When milk prices are good, dairymen often focus on maximizing production and sometimes lose sight of issues that are costing them money. When milk prices are low, dairymen are much more interested in these money-losing issues. Such is the case with undiagnosed metabolic diseases. We have all seen figures on costs associated with dead cows and treatment of various diseases. But what about the cases that go undiagnosed? Is this a problem and is it economically worthwhile to evaluate and correct? The answer to these questions is a resounding ‘YES.’

In the dairy industry, more often than not, we try to shorten the duration of mastitis treatment due to the humbling economics of milk “going down the drain.” A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that only 24 percent of dairy producers follow the veterinarian-prescribed protocol every single time. The temptation to stop treatment once a clinical cure is achieved is great.

Four dairy veterinarians answered this question: Of herd health challenges that you face with clients, which are the most difficult to address?

With so many cattle vaccines available – nearly 125 different vaccines are currently on the market – there is a considerable amount of information, and misinformation, out there. To help clear up some misconceptions, Vic Cortese, DVM, PhD, DABVP and Pfizer Animal Health, bust nine common vaccine myths.

As we head into winter, safeguarding teat condition becomes an important issue. Because colder, windier, and in some areas, rainier weather, all contribute to teat condition problems, maintaining teat condition becomes a year-round effort.

On average, a person uses 18 gallons of water to take a shower. The average shower length is about 9 minutes with an average temperature of 107.5°F. That’s a lot of hot water for taking a shower. Now throw in laundry, washing dishes, etc., and you can see why a family needs a good hot water heater. It also makes sense that a larger family requires a water heater with more capacity. Right? As a dairy producer, do you know how much water you’re using in the parlor and milk house and at what temperatures?

Six dairy industry experts answer questions about the causes and ramifications of dairy lameness.

Just like it is for us humans, everything requires more effort when the body isn’t functioning at 100 percent. Therefore, it is only logical that we make some extra effort to provide additional creature comforts on dairies in the hospital and foot care areas.