b.

Pasture mating (2 – 3 months) ❑ Heifer calves are usually grown out and most of them are kept for one
• 2 – 3 years old bull – 10 – 15 cows
• 9 years old bull – 20 – 25 cows
2. Artificial Insemination is the process of inducing fertilization in female
without the benefit of sexual contact between male and female animals. It
involves collection of semen from bulls and artificially introducing it into the
cow or heifers to achieve pregnancy. It requires detection of heat or estrus
to determine when to inseminate. It requires detection of pregnancy to
determine whether further insemination is needed.
The management of dairy cattle is more challenging and complex because it
involves not only feeding and management but also milk production, which is
daily process and reproduction (breeding).
Breeding Management
lactation to determine how much milk they produce.
❑ Dairy calves are allowed to nurse from their dams from 1 – 3 days of
age or in some cases weaned or taken away from their mother’s milk
right at birth and reared on the pail.
❑ Calves are usually kept in small individual pen or elevated calf stalls
as soon as they are weaned.
❑ For the first month of the calves, they should get whole milk at body
temperature preferably at their own dam, the ration of about 4 liters,
divided into 3 feeds. Dry feeds such as grain and leafy hay are given
to young calves to hasten the rumen development and for the next
month or 6 weeks until 9 weeks, whole milk may be gradually reduced
and skim milk or milk substitute, given in it’s place.
❑ After 4 weeks, calf should begin to eat solid feed so that at the age of
about 9 weeks, its ration may consist of chopped grass or hay, skim
milk or milk substitute, or a concentrate mixture.

▪ Cow comes into estrus the whole year, but chiefly in the summer heat. FEEDING MANAGEMENT
▪ Estrus lasts for 18 hours and recurs every three weeks (average of 21 ❑ The objective of the feeding program for the dairy operation is to
days) provide ration that will encourage optimum economical milk
▪ The gestation period is about 9 months (282 days) production of the acceptable composition while conducive to the
▪ When in heat, a dairy cattle may show restlessness, enlarged vulvas, health of the cows.
tendency to ride other cows and decline milk production. ❑ Determining the most economical sources of nutrients for the herd is
▪ Standing still when mounted is the most reliable sign of estrus which is the initial step in designing feeding program. This involves evaluating
called standing heat. the land resources to determine which crop or combinations of crops
▪ Dairy breeds are easier to detect when in heat because they are milk to grow and harvest to produce an adequate supply of high quality
each day. forage at minimum cost per unit of nutrient.
▪ Dairy cows are generally hand mated (the cow is taken to the bull for
breeding, or inseminated artificially. LESSON 10. PASTURE MANAGEMENT
▪ It is desirable to use semen from outstanding or proven sires which
usually are the ones used in AI services. “A good bull is cheap at any FORAGES
price, an inferior bull is expensive at any price.” ❑ Forages may be defined as vegetable feed for domestic animals such
as pasturage, green chopped feeds (soilage), silage, and hay.
Dairy Cattle Management: HEIFER ❑ The cost per unit of nutrient from forages is usually much lower than
▪ Heifer of dairy breeds are sometimes served at 15 months but they grow the cost per unit of nutrient from concentrate feeds.
better if not served until 18 moths old, so that they calved at 2 ½ years old. ❑ Forages are the primary constituent of most dairy rations for
▪ The duration of the lactation depends on the age, breed, and feeding but physiological and economic reasons
sometimes for the first calver usually lasts from 5 to 7 months, while adult ❑ Forage can make up to 60-70% of the total dry matter intake of dairy
heavy-milking cows lasts for a year. cattle.
▪ The average cow is kept in the herd until she is 5 to 6 years. ❑ Dairy cattle must consume an adequate amount of fiber( a minimum
of 15% DM), usually supplied by forages to ensure rumen function.
Dairy Cattle Management: COW ❑ Rations too low in fiber may result into decreased milk fat percentage
▪ Dairy cows should be allowed a period of 2 months between lactation to and decreased ration digestibility.
enable their bodies to replenish fat and protein from previous lactation.
▪ Drying 2 months before next calving is due is advised. During dry period, The following are supplementing the available forage with a combination of
globulins which serve as carriers of antibodies un the colostrum is concentrate feeds and provide the cow with balanced ration at lowest total feed
accumulated. cost per unit of produced. In addition, the ration should:
▪ To dry the cow, reduce the number of milking to one daily and her ration 1. Contain ad-libitum amount of clean, fresh water
curtailed then later, milk every other day and not completely stripped. 2. Contain a total ration of crude fiber level on a DM basis of 15 to 24%,
▪ Cows must not be bred right after freshened since uterus must undergo 15-19% for early lactation or high producing cows, and 19-24% for
preparation for the next pregnancy. late lactation or lower producing cows.
▪ 85 days of service period is the ideal. 3. Contain a total ration of crude protein level on a DM basis of 12 to
▪ It is always advisable, especially for the first calvers to be separated from 16% for early lactation or high producing cows, and 12 to 14% for
other cows and each be housed for 2-3 weeks before the calf is due in a late lactation or lower producing cows.
maternity stall or pen that is bedded with clean straws, and access to water. 4. Be within the DM intake capacity of the cow. This varies from 1.5-
3.6% of the body weight depending on the milk production level.
BREEDING CHARACTERISTICS CATTLE, CARABAO, AND GOAT
A logical step-by-step procedure can be used to formulate rations for milking
dairy cattle. The essentials are:
PHILIPPINE
GOAT 1. Estimate the daily nutrient needs or requirements.
CATTLE CARABAO
(Capra ❑ Dairy cattle require nutrients for maintenance, for growth if immature,
(Bos taurus) (Bubalus
hircus) for reproduction when pregnant and for production.
bubalis)
❑ Nutrient requirements for maintenance refers to the nutrients needed
Age of to maintain the animal body at homeostasis. These requirements is
8 months 3-5 years 5-6 months
Puberty proportion to the body weight of animals.
Age at 1st ❑ Growth requirements for dairy cattle continue until they reach five to
15 months 4 years 8-10 months six years of age.
breeding
Estrus 1-2 days ❑ Pregnant animals need additional nutrients for reproduction or
18 hours 21 hours growth of fetus.
Duration (1-4 days)
❑ The lactating cows also require additional nutrients for milk
Signs of production.
Which is the most reliable?
Heat 2. Determine the nutrient content of the available forage.
Estrus 21 days 21 days 21 days 3. Determine the forage intake.
Cycle (18-24 days) (13-28 days) (18-24 days) 4. Calculate the nutrient intake from the forage.
10-11 hours 5. Calculate the nutrient need from the concentrates.
15 hours after 6. Balance the ration for energy and concentrates.
Ovulation after the end of
the end of heat 7. Balance the ration for protein, Ca, P, and other micronutrients by including
the heat
proper amounts of these nutrients in the concentrate mixture.
150 days 8. Blend or purchase a mixture of supplemental feeds that provide the needed
283 days 320 days
Gestation (147-155 amounts of the various remaining nutrients cost per unit.
(278-288 days) (295-339 days)
days)
Breeding Concentrate feeding of Cows and Calves in DTRI
After 40-60 days 60 days 60 days Cow feeding
Freshening
Dry Period 2 months 2 months 6-8 weeks
Freshening
12 ½ months 18 months 12 months
Interval

