Sequence of Major Events : Dairy Cattle

1
Sequence of Major Events Dairy Cattle
Reproductive Cycle
Calving
Calving
283 d
82 d
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--------------
Pregnant
Not Pregnant
Lactation Cycle
Calving
305 d lactation
Calving
60 d Dry
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---------------
120
Milk lb/day
Lactation Curve
90
60
30
60
90
305
Dry
Days Postpartum
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Sequence of Reproductive Events in Dairy Cattle
1st Parturition - 1100 - 1150 lb
90 lb birth
lt------
800 lbs Conception
24
lt-----
lt---
1.5
3
6
15
9
12
Weaning
Puberty (550 - 600 lb)
lt---Months---gt
Sequence to reach calving at 24 months
3
Parturition

• Relaxin causes relaxation of ligaments in pelvic
  region
• Cervix relaxes from tightly closed state during
  pregnancy
• Expulsion of fetus through vaginal passage

4
Calving Environment

• Clean, dry area
• Pasture environment, if applicable
• Close to center of activity to allow for
  observation
• Ability to milk a cow in calving area
• Method for lifting animal up

5
Dystocia

• Difficulty in calving
• Incidence is influenced by birth weight of
  calves, proper presentation of calf, sire of calf
• Affects risk of calf mortality
• Incidence in heifers calving for the first time
  is 8-9 for Holsteins
• Use of calving ease sires can reduce incidence in
  heifers

6
Postpartum Care of the Calf

• Ensure the calf is breathing
• Disinfect the navel with 7 iodine
• Identify the calf (ear tag, tattoo, other)
• Remove calf from cow
• Minimizes risk of disease transfer
• Decreases calf mortality and morbidity

7
COLOSTRUM

• First milk secretion produced by cow at calving
• colostrum for 1 d after calving
• transition milk at 2-3 d after calving

High in antibodies that protect young from
invading microorganisms
8
Postpartum care of calf II

• Provide injections of vitamins as needed
• Feed Colostrum
• 2-3 quarts within 30 min 1 h after birth
• Another 2-3 quarts within first 12 h of life

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Colostrum and milk compositionHolstein
Item 1st milking 2nd milking Milk
Total solids 23.9 17.9 12.9
Fat 6.7 5.4 3.7
Casein 4.8 4.3 3.8
Lactose 2.7 3.9 5.0
Minerals 1.1 1.0 0.7
Immunoglobulins 6.0 4.2 0.09
Vitamin A 295 190 34
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IMMUNOGLOBULIN ABSORPTION
Blood
Vessel
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-----------------------------
----
----
----
----
Gastro Intestinal Tract at Birth
----
----
----
----

Blood Vessel
------------ -- -----------
--------------- ------------ ----------
-------------
Gastro Intestinal Tract at 24 hours After
Birth
-------------- -----------
--------------- -------------- -------
----------- ------
Globulin cannot pass through the intestinal wall
unchanged
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Colostrum Source

• Older Cows
• First Lactation 5.9 Antibodies
• Third Lactation 8.2 Antibodies
• Vaccinated Cows
• Healthy Cows
• Johnes Free
• Bovine Leukosis Virus - Free

12
Feeding Calves

• Waste Milk vs. Milk Replacer
• 8 to 10 of body weight
• Depends on housing

13
Feeding calves

• Offer Quality Starter starting lt 2 wks of age
• Stimulate Rumen Development
• Offer Water
• Typically will not feed hay or silage until after
  weaning if complete starter is used

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Development of the bovine stomachs
Birth 3-6 mos Maturity
Rumen 25 65 80
Reticulum 5 5 5
Omasum 10 10 7-8
Abomasum 60 20 7-8
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Other management practices

• Dehorn
• Remove extra teats
• Additional Identification
• Written file with ID number, DOB, sire, dam,
  condition at birth
• Vaccinations

16
Calf Housing

• Individual Housing
• Hutches
• Cold Confinement
• Warm barns
• Draft Free
• Proper Ventilation
• Dry Bedding

17
Immunity to disease

• Natural at birth
• Inherited species, racial/group, individual
• Acquired in vitro
• Acquired
• Natural, disease
• Artificial
• Active vaccine
• Passive - colostrum

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Calfhood diseases

• Scours
• Characteristics
• Causes
• Bacteria - infectious
• Nutrition - noninfectious
• Respiratory diseases
• Pneumonia
• Lung damage, death