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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.
Nearly 200 professional hoof trimmers traveled to California dairy country in February to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills.
Hoof Trimmers Association’s (HTA) 2013 hoof health conference was held in Visalia, California, and included on-farm trimming demonstrations, equipment demonstrations and current information on hoof health delivered by leading researchers.
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 transition period for dairy cows is often defined as three weeks prior to calving until three weeks after calving. During this time, the cow experiences dramatic changes in feed intake, nutritional requirements and physiological status that affect nutrient balances, milk yield and composition, health and reproductive performance.
During the postpartum period, dairy cows enter a period of tissue catabolism called negative energy balance (NEB). Simply put, the amount of energy consumed is less than what’s required; this imbalance causes a cascade of metabolic failures that can be minimized by using a holistic approach.
When feed costs were cheap, you probably thought more about how to get the most milk and less about how efficiently your cows were converting that cheap feed to milk. Now that feed costs are skyrocketing, dairy feed efficiency may well be the key to whether you are profitable or destined to retire prematurely.
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.
Rations for close-up cows and fresh cows are arguably the most important and expensive rations on the farm. Investment in the nutrients given to these cows pays off in reduced metabolic disorders and a better transition into lactation.
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