Dairy cattle management

03/02/2023

23/12/2022

Despite considerable research, nothing definite is known as to the actual origin of the cattle first brought to Jersey Island. Most research agrees, that the Jersey probably originated from the adjacent coast of France, where in Normandy and Brittany cattle resembling Jerseys are found.

Whatever the correct phylogenetic form of the Jersey might be, it would appear, when analysing the available data, that the domesticated fore-father of the Jersey came from Asia, belonged in all probability to Bos brachyceros, was probably tamed during the Stone Age, some 10 000 years ago or more and migrated to Europe through Central and Southern Europe and North Africa to Switzerland and France. In Northern France some cross-breeding undoubtedly took place between the pure Bos brachyceros and Bos primigenius herds (which mostly came down the North Coast of Europe to as far down as Northern France).

Photo courtesy of Covington Jerseys, www.covingtonjerseys.comJersey Island being joined to France until about A.D. 709 by a narrow isthmus, it stands to reason that cattle from Normandy and Brittany were brought over regularly in the early days to Jersey Island and must have played a very important role in the origin and development of the present day Jersey.

Jerseys are known to exist in the UK mainland since 1741 and probably well before. At that time they were known as Alderneys.

The flourishing times for the breed was the period from the 1860s to the First World War when the Jersey cow enjoyed the greatest period of development for the breed worldwide. For many years, thousands of animals were shipped to the USA annually, but records show that early settlers took Jerseys there in 1657. Canada imported her first Jerseys in 1868. Jerseys first went to South Africa in 1880, and in 1862 New Zealand imported her first cattle.

Although records of earlier importations into Australia are not available, it is believed that the first Jerseys arrived as "ship cows." The first reference of a Jersey dates back to 1829 when Mr. J. T. Palmer of Sydney advertised the sale of 200 pure bred Jerseys.

Latin America imported its first Jerseys before the turn of the century. Records show that around 1892, the first cattle went to Guatemala. Brazil had its first Jerseys four years later. But it was probably Costa Rica that first imported the breed to Central and South America in 1873.

Today, the Jersey breed is the second largest breed of dairy cattle in the world. On Jersey itself there are fewer than 6000 Jerseys in total with nearly 4000 of these being adult milking cows. The purity of the breed on the island is maintained by a strict ban on imports. This ban has been in place for some 150 years. There are no other breeds of the cattle on the island.

Jerseys are well known for their milk which is noted for its high quality - it is particularly rich in protein, minerals and trace elements. It is also rich in colour which is naturally produced from carotene, an extract from grasses. The Jerseys has an ability to adapt to many kinds of climates, environments and management practices.
Characteristics

It is typically light brown in colour, though this can range from being almost grey to dull black, which is known as Mulberry. They can also have white patches which may cover much of the animal. A true Jersey will however always have a black nose bordered by an almost white muzzle.

The Jersey hard black feet are much less prone to lameness.
The Jersey is relatively small in size - about 400 to 450kgs in weight and have a fine but strong frame.
Statistics

Jerseys produces a pound of milk components at a lower cost compared to the other major breeds.
She has little or no calving problems, greater fertility, a shorter calving interval, and earlier maturity.
Jerseys stay in the herd longer than any other dairy breed.
Jersey milk has greater nutritional value, plus the highest yield and greater efficiency when processed into cheese and other value-added products.
Jersey milk commands a premium price in many markets.
Jerseys perform well under a wide range of systems and are well-known for their high feed conversion efficiency
Jersey milk is in many ways unique. As a product it contains:- 18% more protein, 20% more calcium, 25% more butterfat than "average" milk.
Jerseys are well-known to be less susceptible to lameness because of their black hoof colour which makes their hooves very hard. Because Jerseys are a lighter breed this may also give them less problems with lameness.
Good Temperament is important in a dairy cow. In today's modern parlours rapid throughput is of top priority. An animal misbehaving by continually kicking, off the units will cause unwanted delays and even damage to the expensive equipment. Jerseys are thought to have the one of the best temperaments among, the dairy breeds, although a lot of this depends on the handling the animals receive.

