Herd Health

The [CowSigns] program helps monitor key parameters more accurately by compiling data on specific management areas and comparing current data and trends to optimal values (input versus output metrics) in order to pinpoint bottlenecks and opportunities. The following article is a follow-up and update about the program and what it is proving about cow comfort.

High temperatures have adverse repercussions on herd health and productivity. Proper management and nutrition strategies are used to minimize the impact of heat stress in dairy cattle, reducing the associated economic losses.

1. Define the problem.
Use DHIA or on-farm records, bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC) records, bulk tank cultures and individual cow cultures to try to determine which cows are infected and when they are getting infected.

Heat stress is both a cow health and an economic issue wherever dairies exist in North America.

Historically, extensive dairy cow lameness is a relatively new problem with many causes.

Since taking the parlor to the cow is impossible in most modern dairy systems, keeping cows healthy and able to walk without pain is paramount to getting milk in the tank. Matt and Karl Hendel changed their focus from maximum milk production to herd health and have found ways to keep lameness rare, veterinarian costs down and still have high milk production.