Free Livestock and Dairy Management MCQs with Answers

• A. To reduce excessive claw growth and lameness
• B. To increase rumen fermentation
• C. To improve colostrum antibody levels
• D. To increase the cow's gestation length

Explanation: Regular hoof trimming maintains normal claw shape and weight bearing, which helps reduce lameness.

• A. It raises the protein content of feed
• B. It reduces moisture and airborne respiratory hazards
• C. It prevents cows from entering oestrus
• D. It increases the calcium content of milk

Explanation: Good ventilation removes moisture, heat, ammonia, and contaminated air from the shed.

• A. The first week after weaning only
• B. The entire period between two breeding seasons
• C. About three weeks before to three weeks after calving
• D. The final week of the lactation only

Explanation: The transition period generally includes the three weeks before calving and the three weeks after calving.

• A. Alkaline phosphatase
• B. Urea nitrogen only
• C. Creatine kinase
• D. Beta-hydroxybutyrate

Explanation: Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a ketone body that rises when a cow mobilizes excessive body fat after calving.

• A. Excess dietary protein or poor energy synchronization
• B. Severe dietary calcium deficiency alone
• C. Complete absence of rumen microorganisms
• D. Insufficient access to mineral salt only

Explanation: High milk urea nitrogen commonly reflects excess rumen-degradable protein, inadequate fermentable energy, or poor synchronization between…

• A. Uric acid
• B. Lactic acid
• C. Hydrochloric acid
• D. Bile acid

Explanation: Lactic acid bacteria convert plant sugars into lactic acid, rapidly lowering silage pH and helping preserve the forage.

• A. Restricting feed before lambing
• B. Washing the fleece after shearing
• C. Increasing nutrition shortly before breeding
• D. Giving extra salt after weaning

Explanation: Flushing means improving the plane of nutrition shortly before and during breeding.

• A. Keeping animals continuously in wet muddy yards
• B. Delaying hoof inspection until lambing
• C. Providing only high-protein concentrate feed
• D. Maintaining dry footing and controlling infected animals

Explanation: Foot rot spreads readily in warm, wet, contaminated conditions, so dry footing, regular inspection, treatment, and control of infected…

• A. Calcium
• B. Iron
• C. Iodine
• D. Sulfur

Explanation: Milk fever, or parturient paresis, results mainly from hypocalcaemia when calcium demand for colostrum and milk rises sharply after…

• A. Jersey
• B. Holstein Friesian
• C. Ayrshire
• D. Guernsey

Explanation: Holstein Friesian cattle generally produce more milk by volume than other major dairy breeds.

• A. To stimulate appetite
• B. To increase milk fat
• C. To destroy organisms on the teat skin
• D. To reduce rumen acidity

Explanation: Post milking teat dipping reduces bacterial contamination of the teat canal while it is still open.

• A. Grass tetany
• B. Simple indigestion
• C. Ketosis
• D. Ruminal acidosis

Explanation: Rapid starch fermentation produces acids faster than the rumen can neutralize them, causing ruminal acidosis.

• A. Milking cows in a fixed sequence
• B. Changing milking times daily
• C. Skipping low yielding cows
• D. Milking before udder preparation

Explanation: A fixed milking sequence supports consistent udder preparation and reduces unnecessary disturbance in the herd.

• A. Increasing milk protein
• B. Preventing infectious hoof disease
• C. Improving feed intake
• D. Treating uterine infection

Explanation: Footbaths help reduce infectious organisms on the hoof and lower the risk of conditions such as digital dermatitis.

• A. Body length per kilogram of feed
• B. Milk colour per milking
• C. Milk produced per unit of dry matter intake
• D. Number of calves per lactation

Explanation: Feed efficiency is commonly assessed by relating milk output, often energy corrected milk, to dry matter intake.

• A. To keep all cows at one body weight
• B. To eliminate the need for records
• C. To prevent all infectious diseases
• D. To provide diets suited to nutrient needs

Explanation: Early lactation, late lactation, dry cows, and heifers have different nutrient and management requirements.

• A. To place sperm near the uterine horns
• B. To avoid contact with the rumen
• C. To increase ovarian size
• D. To prevent milk letdown

Explanation: Deposition in the uterine body places sperm beyond the cervix and near the reproductive tract where they can move toward the oviduct.

• A. Higher wall temperature
• B. Adequate feeding space per cow
• C. Darker interior lighting
• D. Reduced water access

Explanation: Providing adequate feeding space allows more cows to eat at the same time and reduces displacement of subordinate animals.

• A. To prevent all reproductive disorders
• B. To increase the salt content of milk
• C. To support resting and normal locomotion
• D. To replace hoof examination

Explanation: Comfortable lying areas encourage adequate rest, which supports welfare, circulation, and normal production.

• A. Increased lactose synthesis by the udder
• B. Excessive fat mobilisation after calving
• C. Improved bacterial quality of the milk
• D. Subclinical inflammation of the udder

Explanation: A high somatic cell count usually reflects inflammation of mammary tissue, often due to mastitis.