Vol. 16, No. 2 June 2006
FORAGES
Matching alfalfa RFQ to feeding
group
Silage-making pitfalls
Facilities
Compost barns -
not your conventional bedding pack!
Keep flies under control
Grazing
Supplementing cows and
heifers on pasture
Milk Quality
What's in your tank?
Genetics
Bull proofs are out
Regulations
USDA releases guidelines for the manufacture and
distribution of official identification devices under NAIS
Management
Ward off bullies with vinegar
Refused feed
Industry
You should know this
Miscellaneous
Dairy quiz
In this edition of Dairy Connection, I've tried to anticipate some of the summer challenges in various topic areas. Given the rush of spring work and quick transition into summer, dairy producers have a lot to think about and even more to do. Before we move on, did you know:
• Survey results: Respondents were sparse. You still have time to send in your thoughts. Simply go back to the March 2006 issue 16:1 and find the yellow insert. The postage is prepaid, so just fill in, fold and mail before you forget.
• State Dairy Show is 60: The 60 th annual North Dakota State Dairy Show is scheduled for Saturday, July 29. Historically held in Jamestown during dairy month to around Independence Day, the show recently moved to Minot and the North Dakota State Fair. We look forward to your participation.
• Longest running State Dairy Princess Contest: The North Dakota State Dairy Princess Contest also is making plans to celebrate 60 years of continuous recognition of dairying and the State Dairy Show. The contest will be on Wednesday, July 26, in Minot. This would be an excellent time to get involved. Other events include a reunion for all dairy princesses. So if you know of a past princess, ask her if she will be attending. Better yet, if you have some pictures or stories to share, pass them along to Char Heer or me.
• A 50-million-gallon ethanol plant uses roughly 18.5 million bushels of corn. The 2005 North Dakota state yield of 129 bushels per acre represents 143,411 acres of corn (8.4 percent of corn acreage in North Dakota). The best use of this byproduct is as feed for dairy and beef cattle. Dairy cattle can be fed a diet with 18 percent to 20 percent of their dry matter intake in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which translates into up to13 pounds of DDGS, or approximately 40 pounds of wet distillers grains per cow per day. Thus, a 50-million-gallon ethanol plant produces enough feed for roughly 60,000 dairy cattle. If only one-third of the production was available for dairy ( ~ 20,000 cows), the plants under construction offer tremendous opportunity for expansion of dairy and beef feedlots.
• And this just in from Hoard's Dairyman: Congratulations to Durward and Phyllis Otterness. They were listed as honorable mention in the senior division of this year's Cow Judging Contest. A total of 27,180 people officially entered.
In closing, here's a quote you can appreciate:
"There is no question about the dairy cow being the solution
to the farmer's problem in North Dakota. But I would say to
every man in order to succeed in the dairy business, you have got
to have in your heart a real honest love for the old bossy, and
be ready to treat her right if you expect her to pay your debts."
- J. Harry Wilson, Grand Forks Herald, 1922, Jamestown, N.D.
Have a safe and prosperous summer.
J.W. Schroeder, Ph.D.
Extension Dairy Specialist
Department of Animal and Range Sciences
First-crop alfalfa harvest represents 34 percent to 40 percent of your annual yield, so capturing the best quality possible is extremely important. The desired alfalfa maturity at harvest depends on the group of animals that will be consuming it. Table 1 shows the animal type and suggested relative feed quality (RFQ) for alfalfa.
| Table 1. Relative feed quality needs. | |
| Alfalfa RFQ requirements (as fed) |
Animal type (age and production) |
| 140-160 | Dairy - early lactation |
| Dairy - calves | |
| 125-145 | Dairy - late lactation |
| Heifers - 3 to 12 months | |
| 115-130 | Heifers - 12 to 18 months |
| 100-155 | Dry cows |
| Heifers - 18 to 24 months | |
|
Source: University of Minnesota |
|
According to Pioneer Hi-Bred International agronomists, forage quality in a standing crop and what is fed will drop by about 10 percent. Thus, if you want to feed alfalfa with a 160 RFQ, start harvesting alfalfa when the standing crop has an RFQ of 170 to 175 points.
First-crop alfalfa RFQ can fall 3 to 5 units per day, depending on temperature, moisture and sunlight. If first-crop harvest typically takes four to five days to complete, start harvest when the standing alfalfa's RFQ is 180 to 190 points.
