Urine pH testing is an easy way to take advantage of a proven technology to make sure the cows are consuming the diet specifically formulated to meet their requirements. In addition, urine pH testing can be used to help dial in the diet. 

Managing herd health and reproduction on a dairy farm is a constant challenge that requires keen observation, experience and timely interventions. For Calori-D Dairy, implementing the CowManager monitoring system in December 2022 marked a turning point in how they managed their cows – both for health and reproduction.

Even though millions of cows and hundreds of research trials have demonstrated the positive benefits of feeding a negative DCAD diet, there are always those who look for new and better ways to accomplish the goal of reducing incidence of clinical and subclinical milk fever. While those interventions do exist, it is hard to beat the proven efficacy of feeding a negative DCAD diet. 

Managing and achieving a successful fresh-cow transition is a critical component of a profitable and sustainable dairy business. Despite significant achievements through research and improved management strategies, there are still numerous on-farm and individual cow risk factors that come into play, resulting in a fine line between achieving a successful transition and one that always seems to be a work in progress.

Globally, whether working in a continuously housed dairy or a grazing herd, it is generally accepted that the transition period brings the complexity of shifting metabolic priorities.

Producers are encouraged to work with their management team to identify risk factors that may lead to this mid-lactation down cow syndrome.

It is a pretty exciting time in the field of milk fever prevention. New products, new strategies and new research are here – giving dairy producers more options to prevent milk fever and subclinical hypocalcemia. 

Five outcomes necessary to prepare every cow for a successful 305-day lactation.