https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us don.larson@feedworksusa.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63150 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63150-do-your-best-to-limit-inflammation lxf5262@psu.edu Growing evidence suggests that events occurring during the previous lactation may also influence reproductive success in the subsequent lactation. Growing evidence suggests that events occurring during the previous lactation may also influence reproductive success in the subsequent lactation.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63145 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63145-energy-reserves-and-reproduction-why-fertility-starts-long-before-the-transition-period 63145-martins-1.jpg rhfourdr@ncsu.edu 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62820 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62820-monitoring-transition-cow-management-using-fresh-cow-data alvaro@dellait.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62786 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62786-is-this-the-best-dairy-in-the-world 62786-garcia-1.jpg audrey@agproud.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62576 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62576-from-vision-genosource-llc-develops-a-herd-of-premium-genetics-to-market-worldwide 62576-schmitz-farm.jpg matthew.boyle@zoetis.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62513 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62513-from-dry-off-to-peak-milk-best-practices-that-set-transition-cows-up-for-success 62513-boyle-zoetis-dairywellness.jpg axb779@psu.edu 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62373 Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62373-the-target-cow-concept-finding-the-right-cows-at-the-right-time rjv10@psu.edu 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62313 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:22:21 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62313-is-inflammation-control-the-solution-to-transition-cow-health 62313-VanSaun-9554.jpg jenna.williamson@ahvint.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62253 Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62253-udder-edema-in-dairy-cows-prevention-and-treatment-strategies 62253-williamson-udder.jpg leonardo.bringhenti@ahvint.com Proper postpartum care is essential for dairy cows to ensure they return to full reproductive health quickly. Proper postpartum care is essential for dairy cows to ensure they return to full reproductive health quickly.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62252 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62252-shedding-placental-membranes-and-uterine-restoration 62252-bringhenti-cow-calf.jpg kristen.devine@pahc.com 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61635 Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61635-the-benefits-of-urine-ph-testing-go-beyond-monitoring-dcad 61635-devine-V3A3896---Dixon.jpg steven.pavelski@nedap.com From pre-fresh to post-fresh, data from automated monitoring technology empowers dairies to act earlier, manage smarter and achieve stronger returns – one transition cow at a time. From pre-fresh to post-fresh, data from automated monitoring technology empowers dairies to act earlier, manage smarter and achieve stronger returns – one transition cow at a time.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61543 Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61543-tapping-into-data-to-improve-transition-cow-health-and-farm-roi 61543-pavelski-BY7A8431.jpg tiago.tomazi@merck.com Your cows may not have a crystal ball, but monitoring technology used during the dry period may provide valuable information that can be used to predict the risk of potential health disorders that could affect lactation performance post-calving. Considering dry cows often are “out of sight and out of mind,” monitoring technology can fill the gap by keeping tabs on them 24-7. Your cows may not have a crystal ball, but monitoring technology used during the dry period may provide valuable information that can be used to predict the risk of potential health disorders that could affect lactation performance post-calving. Considering dry cows often are “out of sight and out of mind,” monitoring technology can fill the gap by keeping tabs on them 24-7.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61460 Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61460-can-dry-cows-see-the-future-how-monitoring-technology-can-predict-fresh-cow-issues 61460-tomazi-dixon.jpg ruby.wu@churchdwight.com 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61216 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61216-negative-dcad-diet-still-holds-key-to-health-and-performance 61216-wu-6495-Schmitz.jpg jas927@cornell.edu Most cows experience a drop in blood calcium concentrations at the start of lactation. For many cows, this is an example of normal subclinical hypocalcemia. However, most cows overcome this calcium imbalance quickly by activating calcium regulation pathways in the body. The cows that do not are dyscalcemic and can experience negative outcomes. Most cows experience a drop in blood calcium concentrations at the start of lactation. For many cows, this is an example of normal subclinical hypocalcemia. However, most cows overcome this calcium imbalance quickly by activating calcium regulation pathways in the body. The cows that do not are dyscalcemic and can experience negative outcomes.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61048 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61048-the-silent-impact-of-subclinical-hypocalcemia cardoso2@illinois.edu Transition cows are prone to inflammation, hypocalcemia and metabolic disorders that can lead to lower chances of getting pregnant and long-term consequences on the health and productivity of the cow – all of which can take away from a dairy producer’s bottom line. Transition cows are prone to inflammation, hypocalcemia and metabolic disorders that can lead to lower chances of getting pregnant and long-term consequences on the health and productivity of the cow – all of which can take away from a dairy producer’s bottom line.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61063 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61063-proving-the-payoff rma@protekta.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60960 Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60960-through-the-decades-the-evolution-of-hypocalcemia-mitigation-strategies 60960-martin-edgar.jpg lcaixeta@umn.edu Managing the transition period in high-producing dairy cows is critical to maintaining udder health, comfort and production efficiency. Recent advancements in dry-off strategies, such as the use of oral acidogenic boluses, offer innovative ways to tackle challenges such as elevated milk production, intramammary infections and clinical mastitis. Managing the transition period in high-producing dairy cows is critical to maintaining udder health, comfort and production efficiency. Recent advancements in dry-off strategies, such as the use of oral acidogenic boluses, offer innovative ways to tackle challenges such as elevated milk production, intramammary infections and clinical mastitis.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60898 Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60898-the-bolus-boost-how-acidogenic-boluses-enhance-dry-off-management sleblanc@uoguelph.ca Most dairy cows have potentially disease-causing bacteria in their reproductive tract in low abundance. Cows develop uterine infection and disease when the pathogens overgrow and become dominant. Cows need to have a rapid, robust and well-regulated inflammatory response in the uterus during and immediately after calving to detach the placenta, keep bacterial pathogens in check and start uterine repair. Most dairy cows have potentially disease-causing bacteria in their reproductive tract in low abundance. Cows develop uterine infection and disease when the pathogens overgrow and become dominant. Cows need to have a rapid, robust and well-regulated inflammatory response in the uterus during and immediately after calving to detach the placenta, keep bacterial pathogens in check and start uterine repair.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60739 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60739-managing-metritis-in-dairy-cows 60739-leblanc-edgar.jpg jboerma@purdue.edu Skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in dairy cows’ health and productivity, but it’s also a very dynamic tissue. It can be mobilized to support milk production during periods of negative energy balance, but recovery of lost muscle is much slower. Skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in dairy cows’ health and productivity, but it’s also a very dynamic tissue. It can be mobilized to support milk production during periods of negative energy balance, but recovery of lost muscle is much slower.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60738 Wed, 08 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60738-when-and-how-much-muscle-do-cows-lose-and-gain-throughout-lactation 60738-boerman-cow-ultrasound.jpg kimmo@novonesis.com The transition period in dairy cows is a pivotal time for maintaining health and productivity. During this phase, significant physiological, metabolic and dietary changes occur, which present unique challenges for the cow. The transition period in dairy cows is a pivotal time for maintaining health and productivity. During this phase, significant physiological, metabolic and dietary changes occur, which present unique challenges for the cow. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60730 Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60730-supporting-the-transition-cow-a-probiotic-centered-approach 60730-morrill-1.jpg julieannopgenorth@gmail.com Fresh cows are more susceptible to disease than at any other point in their lactation, and this is traditionally attributed to a suppressed immune system around calving. Fresh cows are more susceptible to disease than at any other point in their lactation, and this is traditionally attributed to a suppressed immune system around calving. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60594 Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60594-transition-cow-immune-suppression-or-a-state-of-immune-robustness gouveiak@msu.edu One factor that plays a role in the success of the transition period is the cow’s body composition, more specifically the fat and muscle of the cow. Both fat and muscle tissues are mobilized during the transition period to compensate for the negative nutrient balances and provide precursors for milk and milk components. One factor that plays a role in the success of the transition period is the cow’s body composition, more specifically the fat and muscle of the cow. Both fat and muscle tissues are mobilized during the transition period to compensate for the negative nutrient balances and provide precursors for milk and milk components.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60422 Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60422-shaping-success-the-role-of-fat-and-muscle-in-transition-cows karen@agproud.com With multiple data sources collected in a single platform, dairy producer Allan Kutz is able to see more information in less time. In particular, he is better able to see how his fresh cows are performing by days in milk (DIM). With multiple data sources collected in a single platform, dairy producer Allan Kutz is able to see more information in less time. In particular, he is better able to see how his fresh cows are performing by days in milk (DIM).

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60399 Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60399-dairy-producer-finds-value-in-synchronized-data 60399-lee-20240815--kutz-farm-1.jpg animalnutrition@adm.com If we consider how plants can help our heifers and cows conquer that daunting transition period, there may be more than simply forages, in terms of plants, to consider. Let us dig into the world of phytochemicals. If we consider how plants can help our heifers and cows conquer that daunting transition period, there may be more than simply forages, in terms of plants, to consider. Let us dig into the world of phytochemicals.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59765 Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59765-the-role-of-phytochemicals-during-the-transition-period Calves_new_-_Hurty.jpeg kortega@jefo.com Jerseys have their own requirements and different nutritional challenges that we must consider when formulating rations. Jerseys have their own requirements and different nutritional challenges that we must consider when formulating rations.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59611 Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59611-one-size-does-not-fit-all-how-jerseys-are-not-small-holsteins 59611-ortega-jerseys.jpg theudderdoctor@gmail.com In my 50 years of experience, managing the level of SCC and mastitis in fresh heifers is critical to achieving excellent milk quality. There are many important ways to improve milk quality on your dairy, but don’t let fresh heifers contribute to your issues. In my 50 years of experience, managing the level of SCC and mastitis in fresh heifers is critical to achieving excellent milk quality. There are many important ways to improve milk quality on your dairy, but don’t let fresh heifers contribute to your issues.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59647 Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59647-mastitis-in-fresh-heifers-a-major-problem 59647-johnson-jillian-williams.jpg nmichael@pdscows.com Producers are encouraged to work with their management team to identify risk factors that may lead to this mid-lactation down cow syndrome. Producers are encouraged to work with their management team to identify risk factors that may lead to this mid-lactation down cow syndrome.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59601 Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59601-are-mid-lactation-milk-fevers-a-misnomer 59601-michael-martin-calf.jpg ggengelbach@axiota.com The transition period is a period of high stress and is generally accompanied by an increased demand for trace minerals for fetal growth, colostrum/milk production and to support a challenged immune system. The transition period is a period of high stress and is generally accompanied by an increased demand for trace minerals for fetal growth, colostrum/milk production and to support a challenged immune system.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59277 Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59277-the-perfect-marriage-oral-plus-injectable-trace-minerals TMR_outside_-_Staff.jpeg patrick.hoffman@wisc.edu 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/57928 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:00:55 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57928-new-strategies-to-prevent-milk-fever Calves_new_-_Hurty.jpeg