| The purpose of the course is to understand the practical management on dairy cattle based on basic theory. The following contents will be included in the course. 1. Genetics: basic concepts; animal model for bull and cow evaluation; genetic decisions with current economic indexes; growth, type, and dairy beef; breeding dairy cattle for disease resistance; production and longevity of dairy cattle; genetic change attained and possible; present and future effects of biotechnology; genetic improvement for the 21st century; integrating genetic evaluations into a breeding plan. 2. Reproduction: reproductive management; reproductive health programs; handling frozen semen; methods for reducing effects of heat stress on pregnancy; environmental modifications to improve production and fertility; postpartum function: nutritional and physiological interactions; manipulation of photoperiod to improve lactation, growth and reproduction; pharmaceutical control of estrous cycles; systems to alter embryo survival; commercial application of embryo transfer; management of obstetrics; calving related disorders; ovarian follicular dynamics and management of ovarian cysts; selection, use and management natural service bulls. 3. Nutrition: nonstructural and structural carbohydrates; protein and amino acids for lactating cows; feeding strategies for supplemental fat; water for dairy cattle; macrominerals; trace minerals; vitamins; selecting feed additives; coping with changing feed quality; feeding management strategies; managing milk composition; forage selection, harvesting, storing, and feeding; metabolic diseases of dairy cattle; purchasing, storing, and using commodity feedstuffs; nutritional influences on reproduction function. 4. Replacement management: management of cow and newborn calf at calving; the calf: birth to 12 weeks; heifer feeding and management systems; heifer performance standards: rearing systems, growth rates and lactation; replacement economics. 5. Quality, milking machines, and mastitis: elements of mastitis control; role of therapy in mastitis control, milking hygiene and mastitis control; host resistance mechanisms to mastitis; monitoring milk quality and udder health; milking machine function and cleaning; milking systems; milking system evaluation and maintenance; relationship between milking machine and mastitis; cooling milking and cleaning equipment. |