Herd Health

Case study: How a high-producing dairy herd cuts antibiotic use by 78%

gepalas@iastate.edu — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

For this herd, the opportunity wasn’t solving a visible problem, it was uncovering unnecessary cost. By using individual cow data to guide dry-off decisions, they reduced treatment, maintained herd performance and captured additional value.

Nexus awards: New bolus helps dry cows off faster, more comfortably

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Administering cows an innovative technology in bolus form at dry-off has been shown to decrease milk production 50% to 60% in the first 24 hours after dry-off. Research on the new product – StopLac from AHV – shows it also doesn’t negatively impact the health of the cow or milk production in her next lactation.

Do your best to limit inflammation

don.larson@feedworksusa.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Inflammation is not limited to obvious clinical cases; it’s a normal biological process that takes place every day in a cow. We should recognize it as part of the cow’s constant physiologic balancing act, and one that becomes especially delicate during the transition period.

Weekly Digest: Bird flu back in Idaho dairy

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:52:55 -0400

In dairy-related news the third week of April 2026: Bird flu back in Idaho dairy, Texas facility groundbreaking marks major milestone in NWS preparedness, and Lallemand launches educational platform on the ruminant digestion.

Turning lameness data into measurable ROI

terry.canning@gea.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

For decades, hoof health programs relied on routine schedules and human observation. Cows were trimmed at set points in lactation or flagged by employees who noticed visible signs of lameness.

From stress to success: Everyday ways to improve herd health and profitability

meganabeyta@gpsdairy.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Recent research from multiple labs suggests some of the most expensive stressors cows experience are the ones we don’t see.

Energy reserves and reproduction: Why fertility starts long before the transition period

lxf5262@psu.edu — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Growing evidence suggests that events occurring during the previous lactation may also influence reproductive success in the subsequent lactation.

Measure It to Manage It: Rumination data improves feed transitions and ingredient decisions

audrey@agproud.com — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In 2021, Hornstead Dairy took a step toward smarter data-driven care by implementing smaXtec, a health monitoring system initially aimed to improve their reproduction program. What started as a tool for reproduction soon uncovered a hidden culprit.

6 steps to maximize dry-off comfort and productivity

jenna.williamson@ahvint.com — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A well-managed dry-off period pays dividends in higher milk yield, healthier cows and fewer fresh cow problems. By prioritizing comfort, health and body condition, producers can turn this resting phase into one of the most productive investments in the herd’s future performance.

Monitoring transition cow management using fresh cow data

rhfourdr@ncsu.edu — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

There are many single measurements that you can use to monitor your transition cow program, like gestation length, dry period length, calving ease, abortions, etc. However, combining all these into a single easy-to-understand measure will save time and will be easier to track over time. The new Fresh Cow Index (FCI) was developed to determine if your herd transition cow management program is successful.

Is this the best dairy in the world?

alvaro@dellait.com — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Is this the best dairy in the world? That depends on how excellence is defined. If success is measured by scale or throughput, perhaps not. But if it is measured by how long cows remain healthy, comfortable and economically productive, this family-scale herd makes a compelling case.

Putting data in the driver's seat

katie_raver@rockriverlab.com — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Although it has become commonplace in our standard daily routines, we don’t think about all the ways AI tools are and can be utilized on dairy operations. These powerful tools can not only simplify day-to-day tasks, but they can also help drive decision-making and profitability.

Good colostrum handling maximizes the value of dry cow vaccines and management

halley.fobes@vaxxinova.com — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The early days of a calf’s life can be perilous. With limited immune function of their own, they are reliant on the protection provided by maternal colostrum. That protection goes beyond antibodies (immunoglobulins or IgG) and remains an area of active research.

From vision, GenoSource LLC develops a herd of premium genetics to market worldwide

audrey@agproud.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

In 2014, a bold vision took shape in Blairstown, Iowa, to build a dairy farm with the goal of creating a modern, efficient cow capable of excelling in freestall environments with few health issues and high feed efficiency. That idea became GenoSource LLC, which stands as a testament to vision, persistence and the power of collaboration.

