Most dairy farms, in order to maximize barn capacity, milk around the clock only to be interrupted by cleaning cycles and possible equipment malfunctions or inclement weather. Many dairy farms, especially those milking cows three times per day, operate 24-hours a day, 7 days per week. This around-the-clock schedule requires employees to work different shifts.

Most of the 2013 crop has been harvested and is beginning to be fed to dairy cows across Canada; however, dairy producers need to be aware of the mycotoxins brought in with the year’s crop, and the impact they can have on herd health and performance.

The dairy industry has come a long way in formulating and delivering quality dairy diets. It’s really quite extraordinary the level of information dairy producers and nutritionists now have at their fingertips about each ingredient included in rations.

Animal health experts and feed and crop specialists are using new feed analysis technologies and diagnostic biomarkers to characterize the risk of Penicillium mycotoxin exposure to dairy herds and to monitor preventative and remediation strategies for mycotoxicosis.

Every dairy herd experiences lameness to one degree or another. The difference between a good healthy hoof and chronic problems is sometimes less than one thinks.

Pop quiz: VCPR stands for:

a. Very Cute Placenta Removed
b. Vixen, Comet, Prancer, Reindeer
c. Very Complicated Public Relations
d. Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship

This year’s South Western Ontario Dairy Symposium is scheduled for Feb. 20 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds.