HERD HEALTH

More than 1,500 records comparing lameness and lesion presence data among Alberta freestall herds reveals most cows with lameness have a lesion. However, not all cows with a lesion are lame.

Dairy farming has become an increasingly complex activity today, mostly due to its multidisciplinary demands. It is essential for dairy producers and their advisers to take a broad 360-degree view of the business.

If your farm could have great success and prevent more lameness by spending less money, would you be interested?

The importance of transition cow management is well-known. But until recently, there have been unknowns about early disease indicators which impact the health of transition cows and heifers.

The benefits of a healthy transition period are more than simply the convenience of not having to deal with cases of ketosis or twisted stomachs. Treating cows right for those critical weeks before and after calving leads to more milk, better reproduction and fewer headaches throughout the lactation.

Several factors can affect teat skin condition. These include weather, housing conditions, teat disinfectant chemistry, milking system settings and micro-organisms.