Dairy Cattle Management: Care of Calves.

❑ After the calf is born, it should be wiped dry; any membrane clinging
to its mouth and nostrils should be removed, and its navel dipped in
a disinfectant.
❑ Calf on first day should have colostrum.
❑ Many dairy operators often castrate bull calves and grow them for
beef.
 improvement in feed value or carrying capacity. Further, in these
native grasslands there is a complete or almost complete absence of
Calf Feeding legumes which themselves can supply high protein feed.
❑ The value of a forage species is measured by its ability to supply the
grazing animal with energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. The feed
value of native forage species and or/ farm by-products or residues
is low. The productivity of the ruminants subsisting on these feeds is
thus limited by inadequate nutrition. There is now a wide range of
forage species, both grasses and legumes, available to replace
native vegetation.

Common Pasture/Grassland Plant Species:

Grasses
Scientific Name Common Name
Brachiaria mutica - Para grass
HERD MANAGEMENT Brachiaria decumbens - Signal Grass
❑ Milk secretion is a process which can carried out by the female with Brachiaria humidicola - Koronivia grass, Humidicola
maximum efficiency only if she is healthy. Panicum maximum - Guinea grass
❑ Dairy cattle are susceptible to wide variety of diseases such as food- Digitaria decumbens - Pangola
and-mouth disease, tuberculosis, brucellosis and mastitis , Pennisetum purpureum - Napier grass, elephant grass
inflammation of udders or mammary glands that destroys tissues and Dicanthium aristacum - Alabang X, Angleton grass
impedes milk production. Setaria sphacelata syn. Anceps - Golden Timothy, Setania
❑ The objective of herd health program are to minimize nongenetic Sorghum halepense - Johnson grass
culling (result from injury, disease, etc.) and mortality while Star grass - Cynodon plectostachyus
maintaining a healthy herd with high degree of reproductive efficiency.
Legumes
The basic principles of an effective herd program should include the following: Scientific Name Common Name
1. Prevention of disease problems is more effective and more profitable Leucaena leucocephala - Ipil-ipil, leucaena
than treatment. Centrosema pubescens - Centrosema, centro
a. Preventing exposure to disease producing organisms. (cleanliness Calopogonium mucunoides - Calopo
and sanitation) Macroptilium atropurpureum - Siratro, purple bean
b. Maintaining high value resistance. (vaccinations) Pueraria phaseoloides - Puero, Kudzo
2. Reducing the spread of diseases that do occur. This can be achieved by the Stylosanthes guianensis - Schofield, Cook, Common
following: Stylo
a. Isolation of animals that contract are suspected of contracting disease. Stylosanthes hamata - Verano stylo, Carribean
b. Rapid accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of disease problems. stylo
(blood testing and lab analysis) Stylosanthes humilis - Townsville, Magsaysay
c. Keen observation by herd personnel to detect minor abnormalities Lucerne
before become serious.
Philippine Grassland Community Types
3. Maintaining and using an accurate health record system. This can help in Scientific Name Common Name
disease diagnosis. Saccharum spontaneum - Talahib
Imperata cylindrical - Cogon
4. Cooperation and mutual respect among the owner, manager, veterinarian and Themeda triandra - Bagokbok
government animal health extension personnel. Good relationship between Capillipedium parviflorum - Misamis grass
involved parties is essential to the success of the program. Chrysopogon aciculatos - Amorseco

