Physiological changes in early lactation can affect subsequent fertility of lactating dairy cows, and it is common for dairy cows to lose body condition after calving. Multiple studies demonstrated low body condition or loss of body condition creates fewer pregnancies per A.I. at first service.

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.

This column brings you information regarding some of the research being done around the world and published in the Journal of Dairy Science. The objective is to bring to light areas of research that may have an immediate practical application on a dairy farm as well as research that, even though it may not have a practical impact now, could be interesting for its future potential application.

A new fact sheet called “Footbaths for the prevention and control of digital dermatitis” is available for download at no cost at Dairy Farmers of Canada in the producer resources section of the site.

Canadian dairy farmers are world leaders in producing quality milk. Farmers have long been diligent caretakers of their animals, and they know healthy, well-cared-for animals enjoy a longer life and yield more high-quality milk.