Without hard data, it’s challenging to truly evaluate ration changes with your nutritionist, review trends in rumination data with your veterinarian or plan management adjustments with confidence.

In recent years, researchers have discovered that heat stress affects the gut at a very basic level. This has led to a growing interest in nutritional strategies that support gut health, with probiotics emerging as a promising tool to help cows better cope with high temperatures.

Instead of ignoring low rumination alerts, understanding what may be causing them is key before taking action. Establishing management practices to support individual animals and prevent rumination drops on herd and group levels can make a big difference.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) officials confirmed Wednesday night the arrival of New World screwworm in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County of southern Texas, making it the first confirmed case to arrive across the Mexico border.

Administering cows an innovative technology in bolus form at dry-off has been shown to decrease milk production 50% to 60% in the first 24 hours after dry-off. Research on the new product – StopLac from AHV – shows it also doesn’t negatively impact the health of the cow or milk production in her next lactation.

For decades, hoof health programs relied on routine schedules and human observation. Cows were trimmed at set points in lactation or flagged by employees who noticed visible signs of lameness.