Understand that cows produce heat continuously; they are like a walking furnace. Every hour of the day their bodies convert feed to milk. This reaction produces excess energy in the form of “heat of production” that the cow must eliminate through respiration. As long as the outside temperature is lower than her body temperature (101.5 degrees), she rids herself of the extra heat by breathing it to the outside.

Q. Part of our milking routine includes forestripping. This seems to slow down the milking process. Why should we bother to forestrip?

NMC responds:
Forestripping is one of the most important steps in the milking routine. And although forestripping is physically tiring and is often perceived as time-consuming, it is well worth the effort and can actually help shorten milking time and improve milk quality.

Hoof trimmer: Michael Wallen, Tulare, California
Location: Visalia, California
Case study: White-line abscess
Chute style: Left-tilt layover chute

Every herdsman should know how to trim feet. Even if your dairy owner has an off-farm specialist come to the dairy to do routine foot trimming, you will become a much better, professional herdsman if you learn how to trim feet. These are the reasons why:

• The more you know about the cow’s foot, the more you will understand the importance of foot care to cow productivity.

• Lame cows are sick cows; correct this health problem immediately rather than waiting several days till the foot trimmer comes. Lame cows produce less milk, suffer from pain and become chronic problems when lameness is not attacked immediately.