NAVLE Bovine Herd Health Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

A dairy manager reports a sudden increase in the herd's bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC).
The majority of cows appear clinically normal.
What is the most effective and practical initial step to identify the individual cows contributing to the high SCC?

Accepted Answer

Perform a California Mastitis Test (CMT) on milk from all lactating cows.

Answer

Culture a milk sample from the bulk tank to identify the causative pathogen.

Answer

Immediately treat all lactating cows with a broad-spectrum intramammary antibiotic.

Answer

Cull all cows with a previous history of clinical mastitis.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most critical control point for eliminating Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) from a beef cow-calf herd?

Accepted Answer

Identifying and removing persistently infected (PI) animals.

Answer

Vaccinating all adult animals annually with a modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine.

Answer

Implementing a comprehensive fly and vector control program.

Answer

Treating all clinically ill animals with supportive care and antibiotics.

Question 3

A dairy producer utilizes a timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol that includes Ovsynch. Which hormone is administered to cause luteolysis, or regression of the corpus luteum, thereby allowing the cow to return to estrus?

Accepted Answer

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)

Answer

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Answer

Progesterone

Answer

Oxytocin

Question 4

Which dietary management strategy implemented during the final 2-3 weeks of the dry period is most effective for preventing periparturient hypocalcemia (milk fever) in dairy cows?

Accepted Answer

Feeding a diet with a negative Dietary Cation-Anion Difference (DCAD).

Answer

Feeding a diet high in calcium to 'prime' the system.

Answer

Supplementing with high levels of intravenous calcium.

Answer

Maximizing dietary potassium to improve rumen function.

Question 5

What is the most reliable and practical method for assessing failure of passive transfer (FPT) in a 2-day-old calf on-farm?

Accepted Answer

Serum total protein measurement via refractometer

Answer

Radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay

Answer

Visual assessment of calf vigor and suckle reflex

Answer

Zinc sulfate turbidity test

Question 6

A group of yearling beef cattle on pasture for the first time during late summer exhibit profuse watery diarrhea, poor growth, and submandibular edema ('bottle jaw'). Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Type I Ostertagiasis

Answer

Johne's Disease

Answer

Coccidiosis

Answer

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)

A dairy manager reports a sudden increase in the herd's bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC).The majority of cows appear clinically normal.What is the most effective and practical initial step to identify the individual cows contributing to the high SCC?

A dairy manager reports a sudden increase in the herd's bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC).
The majority of cows appear clinically normal.
What is the most effective and practical initial step to identify the individual cows contributing to the high SCC?