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The foundation of all mastitis control programs revolves around two very simple things. One is reducing the amount of bacteria on the cow’s teat, and two is preventing those bacteria from getting into the cow’s udder.
Three areas need to be addressed when attempting to achieve progress on these two factors: milking equipment, milking technique and the environment itself.
Poor hoof care is exceptionally detrimental to robotic milking facilities. Due to their unique traffic flow and design, proper planning and thought is needed for incorporating a footbath or wash system.
Dairy cows face year-round stress that can make them more susceptible to disease, resulting in reduced production and significant economic costs to a dairy.
Recent research continues to demonstrate the important role nutrition can play in promoting herd health by helping to manage stress by supporting a cow’s natural immune system.
Lameness and hoof care issues on a dairy farm drastically impact day-to-day cow comfort and can, therefore, cause significant losses in a herd’s productivity and profitability.
Elena Lindemann, Purina's Marketing Director of Lactating Livestock Feed, talks with Progressive Dairyman Editor Emily Caldwell about the Purina Cool Cow app for Android and iPhone devices.
The app was also featured in the July 1, 2013 issue of Progressive Dairyman. Click here to learn more. PD
A new smartphone app is now available to help dairy producers be aware of the heat and humidity levels their cows are experiencing to better manage heat stress effects.
“What’s going on outside isn’t necessarily what the cows are experiencing in the barn,” says Elena Lindemann, marketing director for Purina Animal Nutrition, which developed the app.
“A producer can be standing in front of the cows wearing a T-shirt or light sweatshirt, feeling comfortable, while the cows are probably already heat stressed.”
Charina and Ryan Dellar of Dellar Dairy in Harrisville, Michigan, were featured as a virtual farm tour during the 2012 World Dairy Expo and were named platinum national dairy quality award winners from National Mastitis Council two years in a row.
Individual-cow activity monitors have helped many dairies improve their heat detection rates in recent years.
By tracking increased levels of cow activity, the monitors help producers identify animals in the initial stages of estrus, which can lead to more timely insemination, reduced reproductive hormone expense and improved pregnancy rates.
When your veterinarian asks how your herd is doing, how do you respond? Do you provide a snapshot of how things are that day? Do you share anecdotal stories about calf health and reproductive loss? Do you state morbidity and mortality rates of your herd?
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