Exam Practice Questions And Correct

Dairy Production Technician Certification Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary nutrient required for milk production in dairy

cows?

a) Fiber

b) Fat

c) Protein

d) Carbohydrates

Rationale: Protein provides the amino acids necessary for

synthesizing milk components, including casein and whey proteins.

• Which of the following diseases is caused by a deficiency of selenium

in dairy cows?

a) Mastitis

b) Milk fever 1 / 4

c) White muscle disease

d) Bovine respiratory disease

Rationale: Selenium deficiency leads to white muscle disease,

affecting skeletal and cardiac muscles in young calves.

• What is the ideal somatic cell count (SCC) in milk to indicate udder

health?

• 500,000 cells/mL

b) Less than 200,000 cells/mL

• 1,000,000 cells/mL
• 400,000 cells/mL

Rationale: SCC below 200,000 cells/mL indicates healthy mammary

tissue and low risk of subclinical mastitis.

• During the milking process, what is the purpose of forestripping?

a) To increase milk yield

b) To detect mastitis and stimulate milk let-down

c) To clean the udder

d) To lubricate the teats

Rationale: Forestripping helps identify mastitic milk and stimulates

oxytocin release for let-down.

• Which vitamin is synthesized in the rumen of dairy cows?

a) Vitamin A

b) Vitamin D

c) Vitamin K 2 / 4

d) Vitamin C

Rationale: Microbes in the rumen synthesize vitamin K, essential for

blood clotting.

• What is the most common method of heat detection in dairy cows?

a) Rectal palpation

b) Observation of mounting behavior

c) Milk progesterone testing

d) Blood sampling

Rationale: Cows in estrus often mount other cows, making

observation of mounting behavior a practical method of heat detection.

• Which mineral deficiency causes milk fever in dairy cows?

a) Magnesium

b) Zinc

c) Calcium

d) Phosphorus

Rationale: Hypocalcemia, or milk fever, occurs due to low blood

calcium levels, typically around calving.

• What is the primary purpose of using a dry cow therapy?

a) Increase milk fat content

b) Prevent ketosis

c) Treat existing infections and prevent new mastitis

d) Stimulate estrus 3 / 4

Rationale: Dry cow therapy involves antibiotic treatment at drying

off to cure subclinical infections and prevent new ones.

• Which of the following is a sign of lameness in dairy cows?

a) Excessive milk production

b) Altered gait or reluctance to move

c) Increased feed intake

d) Faster rumination

Rationale: Lameness often presents as an abnormal gait, reluctance

to walk, or uneven weight distribution.

• How often should milking equipment be sanitized?

a) Once a week

b) After each milking session

c) Once a month

d) Every other day

Rationale: Proper sanitation after each milking session prevents

bacterial contamination and mastitis.

• Which reproductive disorder is characterized by retained fetal

membranes in cows?

a) Dystocia

b) Metritis

c) Retained placenta

d) Cystic ovarian disease

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