Intro to Dairy Cattle ObjectivesLingo l Describe terms

Intro to Dairy Cattle

Objectives…Lingo l Describe terms commonly used with dairy cattle. l Identify six major breeds of dairy cattle.

Terms…Lingo l Gestation • • l l the time between when the egg is fertilized and the birth of a calf. Gestation length for Cattle is 285 days Parturition • The process of giving birth Colostrum • The first milk of an animal after birth

Terms…Lingo l Ideal Dairy Type • Stature • Angularity • Level rump • Long & Lean Neck • Milk Veins • Strong Feet & Legs

Dairy Cow vs. Beef Cow

Terms…Lingo l l l Artificial Insemination • • First started in about 1300 A. D. Breeding without the use of a male specimen 75% of all inseminations are used on dairy cattle Less than 5% of bulls are retained Over $225 million spent on bull semen in the last year http: //www. bullsemen. com/

Terms…Lingo l l l Lactation • The secretion and production of Milk – usually a 305 day cycle for dairy cows Reproductive system • System used to reproduce cattle by natural, in vitro, and various artificial means of insemination. Mammary system • System responsible for producing milk after parturition

Terms we have Learned l Mammary System Reproductive System Lactation Gestation Parturition Colostrum Artificial Insemination l What do these terms have in common? l l l

A Few More Terms… l l Bovine - A general family grouping of cattle Bull - A bovine male Cow - a female bovine that has produced a calf What are the following? See some similarities?

A Few More Terms… l l Calf -A young male or female bovine animal under 1 year of age Steer – A bovine male that is castrated Heifer - A young female bovine before she has produced her first calf Springer – a female bovine who is pregnant with her first calf (usually between 15 and 24 months old)

Breeds of Dairy Cattle l 6 breeds to learn l Pay close attention to • Color • Import year • Size • Characteristics • Origin

Ayrshire (A-yer-Shire) Origin: County Ayr, Scotland Size: 1200 lbs mature Imported: 1822 Color: light to dark red, brown, with white

Ayrshire Characteristics: Adapted to harsh winters l Well adapted to rocky terrain l Average Production: 17, 000 lbs (@2000 gallons) l 3. 9% butterfat l 3. 3% protein l

Brown-Swiss Origin: Swiss Alps Size: 1500 lbs mature Imported: 1869 Color: Solid brown with varying shades Characteristics: l Milk has higher fat and protein l Light colored band around muzzle

Brown Swiss l l l Average output per milk cycle 21, 000 lbs (@ 2450 gallons) 4. 0% butterfat 3. 5% total protein

Guernsey (Gern-Zee) Origin: Island of Guernsey, in the English Channel Size: 1150 lbs mature Imported: 1840 Color: Light brown with white markings Characteristics: l Milk is a golden color l Docile nature

Guernsey l l l Production per milk cycle 14, 700 lbs (1700 gallons) 4. 5% butterfat 3. 5% protein

Jersey Origin: Island of Jersey, Britain Size: 1000 lbs mature Imported: 1850 Color: Light brown with no white; black around muzzle Characteristics: l Highest butterfat and protein l Well-shaped udders

Jersey l l l Production per milk cycle – 16, 000 lbs (1860 gallons) Butterfat – 4. 9% Protein 3. 7%

Milking Shorthorn Origin: England Size: 1400 lbs mature Imported: 1783 Color: Red and white or just red/just white, roan Characteristics: l Adaptable l Dual-Purpose

Milking Shorthorn l l l Produces 15, 400 lbs (@1880 gallons) per lactation cycle 3. 8% butterfat 3. 3% protein

Holstein-Friesan Origin: Netherlands Size: 1500 lbs mature, minimum Imported: 1621 Color: Black and white, red and white Characteristics: l Most popular dairy breed in the U. S. (85% of the U. S. Dairy herd. Ag Census 2012)

Holstein-Friesian l l l Highest producer – 28, 000 lbs (@3260 gallons) per milk cycle 2. 5 -3. 6% butterfat 3. 2% protein

Review l Terms l Breeds • What did we learn today? • How do these all go together? • Which came to the U. S. First? • What is the largest? • Smallest?