There is a relationship between body condition and fertility. University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers studying fertility share that when diary cows lose a lot of body condition, they have much lower fertility than their herd mates that maintain or gain weight in early lactation. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January/February 2024. Link. It’s not a foregone conclusion … [Read more...]
Bottle beats the bucket at providing water in winter
Delivering free-choice water to calves in frigid temperatures is easier said than done. Simply feeding milk or milk replacer isn’t enough to optimize the growth needs of calves. The rumen needs a separate source of pure water to feed the fermentation process that promotes rumen development. Provimi dairy calf research results created advice for bottle-feeding water in cold … [Read more...]
Prophalysis, key to controlling cryptosporidia
There’s no vaccine to control cryptosporidium, a parasite, not a bacteria and common scours-causing pathogens in preweaned calves. Preventing crypto versus treating it is best, according to Lea Poppe. She cites three proactive prevention strategies: Limiting environmental exposure Colostrum delivery Egg immunoglobulin enhancement Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
Beef on dairy, the perfect cross
The average number of milk cows for the nation's total dairy herd remains level <Link>. To produce milk a cow must have a calf whether the calf is desired or not. So, dairy producers eager to create a valuable calf have the beef-on-dairy revolution booming. These crossbred animals are making a considerable contribution to meat cases, thereby driving research on producing … [Read more...]
Strategies to help cows conquer the cold
Cattle are cold hardy due to their large body mass, propensity to naturally increase their metabolic rate and ability to add insulation through hair growth and fat deposition under their skin, says Jon Pretz, PhD. He shares management measures that can help cows cope and stay productive through cold conditions. Each of these are good reminders to share with producers in … [Read more...]
Dairy heifer’s follicles may predict their future
Heritable trait research continues to be a scientific frontier in animal production decisions and stewardship of animals as a resource. Too many ovarian follicles, at too young of an age, likely means a shortened herd life for dairy females.” Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 2017. Link. Follicle numbers are a moderately heritable genetic trait in dairy cows which may … [Read more...]
Four recommendations to address hypocalcemia post-calving
According to Jesse Goff, DVM, subclinical hypocalcemia occurs in nearly half of all cows during the first 24 hours after calving. He believes metabolic alkalosis is the cause in subclinical and clinical hypocalcemia. Goff discusses reducing potassium and binding dietary calcium precalving, as well as providing a readily available, soluble calcium source to the cow immediately … [Read more...]
Colostrum may be beneficial in treating scours
A recent research paper authored by a team of world-renowned calf researchers stated there is evidence that supports the use of colostrum as an early treatment of scours in young calves, shares Maureen Hanson. Effectively treating calves for scours could be as easy as feeding them something that virtually every dairy farm has on hand: colostrum.” Source: Dairy Herd … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 28, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 14, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the September 14th AHD Bulletin – The manager squeeze: How a new workplace is testing team leaders. Link. Most-read 2023 posts by Patrick T. Malone. Link. Use caution when feeding drought-stressed corn. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary … [Read more...]
Beef-on-dairy: A revolution in American beef production?
Industry experts predict dairy farmers will produce 2.92 million beef-on-dairy calves this year and 3.22 million in 2024. And those numbers may be conservative, writes Greg Henderson. . . . sexed semen helps reduce the number of dairy cows needed to produce dairy heifers, thus allowing more dairy cows available for breeding to beef sires.” Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
The 7 repro mistakes dairy producers can’t afford to make
Two dairy technical service consultants provide their rundown of the top seven reproduction sins that cost dairy producers time, money and potentially future calves. Merck’s Todd Bilby, PhD, and Boehringer Ingelheim’s Jennifer Roberts, DVM, share their collective perspectives. Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 19, 2023. Link. To help prevent slip-ups and avoid … [Read more...]
Manure Expo featured research-backed innovation
Livestock producers are constantly challenged to improve the way manure is handled to protect land and water resources and maximize its value to farms. More than 900 people attended the North American Manure Expo to learn and discuss modern methods of improving the use and value of livestock waste. What’s really exciting is how quickly manure applicators and farmers are … [Read more...]
Decisions abound when determining who should be raising replacement heifers
Joe Armstrong, DVM, shared various factors dairy producers must consider when deciding on who will raise their replacement heifers. Karen Bohnert shares excerpts from a recent podcast discussing economies, biosecurity, risks and available space. Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 12, 2023. Link. . . . it costs on average $2,000 to raise a heifer calf before she hits … [Read more...]
Six signs that cow may be lame
The economic impact of lameness is significant and the second most important step for effective lameness management, after prevention, is identification, explains Carly Becker an extension educator. Practicing locomotion scoring is one way to help identify animals with gait, posture and movement issues and can easily be done when moving animals to and from pens. Becker shares … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium parasite is endemic to even the tidiest dairy farms
Just one tablespoon of feces from a Crypto-infected calf contains enough oocysts to infect dozens of other calves if they consume it orally. The tiny oocysts have a hard outer shell that encloses and protects the parasite making them difficult to kill. . . . the most effective way to keep Crypto at bay is to remove moisture from calf environments and feeding utensils as … [Read more...]
