Rob Geier and his hoof-trimming team canvas central Alberta with Casper Trimming Ltd., seeking to solve problems, educate clients and decrease the incidence of lameness among more than 100 dairy herds and 26,000 cows.

Did you know 58% of your income is directly related to the amount of fat delivered? And an even larger proportion of your gross profits are linked to it?

Clostridial diseases can be among the most puzzling problems on a dairy. That’s because C. perfringens and other clostridia species occur naturally in soils, water and throughout the dairy environment.

After parturition, the uterus recovery (involution), the regeneration of the endometrium (uterus “skin”), the return of the ovarian cycle and the control of pathogenic bacteria in the uterus are required before a cow is ready for a successful conception.

Results from a five-year NSERC industrial research chair on infectious diseases of dairy cattle led by Dr. Herman Barkema of the University of Calgary will help farmers improve the management of dairy animal health to prevent, manage and treat dairy cattle for Johne’s disease (JD) and mastitis for a more profitable and sustainable dairy sector.

On Oct. 11, 1826, Theodore Jones of London, England, received a patent for what he called “wire wheels.” Jones found if he added wires, or what we now call spokes, to a circular rim, the wheel could bear greater stress while maintaining its round shape.

From coast to coast, the Canadian climate sees large variations in levels of heat and humidity, but even a few days of elevated temperatures and moisture in the air can cause a dairy cow to experience heat stress and the negative impacts on production, reproduction and health that follow.

Lameness is a sign of pain resulting in an abnormal locomotion, gait or posture. It is a major economic, productivity and animal welfare issue in our industry.