For those harvesting alfalfa as haylage, chopping at the proper moisture contest is a critical ensiling consideration. Table 2 lists the recommended moisture contest for haylage stored in different types of structures.
When cutting alfalfa for haylage, set chopper knives for 1/4 to 3/8 inch theoretical length of cut (TLC). Evaluate TLC to see if 20 percent to 25 percent of the particles are longer than 1.5 inches. Targeting this level will help maintain proper amounts of effective fiber in animals' diets.
| Table 2.Silo type and recommended moisture levels. | |
| Silo type | Recommended ensiling Moisture level (%) |
| Bunker silo | 60 to 70% |
| Concrete tower | 60 to 68% |
| Silo bag (plastic bag) | 60 to 68% |
| Oxygen limiting | 45 to 50% |
If haylage is chopped too coarsely (longer than 0.5 inch TLC), a greater amount of trapped air will be in the storage structure, which can cause elevated silage temperatures to occur. As a result, more indigestible protein will form. If haylage is chopped too finely, lower rumen pH may occur. This increases the potential for metabolic disorders and depresses milk fat production.
Source: Dairy Edge, May 2005
| Six phases of silage fermentation and storage. | ||||||
| Age of Silage | Phase I 0-2 days |
Phase II 2-3 days |
Phase III 3-4 days |
Phase IV 4-21 days |
Phase V 21 days |
Phase VI |
| Activity | Cell respiration production of CO2, heat and water | Production of acetic acid and lactic acid ethanol | Lactic acid formation | Lactic acid formation | Material storage | Aerobic decomposition on re-exposure to oxygen |
| Temperature Change* | 69-90 F | 90-84 F | 84 F | 84 F | 84 F | 84 F |
| pH Change | 6.5-6.0 | 6.0-5.0 | 5.0-4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0-7.0 |
| Produced | Acetic acid and lactic acid bacteria | Lactic acid bacteria | Lactic acid bacteria | Mold and yeast activity | ||
| * Temperature dependent on ambient. Ensiling temperature generally is 15 degrees higher than ambient.
Adapted from McCullough. |
||||||
Understanding what affects the rate and extent of fermentation and determining the value of silage can help you produce high-quality silage more consistently. Completing the phases of fermentation normally takes at least 21 days. Following is a brief description of the six phases:
Phase I: As the forage is harvested, aerobic organisms predominate on the forage surface. During the initial ensiling process, the freshly cut plant material, and more importantly the aerobic bacteria, continue to respire within the silo structure. This phase is undesirable since the aerobic bacteria consume soluble carbohydrates that might otherwise be available for the beneficial lactic acid bacteria or the animal consuming the forage. Another important chemical change that occurs during this early phase is the breakdown of plant proteins. The extent of protein breakdown (proteolysis) is dependent on the rate of pH decline in the silage. The acid environment of the silage eventually reduced the activity of the enzymes that break down proteins. Phase I ends once the oxygen has been eliminated from the silage mass. Under ideal crop and storage conditions, this phase will last only a few hours. With improper management, this phase could continue for several weeks.
Phase II: This is an anaerobic fermentation where the growth and development of acetic acid-producing bacteria occurs. These bacteria ferment soluble carbohydrates and produce acetic acid as an end product. Acetic acid production is desirable as ruminants can use it in addition to initiating the pH drop necessary to set up the following fermentation phases. In forage fermentation, phase II lasts no longer than 24 to 72 hours.
Phase III: The lower pH enhances the growth and development of another anaerobic group of bacteria, those producing lactic acid.
Phase IV: This is a continuation of Phase III as the lactic-acid bacteria begin to increase, ferment soluble carbohydrates and produce lactic acid. Lactic acid is the most desirable of the fermentation acids, and for efficient preservation, should comprise greater than 60 percent of the total silage organic acids produced. When silage is consumed, cattle also will use lactic acid as an energy source. Phase IV is the longest phase in the ensiling process as it continues until the pH of the forage is sufficiently low enough to inhibit the growth of all bacteria. When this pH is reached, the forage is in a preserved state. No further destructive processes will occur as long as oxygen is kept from the silage.
