Term
| 1) Describe the steps necessary to insure good nutrition for calves. |
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Definition
- 1st 12 hrs of life, should have all colostrum they can consume
- after 12 hrs, the calves’ ability to absorb antibody from colostrum diminishes rapidly , overfeeding can cause digestive upset/diarrhea
- young calves 10% of body wt daily of whole milk equivalent
- beef calves different - customary to leave w/ dams to nurse
- high quality milk replacers – ones w/ milk by-products as the protein source rather than vegetable sources such as soybean oil meal
- at 1 wk, start eating a little grain/hay should be early cut and high quality hay
- gradually increase to major part of diet at end of a month
- amt of milk fed reduced
- can usually wean from milk at 4 – 6 wks
- important to keep calves growing and gaining wt steadily |
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Term
| 2) What is colostrum, what is its role in good nutrition, and why should it never be wasted? |
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Definition
- antibody rich 1st milk
- can be diluted 50% w/ water and fed to other calves or stored
- can be frozen and kept indefinitely
- stored at room temp and fed as sour or “pickled” colostrum for 3 wks |
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Term
| 3) What is the role of milk replacers in insuring the health of calves? |
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Definition
- advantageous for economic reasons
- vary widely in price/quality
- need high quality milk replacers – ones w/ milk by-products as the protein source rather than vegetable sources such as soybean oil meal
- quality of protein as important as the amt |
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Term
| 4) And, of course, the obvious question, what is the role of good sanitation in insuring the health of calves? |
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Definition
- pails/feeders should be scrubbed/sanitized after each use
- milk left at room temp becomes bacteria culture in a few hrs, calves can get sick |
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Term
| 5) Describe the principles of “balancing the ration” outlined in the text. |
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Definition
| to ensure they get the right proportions of nutrients |
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Term
| 6) Describe the important mineral components of an all-hay diet for cattle. |
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Definition
Calcium – function – skeletal growth and milk production, muscle quiescence
phosphorus – function – energy metabolism, skeletal growth, milk production |
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Term
| How much water should the average cow drink daily? |
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Definition
| approx. 30 gallons (120 liters) of water daily |
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Term
| 7) Describe the process of digestion in cattle outlined in the text. Pay attention to the processes of rumination and the cud, described it the text. |
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Definition
- stomach divided into 4 compartments, rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum
- rumen – lg fermentation vat where action of bacteria and other microorganisms begins the dig process by converting fiber into usuable energy forms
- most absorption of nutrients takes place farther along digestive tract
- the capacity to utilize fiber makes ruminants unique
- doesn’t chew much before swallowing is why swallows foreign objects like wire
- ingest feed in rumen churned by rhythmic contractions 2 – 4 x min
- rumination – regurgitates part of rumen contents, chews it, swallows again, after swallows goes into reticulum
- cud – regurgitated ingesta
- from reticulum passes to omasum, then abomasum, then intestinal tract similar to simple-stomached animals |
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Term
| 8) What is the relationship between rumination and health? |
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Definition
- normal rumination good indicator of health
- rumination absent in dzs like traumatic gastritis, milk fever, and most digestive disorders
- rumen activity may be greater than normal in some dzs causing diarrhea
- needs daily additive of nutrients to rumen to keep balance between bacterial spp
- restoration of normal rumen activity important in restoring health |
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Term
| 9) What are the two biological systems that are responsible for the nutrition of the cow? |
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Definition
- microorganisms in the rumen – feed must be conducive to proper microbiological metabolism
- the animal itself – end product must meet the nutrient needs of the animal
- digestion dependent on rumen microorganisms so their activity must be first concern
- abrupt diet changes detrimental |
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Term
| 10) What are the important vitamins and minerals in a bovine diet? |
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Definition
Energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus
fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E
A most important
D – calcium metabolism, sometimes used before calving to help prevent milk fever
E (w/ selenium) – muscle metabolism. Deficiency of either can lead to white muscle dz in calves/lambs on all milk diets |
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Term
| 11) How is the digestive system of a horse similar and dissimilar from that of a true ruminant? |
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Definition
- horse simple stomach comparable to 4th compartment of cow’s stomach
- horse limited capacity, cannot handle volume like cow
- horse can survive on hay alone but volume req’d freq results in “hay belly”
- horse doing heavy work needs most of energy needs from concentrates |
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Term
| 12) What are the best grains to feed horses? Why are grains desirable to help meet the nutritional needs of horses? |
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Definition
- variety of grains can be used
