Dairy Cattle and Buffalo Management (Milch Animals)
Domain 6: Dairy Cattle and Buffalo Management (Milch Animals)
This domain tests the lactation cycle, milking routine, calf care and the management of the transition from calving to peak yield. Case questions often ask what to do in the dry period or at calving.
The lactation cycle
- Colostrum for the first 3 to 5 days is rich in antibodies; the calf must receive it within the first hours.
- Peak yield usually occurs at 6 to 8 weeks after calving; feed generously then, because the cow cannot recover body condition later without cost.
- Lactation length is about 300 to 305 days; dry period about 60 days; total calving interval about 12 to 13 months.
- Drying off: reduce concentrate gradually, stop milking and check for mastitis; abrupt drying off of a high producer can damage the udder.
- Steaming up: a modest concentrate increase in the last 2 to 3 weeks before calving.
Milking and routine
Wash the udder with clean water, dry it with an individual towel, discard the first few streams, check foremilk for mastitis, milk quickly and uniformly, and dip teats after milking. Milk animals at fixed times; avoid stress before milking because adrenaline blocks milk letdown.
Worked example
A cow calved 10 days ago and is giving 8 L per day; the farmer wants to dry her off. Reason: she is at the start of lactation, not the end. Drying off is appropriate about 60 days before the next expected calving, when yield has fallen. The correct action is to continue milking, feed for production and record yield; drying off now would waste the lactation.
Traps
Confusing the dry period with the transition period; feeding the same ration to a dry cow and a peak-yielding cow; and milking a mastitis cow into the bulk tank.