Phase V: The final pH of the ensiled forage depends largely on the type of forage being ensiled and the condition at the time of ensiling. Haylage should reach a final pH of around 4.5 and corn silage near 4. The pH of the forage alone is not a good indicator of the quality of the silage or the type of fermentation that occurred. Forages ensiled at moisture levels greater than 70 percent may undergo a different version of Phase IV. Instead of lactic acid-producing bacteria developing, large populations of clostridia bacteria may grow in the silage. These anaerobic bacteria produce butyric acid rather than lactic acid, which results in sour silage. With this type of fermentation, the pH may be 5 or above.
Phase VI: This phase refers to the silage as it is being fed out from the storage structure. This phase is important because research shows nearly 50 percent of the silage dry-matter losses occur from secondary aerobic decomposition. Phase VI occurs on any surface of the silage exposed to oxygen while in storage and in the feed bunk. High populations of yeast and mold or the mishandling of stressed crops can lead to significant losses due to aerobic deterioration of the silage. Proper management is vital to reduce these losses and improve the bunk life (aerobic stability of the silage.)
Efforts in Minnesota have generated quite a stir with the concept of a composting building. Here are some details on how it works.
A composting bedded pack is a deep-bedded pack actively going through a rapid-decaying compositing process. It is a natural biological process carried out under aerobic conditions. In the process, various microorganisms break down organic matter into simpler substances. The essential elements the composting microorganisms require are carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, all of which are present in a properly managed bedded pack. Optimal composting conditions will convert organic matter into stable compost that is odor- and pathogen-free. Achieving high temperatures within the pack is important to kill pathogen and keep the surface dry. Maintaining a temperature of 130 degrees or more for three to four days favors the destruction of weed seeds, fly larvae and pathogens.
A composting bedded pack should be bedded with at least 1 foot of fine, dusty wood shavings or sawdust. The fine particles are easier to handle and mix, and will speed bacterial growth and increase temperatures sufficient to inactivate pathogens. This space should be well-ventilated to remove heat and maintain a dry bedding surface. Sidewall curtains and fans are recommended. The current recommendation is 100 square feet per cow if used for the milking herd. Less space is needed for dry cows and more is beneficial for transition and calving areas.
Once begun, the pack must be stirred twice daily to a depth of at least 10 inches. This removes manure and urine from the surface and incorporates oxygen into the pack, allowing for faster aerobic decomposition. If the pack is not aerated, it will become anaerobic, causing the decomposition rate to slow and temperatures to drop. The pack will lose the ability to kill pathogens and also may create unpleasant odors. Fresh bedding should be added every three to six weeks, but that will vary depending on the weather and surface condition. Hot and humid weather requires more frequent application of bedding. Also remember that bedded pack barns are most effective if used in a loafing lot system.
Adapted from T. Horn, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Calf hutches are notorious for producing a massive fly population in warm weather, particularly when bedded with straw or sawdust. A couple of suggestions for getting the problem under control are:
• Bedding the hutches with inorganic substances such as sand or limestone
• Setting a concrete block under one of the rear corners of each hutch, which allows more air to circulate and keep the bedding dry
Most years pastures for grazing are quite variable. Cool temperatures in the spring and lack of moisture in the following months make finding adequate pasture a guess at best. And, even if growing conditions are favorable in one area of the state, they likely are quite different in another portion of the state.
Because of these variable conditions, making one recommendation that will suit everyone is nearly impossible. Rather, here are five recommendations to consider if you are pasture-rearing heifers.
1. Grazers in more temperate climates commonly move heifer calves into pasture systems when they are 3 months old. However, the grazers have two risks to consider.
First, heifers should be included in parasite-control programs shortly after entering the pasture systems with the advice of their veterinarian. The second risk is of low intake and variable quality. Typically intake is lower on pasture than confinement system rations. This is especially important when demand for nutrients is high. Typically young calves (<6 months of age) will require continued, significant concentrate intake (5 pounds/head/day).
2. Inclusion of an ionophore probably will yield as much return as any additive available today. Ionophores are best provided in the diet by including them even in a limited amount of a concentrate mixture. Lasalocid (Bovatec) may be fed in free-choice mineral supplements, but Monensin (Rumensin) is most successful when included as a component of a concentrate mixture fed daily.
3. Nutrient levels of pasture are highly variable in much of the U.S. During the cooler months of the year, pastures commonly contain in excess of 16 percent protein and 70 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN), which is more than adequate to support excellent rates of growth (>1.8 pounds/day) in older heifers without too much additional supplementation. Vitamins and most minerals also are adequate in high-quality pasture. However, during drought and the hotter months of the summer, protein may decline to less than 12 percent energy and less than 60 percent TDN, which is not adequate. During these months, supplemental concentrate feeding is necessary.