23/12/2022

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our site is infront of Adama rail station
sellers contact us through inbox by sending us their heifers picture and selling amount

14/09/2022

Genetic Improvement
To make dairying profitable, Productivity (milk production per animal) needs to be increased. Productivity of dairy animals can be increased by:
Better feeding and management of the existing animals. However, by this, milk production cannot be increased beyond the animal’s genetic potential
Improving Genetic potential for milk production in future generation of animals by using animals with high genetic potential for milk production as parents
Selecting parents with high genetic potential is a highly complex and scientific process and requires collaborative efforts with farmers, breeding services providers, semen production centers and research institutes.
For a successful genetic improvement programme it is essential to
Identify and performance record of large number of animals of the selected breed in an area.
Identify best performing animals (Bulls and Cows/ buffaloes) for producing next generation of bulls and heifers – called “Selection”
Maximise use of these ''Selected" animals in breeding programme to produce all the replacement heifers – called “Multiplication”
Identification and Performance Recording
It is important to measure and record the relevant traits/ characters along with the pedigree details of large number of animals in an area. From this pool of recorded animals, best animals can be identified and selected.
Efforts are made to measure and record all traits, which affect milk production, milk quality and reproduction of animals such as milk volume, important milk components, body conformation, growth rates, age at first calving, fertility etc.
For maintaining complete records of individual animals in computerised data base for further analysis, it is necessary that each animal is identified with a 12-digit ear tag digit number which is unique to each animal in the country i.e., no other animal in the country will have the same number. Every service (AI, Treatment, Vaccination etc.) received by the animal needs to be recorded against this tag number. Official milk recorders visit farmer’s house at the time of milking on designated days and measure amount of milk produced by the identified animal. The milk recorder also takes a sample of the milk for testing of Fat per cent, Protein per cent, SNF per cent etc.
Data from across the country is collected through INAPH. This data is used for analysis of animal information. All these information is collected in INAPH and used for recording the individual animal wise information. INAPH also generates useful information for use of Managers of the services, AI Technicians and even farmers to help them take informed decisions.
Selection
The challenge is to accurately identify animals with higher genetic capacity to produce more and not just physical appearance. Selecting animals for traits which are expressed by them is easy – such as selecting cows/ buffaloes for milk production.
However, it is difficult to select animals for traits which they themselves do not express. For example selecting bulls for their milk production potential. For such traits, animals are selected based on the performance of their relatives which express that trait (Mother, Sisters or Daughters). Selection based on the performance of large number of daughters of the bull will be much more accurate than just based on mother’s, sisters’ or grand parents’ performance. Records of grand-parents, mother’s and sisters’ would additionally add to the accuracy of selection based on daughters’ record.
Multiplication
Multiplying Best Bull
Genetic contribution of a bull to next generation can be maximized through use of Artificial Insemination (AI). A good bull, if used in natural service can produce on an average around 450 - 500 calves in its life time (5 years) whereas, if we produce frozen semen doses from the bull and use in AI, it can produce approximately 45 – 50 thousand calves in its lifetime.
Multiplying best animals
For producing future bulls, we should only use the best few bulls of the selected lot on best performing cows/ buffaloes from the recorded population. However, care should be taken to avoid breeding of close relatives to avoid deleterious effects of inbreeding. The genetic merit of the bulls thus produced will improve over generations. The use of elite cows/ buffaloes can be intensified further through use of embryo transfer, which help to produce more number of calves from top cows/ buffaloes in a shorter period.
Breeds
Bull Production
Latest Sire Proofs
Breeding Policy
It is desirable that every state has a defined breeding policy based on geographical and climatic conditions of the state and distribution of different breeds in the state. Breeding policy is a guideline to indicate what breed and breed combination or exotic blood level would be most suitable in the given agro climatic condition of the state. It should be followed to get the optimum output from your animals and to conserve the native breed available in the state.

