HERD HEALTH

Your fresh cow program can make or break the economic success and health of each cow’s lactation. It is important to get these transitioning cows off to a solid start. Three fresh cow pillars that can ensure a successful transit are outlined below.

The modern dairy cow is a model of remarkable productive efficiency. In high-producing dairy herds with annual average milk production levels in excess of 15,000 kilograms per cow, 75% or more of the energy consumed is translated into milk production and other functions beyond maintenance.

In the world of dairy nutrition, new recommendations are continually being made. An important area of focus in which new advances are being made is dry cow nutrition, especially the close-up dry cow period, as it is a crucial time.

Maternity is a classically overlooked and poorly understood area of the farm. This high-impact area affects both cow and calf – and therefore is a potential source of variation.

Feeding a negative DCAD diet works. Science and on-farm application have proven time and again that feeding negative DCAD diets to pre-fresh cows prevents milk fever and helps minimize other common postpartum problems.

Promoting a surface on which cows want to lie down is about more than just comfort. The bedding material a dairy chooses plays a critical role in preventing mastitis, reducing injury, regulating temperature and fitting into the overall management system.