MILK PRODUCTION Weeds

❑ After the parturition, the level of milk production rises rapidly, until
peak lactation is reach in 2-6 weeks, then declines slowly until drying
off or towards than the end of lactation.
❑ Milk production declines more rapidly after 5th month of pregnancy
than in non-pregnant cows because of interaction of hormones.
❑ The milk yield is closely dependent upon lactation length.
❑ The ideal cow, calves annually and provided with the necessary
annual vacation should milk for 300 days.
❑ A cow with 90% production persistency means that after its peak is
reached, the succeeding monthly milk yields equal 90% of the
previous month’s milk yield.
LENGTH OF ACTUAL MILKING
❑ Depending on the number of cows raised, farmers milk their cows
either by hand or by machine. It will take an average of 1 ½ to 2
hours to milk 10 cows by hand depending on the skills of the milker.
❑ Using herringbone system of machine milking a dairyman can milk 40
hours in one hour.
❑ Whether the system of milking is by hand or by machine, milkers
should be taught cleanliness, deliver clean and safe for drinking.
PASTURE MANAGEMENT
❑ Forages crops form the basis of the nutritional programs on ruminant
livestock in the Philippines. Most of the about 90% of the cattle in the
Philippines which are raised by smallhold farmers, and of the almost
100% of the carabaos, are fed solely on forage, i.e., without or with
minimal concentrates.
The main sources of this forage or roughage are:
1) Weeds or indigenous/native vegetation
2) Farm by – products or residues and, to a very limited extent
3) Sown pastures
❑ Native tropical grasslands are mainly composed of short-season
species which grow fast and tall during rainy season, and become
dominant in the pasture. While grasses are growing actively protein is
reasonably good
❑ At the end of the rainy season, the plants develop tall, flowering
stems, which decrease in protein and increase in carbohydrates and
fiber. From this point onwards, the grass matured, dries off and
become leached. Fee value is extremely low. Stock grazing this
dried off, stalky mass of material do not even get their maintenance
requirement and lose weight. Low levels of animal production are
inevitable because stocking rates must be adjusted to this period of
minimum feed supply.
❑ As native grasses are usually adapted to low soil fertility levels, the
direct application of fertilizers alone will not produce any dramatic
Scientific Name Common Name
Lantana camara - Lantana
Blumea balsamifera - Sambong
Amorphophallus campanulatus - Pongapong
Pteridium aquilinum - Bracken fern
Chromolaena odorata - Hagonoy, Gonoy
Mimosa invisa - Giant mimosa
Solanum ferox - Wild eggplant
ESTABLISHING PASTURE
❑ In a commercial dairy farm, it is necessary to establish pasture as soon as
possible. Here, a more thorough and positive method of establishing
pasture is needed. Land preparation is important in planting grasses as in
planting agronomic crops as com and rice.
❑ The intensity of land preparation depends on whether the land is a newly
opened timber or rainforest land, or a native grassland or open woodland.
Also the type of planting materials affects the thoroughness of seedbed
preparation. Planting seeds of pasture species usually requires a finer
seedbed than com sorghum because the seeds are smaller.
SOWING TIME
❑ The most reliable time for planting is just before the rainy season, or shortly
after the first rains have fallen. For many of the small grass seeds, which
must be planted close to the surface, available moisture is quite critical for
germination and emergence. Warmer temperatures usually occur with the
opening rains, and this favors germination of grass and legume seeds.
Further, at this time of the year the air humidity is high and evaporation is
reduced. Both these factors favor seeding survival.
MANAGEMENT OF IMPROVED PASTURES
❑ Management is as important as selecting the right pasture species and
applying the correct fertilizers. It perhaps more of art than a science, and
the best managers are those who by observation and practical experience
endeavor to combine the welfare of their livestock with the welfare of the
plants in the pasture.
EFFICIENT PASTURE USE
❑ Efficient use of the pasture aims at carrying as much stock as possible but
at the same time animals should making maximum liveweight gains. In
other words, as stocking rates are increased, the output per animal
decreases. Maximum production per hectare is measured by beef or milk
produced, or at a point when the output per animal multiplied by the number
of stock carried is at biggest.
❑ Stocking rates must, of course, be kept below a figure where damage to
the inward or influx of weeds occurs. This means that there must be some
provision for feeding animals if this is likely. Alternatives open are
conservation of hay or silage, purchase of feed, adjustment or sale of
stock.