Agriculture’s role in antimicrobial resistance and how antibiotic alternatives can curb the spread

d.iscovich@mileutis.com — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Immune-based biologics are a solution with the potential to reduce (and perhaps eliminate) antibiotics use across dairy farms worldwide and ultimately mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

From dry-off to peak milk: Best practices that set transition cows up for success

matthew.boyle@zoetis.com — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Looking at optimizing the entire transition period may seem like a daunting task at first, but it gets easier when we break it down into three key time periods: 60 days pre-fresh, 30 days pre-fresh and 30 days post-fresh.

Dairy growth in New York: Biosecurity considerations

rlynch@cornell.edu — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

With the recent investments in dairy processing capacity in New York, demand for milk will increase. This may prompt dairy owners to consider herd growth, and advanced planning is critical for this to be successful.

The Target Cow concept: Finding the right cows at the right time

axb779@psu.edu — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The focus should be on identifying the subgroups of animals within these larger groups that are more susceptible to succumbing to the transition period challenges. In order to do this, we created the Target Cow concept.

Navigating winter dysentery and the everyday challenges of dairy farming

ryaro@novonesis.com — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Winter dysentery is unpredictable but inevitable; daily use of a proven probiotic supports healthy, productive herds and helps maintain normal GI function.

Is inflammation control the solution to transition cow health?

rjv10@psu.edu — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:22:21 -0500

Managing inflammation isn’t the sole solution for transition cow health, but it unifies how environmental, nutritional and management factors influence the cow’s success or failure during transition.

Step in, scrub down: Enhancing dairy farm biosecurity with boot wash stations

rrobertshaw@canarm.ca — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

When placed strategically and used consistently, boot wash stations help protect vulnerable animals, reduce cross-contamination and promote a culture of care and responsibility.

Udder edema in dairy cows: Prevention and treatment strategies

jenna.williamson@ahvint.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Recent studies show 66% of dairy cows have udder edema at least once in their lifetime. Understanding the signs, causes, risk factors and available strategies for the prevention and treatment of udder edema is essential for effective herd management.

Shedding placental membranes and uterine restoration

leonardo.bringhenti@ahvint.com — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Proper postpartum care is essential for dairy cows to ensure they return to full reproductive health quickly.

Modified-live versus killed vaccines: What are the differences?

richard.linhart@vaxxinova.com — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Cattle vaccines are generally available in one of two different forms, either modified-live or attenuated products, or killed or inactivated products. Each type of vaccine has its unique properties, advantages and disadvantages, and its place in a herd health program.

First case of HPAI confirmed in Nebraska dairy herd

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:12:40 -0400

On Sept. 15, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 in a dairy cattle herd in Nebraska.

Salmonella Dublin flies under radar

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Beware Typhoid Mary in your herd. She may not be showing signs of infection, but could be carrying and shedding Salmonella Dublin, a bacterium that can be transmitted from lactating cows to calves.

Should we target longevity or extend lactation length for dairy cows?

sleblanc@uoguelph.ca — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

There are discussions in dairy industries in many countries about whether it should be an explicit aim to increase longevity. Some assert that retaining cows for longer lactations or more years contributes to sustainability because fewer replacement animals would be needed, reducing the environmental costs of these non-productive animals.

Health events in dairy cattle: Prevent them all for optimal repro

axb779@psu.edu — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Health events are undesirable events in dairy farms and, in my opinion, are one of the biggest challenges the dairy industry has been facing. Although the incidence of some specific diseases – such as milk fever or clinical ketosis – has decreased in the last 20 years or so, the overall percentage of animals experiencing one or more diseases in the first 60 days after calving hasn’t changed.

Is salmonella present on your dairy?

angie.rowson@vaxxinova.com — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Cows infected with salmonella can shed organisms in their manure, colostrum, saliva, milk and vaginal and nasal secretions. The disease is commonly spread from one cow to another when she consumes the manure of an animal that is shedding the bacteria. Cows usually ingest this infected manure in their feed or water.

Avoid dry-off surprises: Use robotic tools to smooth the end of lactation

john@cow-corner.co — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Like the speedometer, the dry-off list may include cows that are milking more than expected, and it might be necessary to pump the brakes hard to dry them off successfully. Or, like the blind spot, life happens, holidays and time off intervene, and suddenly, there are more cows on the dry-off list than expected. Automated milking systems and milking system software have some options for managing cows going into the dry period.