The old method of putting cows into a dry pen and forgetting them is being debunked by research. Getting cows started off right in the dry period, keeping them healthy and ending it fully rested means more calves, more milk and happier dairy persons.
Research from Ohio State University shows improving the factors that encourage close-up cows and heifers to lie down and rest could result in more live births. They say dry cow resting environments should be investigated if a herd is experiencing a high incidence of stillbirths.
The researchers evaluated more than 1,000 cows on three Ohio dairies to assess the effects of prepartum lying time.”
Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 7, 2021. Link. The Ohio State research was published in the Journal of Dairy Science, October 22, 2021. Link.
Also see: 60 percent more milk from 30 percent fewer cows, AHD, November 2, 2021. Link.
INSIGHTS: Dairy veterinarians and direct-to-farm sales personnel can use these resources to start deeper conversations about cow health, production and ultimately production revenues.