1. Dairy cattle husbandry training module
Adapted from “Guide for the care and use of agricultural animals in agricultural research and teaching”; Federation of Animal Science Societies; 1st revised edition, January 1999
NDSU-IACUC

2. Facilities and environment
Dry area for loafing
Adequate thermal comfort, physical comfort, disease control, freedom from fear
Affect of heat and cold stress on lactation
Calves
outdoor hutches, bedded pens, elevated stalls
dry, draft free, clean and dry
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3. Facilities and environment
Fenced pastures, corrals, exercise yards with shelters, insulated and ventilated barns
Outdoor exposure and exercise where appropriate
Dry, non-slip substrate (dirt, rough concrete)
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4. Facilities and environment
Area
individual stalls (length of the animal), stanchions, tie stalls, free stalls
Bedding
dry
long or chopped straw, poor quality hay, sand, sawdust, shavings, rice hulls
absorbent, free of toxic chemicals
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5. Facilities and environment
Free stalls
one stall per lactating cow
clean, dry bedding
slope uphill from rear to front
natural lying and rising behavior
ease of cleaning
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6. Facilities and environment
Special needs areas
Preparturition
clean, dry environment; ration for entering milking herd; free-stall housing
Maternity
well-ventilated; clean, dry and well-bedded; provisions for lifting “downer” animal; tractor access; adequate feeding space; clean, fresh water
calving pasture; drainage; adequate space and shelter
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7. Facilities and environment
Special needs areas
Removing calf
early removal is recommended
about 12 hrs
Postcalving
area to observe cow for 0-7 days after calving; monitor feed intake and milk production; free stalls or large, well-bedded pens
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8. Facilities and environment
Special needs areas
Treatment
artificial insemination
pregnancy diagnosis
postpartum examination
sick cow examination
surgery
holding sick or injured animals
Dry-off
separation from milking herd for treatments, feeding, observation
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9. Facilities and environment
Corrals
scraping and flushing
minimize moisture and mud
Pasture
appropriate stocking rates
minimize stress of overgrazing
Lighting
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10. Feed and water
Formulated diets for maintenance, growth, production, reproduction
Avoid contamination and spoilage of feeds
Adequate space for feed and water
Calves should consume 2-3 liters of colostrum within 4-5 hours of birth and another 2-3 liters within 24 hours of birth
pooled, high quality colostrum
Johne’s disease problems – see Johne’s module
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11. Feed and water
Until calves can consume dry feed, give liquid food at 10% body weight per day until weaned
Avoid giving water with milk to allow normal curd formation
Dry feed and fiber to develop rumen microflora
Clean, non-contaminated water available at all times
Areas under watering sources should be dry
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12. Social environment Herd animals
Cows handled individually undergo more stress than handling as a group
Under duress may bellow, butt or kick
Crowding can create stress and disease problems
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13. Husbandry Consult veterinarian for vaccination schedules
Handling with stanchions, head gates, squeeze chutes, halters, rope, tail hold
Use nose tongs, hobbles and electric prods sparingly
May require assistance during dystocia (difficult birth)
Handling of newborn calves
dipping navel in 7% iodine
colostrum
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14. Standard agricultural practices
Individual identification
Removal of supernumery teats on heifer calves
Castration
Dehorning
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15. Standard agricultural practices
Foot care
avoid acidosis (high grain diet) – can lead to laminitis (lameness)
foot rot
hairy heel warts
footbaths and topical sprays may be appropriate
avoid predisposing problems
sharp rock substrates
muddy ground
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16. Handling and transportation
Loading and shipping
knowledge of flight zone
room for animal to turn
stair steps and solid sides for loading ramps
move slowly
attempt to ship under favorable weather conditions
calves should be 5 days old before shipment
dry navel, adequate colostrum, walk easily, dry hair coat, protection from elements
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17. Special considerations
Milking machine and udder sanitation
program for regular milking machine maintenance
clean floors, good traction, good lighting
personnel with training to work in a dairy
written operating procedures
milk cows with mastitis last in line
milking machine and udder sanitation
udder washing, hair removal
teat sanitation – predips, wiping, post milking
hand washing of milkers
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18. Special considerations
Stray voltage
locate source of electrical current passing through animals
poor electrical connections, corrosion of switches, frayed insulation, faulty equipment, heavily loaded power lines
evaluate facilities
voltage reduction, control of voltage leakage, gradient control, proper grounding, proper installation of equipment
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19. Special considerations
Bulls
Aggression makes handling difficult
Many facilities do not maintain bulls
If you do work with bulls remember
aggression increases with age
remove smaller, subordinate bulls from group
human safety issues
electroejaculation performed by experienced personnel
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20. Euthanasia
Barbiturates
Captive bolt
Gunshot
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