Dairy Cattle and Buffalo Management
What this domain tests
Dairy Cattle and Buffalo Management tests the lactation cycle, calf rearing, milking hygiene and reproduction targets. You should be able to calculate calving interval and dry period and describe a clean milking routine.
Core rules
- Lactation: 305-day standard lactation; peak yield at 6–8 weeks; persistency matters.
- Dry period: 60 days (45–60); dry off with intramammary antibiotic as advised.
- Calving interval: target 12–13 months; first AI 60–90 days after calving once involution is complete.
- Calf: colostrum within 1 hour, 10% of body weight in the first 24 hours; wean at 8–12 weeks; dehorn at 2–4 weeks; identify and record.
- Milking: wash the udder, dry with an individual towel, fore-strip, attach cups within 60 seconds, remove when flow stops and dip teats.
Worked example
A cow calves on 1 January and is confirmed pregnant to AI on 1 April. Gestation is 282 days, so the next calving is about 8 January. Calving interval = 372 days, about 12.2 months - acceptable. Dry off 60 days before 8 January, around 9 November. If conception had been delayed to 1 June, the interval would exceed 13 months, so heat detection and nutrition need review.
Traps that cost marks
Milking wet udders; using one cloth for all cows; stripping milk on the floor; incomplete milking, which lowers yield and invites mastitis; delaying first AI; forgetting colostrum; drying off without checking for mastitis.