Question

After the 1850’s, several advancements/developments occurred and the commercial milk-processing industry began to evolve. Discuss some of these developments and include the role technology has played in terms of improving the dairy cattle industry. In your opinion, what is the most important management aspect of dairy production (examples: nutrition/feeding, reproduction, skilled labor, health of dairy herd, milk quality/safety, etc.)? Make an argument as to why you believe this.

Answer 1

The developments include as below:

• Milk production has doubled with the cows number being fixed and grazing area reduced.
• The stocking rate has been increased.
• Increased pasture production and better supplementary feeding systems.
• Better feeding plans for the cows so that they receive the required amount of nutrients for growth.
• Better health conditions of cows.
• Proper and effective monitoring of milk produced.

The role of technology is as below:

• Automated feeders that feed the cows and calves several times in a day as per their nutritional requirement.
• Reports on each calf can be taken with the help of a computer.
• Automated feeders help the calf to grow faster,better and stay healthier.
• Milk yield recording systems are present that provide individual animal data e.g milk produced ,and milk components i.e protein etc.
• Automated milking systems that help to reduce the labor that is required for milching.
• Presence of computer controlled equipment and activity monitors that can identify the health of the cows,detect any abnormal changes and maintain proper sanitization as well by removing the udder.
• Presence of devices such as pedometers helps to track the activity of the cows ;also helping to detect the breeding time for the cow.
• Develoment of computer programs and phone apps that help farmer to collect data that they need to make necessary decisions when required.

The most important management aspect of diary production is nutrition/feeding.One of the most important aspects of successful dairy production is good pasture management.When there is an establishment of improved grass pasture ,it can be maintained productive and weed free for years,it would provide sufficient amounts of good quality feed for the dairy cows.This is most important because only well fed cows would be able to produce more milk.When there is no proper feed, there would be health issues related to the cows and that would affect their abiloty to produce good quality milk.The other aspects i.e maintaining the correct stock rate,health&reproduction and skilled labour should be maintained side ways.