Herd Health

Maintenance trimming.
It’s a common term tossed around when it comes to hoof-trimming schedules, but what is it and what does it mean?

Most dairy cows experience a period of energy deficit following calving due to increased energy demands of lactation coupled with decreases in nutrient intake. Inability to adapt to this period results in metabolic disease such as ketosis.

When dairy cows transition from late gestation to early lactation, they often enter a state of energy deficit as increased energy demands are not met by the level of intake.

The most efficient way to increase profitability of dairy operations is to control costs while maximizing milk production. Recent research has focused on improving genetic potential and increasing feed efficiency.

The heat and humidity of a typical Arkansas summer combine to make a stressful environment for lactating dairy cows. During hot summer weather, milk production may decrease by as much as 50% and reproductive proficiency of lactating dairy cows is greatly diminished. Some data indicate that only 10% to 20% of inseminations in heat-stressed cows result in pregnancies.

The mammary gland is an extremely unusual organ because it is undeveloped at birth. The mammary gland is just a collection of cells inside the teat when a dairy calf is born, and only then does its development truly begin.