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The dairy industry is replete with information on the need for calcium supplementation post-freshening. However, lost in all of the calcium conversations is the discussion on insufficient overall nutrient reserves, a changing ration and the fluids lost during freshening, which leave the transition cow unprepared for a quick or complete recovery heading into the demands of lactation.
Fresh cows present one of the biggest opportunities for increased performance on dairy farms. However, fresh cows deal with many stressors and challenges – and if they are not properly set up for success, they will not be able to achieve an optimal level of production.
Calving sets off a series of events in a cow’s body that impacts her entire system. One stressor is a significant spike in calcium demand due to the onset of colostrum production.
Most people don’t see the doctor or get a prescription for every scratch, sniffle or headache. Many people routinely take vitamins, probiotics, herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications to prevent or combat illness.
The numbers don’t lie – mastitis infections in dairy herds are one of the most financially detrimental occurrences that a producer can face. With an estimated $2 billion in losses each year in the U.S. and $400 million in Canada, more preventative and sustainable measures to alleviate mastitis infections are sorely needed.
Everyone is aware that cows with mastitis give less milk, but we usually only consider the milk loss of clinical cows and tend to overlook the losses due to subclinical cases.
What is the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD)?
A change to the guidelines by the FDA regarding antibiotics for food animals in feed or water took effect in January 2017.
If you raise cattle, you likely know about and have dealt with dystocia or calving difficulty. How dystocia is scored and assessed can prove quite variable.
Achieving an appropriate calcium balance in dairy cows is critical near calving, but not only to ensure a healthy transition to lactation. According to a new study from the University of Illinois, calcium added to acidified prepartum diets can improve a whole suite of postpartum outcomes, including lower rates of uterine infection and quicker return to ovulation.
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