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 dairy farming. By maintaining hoof health, regular hoof trimming improves animal welfare and ensures optimal farm profitability. This article delves into the practical benefits of […] Read more
Cow health — page 4
Seven steps to a successful hoof trimming program
Hoof trimming helps to head off hoof lesions by keeping cows balanced
Dairy beef changes dairy management, beef market
Large increases are seen in price for dairy cows, calves
The rapid rise in beef cattle prices has driven inflation and fundamental change in the dairy sector. Similar to the price for beef calves and cows, cull dairy cows, young cross-bred calves destined for the beef market and fresh milking cows have more than doubled in value.
VIDEO: World Dairy Expo 2024: Thursday Oct. 3 wrap up
Glacier FarmMedia’s Senior Livestock Editor John Greig is at World Dairy Expo 2024. In this video update, he talks about: Watch his coverage on the Glacier FarmMedia network.
VIDEO: World Dairy Expo 2024: Wednesday Oct. 2 wrap up
The avian influenza outbreak in U.S. dairy cows is influencing the largest dairy trade show in the world. At the World Dairy Expo, in Madison, Wisc., Canadian entries in the cattle show are down 40 per cent and there are fewer Canadians attending the show this year. There are, however, still many international visitors on […] Read more
World Dairy Expo 2024 opens soon
The large dairy trade show and cattle show will have fewer cattle from Canada due to the avian influenza outbreak in dairy cattle
The World Dairy Expo starts this weekend, with the International Junior Holstein Show, fitting contests and intercollegiate and international judging competitions, but it really gets underway on Tuesday Sept 30. That’s the day when the number of events jumps and the giant trade show opens. The show in Madison, Wisconsin is the largest dairy sector […] Read more
U.S. farmers’ testing refusal skews bird flu count
Dairy producers fear economic losses from positive tests, but health officials say testing is key to limiting human spread
The U.S. avian flu outbreak in dairy cattle is much larger than official figures suggest, due to farmers' reluctance to test their animals and risk the economic consequences of a positive result, according to interviews with dairy experts, veterinarians and farmers in six states with known cases.
CFIA adds requirements for cattle returning from U.S. due to bird flu
Cattle have to be tested negative for influenza A virus within seven days of their expected return
Cattle returning from the U.S. after a stay of less than 60 days will require additional certification as bird flu concerns continue. The requirements, which took effect yesterday, require an additional paperwork, including an export certification statement. This could make it more challenging for Canadian dairy farmers to show their cattle at events like the […] Read more
Dairy cows need to be optimized for resting time
Cows need to lie down for 12 hours to maximize milk production
The message often conveyed in terms of animal welfare is that dairy cows need to be given more resting time. According to researcher Nigel Cook, we should instead seek to optimize the resting time. In a webinar with co-host Courtney Halbach, an extension specialist, Cook, an expert on the impact of the environment on dairy […] Read more
Amazing biology, but there’s also risk in bovine hooves
Is the suspensory apparatus in bovine hooves a boon or Achilles' Heel?
The intricate structure of cow hooves is a marvel of biological engineering but also a potential point of failure under stress. The suspensory apparatus can be a boon or an Achilles’ heel for today’s dairy cows. Damage to the complex suspensory apparatus leads to permanent structural changes and the chance of chronic lameness. The persistent […] Read more
Strategic use of chelated trace minerals in dairy rations makes sense
There are specific cases where chelated trace minerals should be used in dairy diets
In the last couple of years I have noticed that most dairy lactation diets contain a fortified level of chelated trace minerals. When I ask dairy producers why they feed them over conventional ones, they often say they don’t know or their nutritionist thinks it is a good idea. There is nothing technically wrong with […] Read more
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