- oats higher in fiber and lower in energy than corn/wheat and can be fed more safely
- horse protein requirement less critical than dairy cow or dairy goat
- protein 8 – 10% of total ration maint
- higher preg/lactation/growing, up to 14 – 18% weanlings |
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Term
| 13) Describe the guidelines outlined in the text on the amount or quantity of feed that should be fed to horses. |
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Definition
maint 1.5 – 1.75 lbs hay per 100 lb wt
light work ¾ - 1.5 lb grain per hr of work
healvy work 8 lbs grain per hr work
adv preg/lac add’l 1.5 – 1.75 lbs grain per 100 lbs |
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Term
| Outline the basic principles of feeding swine described in the text. |
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Definition
- pigs have limited capacity for roughage
total fiber for young pigs should not exceed 7%
sows can increase to 15% to jeep from getting too fat and reduce risk of constipation in farrowing crates
75 – 80% energy and 16% protein (higher for young pigs) needs means most of diet must be grain
corn good for “finishing” but corn for most of diet during lifetime causes dz. Corn deficient in amino acids lysine and tryptophan, as well as calcium and totoal protein. w/o sup, pigs on corn diet will be stunted and skeletal dz probs such as osteodystrophy |
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Term
| Why are formula feed most desirable for feeding swine? |
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Definition
| have proper percentages for growth |
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Term
| ) What are the health problems that may result from improper feeding of swine? |
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Definition
corn for most of diet during lifetime causes dz. Corn deficient in amino acids lysine and tryptophan, as well as calcium and totoal protein. w/o sup, pigs on corn diet will be stunted and skeletal dz probs such as osteodystrophy
- pigs very sensitive to toxins that molds produce
baby pigs iron-deficiency anemia because are born w/ low reserves and sows milk low in iron. feeding iron to sow no benefit. prevent by chunks of sod in pen or swab udder of sow with ferrous sulfate soln or IM inj of iron dextran at 2 – 3 days old |
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Term
| Is the use of dairy rations acceptable to feed to swine? What problems might feeding dairy rations cause in swine? |
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Definition
| - many formula dairy feeds contain urea which the cow’s rumen bacteria can convert to protein components. Pigs can’t do this and protein deficiency may result (ex: 16% protein dairy ration contains 3% protein equivalent from nonprotein nitrogen sources (NPN) means feed actually contains only 13% natural protein |
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Term
| Describe the guidelines outlined in the text for feeding sheep and goats. Why do you think sheep and goats were lumped together? |
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Definition
anatomically and physiologically as far as diet goes goats and sheep are essentially the same for proportional body wt
goats are browsers and can consume more foliage than cow/sheep for its size
thus goats can survive and produce milk on marginal pastures where a cow would starve
milking doe should get ½ lb of dairy ration daily for each quart of milk produced in addition to free choice pasture/hay
finicky eater, leave 10 – 15% of foliage offered, don’t take this as sign of overfeeding
- Sheep – needs same as cow in proportion to body wt except that cattle have 2x the copper requirement so feeding cattle grain rather than sheep grain may result in copper toxicity
- sheep have low unit value and low profit margin so commercially this causes problems when farmers try to save on feed |
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Term
| Why are sheep fairly cheap and economical to feed? |
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Definition
| good pasture or hay supplemented w/ some grain during advanced pregnancy is usually sufficient |
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Term
| What feeding practices may result in pregnancy disease or ketosis in sheep? |
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Definition
| not feeding enough to replace the energy lost through high milk production |
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Term
| Why should sheep and goats be supplemented with loose salt rather than salt blocks like cattle? |
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Definition
more inclined to bite a block and may break their teeth
also usually need addl calcium/phos so best to provide all 3 by feeding a mixture |
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Term
| Why is the statement that “good nutrition is fundamental to good health” especially true with cattle sheep and goats? |
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Definition
| deficiency dzs are often insidious and slow in onset and response to correction of a deficiency not dramatic. Dx often difficult |
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Term
| Describe the types of special housing are required for dairy cattle. What special hosing arrangements and facilities must be met to comply with the criteria for sanitation and milk safety? |
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Definition
- barns must be of impervious material and kept clean, concrete is really only choice
floors often smooth or become smooth – dangerous for cows |
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Term
| Why is good ventilation very important to cattle housed in barns? |
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Definition
| - inadequate ventilation leads to high humidity, condensation on walls/ceiling and accumulation of stale air – an ideal environment for pneumonia |
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Term
| Why are free-stall barns becoming more and more common? |
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Definition
- cows get some exercise, fewer falls, drafts not a problem because cows can move
