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Dairy Learner, Stafford (2025)

17/11/2023

The temperature of the cream before and during whipping affects the time it takes to whip and affects the end volume of whipped cream. Keeping the cream cool leads to a higher volume of whipped cream that takes less time to whip.. The ideal temperature range for whipping cream is between 35°F and 50°F (between 1.6 °C and 10°C). This is because the fat in cream needs to be cold to form a matrix and hold air, which is what makes whipped cream light and fluffy.

If the cream is too warm, the fat will not emulsify and the air particles will not be able to hold, resulting in a runny mixture. The fat percentage of the cream must also be above 36% to whip.

To achieve the ideal temperature for whipping cream, you can chill your bowl and beaters in the fridge before whipping.

20/10/2023

Cows are moo-sic lovers! 🐄🎶
Through several studies and real-life examples, researchers and farmers have found that cows produce more milk when they listen to soothing, relaxing music such as classical music from the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. This is thought to be because this type of music helps calm them down.

Sources:
Exploring the effect of auditory stimuli on activity levels, milk yield and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in Holstein cows - January 2023
M. Erasmus a, E. van Marle-Köster a, A. Masenge b, A. Ganswindt c

The Moozart Effect - May 2007
Rebecca Lee - ABC news

Moo-d Music: Do Cows Really Prefer Slow Jams? - March 2014
Maria Godoy - NPR

16/10/2023

Crossbreeding in dairy cows is a practice that involves mating animals from different breeds or strains to take advantage of the benefits of heterosis or hybrid vigour. Heterosis is the tendency of a crossbred animal to have qualities superior to that of either parent, especially for traits related to health, fertility and longevity. For example, crossbred cows may have higher milk production, better reproductive performance, lower disease incidence and longer productive life than purebred cows.

Crossbreeding is not a new concept, but it has gained popularity in recent years as dairy farmers seek to improve the profitability and sustainability of their herds. However, crossbreeding is not a simple or easy solution. It requires careful planning, record keeping and sire selection to achieve the desired results. There are different types of crossbreeding systems, such as two-way, three-way or four-way crosses, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of breeds and bulls to use in crossbreeding depends on the goals and preferences of each farmer, as well as the availability and quality of genetic information.

Crossbreeding is not about breed improvement, but about herd improvement. It is a tool that can help dairy farmers meet the challenges and opportunities of the modern dairy industry. Crossbreeding can also increase the genetic diversity and resilience of dairy cattle populations, which is important for the future of the sector.

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it informative. Please like, share and comment if you did. Thank you for reading! 🐄🐄🐄

13/10/2023

Did you know? Switzerland takes their cheese game to the next level, consuming the most per person! 🧀🇨🇭

The United States consumed the most cheese in total at nearly 6 million tonnes, but per capita this calculates to "just" 17.87 kg per person.

Source:
OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2022-2031

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL

09/10/2023

Do you know what this big tank is? It’s an anaerobic digester, and it’s one of the coolest inventions in dairy farming. 🐮

An anaerobic digester is a device that uses bacteria to break down the manure produced by cows, without any oxygen. This process produces biogas, which is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. Biogas can be used as a renewable energy source for heating, electricity, or even fuelling vehicles. 🚗

But that’s not all. Anaerobic digestion also has many other benefits for the environment and the farmers. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, odour, and pathogens from manure management. It also produces a nutrient-rich liquid called digestate, which can be used as a natural fertilizer for crops. 🌱

Anaerobic digesters are not new. They have been used for centuries in different parts of the world, such as China and India. However, they have become more popular and advanced in recent years, thanks to the development of new technologies and policies. There are now different types of anaerobic digesters that can suit different dairy farm systems and conditions. 💡

Anaerobic digesters are not only good for the planet, but also for the cows. They provide a clean and comfortable environment for the animals, and improve their health and welfare. They also help the farmers save money and generate income from their waste. 💰

So next time you see an anaerobic digester on a dairy farm, don’t just think of it as a giant p**p machine. Think of it as a smart and sustainable solution that makes dairy farming more efficient and eco-friendly 😀

06/10/2023

New Zealand exports 95% to 98% of its milk production annually, making it the largest dairy exporting nation in the world! 🐄🥛

05/10/2023

What do you get when you mix animal waste, water, and hay? A slurry lagoon! 😂
But seriously, slurry lagoons are not just smelly pits of poo. They are actually part of a system that helps farmers manage and treat their animal waste, and turn it into fertilizer for their crops.🌾

Slurry lagoons are also known as farm slurry pits, slurry tanks, or slurry stores. They are usually holes, dams, or circular concrete structures where farmers gather all their animal waste together with other unusable organic matter. The slurry lagoon undergoes anaerobic respiration, which means it breaks down the waste without oxygen. This process produces biogas, which can be used as a renewable energy source.💡

Slurry lagoons can also help reduce the environmental impact of animal farming. They can prevent the runoff of nutrients and pathogens into waterways, and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from manure. Of course, they also have some challenges, such as odour, safety, and maintenance. That’s why farmers need to follow certain regulations and best practices when designing and operating their slurry lagoons.

So next time you see a slurry lagoon on a dairy farm, don’t just hold your nose and look away. Appreciate the science and the benefits behind it. And maybe give a thumbs up to the farmer who is working hard to make the most of their animal waste.👍

03/10/2023

A calf hutch is an individual/group pen with a shelter and an outdoor area. A calf hutch is a comfortable place for calves to sleep and provides shelter.

Farmers use calf hutches to house young calves in the first few weeks of life, when they have immature immune systems and need individualized care. By keeping calves in hutches, farmers can monitor their feed intake, health, and manure quality more easily, and prevent the spread of diseases among calves. Rearing calves in individual hutches helps reduce the level of conditions like diarrhoea and pneumonia, which are significant causes of calf mortality.

Calves are not kept in hutches forever. They are moved to group housing systems as soon as they are eating sufficient solid feed and their immune systems have developed adequately. Group housing provides calves with companions and promotes the development of social and play behaviour.
Calf hutches are not cruel or inhumane. They are designed to meet the needs of calves in the very early stages of their lives, and to ensure their health and welfare. Calves in hutches are not isolated or confined. They can see, hear, and touch other calves, and they have enough space to move around and explore their environment.

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