4. How much concentrate to feed/day? Many dairy producers and heifer growers state they feed 5 pounds/heifer/day, regardless of the pasture quality or availability. If one assumes a 16 percent protein mixture costs $175/ton, this could represent an extra $.40/head/day in unnecessary added costs if heifers are consuming a high-quality pasture mixture.
5. Most progressive dairy producers or heifer growers have weight tapes or have purchased electronic or mechanical scales to evaluate heifer growth during routine handling procedures, such as vaccination, parasite control or breeding. This provides an opportunity to evaluate growth of heifers objectively and make more timely adjustments in supplemental concentrate feeding if growth is outside of the desired ranges of gain. Documented weights can reveal the existence of management or nutritional deficiencies that might go unnoticed if the manager relies solely on the "eyeball method."
Adapted from: R.E.James, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Va.
With the heat of the summer still ahead of us, what's to say if this year's weather will affect your milk quality? If heat does impact your herd, cases of mastitis will be on the rise. Clinical mastitis means an increased use of antibiotics, including extra-labeled drugs, on the advice of your veterinarian to improve cure rates.
But how sure are you that an extra-label antibiotic is totally cleared from your milk? In addition, more and more herds are going to pretreating heifers with either a dry cow or lactating cow intra-mammary treatment. Do those first lactation animals, with smaller udders and better penetration of antibiotic through the udder, have longer or shorter withdrawal times?
Even the best managed herds can have simple things happen, such as someone forgetting to band treated cows, forgetting to remove the milk line from the tank if treated cows are milked last, not thoroughly cleaning equipment after milking a treated cow and surprisingly, employees leaving the treated quarter out of the tank, but putting the other quarters in the tank. Let's also not forget the labor issues everyone seems to have now, such as the increasing turnover rate of employees and the challenge of training new labor on how to manage treated and fresh cows correctly.
The only reliable way to tell if an antibiotic has cleared from a cows system is the use of on-farm testing. Many tests are available for purchase from your milk cooperative, the most common being the Delvotest® and SNAP®. These tests are easy to use and take only 15 minutes to three hours for results, depending on the test. Heater units for these tests require an initial investment of $200, on average. Costs for running samples are anywhere from $1.10 to $3 per sample. That's too expensive, you say? Consider a herd of 147 cows making 70 pounds of milk, on every-other- day pickup. That equates to 20,580 pounds of milk. Even milk at $11, that equates to a loss of $2,264 if the tank was contaminated with antibiotics and needed to be dumped. Additionally, if that tank of milk made it onto the truck, you may have upwards of another $4,000 to pay for the rest of the milk on the truck if the contamination isn't caught soon enough. With $2,264, you can purchase anywhere from 750 to 2,050 individual antibiotic residue tests. It's cheap insurance, with the need to manage financials more tightly than ever because of the ever-changing target of milk price. For more information on which test is right for you, call your local co-op representative.
Genetic evacuations are published four times a year and the USDA has updated them regularly for many years. New proofs are routine. Becoming complacent about sire selection can be easy for producers, but standards for selection need to be adjusted from time to time. Genetic progress takes place. New bulls with better proofs replace older bulls in the active artificial insemination (AI) lineup. The simple table below shows some useful guidelines for evaluating a proof for net merit. The very best 5 percent of Holstein bulls exceed the $464 net merit rating for the 95th percentile. For Jerseys, that mark is $433. The top 20 percent of bulls exceed $373 and $355 for Holsteins and Jerseys, respectively. The top 20 percent of active AI bulls includes about 120 Holsteins and 15 Jerseys, so plenty of opportunities are available in selection for other traits among the top group in both breeds.
| Net merit required for different rankings in Holsteins and Jerseys. | ||||
| Breed | 95th percentile | 90th percentile | 80th percentile | 70th percentile |
| Holstein | 464 | 425 | 373 | 331 |
| Jersey | 433 | 409 | 355 | 323 |
The USDA made changes to the evaluation system for daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) for the 2006 proofs. Pregnancy ratings are calculated on individual cows once they are 130 days into first lactation, which is later than for milk records. Some young bulls can have milk proofs based on short daughter records, but no DPR based on daughter information. Formerly, pedigree data was used for the DPR using production and somatic cell score (both negatively related to DPR) and productive life (positively related to DPR), as well as pedigree.
