The immune system is the body’s military. It is tasked with being able to recognize pathogenic invaders that have entered the body and eliminate them as quickly as possible.

Determining the infecting bacteria type allows for a more guided treatment decision. Not all producers can work with a veterinarian to culture milk samples, and results from on-farm culturing can be difficult to interpret. However, being able to at least categorize the infecting pathogen can provide valuable information.

Described as a “cunning chameleon,” Mycoplasma bovis has vague symptoms with an insidious onset. It is difficult to diagnose, and treat, and producers may not even realize it is on their operation.

A productive cow isn’t always a profitable cow. A profitable cow performs in milk volume and quality, breeds back quickly and experiences few health events.

While most ectoparasites may take a break for the winter, it is important not to let your guard down because some parasites like mites and lice prefer the cooler time of the year.

Through diligent testing and careful herd management, including new cow herd introduction and willingness to cull, Johne's can be reduced herd by herd.

What are cows doing if parasites are hanging around? Certainly not what they’re supposed to be doing. External parasites can affect a cow’s milk production immediately, because cows will spend their time scratching instead of eating or resting.

Managing bovine respiratory disease (BRD) can sometimes feel like a game of whack-a-mole for dairy producers. Many stressors can pop up with little to no advanced warning early in a calf’s life, putting them at greater risk for developing BRD.  

Salmonella are very contagious and pathogenic bacteria that can cause high mortality and economic losses in cattle. Salmonella Dublin (S. Dublin) is a specific kind of salmonella, known as a serotype, that is host-adapted to bovine.