14/09/2022

1. Increase production and cow health through data and insights
Nedap’s SmartFlow milk meter is a powerful tool that collects accurate milk yield and flow data for each cow during every milking, providing valuable insight into her productivity and health. This allows you to make smart management decisions to reach the highest attainable condition and production of each cow and the entire herd.
2. Optimize cow comfort, udder health and milk quality
Due to the unique and completely free milk and air flow through the meter, no (teat-end) vacuum fluctuations or flow obstructions are caused. This way, the cow experiences the highest possible comfort during milking, her udder health remains optimal and the milk quality stays intact.
3. Milk faster and more efficient
A 100% free flow, even with fast milking cows, ensures the fastest possible milking process. For maximum efficiency, the MilkingControl solutions accurately monitor the milk flow and milking process to smartly automate cluster take-off, adaptive pulsation, stimulation and more.
4. Get insight at the blink of an eye. Have full control at the touch of a button
Through the InTouch and software, you get the insights needed at the blink of an eye and control vital milking and parlor processes at the touch of a button. This makes milking as easy, fast and enjoyable as possible.

14/09/2022

Healthier cows, better production
When your cows are healthy, so is your production. Not only can you save money by detecting and correcting mastitis issues sooner, your healthy cows can high milk yielding cows. Your farm can benefit in the following ways:
Increased production per cow
More milk in the tank
Higher premiums on your milk

14/09/2022

Accurately identifying individual-cow milk production and components can help you better understand the performance of your herd and identify opportunities to adjust management areas on your farm. Nedap understands farmers are faced with the struggle of mastitis incidences and continuously looking for ways to improve cow milk production. We want you to win at both.
Reduce impacts of mastitis
Mastitis costs the dairy industry nearly $2 billion annually. Roughly two-thirds of that cost is the result of reduced milk production in cows affected with subclinical mastitis. Reducing the incidence of mastitis and treating it sooner gives you the opportunity to save money with the following:
Avoiding discarded abnormal milk or milk withheld from treated cows
Having to replace affected cows early in lactation
Decreasing costs of drugs and veterinary services
Eliminating increased labor costs

13/09/2022

Transmission can occur by direct contact with tissues and fluids of infected animals, including ingestion of unpasteurized milk and dairy products from infected cows. Direct transmission of M. bovis from infected deer is important to consider because of possible exposure of hunters, trappers, taxidermists, processors, and wildlife biologists.