- improved repro performance because more pronounced signs of estrus are easier to detect
- greenhouse type barns becoming more popular – economical, flexible, sunshine |
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Term
| What specific precautions should be taken to help prevent teat injuries to dairy cattle? Why might teat injuries be a cause of serious economic concern to a dairy farmer? |
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Definition
- step on others or own teats esp if too close together
- less common in free-stall barns
injuries ranges from bruising to amputation
makes milking difficult/impossible,. can lead to mastitis |
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Term
| What is the rationale behind pen rotation described in the text? |
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Definition
| vacate, clean/disinfect pref w/ steam and leave vacant for 6 – 8 wks, pathogens will die and it can be used again |
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Term
| Why is proper housing very important for dairy calves? |
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Definition
- vulnerable to infectious dz
- should be kept isolated from one another and other animals
adds to housing costs and labor but compromises have been developed
- system of having a pen in the barn with loose calves, adding new ones as born leads to dz in subsequent years of calves and has fallen out of favor
- now use pens in rotation (vacate, clean/disinfect pref w/ steam and leave vacant for 6 – 8 wks, pathogens will die and it can be used again
- elevated calf stall – keep tied until weaned. often built on skids so unit can be taken outside for cleaning and left in the sunlight to kill any pathogenic organisms
Define a “calf hutch”, and describe its purpose? |
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Term
| Define a “calf hutch”, and describe its purpose? |
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Definition
| - calf hutch – best for disease control – sm open shed w/ sm exercise area for one calf. provide isolation, ventilation and sunlight and can be moved to clean ground between calves to minimize pathogen buildup |
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Term
| What are the specific advantages of having cows calve in maternity pens? |
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Definition
cows can move at will
must be easily cleaned and disinfected |
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Term
| Why is it important to check and maintain electrical systems in barns and around cattle in general? (Hint: Calves love to chew on all wires. This is why you never let them close to the tractor.) |
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Definition
- stray voltage common problem with milking machine pumps/water pumps,
- cows love to chew on everything |
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Term
| What can be done to insure good foot traction for cattle in barns and milking areas? |
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Definition
- calcite excellent traction but particles are sharp and can cause lameness
- ground limestone is better than crushed limeston (calcite) but slippery when wet
nothing better than sand or gravel
wood shavings or sawdust help keep floor dry |
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Term
| Define the term “farrowing house”? |
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Definition
| specialized bldg. used for farrowing only |
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Term
| How should a farrowing house be designed? |
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Definition
- good sanitation, ventilation and environmental temperature control
often have liquid manure handling, forced ventilation, andauto feeders, electric heat, good dz control |
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Term
| Why are meticulous sanitation measures essential for any confined pig operation? |
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Definition
numbers of pigs together and high volume operations
important to prevent the spread of infxn |
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Term
| What is the best ambient temperature for baby pigs for the first two or three days of their life? |
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Definition
85 – 90 degrees at floor level
ideal way to warm is by hotwater pipes or hot-air ducts buried in concrete |
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Term
| How should piglets be protected from their mother? |
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Definition
- rail around inside of pen 6” from wall and 8” above floor
- farrowing crate |
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Term
| What advantages do slotted floors and liquid manure handling systems offer over other systems or no system at all? |
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Definition
| - eliminates need for manure removal in pens, reducing the labor requirements but means of ventilating manure put should be provided as highly explosive methane gas is produced as manure decomposes |
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Term
| When should piglets be weaned and moved to a separate area? |
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Definition
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Term
| What causes “spraddle-legged” in pigs and how can it be avoided? |
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Definition
| very smooth slippery floors. once over the concrete with a wooden float is right amt or can use bedding |
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Term
| ) Why might it be advantageous to have barns for dairy goats as opposed to free ranging? |
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Definition
| they produce more milk and are easier to milk |
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Term
| ) Describe the special precautions and housing arrangements should be taken with lambing ewes. Why do you need to watch these guys like a hawk, day and night? |
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Definition
often require assistance for birth
- lambs wet and often weak when born, need supp heat |
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