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The milk quality premium has long been the standard in the U.S. dairy system. Producers are rewarded for producing milk with lower somatic cell counts with dollars that are over and above the flat price per hundredweight (cwt). This system has been around for a long time for good reason: It works.
When making the decision to use a modified-live vaccine (MLV) or a killed vaccine specifically for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), it’s important to balance risk with achieving the greatest benefit from a vaccination protocol.
If dairy veterinarians still viewed their primary role as treating individual sick animals, many in the profession would be obsolete.
The 60-cow stanchion barn no longer dominates the culture of the dairy industry, and producers have evolved to a new era of dairying.
Progressive research, innovative technologies and planned marketing opportunities have helped producers grow with the industry.
Pre-fresh health in dairy cows is more than a feed ration adjustment and a pen move. It’s all the little things that prepare a cow for calving and lactation. Pre-fresh health is similar to flipping on the power switch to a vacant building.
You must maintain the health and wellness of pre-fresh cows so that once lactation is turned on, they are in peak physical condition for performance and production.
Animal welfare is a front-and-center issue that requires careful communication of real procedures used on farms by hoof trimmers.
Many of my colleagues and I realize that public perception matters.
As an example, a TV report last year used a video captured at a horse show.
The Hoof Supervisor System tablet device launched at World Ag Expo in 2010 now has a related software program that aims to make hoof records a smooth process.
Lack of time is the number one reason I hear farmers say they don’t have a preventative hoof care plan in place.
However, there are some farmers who have found a way to do all their daily chores plus implement a hoof care plan.
Our progressive panel participants have provided responses for one last roundtable discussion about managing herd and hoof health issues.
We’d like to thank the participants for opening up about their operations for five issues of the magazine, and also sharing with us their best management practices for calf and heifer raising, manure handling, breeding and feed and nutrition. Each family will receive a Proud to Dairy cooler and Progressive Dairyman hats.
The importance of post-fresh health in dairy cows has been well documented. Cows that get off to a good start peak higher, milk more, breed back quicker, have lower 60-day cull rates and are more profitable. There have been many articles written about ways to facilitate a good start.
As demand rises for higher-quality milk, dairy producers must find ways to decrease somatic cell counts (SCC) and increase production. Many dairy producers are turning their attention to the dry cow period and use comprehensive dry cow programs to prepare cows for success in the next lactation.
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