13/09/2022

live animal surveillance is undertaken using 4 diagnostic methods:
Clinical examination of animals
The TB skin test – herds and animals (except for direct export) are tested using the Single Intradermal Comparative Cervical Tuberculin (SICCT) test
Single Intradermal Tuberculin test – for export certification, the SICCT is carried out, but the avian response is ignored
Interferon Gamma testing (a blood test) where considered epidemiologically necessary, as a supplementary test to the SICCT
The TB Skin Test
The TB skin test is the common name for the Single Intradermal Comparative Cervical Tuberculin (SICCT) test. This skin test is regarded as the definitive indicator of infection by the bacterium that causes TB in cattle - Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). It is the required test in the EU and has proved to be a reliable tool worldwide. In Northern Ireland, all herds are tested annually, as a minimum requirement, but some are tested more frequently if they are considered at increased risk.
On Day 1 of the test, two sites are clipped on the neck of the animal. The skin thicknesses at both sites are measured and recorded. Two types of tuberculin, one made from killed M. bovis and the other from killed Mycobacterium avium, are injected under the outer layer of the skin of the neck (i.e. into the dermis) at the ‘bovine site’ and the ‘avian site’ respectively. On Day 4 of the test, the skin reactions to the two types of tuberculin are measured and compared. When the bovine site reaction exceeds the avian site reaction by more than 4 mm, the animal is declared a reactor under standard interpretation. When the bovine site reaction measures 1-4 mm more than the avian site reaction, the animal is declared an inconclusive under standard interpretation.
TB is a difficult disease to diagnose and no diagnostic test for it is perfect. The skin test may leave an infected animal behind or, more rarely, remove an animal that is not infected. However, the skin test is the best test available for screening live cattle.
Sensitivity is the ability of a test to correctly identify an infected animal as positive, i.e. the higher the sensitivity of the test, the lower the probability of incorrectly classifying an infected animal as uninfected (a false negative result).
Studies carried out in Great Britain have shown that skin test sensitivity lies between 52% and 100% with an average of about 80% sensitivity at standard interpretation¹ and slightly higher at severe interpretation. A Northern Ireland specific study published in 2019 by O’Hagan et al.² estimated the sensitivity of the skin test at standard interpretation to be approximately 88%, although there was some bias towards a cohort of younger animals in the data used for this study. Further work on quantifying sensitivity of the skin test is currently being undertaken here. In practical terms this means that approximately 20% of TB-infected cattle can be missed by one round of skin testing using standard interpretation. Repeating the skin test increases the likelihood of detecting the infected animals in a herd. This is why an infected herd usually requires at least two consecutive negative skin tests before restrictions are lifted and are subject to more frequent testing for up to a year post de-restriction. Using severe interpretation also increases the sensitivity of the skin test. Further information on skin test sensitivity can be found at the TBHub(external link opens in a new window / tab).
Specificity is the ability of a test to correctly identify an animal that is free from infection as negative, i.e. the higher the specificity, the lower the probability of classifying an uninfected animal as infected (a false positive result).
The skin test has an excellent test specificity of 99.98%. This means that it is very rare that a non-infected animal will be wrongly classified as diseased.
Isolation
Animals which have inconclusive or positive (reactor) results should be isolated from the rest of the herd. This decreases the risk of further transmission of infection from infected to non-infected cattle.
TB statuses that may be applied to cattle herds
OTF
OTF means Officially Tuberculosis Free and is used in EU legislation (Directive 64/432) to describe those cattle herds that may undertake intra-community trade. A herd is OTF if:
all animals undergo a TB test with negative results annually, and,
there are no clinical signs or suspicion of TB infection in the herd.
OTS
OTS means Officially Tuberculosis free status Suspended. The main reasons for OTS are:
there is a total of 1 reactor or 1-5 LRS (Lesion at Routine Slaughter) animals during the course of the breakdown, and, no animal has had 2 positive results from the four possible tests: skin, post mortem, histology, and bacteriology
or
there is an animal with an IC (inconclusive) result at an OTF skin test
or
an animal from your herd has been found to be a reactor/LRS in another herd and your herd has been set a Backward Check Test (BCT)
or
testing is overdue (see Overdue TB Tests section).
OTW
OTW means Officially Tuberculosis free status Withdrawn. The main reasons for OTW are:
there is a total of more than 1 reactor or more than 5 LRSs during the course of a TB breakdown, or
any animal has had 2 positive results from the four possible tests (skin, post mortem, histology and bacteriology), or
any animal has had a bacteriology positive result for M. bovis, or
an animal shows clinical signs of TB, or
an animal from your herd has been found to be a reactor/LRS in another herd and your herd has been set an RHT or RH1 herd test, or
testing is overdue (see Overdue TB Tests section).

13/09/2022

Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of cattle. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) which can also infect and cause disease in many other mammals including humans, deer, goats, pigs, cats, dogs and badgers. In cattle, it is mainly a respiratory disease but clinical signs are rare. TB in humans can be caused by both Mycobacterium bovis and the human form, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

13/09/2022

7. Frequent meals
A large, single meal is a sure way to induce acidosis in high-yielding dairy cows. The rumen expects a daylong, gradual introduction of material to function properly. Breaking meals down into more portions, offered especially during the cooler hours of the day, will help the rumen retain its health and functionality, always with the additional help of the above measures. Again, offering too many meals may be impractical, but it is preferable to the alternative: a non-producing cow.

13/09/2022

6. Pelleted ingredients
Some feedstuffs come pelleted – sugar beet pulp and rapeseed meal are two that come easily to mind. If acidosis is a problem, it would be wise to avoid grinding them down before incorporating into rations. Perhaps this will cause a bit of a mechanical/distribution problem for large dairy farms, but letting cows do the grinding themselves (chew them down to size) will work as with long-stemmed roughage: more saliva equals more bicarbonate in the rumen.

