Animal, Plant & Soil Science

Lesson C7-3The Dairy Industry

Interest Approach Have students name as many external

parts of a cow as they can. Write all the answers on an overhead or marker board. Try to get both technical and nontechnical terminology. When students can come up with no further parts, pass out LS–A so that they can follow along while discussing the external parts of a dairy cow.

Interest Approach Another approach is to encourage

students to think of as many dairy products as they can, including food products that have milk proteins. List them on an overhead or marker board. Once students have a solid list, present some odd dairy products to further the discussion. Find food products that contain milk proteins and discuss the advancement of dairy and dairy products.

Objectives Define terms used to describe dairy

animals, and identify the parts of a dairy animal.

Compare and contrast the major breeds of dairy cattle.

Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of dairy production.

Objectives Determine the facility and equipment

needs in dairy production. Identify the leading states and

nations in dairy production and determine major export and import markets for the United States.

Examine the impact of the dairy industry on the U.S. and Illinois economies.

Objectives Identify common diseases and

disorders that affect dairy cattle and determine appropriate prevention and treatment methods.

Demonstrate the ability to complete the California Mastitis Test.

Terms bovines bull butterfat calf California Mastitis

Test cold housing

concentrates cow gestation heifer herd mammary system mastitis

Terms metabolic disorder parturition reproductive system steer testes warm housing

What are the proper terms used in describing dairy cattle, and what are the parts of a dairy animal?

Knowing basic dairy cattle terminology is important.

A. The following are common names and terms used in describing dairy cattle. 1. Cattle are bovines, which are members of

the genus Bos. 2. A mature male is a bull. 3. A mature female is a cow. 4. A young male is a bull. 5. A young female is a heifer. 6. A castrated male is a steer. 7. A newborn is a calf. 8. A group of cattle is a herd.

What are the proper terms used in describing dairy cattle, and what are the parts of a dairy animal?

B. Dairy cattle have many external parts that we need to identify to judge them and to describe any problems the animals may have.

What are the proper terms used in describing dairy cattle, and what are the parts of a dairy animal?

C. Since dairy cattle are used mainly for milk production, the reproductive system and mammary system comprise the most important internal parts.

1. The reproductive system is the system that reproduces cattle by natural, in vitro, or various artificial means of insemination.

2. The mammary system is the system that produces milk after parturition.

What are the proper terms used in describing dairy cattle, and what are the parts of a dairy animal?

What are the major dairy cattle breeds?

Seven major breeds of dairy cattle are used for milking.

Each breed has advantages and disadvantages.

A. Holstein cattle are the most popular breed of dairy cattle. This breed makes up more than 90 percent of the dairy

cattle in the United States. The name Holstein is shortened from Holstein-Friesian. The breed came from The Netherlands in the early

1600s. The animals are black and white and very large.

What are the major dairy cattle breeds?

The cows can weigh up to 1,500 pounds, and the bulls up to 2,200 pounds.

The biggest advantage of Holsteins is that, in comparison to other breeds, they produce the largest average amount of milk per cow.

The disadvantage is that although they produce more milk, it is lower in butterfat and protein.

Butterfat is the fat content of the milk.

What are the major dairy cattle breeds?

D. Brown Swiss dairy cattle originated in the Alps of Switzerland and were introduced to North America in 1869. In comparison to Holsteins,

Brown Swiss cattle have a higher fat and protein ratio and a calmer disposition.

The Brown Swiss is solid brown, varying greatly from very light to dark.

Both the nose and the tongue are black, and the muzzle has a light-colored band around it.

What are the major dairy cattle breeds? E. Guernsey dairy cattle originated on the

island of Guernsey and were brought to North America in 1831. Their color is mostly fawn, with

clearly defined white markings. Guernsey cattle usually have

smaller calves than other breeds. They are most commonly known for their milk

color, which is more golden than that of other breeds.

The popularity of Guernseys has declined, although they are small, quiet cattle that are very easy to work with.

What are the major dairy cattle breeds? F. Jersey cattle originated on the island of

Jersey and were brought to North America in 1850. They vary greatly in color and

color patterns, which may be fawn, near white, or grayish and may or may not include white markings.

The breed is especially known for its udder qualities: well shaped with strong attachments.

Although the amount of milk is lower in Jersey cattle than other breeds, the butterfat and protein content is the highest.

The popularity of this small breed has increased in the last few years.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dairy production?

A. The advantages of raising dairy cattle are: 1. The raising of dairy cattle has proven to be a

stable agricultural enterprise for many years. 2. Dairy production leads to a reasonable profit

and allows for long-term financial growth. 3. . Dairy animals react and

bond to kindness. 5. The dairy industry provides

wholesome milk and other dairy foods and products to consumers.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dairy production?

