dipping with an approved disinfectant Correct answer.
- Using one cloth to dry all cows in the herd
- Increasing the vacuum level of the machine
Explanation
Teat dipping immediately after milking disinfects the teat canal while it is still open, killing bacteria that could enter and cause new infections. Using individual towels and milking infected animals last further limits cross-contamination.
Question 36Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
The foremilk (first few streams of milk from each quarter) is examined before milking mainly to:
- Measure the fat percentage of the milk
- Increase the volume of saleable milk
- Check the colour of the cow's urine
- Detect clots, flakes or watery milk indicating mastitis Correct answer.
Explanation
Stripping foremilk onto a dark strip cup reveals clots, flakes or watery secretion that signal udder inflammation, allowing the milker to withhold abnormal milk. It also flushes bacteria from the teat canal before machine attachment.
Question 37Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Clean milk production is best supported by which milking routine?
- Feeding hay to cows during milking
- Milking in a dusty shed with open doors
- Storing milk in an open container near the byre
- Washing hands and using clean, dry utensils and a covered bucket Correct answer.
Explanation
Clean hands, sanitised utensils and covered buckets prevent dust, hair and bacteria from entering the milk. Feeding dusty hay during milking is avoided because it raises airborne contamination of the milk surface.
Question 38Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
A cow is milked at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day. Which term describes this milking frequency?
- Continuous milking
- Once-daily milking
- Twice-daily milking Correct answer.
- Thrice-daily milking
Explanation
Milking twice at regular intervals of about 12 hours is the standard twice-daily routine in most dairy herds. Regular intervals maintain udder health and steady milk yield across the lactation.
Question 39Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
In a lactating cow, which change in milk composition typically occurs from colostrum to normal milk over the first week?
- Protein and immunoglobulin levels fall while lactose rises Correct answer.
- Fat content becomes zero
- Lactose falls while immunoglobulin rises
- Total solids increase sharply
Explanation
As colostrum transitions to normal milk, immunoglobulin and total protein concentrations decline while lactose content increases. This shift reflects the changing needs of the calf and the establishment of mature milk secretion.
Question 40Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
A milker notices that a cow holds up her milk and the machine yields little despite a full udder. Which action is most likely to correct the problem?
- Attach the machine immediately without any preparation
- Increase the milking vacuum sharply
- Shorten the milking interval to one hour
- Provide calm handling and proper teat stimulation before attachment Correct answer.
Explanation
Poor let-down usually reflects inadequate oxytocin release caused by stress or insufficient stimulation. Gentle handling and thorough teat cleaning allow oxytocin to act before cups are attached, restoring normal milk flow.
Question 41Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Why should the milking machine be removed promptly once milk flow has nearly stopped?
- To keep the milk warm in the pipeline
- To increase the fat content of the milk
- To allow the vacuum to rise inside the teat cup
- To prevent overmilking, which damages teat tissues and predisposes to mastitis Correct answer.
Explanation
Continuing to milk an empty udder causes mechanical trauma to the teat end and reduces natural defence against infection. Removing the cluster when flow falls below a low threshold protects teat condition and udder health.
Question 42Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
A dairy farmer wants to reduce the somatic cell count of bulk milk. Which measure is most directly effective?
- Storing milk at room temperature
- Adding water to the bulk tank
- Culling chronically infected cows and treating clinical cases under veterinary advice Correct answer.
- Milking faster by raising the pulsation rate
Explanation
Somatic cell count reflects the number of white cells and epithelial cells in milk, which rises with udder infection. Removing chronically infected animals and treating clinical mastitis reduces the herd's cell count at its source.
Question 43Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Which udder health condition is characterised by a hard, hot, painful quarter and clotted milk?
- Ketosis
- Milk fever
- Bloat
- Clinical mastitis Correct answer.
Explanation
Clinical mastitis produces visible inflammation of the quarter with heat, swelling, pain and abnormal milk such as clots or flakes. The other conditions are metabolic or digestive disorders with different presenting signs.
Question 44Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
During hand milking, which technique helps maintain milk let-down and protect the teats?
- Pulling the teat downward with a sharp tug
- Squeezing with the whole fist in a rhythmic motion Correct answer.
- Milking with wet hands
- Pressing the teat against the palm with the thumb
Explanation
Milking with the whole fist in a rhythmic squeeze mimics calf suckling and empties the teat cistern without damaging tissue. Thumb-and-finger pinching or pulling injures the teat canal and interferes with milk flow.
Question 45Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Which factor most directly determines the fat percentage of milk from an individual cow?
- Breed, stage of lactation and feed ration Correct answer.
- Colour of the cow's coat
- Time of day the cow is fed
- Number of teats on the udder
Explanation
Milk fat content varies with breed, advancing lactation and dietary factors such as fibre level and energy balance. Physical traits such as coat colour or teat number do not determine the fat concentration of milk.
Question 46Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
A cow produces 20 litres in the morning and 12 litres in the evening milking. What is the most likely explanation?
- The morning milking used a smaller machine
- The evening milk has no fat content
- The evening milking interval is shorter, so less milk has accumulated Correct answer.
- The cow has mastitis in all four quarters
Explanation
Milk accumulates in the udder between milkings, so a longer interval usually gives a larger volume. Unequal intervals in twice-daily milking commonly produce unequal yields, with the shorter interval yielding less.
Question 47Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Which statement about the teat canal and mastitis is correct?
- The teat canal has no role in udder defence
- The teat canal is a permanent open channel for bacteria
- The teat canal is closed by a keratin plug between milkings that helps exclude bacteria Correct answer.
- The teat canal is lined with cilia that sweep bacteria away
Explanation
After milking, the teat sphincter closes and a keratin plug forms in the canal, forming a physical barrier against invading bacteria. This is why post-milking teat dipping and keeping cows standing briefly after milking reduce new infections.
Question 48Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Milk from cows treated with an antibiotic must be withheld from sale because:
- It contains antibiotic residues that may harm consumers and interfere with dairy processing Correct answer.
- It is always sour and unfit for cheese
- It has a higher fat content than normal milk
- It contains more lactose than permitted
Explanation
Antibiotic residues in milk can cause allergic reactions, promote antimicrobial resistance and inhibit starter cultures in fermented products. Farmers must observe the withdrawal period specified for the drug used.
Question 49Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
Which milking machine component is designed to massage the teat and allow blood circulation to recover between suction phases?
- The milk pipeline
- The bulk tank agitator
- The teat cup liner collapsing during the rest phase Correct answer.
- The vacuum regulator
Explanation
The pulsation system alternates suction and rest phases; during rest the liner collapses on the teat, massaging it and allowing blood flow to return. This prevents congestion and tissue damage from continuous vacuum.
Question 50Milk Production, Lactation and Milking Hygiene
A herd has a high bulk milk somatic cell count but few cows show visible clinical mastitis. Which explanation is most consistent with this finding?
- The cows are being fed too much concentrate
- The milking machine is new
- Many cows have subclinical mastitis with no visible signs Correct answer.
- The bulk tank is being overfilled
Explanation
Subclinical mastitis raises somatic cell counts without producing visible changes in the udder or milk. Detecting it requires individual cow cell counts or culture, since clinical inspection alone misses these infections.