Herd Health

You have probably heard it said the nutrition and health status of dairy animals are unmistakably linked to one another.

No doubt that you’ve read numerous articles on footbath management, but few tell you the common mistakes that impact the success of your footbath program.

Opportunities for improvement exists on many dairies in second and subsequent insemination (2nd+) efficiency for lactating cows and age at first calving (AFC) for heifers.

Significant increases in dry matter intake and milk production with increased digestibility were reported in animal trials where forages of higher in vitro digestibility and similar Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) concentration were fed.

As demand for low-spore raw milk increases, and with it prospects for premiums, the dairy industry needs evidence-based recommendations to give producers the tools to take advantage of this opportunity.

Fat supplementation of dairy cattle diets is a common practice to increase dietary energy and to thereby enhance milk and milk fat yields.