B. The disadvantages of raising dairy cattle are: 1. Cows must be milked twice

a day. 2. A huge capital investment is

needed. 3. Dairy cattle cannot get an adequate supply

of nutrients from roughages alone. Their rations must include concentrates. Concentrates are feeds, such as grains or protein

supplements, that allow the diet to be high-energy based.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dairy production?

4. Lactation requires large amounts of nutrients.

What facilities and equipment are required in dairy production?

C. Dairy calves do not normally nurse their mothers. Commonly, calves are

removed from their mothers and fed milk replacer up to eight weeks of age.

Calves are housed in calf hutches.

These hutches usually have one open side and provide a healthy environment for the babies.

What facilities and equipment are required in dairy production?

D. Milking parlors have become more and more common in the United States. A milking parlor speeds up the milking process,

reduces labor, and increases cleanliness.

What are common diseases and disorders that affect dairy cattle, and what are appropriate prevention and treatment methods?

Good management systems, nutrition, and prevention programs can control these.

A metabolic disorder is a disease resulting in the inability of an animal to make proper use of nutrients.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the udder. Signs include fever, depression,

decreased milk production, abnormal milk, hardening or sensitivity of the udder, and loss of appetite

What are the leading states and nations in dairy production, and what are the major export and import markets for the United States?

Statistics show the leading states and nations in dairy production and the major export and import markets for the United States.

A. The leading dairy-producing states, based on dairy cash receipts for 2006, are the following: (1) California, (2) Wisconsin, (3) New York, (4) Pennsylvania, (5) Idaho, (6) Minnesota, (7) Texas, (8) Michigan, (9) New Mexico, (10) Washington. Illinois ranks 20th.

What are the leading states and nations in dairy production, and what are the major export and import markets for the United States?

B. The top 10 fluid-milk-producing nations are the following: (1) European Union, (2) United States, (3) India, (4) Russia, (5) Brazil, (6) China, (7) New Zealand, (8) Ukraine, (9) Australia, (10) Mexico.

What are the leading states and nations in dairy production, and what are the major export and import markets for the United States?

C. The top exporters of cheese are the following: (1) European Union, (2) New Zealand, (3) Australia.

D. The top exporters of butter are the following: (1) European Union, (2) New Zealand, (3) Australia.

E. The top exporters of nonfat dry milk are the following: (1) European Union, (2) United States, (3) New Zealand.

F. The top exporters of whole milk powder are the following: (1) New Zealand, (2) European Union, (3) Australia.

What are the leading states and nations in dairy production, and what are the major export and import markets for the United States?

G. The United States exports many dairy products. Some of the different types are

cheese, lactose, whey, ice cream, infant formula, fluid milk and cream, and milk powders.

Our main exports are to Mexico, China, Japan, Southeastern Asia, and Canada.

Other markets include Korea, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and South America.

How does the dairy industry affect the U.S. and Illinois U.S. economies?

B. Large dairy farms are located all over the country. More are striking roots in the

Midwest, where grain is readily available.

Large operations have significant cost advantages over smaller operations.

The major cost advantage is their ability to clinch overhead costs.

Large farms can use capital and labor far more intensively than smaller operations.

What are common diseases and disorders that affect dairy cattle, and what are appropriate prevention and treatment methods?

B. Bloat is a disorder that causes discomfort to cattle and could lead to death. Bloating is the swelling of an animal’s

left side. This could cause pressure on the

diaphragm and lungs, resulting in breathing trouble.

There is no exact cause of bloating. Alfalfa hay, high levels of concentrate feeds, and high

levels of legume pastures have been shown to create bloating symptoms.

A veterinarian should be consulted regarding treatment. To prevent bloating, feed dry forages before allowing

grazing on legume pastures, keep salt and water available, and avoid a rapid fill to cattle stomachs when they are empty.

What is the California Mastitis Test, and how is the test performed and scored?

The California Mastitis Test (CMT) is a simple test used to detect mastitis in its early stages.

A positive test result allows the producer to start treating an animal immediately.

A. Needed for the test are a CMT paddle and CMT solution.

Review What are the proper terms used in

describing dairy cattle, and what are the parts of a dairy animal?

What are the major dairy cattle breeds? What are the advantages and

disadvantages of dairy production?

Review What facilities and equipment are required

in dairy production? What are the leading states and nations in

dairy production, and what are the major export and import markets for the United States?

How does the dairy industry affect the U.S. and Illinois U.S. economies?

Review What are common diseases and disorders

that affect dairy cattle, and what are appropriate prevention and treatment methods?

What is the California Mastitis Test, and how is the test performed and scored?