The health and integrity of a cow’s hoof are critical for its overall well-being, productivity, and profitability. Inside every cow’s hoof, a silent factory works nonstop, turning living cells into […] Read more
1.
Cow health
Essential nutrients build strong, healthy hooves
Zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt and biotin are the major builders of solid hooves
What numbers define dairy cow lameness?
Many farmers can’t quote their lameness data as well as other farm benchmarks
Lesion patterns, monthly locomotion scoring and incidence rates are measurable and recordable data for dairy farmers to record around lameness on their farms.
Dear Dairy Diary – SARA in lactating dairy cows
Changes in effective fibre result in subtle, but important alterations to the diet
Dear Dairy Diary – June 24, 2024.I received a call from dairy producer that milks about 200 dairy cows. Several of his lactating cows were lethargic, quit eating and milking […] Read more
Claynook open house showcases new cross-ventilated barn
New Hamburg-area farm now milks with robots
Claynook farm produces elite dairy cattle in a new barn that features cross-ventilation and robot milking.
Ontario dairies among award-winners for reproductive excellence
Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council winners note that consistency with operations is key to success
Being consistent with feed and milking every day helps keep cows healthy and reproducing efficiently, winners of the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council awards say
Tim May talks about mental health priorities on the farm
Dairy farmer says connection between farmers and their livestock can be misunderstood
Ontario dairy farmer Tim May says the relationship between farmers and their livestock is sometimes misunderstood.
Build bigger value for cull dairy cows
In a time of high beef prices, feeding cull cows before they’re sent for slaughter can make sense
Dairy cows being sent for meat could be of higher value and healthier if they are fed for up to 60 days before processing.
Managing older cows
There’s lots we don’t know about how to keep older dairy cows productive
Demand for beef from dairy cows and expensive replacement heifers mean there’s economic incentive to understand how dairy cows age.
What it’s like dealing with avian influenza on a dairy farm
Lower milk production and the need to treat many cows are some of the challenges
Avian influenza infections on dairy farms in the United States are difficult, as heard from dairy farmers at the World Dairy Expo 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Seven steps to a successful hoof trimming program
Hoof trimming helps to head off hoof lesions by keeping cows balanced
Hoof trimming is a critical, yet often underestimated aspect of dairy cow management. Lameness, primarily caused by claw lesions, remains one of the most significant welfare and productivity challenges in […] Read more