7 tips for more effective vaccination programs in calves
Rhonda Brooks shares seven tips from bovine veterinarians that can help plan an effective vaccination program in calves. She reminds us that there is no effective one-size-fits-all strategy. Consider this article for communications with cow-calf, dairy or beef operators. It sets core considerations for what a vaccination program can and can’t deliver. Source: Dairy Herd … [Read more...]
Straw can pose mycotoxin risks in dairy heifer diets
Many U.S. dairy producers use chopped straw in their heifer rations to add fiber and bulk. Alltech feed quality evaluations show when a straw crop gets stressed or delayed in the field due to unfavorable weather conditions it can carry its own mycotoxin risks. The same is true for any straw that shows visible signs of mold. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 5, 2022. … [Read more...]
Can somatic cell counts be too low?
Somatic cells are white blood cells that fight infection and repair tissue damage. Somatic Cell Count is used as an indicator of milk quality and udder health and lower SCC levels garner premiums from processors. Extension educator Amber Yutzy addresses concerns expressed by some producers about having SCC too low. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 16, 2023. … [Read more...]
Study raises concerns about broken tails in dairy cows
Broken tails represent an animal welfare concern and result from improper handling. While the acceptable threshold for broken tails in adult dairy cows listed in the National Dairy FARM Program standards is five percent, a recent study found nearly half of cows had broken tails. The study results are telling of an industry management issue that needs further attention, said … [Read more...]
Are beef-on-dairy calves being over-vaccinated?
Dan Thompson, DVM, PhD, shares industry concerns about the distinct disparities between the lives of full-blood beef calves and their beef-on-dairy cousins before they reach the feedlot. He reviews the likelihood of over-vaccination, overloading the immune systems and pain associated with near-weekly needle pokes. . . . during the first 90-100 days of their lives, … [Read more...]
7 transition period diseases costing dairy producers money
Many dairy production problems can be traced back to the dry or transition period. It is one of the critical time frames in a cow’s production cycle, writes Taylor Leach. She shares a breakdown of seven diseases and how much cost they add. . . . the most common management diseases that occur during the cow’s transition period on U.S. dairies are lameness, mastitis, retained … [Read more...]
Transition cows. It’s tough being the new kid
Maureen Hanson shares takeaways from a recently published collection in the Journal of Dairy Science authored by Kathryn Proudfoot and Juliana Huzzey. Highlights include: Primiparous cows face new experiences outside of their control during transition. Primiparous and multiparous cows have different social, feeding and lying behaviors. When regrouped, primiparous … [Read more...]
Vintage mastitis-causing pathogen on the uptick
Prototheca bovis has been linked to mastitis since 1952. However, within the last five years, its prevalence has significantly increased. It is a non-photosynthetic, yeast-like microalgae thrives in high humidity and plentiful damp organic matter. Similar to Staph aureus and mycoplasma, Prototheca is hard to detect, has no known cure and is contagious by intermittently … [Read more...]
Colostrum may be Mother Nature’s answer to calf scours
Researchers have found that, even after gut closure, feeding partial quantities of colostrum reduces scours incidence. Using colostrum to treat scours would be a simple, practical, non-antibiotic and highly affordable option. One concern. What would the impact on the production and supply chain be if this use proves dependable?” – Kirk Augustine Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
Breeding the right cow for robots
Dairy farmers often forget to consider herd genetics when making investments in automated milking systems. Some conformation traits are easy to select for, but behavioral traits are more challenging. The authors share several conformational and behavioral characteristics a robot-ready herd should possess. Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 7, 2022. Link. With good herd … [Read more...]
Tips to minimize antibiotic use for mastitis
Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, wants dairy producers to avoid immediately reaching for an antibiotic when mastitis flares up. She recommends taking a step back to analyze the situation. Antibiotic treatment of dry cows and of clinical mastitis cases accounted for greater than 75 percent of all antibiotic usage.” - Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 20, … [Read more...]
New, on-farm pregnancy test kit from Idexx Laboratories
Complimentary Commercial Content With results available in 5 to 20 minutes, the Alertys OnFarm Pregnancy Test from Idexx Laboratories can be used cowside to determine pregnancy as early as 28 days post-breeding or 70 days post-calving. The new test gives producers time savings and convenience because they can preg test whenever they want." Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
Hybrid approach helps maximize colostrum quality
Achieving high levels of circulating IgG in newborn calves may be easier by boosting maternal colostrum with commercial colostrum replacer. It give calves the best of both worlds when it comes to maximizing passive transfer of immunity. Source: Dairy Herd Management, May 6, 2022. Link. With excellent dry-cow vaccination and colostrum protocols in place, supplementing … [Read more...]
Hoof ulcers: Don’t blame the ration
Gerard Cramer, DVM, DVSc, isn’t too concerned about subacute ruminal acidosis. Instead, he sees laminitis more broadly. Along with sole ulcers, common contributors are white line lesions, digital dermatitis, foot rot and toe ulcers. . . . the most common contributors causing lameness are standing time, flooring problems, and failure to control digital dermatitis.” - Gerard … [Read more...]
Over-the-counter access to antibiotics is going away
Medically important antibiotics in feed and water were removed from OTC channels when the Veterinary Feed Directive was implemented in 2017. The first phase of the VFD regulations did not address OTC antibiotics delivered via other methods like injectables, boluses and intramammary mastitis tubes. . . . the FDA has issued a new directive to bring all OTC drugs under veterinary … [Read more...]