Effects on "domestic" bull proofs were small, but the change did reduce DPR ratings, on average, by 0.4 for the top 100 international bulls. The procedure used makes DPR more useful as reliability is increased, but the method used is temporary, as more accurate predictions are under development for the future.
Source: B. Cassell, Genetics & Management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Va.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services announced the implementation of the animal identification number (AIN) as the next phase of the voluntary National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The initial focus of the AIN is for individual cattle and swine. These species typically use identification ear tags (referred to as AIN tags) when official identification is necessary (e.g., interstate commerce or disease programs). The use of the AIN will be expanded to other species that use other forms of identification (implants, for example) in the future.
APHIS also has adopted an option with the NAIS to allow producers to incorporate supplemental identification methods of technologies with the AIN tag, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) and biometrics (e.g., DNA and retinal imaging). Supplemental identification technologies or methods may vary among species. However, to ensure compatibility and uniformity is achieved in the national program, APHIS will establish technology standards, when applicable, along with performance requirements.
Performance standards issued for AIN tags include, but are not limited to, the following:
• The tag must be designed for one-time use and be tamper-evident.
• The printing on the tag may not be altered readily and should include the 15-digit AIN and U.S. shield.
• The AIN number must be readable at a distance of 30 inches.
• The tag must function and remain affixed to the animal for the expected lifetime of the animal.
• On average, not more than 1 percent of tags applied may be lost in the years following application.
For bison and cattle, APHIS supports the integration of radio frequency identification with the ear tag. While public comments show an overwhelming support for RFID-integrated ear tags, other supplemental technologies remain an option for use with the AIN tag.
Source: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
Producers with new calves suffering from bullies when introduced into larger groups may need to take a different route. Bobbi Rauch, of Sancrest Farms, Billings, Mont., says applying vinegar to the backs of heifers that are being introduced into a larger group of animals helps. The vinegar smell helps ward off bullies, and by the time the vinegar has worn off, the new animals are acclimated into the herd. The vinegar smell lasts six to eight hours on hot, low-humidity days; longer on days with cool temperatures or overcast skies with high humidity. Rauch squirts 0.125 to 0.25 cup of vinegar down each animal's back or top line. She says an empty detergent bottle works well for this purpose.
Refused feed happens. What should we do with it? Many dairies that feed total mixed ration (TMR) follow an ad libitum feeding scheme where a certain amount of uneaten feed is expected at the end of the day. This amount may range from 3 percent to 5 percent or even higher. In a small herd, this refused feed might be just enough to fatten a couple of beef cows or feed to heifers. In larger herds, even a 3 percent refusal can be a lot of feed.
At this dairy, refusals were piling up at a rate of 1 to 1.5 tons per day. Because of our Johne's control program, feeding refusals to heifers was not an option. Refeeding to the low cows worked during cool weather, but a lot of day-to-day variability occurred in how much of the low cow TMR was made up of refusals. Spreading uneaten feed on fields just added to the expense. A few neighbors were happy to take this refused feed for their beef animals, but none of the initial feed cost was being recovered with this method.
Instead of focusing on what to do with the refused feed, attention was shifted toward not having refused feed. Feeding procedures were changed so refused feed was pushed to the end of the feed alley, but not removed immediately. That way, the feeder was able to deliver feed to a clean feed area as soon as the TMR was mixed. However, between cleanout and feeding, any hungry animals could walk down and eat their fill. The more timid animals appeared to take advantage of this opportunity quite frequently. Even better, by the time all feeding is complete and the time comes to remove the previous day's refused feed from the end of the feed alley, very little is left.
source: www.milkproduction.com
You should know what is happening with the antis, anti-agriculture that is, and what is being done. The following is an excerpt from a report given to Farm Bureau members. Philosophical differences aside, this is not about politics, it is about the survival of agriculture. Sarah Bedgar Wilson, North Dakota Farm Bureau leadership development assistant, prepared the report. She is finding a "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" and he's telling your story.
"I recently attended the final phase of training for the Holstein Foundation's Young Dairy Leaders Institute. For the past two years, this program has helped me, and 35 other dairy producers and industry professionals from across the U.S. and the U.K,. to be spokespeople for the dairy industry. This includes the importance of understanding the point of view of those on the opposite end from our belief that the dairy cow is a provider of food for the human race.