13/09/2022

5. Grain particle size
Finely ground grains are required for non-ruminant animals (pigs and poultry) to improve feed efficiency. The same can be said for ruminants, as finely ground grains can rapidly escape the rumen and reach the real stomach, providing more readily available energy and proteins. But this also creates a target for bacteria in the rumen, leading eventually to acidosis and bloating. Thus, there needs to be a balance between how finely we grind grains and the risk of metabolic disorders.

13/09/2022

4. Roughage stem length
Cows that graze chop long swaths of grass and gulp them down without any chewing. They leave this job for when they rest, during which time they “ruminate.” That is, they bring up from the rumen a bolus of roughage and chew it. During this time, they produce saliva, which includes a lot of natural bicarbonate that helps reduce rumen acidity. If we provide stabled dairy cows with finely chopped roughage material (because it is easier to mechanize its distribution), we disrupt this natural process, and then we have to add chemicals to bring rumen pH back to normal. Thus, long roughage is a natural way for the animal to avoid metabolic rumen distress problems.

13/09/2022

3. Yeast
Whether dead or alive or fragmented, a small amount of yeast can help ruminants sustain a healthier rumen ecology, meaning a more robust fybrolytic bacterial population that is not easily affected by a high-grain diet. Again, the exact mechanism of how yeast helps the animal is unknown, but the general consensus is that it helps to some degree.

13/09/2022

2. Magnesium oxide
This is a direct antacid that rapidly increases alkalinity and prevents acidosis. Its problem is that it can be too effective, risking alkalosis – the opposite of acidosis – with its own problems. Thus, this too has limits on how much can be included in a dairy ration. In fact, it is a blend of sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide that is used most often

13/09/2022

1. Sodium bicarbonate
Adding some sodium carbonate (an alkali, or anti-acidic compound) that, when in water solution – in the rumen – releases hydroxide anions that neutralize hydrogen cations, brings rumen acidity (pH) closer to neutral (7). There are two problems with this approach: First, adding too much sodium carbonate adds too much sodium in the diet and nothing in excess is a good thing; second, too much carbonate can cause excessive bloating (the soda effect in soft drinks.) Thus, there is a limit to how much of this ingredient can be added. The same is true for potassium bicarbonate, which is not so widely used.

13/09/2022

How to help high-yielding cows from suffering when fed high-grain diets.
One of the most persistent concerns in the minds of all dairy farmers is the issue of acidosis and bloating.
All ruminant animals fed with a high level of grains are susceptible to these metabolic conditions. Indeed, young beef cattle raised intensively, reaching exceptional weights at very young ages, suffer as frequently as high-yielding dairy cows from these same disorders.
The rumen in cattle is organized to transform roughage (high-fiber) material, of naturally low nutritive value, into high-value products, namely volatile fatty acids (energy) and microbial mass (proteins and vitamins). This is how, in nature, ruminant animals can cope even in arid areas with scarce or no lush vegetation. But, in intensive farming systems, we must load the rumen with more readily available forms of energy (cereals) and proteins (such as soybean meal) in order to derive the high milk yields we need to remain profitable in a low-margin industry.
Naturally, when grains prevail over roughages in the rumen, microbes that degrade fiber tend to die out in favor of others that thrive on starch and proteins. These different microbes, when they reach an excessive level, induce so much acidity that they make the rumen hostile to further microbial growth, especially for fibrolytic strains. That is, in very general terms, what we call acidosis, which leads to rumen shutdown and a host of other problems that can include even pathological symptoms.
And, on top of that, these bacteria that utilize grains so well produce too many gases, exceeding the animal’s capacity of getting rid of them. As such, the gases accumulate and cause bloating that is a very visible distress symptom that needs immediate attention as it can threaten the life of the animal. Other conditions, and even some specific roughages, contribute to bloating, but here we examine the role of high-grain diets into the combined problem of acidosis and bloating.
What can be done to prevent these two symptoms? Here, we need to discuss the issue of prevention, not only because it is preferable to a cure, but because the latter often requires the collaboration of a veterinarian, and as such it is a totally different discussion. The following seven steps can prevent or reduce the incidences of acidosis and/or bloating, at least in some degree, because we cannot cheat nature for too long.

