Herd Health | Progressive Dairy

Fat mobilization: Connecting metabolic and infectious diseases in transition cows

Reducing the inflammatory response in fat tissues will limit lipolysis intensity and limit the risk for developing clinical ketosis and other inflammatory diseases.

March 25, 2023

Andres Contreras and Miguel Chirivi

Transition cow diseases often present as complexes of metabolic and infectious diseases: a common case being a cow with a retained placenta that develops ketosis a few days later. How are these diseases connected and what causes their high rates of recurrence? One of the answers is fat mobilization.

Preparations to treat mastitis after June 2023

With the transition of over-the-counter medically important antibiotics shifting to a prescription status, now is a great time to sit down with your veterinarian to review your mastitis management.

March 22, 2023

Audrey Schmitz

Are you feeling anxious about the upcoming change of over-the-counter medically important antibiotics shifting to a prescription status in June? Don’t be. It can be a very smooth transition by focusing on what you’ve always been focusing on: excellent animal husbandry.

How heat stress impacts dairy cow uterine health in the Southeast

Heat stress reduces milk yield and compromises fertility in the dairy cow. This problem is observed across the U.S. and is compounded in the Southern and Southeastern states where summer temperatures are excessive.

March 15, 2023

John J. Bromfield

Heat stress reduces milk yield and compromises fertility in the dairy cow. This problem is observed across the U.S. and is compounded in the Southern and Southeastern states where summer temperatures are excessive.

The importance of bovine obstetric training – Part 2

Provide support in the calving pen and maternity area by defining expected communication, newborn calf care and recordkeeping.

March 9, 2023

Ryan Breuer and J P Martins

Part two of strategies for successful calving, positive dystocias outcomes and prevention of stillbirths. Outlining expected communication protocols, prioritizing newborn calf care and accurate recordkeeping are key areas to focus on.

Regulations update for medically important over-the-counter antibiotics

Why regulations are changing for medically important over-the-counter antibiotics, what products are impacted and how farms should prepare.

March 8, 2023

Audrey Schmitz

In a recent Penn State webinar on Dec. 6, 2022, Hayley Springer, DVM, discussed how over-the-counter “medically important” drugs will shift from an over-the-counter status to a prescription status effective on June 11, 2023.

Can you take biosecurity from 0 to 60 overnight?

By moving everyday biosecurity a little closer to the enhanced end of the spectrum, we can reduce the vulnerability of our industry to new, emerging, and exotic diseases while increasing the productivity of our cattle.

February 27, 2023

Julie Smith

How we responded on the farm to COVID-19 tells us something about our willingness to go from 0 to 60 with biosecurity for animals.

The importance of bovine obstetric training – Part 1

Provide support in the calving pen and maternity area by identifying stages of labor, timing intervention, and calving hygiene, along with assessing presentation, position and posture.

February 25, 2023

Ryan Breuer and J P Martins

Dystocias and stillbirths of dairy cattle have a significant economic impact. Many studies over the years have found that dairy herds can encounter rates of dystocias and stillbirths exceeding 10%. Although there are some factors that we cannot control, our ability to intervene and provide support at the appropriate time can be highly valuable for a successful dystocia outcome, stillbirth prevention and the prevention of future losses to the cow.

Pinkeye: A dairy producer’s nemesis

Practicing good housing management, fly control, trace mineral supplementation and vaccinations are all key parts to reducing the risk of pinkeye.

February 24, 2023

Jason Anderson

Hate dealing with pinkeye? Isn’t it a summer issue ... why do outbreaks occur at unusual times of the year? Pinkeye is a disease adding frustration to the dairy sector.