RUMINANT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS – MILK
ANSC4530
J. C. Plaizier
Room 232A Anim. Sci. Bldg.
474- 9500
plaizier@ms.umanitoba.ca
This course will describe the dairy industry in terms of size, complexity and relationship to the
economy. An understanding of the breeding, feeding, management and marketing in modern
systems of milk production will be discussed. Some references will be made to milking goats and
sheep.
Course Outline
Lectures
January 5
- Course introduction, industry profile
January 8
- Milk marketing
January 10
- Milk & Mammary gland
January 12
- Milk synthesis & secretion
January 15
- Milking and milking procedure
January 17
- Production and life cycles
January 19
- Rumen, physiology and microbiology, video
January 22
- Rumen, physiology and microbiology
January 24
- Abomasum, intestine, absorption, intermediate metabolism
January 26
- Nutrition: Dry Matter Intake
January 29
- Nutrition: Energy
January 31
- Nutrition: Protein
February 2
- Nutrition: Structural carbohydrates
February 5
- Nutrition: Non-structural carbohydrates
February 7
- Nutrition: Minerals and vitamins
February 9 - Mid-term exam
February 12 - Mid-term break
February 14 - Mid-term break
February 16 - Mid-term break
February 19 - Dairy cattle feeds
February 21 - Dairy cattle feeds
February 23 - Metabolic disorders
February 26 - Dry cows & the transition period
February 28 - Calf management
March 2
- Heifer management
March 5
- Milk recording & DHI
March 7
- Infectious diseases, mastitis
March 9
- Management of reproduction
March 12
- Management of reproduction
March 14
- Invited speaker, record keeping & DHI, Jeremy Ten Hag, CanWest DHI
March 16
- Manure management
March 19
- Project presentations
March 21
- Project presentations
March 23
- Genetics
March 26
- Genetics
March 28
March 30
April 2
April 4
April 6
April 9
April 11
- Invited speaker, Dr. Rob Rerry, MAFRI
- Farm tour
- Dairy production, international perspectives
- Dairy cattle housing
- Farm tour
- Milk production from sheep and goats
- Review
Laboratory Sessions
January 5
- Feed recognition
January 12
- Ruminant Research Units Glenlea Research Station, Assignment # 1
January 19
- Visit to Dairy Farmers of Manitoba
January 26
- Ruminant Research Units Glenlea Research Station, Assignment # 1
February 2
- Feed analysis
February 9
- Feed formulation, Assignment #2
February 16 - Mid-term break
February 23 - Feed formulation, Assignment #2
March 2
- Feed formulation, Assignment #2
March 9
- Computer lab on record keeping, Assignment #3
March 16
- Computer lab on record keeping, Assignment #3
March 23
- Sire selection
March 30
- Farm tour
April 6
- Farm tour
Course Grading Schedule
Participation in class
Assignment 1, due January 29
Assignment 2, due March 5
Assignment 3, due March 21
Mid-term, February 9
Project
Outline, due March 2
Presentation, March 19, 21
Paper, due March 30
Final exam
-5%
-5%
- 15 %
- 10 %
- 15 %
-5%
- 7.5 %
- 7.5 %
- 30 %
All assignments are expected to be independent efforts. Late assignments will result in a 3 % loss
per day.
Recommended Text
The following books will be placed on reserve in the Agriculture (William R. Newman) Library:
Dairy Cattle Science by M.E. Ensminger; Large Dairy Herd Management by Van Horn and Wilcox;
NRC Nutrient Requirements for Dairy Cattle 2001. Recommended documents will also be available
at the Web site:
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~plaizier.
Academic Regulations and Policy
The policy regarding plagiarism and cheating will be enforced. Please refer to your Student Guide
2006 -2007.
Grading
You will get numeric scores for assignments and exams. These scores will be weighted according to
the above scheme to come up with a final numerical score. This final score will be used to assign
the letter grade which will appear on your transcript -- See page 21 of the University Graduate
Calendar for a description of the letter grade system. Final scores will be rounded -- 76.4 becomes
76, thus a B; 76.5 becomes 77, thus an B+.
Numerical Score
91-100
84-90
77-83
70-76
65-69
60-64
50-59
Under 50
Letter grade
A+
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
F
Subjects for presentations
How does BSE affect the Manitoba dairy industry?
How can we dispose of culled cows?
The future of supply management in the dairy industry
The value of manure as fertilizer
The Manitoba dairy industry and the environment
Infectious disease (Johne’s disease and leucosis): the problem and possible solutions
Are we burning out our dairy cows?
Strategies to optimize longevity of dairy cows.
Improving reproductive performance on dairy farms.