High-producing dairy cows are most susceptible to metabolic diseases during the periparturient period. During the first few days of lactation, milk production increases more rapidly than dry matter intake (DMI). Maintaining high DMI is essential to attain optimal milk production. The prepartum diet, body condition score, and environmental and managerial conditions affect DMI. Postpartum disease events have an even greater impact on DMI. Objectives of this study were to determine the effect of adverse health events on DMI, milk production, bodyweight, reproductive indices and mature equivalent (ME) production of dairy cows.

Have you seen the movie The Phoenix? A group of adventurers crashed a big twin-engine airplane in the Sahara Desert. Over a period of weeks they rigged together a single-engine plane out of the pieces and flew off to a happy ending.

One of the predominant themes of many of my columns has been the relationship between art and science. The discussion is a perennial one. And there are as many answers as there are questions.

Who knew manure had so many uses? From energy production to bedding for stalls, there seems to be no limit for the usefulness of byproducts from dairy cow manure. Researchers at Michigan State University are developing yet another use for manure – construction material. Laurent Matuana, associate professor, and M. Charles Gould, extension educator of nutrient management, are working to develop medium density fiberboards (MDF) and wood-plastic composites (WPCs) made from the dried manure fibers from anaerobic digesters.

There are several different diseases that can cause diarrhea and fever in cows and calves.

This issue I’d like to share with you two of my recent reflections.

Editor’s note: The following is the second of two articles by the authors discussing precision farming techniques and their application on dairies today.

As dairy operations continue to grow and become more progressive, veterinarians have become a valuable member of the assessment team.

Too low milk prices once again are rolling into local dairy farms.

Although Adam George has explored other career opportunities, his plans following graduation have always been to return to his family’s 450-cow operation in Cody, Wyoming.