"During this event, Gene Bauston, president of the Farm Sanctuary, was invited to dialogue. He told us all about the `sanctuary' for farm animals in New York state, and gave our group recommendations on dairy cattle housing, which called on all dairy farms to change operations to rotational grazing because they were `better for the cows.' He even offered to sit down with dairy producer groups to come to a compromise that, in his opinion, will help better our industry.
"However, as we continued to question his motives, he changed from an easy-going storyteller to a shrewd animal rights activist. He told us how the Farm Sanctuary had been a key player in legislation that banned gestation and farrowing crates for hogs in Florida and veal calf housing in New Jersey. When I asked Mr. Bauston what his personal view on animal agriculture was, he told me that he's a vegan (which means he doesn't eat any animal products) and he'd `like to see cattle lapping at the river with deer.' Then he said he'd `work the rest of his life, even if it meant jailing farmers, to end animal agriculture.'
"So I decided to do a little more digging. A quick visit to www.activistcash.com was eye-opening. The Farm Sanctuary is one of the featured groups on the Web site, along with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), whose name fools donors into thinking they are saving puppies and kittens, when they really use their $79 million annual budget to attack animal agriculture. The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) also is listed. They have been battling the dairy industry's scientific evidence that milk can be part of a healthy weight loss program.
"Ironically, the PCRM has an annual budget of $10 million, and $600,000 of that came from PETA. Also, the PCRM membership is less than 5 percent physicians. At the bottom of the list is the Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC), of which the Dakota Resources Council is a subsidiary. Here's the kicker (no pun intended for those of you who have to milk today): Farm Sanctuary, HSUS, PCRM and the WORC are all working together for a common cause, along with more than a dozen other activist groups as the `Global Safe Food Alliance.'
"The local group is the Dakota Resources Council (DRC), which is headquartered in Jamestown, where I live and farm, and is being funded by the very people that I have heard firsthand say they will work the rest of their lives and jail farmers to end animal agriculture.
"Well, I'll be! Fifty thousand Farm Sanctuary donors across the U.S. send $5 million a year to do just that, and you're their next target! Not only a target, but an easy one at that.
"In many cases that is already true. I've seen the amendments the DRC has tried to push through at township zoning meetings that would eliminate any opportunity for livestock development - they often slide through. I've read their editorials in the local paper, which conjure up images of horrific factory farms - they go unanswered. They think that since there are less dairy producers here than in other states, it'll be easy to pass legislation to ban confinement dairy cattle housing.
"Well, not if I have anything to do with it! I will do my best to tell people the truth of what it is like on a real, living, breathing farm that makes a significant contribution to the economic and social well-being of our community and our state, and I hope you will, too. You have an important story to tell about your farm, and an obligation to ensure the opportunity for future generations to dairy here. Don't let a wolf in sheep's clothing, like the Dakota Resources Council, tell your story."
1. In which country do people consume the most water buffalo milk?
(a) China (b) India (c) Argentina (d) Zimbabwe
2. What is the most popular specialized dairy breed in the world?
(a) Brown Swiss (b) Holstein (c) Jersey (d) Zebu
3. Which country produces the most cow milk in the world?
(a) India (b) United States (c) Australia (d) Netherlands
4. Which country consumes the most cow milk per capita in the world?
(a) Germany (b) Australia (c) Finland (d) United States
More next issue. (Answers at right)
Source: The Progressive Dairyman. September 2005
1. (b) Of all the milk produced in the world, 10 percent comes from water buffalo. India produces and consumes most of the water buffalo milk
2. (b) The Holstein cow originated from completely black and solid white animals kept by migrant European tribes who settled about 2,000 years ago in what is now the Netherlands. For many years, people selected animals that made the best use of the abundant grass, eventually developing an efficient, high-producing black-and-white dairy breed. The first Holstein cow arrived in the United States in 1852. Now they are on every continent and in almost every country. Jersey cows are the second-most popular specialized dairy breed in the world. India has the highest number of milk cows _ about 80 million; most of them are unspecialized breeds. In contrast, the United States has about 9 million milk cows.
3. (b) The United States produced 76.37 million metric tons of milk in 2000. That is about 20 percent of the milk produced in major dairy countries of the world.
4. (c) People from Finland consume more than four 8-ounce glasses
of milk a day. People in the United States consume nearly
three 8-ounce glasses of milk a day. The world's average
milk consumption is about one 8-ounce glass of milk per day.
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