Herd Health

Summer heat hasn’t become an issue yet, so that makes it a perfect time to review the basics for heat stress on dairy cows.

Pinkeye is a common infectious disease affecting one or both eyes of cattle. Pinkeye is commonly caused by an infectious bacteria known as Moraxella bovis. Other emerging causative agents include Moraxella bovoculi and Mycoplasma bovoculi.

The dairy industry is replete with information on the need for calcium supplementation post-freshening. However, lost in all of the calcium conversations is the discussion on insufficient overall nutrient reserves, a changing ration and the fluids lost during freshening, which leave the transition cow unprepared for a quick or complete recovery heading into the demands of lactation.

When it comes to your footbath costs, there’s more to it than just the sticker price.

Many dairy producers are looking for ways to cut back on costs, and hoof care products are no exception.

Every dairy producer knows the health of the herd is invaluable when working to achieve the highest production and profit. The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly goes a long way to not only prevent the reduction in production but to reduce the difficulties and expense in reaching that pinnacle of profitability.

Walking cows through a footbath containing an antibacterial agent, such as copper sulfate or formalin, has become an industry standard practice to aid in the control of infectious hoof disease. In conventional parlor-milked herds, the footbath is typically located in the return lane from the milking center, and the majority of herds use the bath about four times per week.