„ Observe new animals introduced into the herd for possible diseases and parasites. „ Maintain clear, complete, and accurate records for calving, breeding, and vaccination. „ Monitor cows during calving, especially first-calf heifers, to minimize potential harm to or loss of calves and cows. Handling Dairy Cattle There is a great deal more information regarding breeding and handling of dairy cattle than can be included in this chapter. Many of these concepts will be learned in other agricultural classes or in a real-world career setting working on a dairy or in the dairy industry. The following list of tips is not all-inclusive, but each point is important enough to remember when working with or around dairy cattle. „ Dairy cattle should be selected according to their intended use, the geographical area and environment in which they will be raised, and the breeder’s personal preference of the traits he or she wants to produce with the dairy cattle. „ Remain calm and handle dairy cattle with ease when moving them in and out of the milking parlor to avoid slips, falls, and feet and leg injury. „ Extra caution must be exercised if the dairy producers uses bulls rather than artificial insemination. Dairy bulls are very mean and aggressive. „ Provide sufficient access to clean water at all times and provide shelter from harsh weather conditions when possible, Figure 10-18. „ Use safe actions when working around dairy cattle. Avoid situations that startle or frighten them, especially when approaching them in the milking process. Breeds of Dairy Cattle The species name for dairy cattle is bovine. Dairy cattle are classified under the subspecies Bos Taurus. A breed is a specific group of cattle that has similar appearance, characteristics, and behaviors that distinguish it from other cattle in the same species. Let us take a look at the most popular dairy breeds in the United States and their characteristics. Did You Know? Some of the top-producing Holstein cows have been known to produce more than 72,000 lb of milk a year! That is under ideal conditions as far as nutrition and milking three times a day versus two. Catherine311/Shutterstock.com Figure 10-18. It is essential for any living organism to have access to a clean and safe water supply. How would insufficient access to a safe water supply affect a dairy cow’s milk production? How would it affect the dairy operation’s profits? Chapter 10 Large-Animal Production 533 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.