13/07/2022

Cow-calf operation sustainability involves the efficient use of resources on-farm to improve herd profitability and farm productivity now and for future generations. For operations with less than fifty head of cattle, it is especially important to focus on herd processes that improve time and resource management. The following are key management practices you can implement to improve herd sustainability.
Keep Cattle Healthy
A good herd health program is essential to any farm management operation. Many producers think about vaccinations, deworming, or other treatment strategies when developing a plan. Yet practices that decrease handling and environmental stresses on the herd can influence health, as well. You need a veterinarian who can work closely with you to best meet the requirements of the herd and ensure that all herd health practices occur at the proper time.
Maintain Accurate Records
Animal identification is especially important for evaluating herd inventory, maintaining biosecurity, and tracking the performance of animals in the herd. Individual identification records should include a calf’s place of origin, date of birth, and health care records indicating vaccinations and other treatments given.
Numerous record-keeping resources are available. Among these are the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Integrated Resource Management Redbook, online software, and mobile applications. Many resources include features that allow users to add photos and detailed information regarding the herd for quick reference. These tools help producers to keep track of pregnancy data, calving data, dam information such as calving interval and calf weaning weight, sire information, and pasture usage. See Alabama Extension publication “Beef Cattle Record Keeping Basics” (ANR-2488) for more information on beef cattle record keeping.
Define a Calving Season
A controlled calving season can save time, labor, and resources for a small cattle producer (table 1). Managing the cow herd to calve in 90 days or less can help with the following:
Forages. Calving can be timed to optimize forage availability and nutritive value.
Nutrition. A more targeted feeding program can be established since animals are in the same stage of production (pregnant, lactating, etc.).
Record keeping. Cow records can be used more efficiently to select replacement heifers and to cull cows.
Health maintenance. Cattle require less handling for vaccinations and other health-related activities.
Marketing. The calf crop is more uniform at the time of marketing because calves are closer in age and stage of growth.
Implement Crossbreeding
Crossbreeding can improve production efficiency by increasing hybrid vigor (heterosis). Hybrid vigor is the increase in production traits, such as growth, fertility, and longevity, that occurs from breeding genetically different animals of separate breeds. Crossbreeding allows a cattle producer to blend complementary strengths and superior traits, including carcass characteristics, growth rates, and reproductive performance, to produce calves that can perform at a higher level than the parental breeds.
To have a defined direction in the development of a crossbreeding system, consider the operational environment, resources, marketability and marketing plan, complementary strengths, and availability of breeds. Set goals will guide which breeds to apply in your crossbreeding system. Breeds selected should complement each other’s strengths and be implemented to produce uniform feeder calves. Consider production traits such as calving ease, weaning and yearling weight growth, milking ability, and carcass qualities in the selection of breeds to apply in a crossbreeding system.
Consider Growth-Promoting Implants
Implants can complement other good management practices such as crossbreeding, adequate nutrition, castration, and vaccinations to improve gains in growing beef calves. Implants are small pellets containing slow-release hormones that increase muscle growth over time. They are inserted into the ear of a calf. Steer calves and heifers to be sold to the feedlot should be implanted; replacement heifers should not receive growth-promoting implants. See Alabama Extension publication “Alabama Beef Quality Assurance: Implanting Cattle Properly” (ANR-1281) for more information on implanting beef calves.
Castrate Bull Calves
Buyers of feeder cattle prefer castrated steers over intact bull calves. Bull calves that are not intended for breeding purposes should be castrated before the age of 3 months or at the first available handling opportunity beyond this age. Calves castrated at a younger age recover more quickly, and the procedure is easier to perform. Cattle buyers often prefer calves that have been surgically castrated. Alternatively, calves can be castrated using an elastrator.
Dehorn Calves
Dehorning is a cost-effective practice that can add value to feeder cattle and reduce the risk of injury to those handling cattle. Calves should be dehorned at the earliest age that is practical. Young calves tend to recover more quickly and have fewer complications than those dehorned at an older age. It is important to properly restrain calves before dehorning.