In veterinary school, students are taught that there are three types of cases for many diseases. Those cases that will cure, no matter what we do; those cases that will never cure, no matter what we do; and those cases we can reasonably improve the outcome of with medical intervention.

The bar for reproductive performance is set high at Pagel’s Ponderosa of Casco, Wisconsin, but a skilled and reliable team take it to the next level.

Robotic milking has established itself more and more across the country – to the detriment of tiestall barns. Although this milking and herd management method provides several advantages, it also requires producers to adapt their level of management and choice of bulls in order to achieve success.

Even if cows consume an increased amount of dry matter, meeting the early lactation nutrient needs of high-producing dairy cows is a big challenge. The transition period is, more than ever, a critical period.

Precision agriculture has become a common term in agriculture. It was originally associated with crop farming and found its roots with the use of harvest equipment that had the ability to measure crop yields by location.

A dairy herd is made up of many segments – individual cows, pens of cows, herd cohorts (transition cows, for example) and the herd as a whole. At the same time, each of these segments has independent and interdependent management requirements.

Trace minerals are critical for adequate immune function and metabolism in dairy cattle. Research shows that trace minerals have antioxidant functions and may help reduce the level of oxidative stress postpartum as well as improve immune response to vaccines.

Note: This information was presented during a Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council webinar earlier this year. Anovular cows – those that are not cycling – are a significant concern and management challenge for U.S. dairy producers, as the incidence rate is quite significant.

Creating extra heifers provides you many intriguing options – the option to expand, the option to sell extra heifers and the option to sell your low-producing cows.

I can hardly watch the news nowadays. I am constantly horrified by the heartless acts being perpetrated on other human beings.