Keeping cows resting, improving measurements for failure of passive transfer and preparations for June Dairy Month are all actionable topics for animal health pros working with dairy producers. The Undeniably Dairy educational resources may interest people in your networks who plan to extend home education during summer.
Take a few minutes to watch this virtual tour. < link >
Source: Lying time could indicate the health status of fresh animals, Dairy Herd Management, August 28, 2019. Link. Lying time and energy balance are critical for transition cow health, especially during the pre- and postpartum period. Research shows that lying time during the first 14 days in milk after parturition has a significant linear association to increased metabolic health issues, especially ketosis.
Source: Time for a passive transfer upgrade, Hoard’s Dairyman, May 25, 2020. Link. The monitoring methods to evaluate colostrum quality and success of passive immunity transfer had not been updated since 1980. A working group determined it was time the old passive transfer standard be adjusted. They established a four-category scale based on IgG serum levels:
- Excellent — Greater than or equal to 25 g/L
- Good — 18 to 24.9 g/L
- Fair — 10 to 17.9 g/L
- Poor — Less than 10 g/L (failure of passive transfer)
Source: Virtual tour opportunity during June’s National Dairy Month, Hoard’s Dairyman, May 20, 2020. Link. Facing pandemic challenges for dairy month farm tours, Don Schindler suggests organizing a virtual tour. He references resources and educational programs in place from the Dairy Checkoff: usdairy.com <link> and Undeniably Dairy: Caring for Cows & Nourishing Communities <link>