Many dairy producers are under the false impression that all that is needed to prevent BVD (bovine viral diarrhea) from entering their herd is to vaccinate with a proven BVD vaccine
A lot of intramammary infections occur during the dry period even if we don’t see them as clinical mastitis. That situation quickly changes after calving when clinical mastitis reaches its pinn
Ridpath recently retired from the ruminant diseases and immunology research unit, NADC/ARS/USDA, Ames, Iowa. Miller is a senior professional services veterinarian-dairy, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica
Quality milk must be a total team effort. That means that dairy farm owners and managers must allow employees to openly share observations and thoughts to improve the milking process
It should make a big difference to you to know why a cow died on your farm. Why? A dead cow represents a dead loss. More importantly, cows don’t die without a reason
At the national dairy science meetings in Salt Lake City, Utah, in July, several abstracts featured new data on feed additives. By definition, a feed additive is a ration ingredient that does not provide...
The 2016 National Dairy Quality Award Platinum winners represent an exemplary group of dairy producers. Not only do these herds produce some of the nation’s highest quality milk on a daily basis
Wiersma is the alfalfa business manager with DuPont Pioneer. Thomas is retired from the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute and president of Oak Point Agronomics Ltd. Nit
A dairy feeder calf is a young (1 to 14 days of age), often male, calf that leaves the dairy farm to enter the red meat industry. In Canada and the United States, these calves are most ofte
The authors are veterinarians with the Quality Milk Production Services, Ithaca, N.Y.Milking in a tie stall or stanchion barn is a dance. It takes a certain sense and finesse
A record 128 herds were nominated from 18 U.S. states and Canadian provinces for this year’s ninth annual Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council awards competition
One of the most important economic factors that determines a milking herd’s profitability is the average days in milk (DIM). That parameter obviously depends on getting the cow pregnant early in...
This cow is in a lying position, which is often associated with sleep. Time spent sleeping may affect cow health, production, and welfare more than we realize.The importance of cow comfort and i
Poor heat detection rates, under 50 percent in U.S. dairy herds, are a major factor limiting reproductive efficiency. Even so, detection of behavioral estrus plays an important role in overall reproduction
It’s been over five years since we covered the topic of cool-season grass management in this column. Specifying “cool-season” is important since there are warm-season grasses such as...
At our most recent Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council meeting, the University of Guelph’s Stephen LeBlanc gave an excellent presentation highlighting the importance of monitoring ketosis in transitio
Twins double the trouble. Pregnant with twins," I announced as I scanned cow 13478. Sam dutifully entered the information in his handheld device, but the slump of his shoulders was more dramatic than if...
Don't just stand there Cows that stand too much may be telling you something about cow comfort in your barn. Inadequate flooring can cause lameness and discourage cows from eating, thus impacting milk...
Every hour of the day counts; don't let time spent in the holding area become a detriment to cow health and comfort. A row of positive pressure ventilation tubes can evenly distribute airflow and enhance...