Illness during the transition period has significant effects on cow success during the rest of her lactation.

AUDIO: New thinking on health of transition cows

There’s now more concern about fresh cow blood calcium levels after day four post-calving

New research on transition cows shows that dairy farmers should adjust traditional ways to manage post-calving calcium levels and ketosis. More than half of dairy cows in high managed herds go through the transition period to milking with at least one health problem. Recent research shows those problems lower the cow’s chance of success throughout […] Read more




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Explainer: Avian flu in dairy cows warrants close attention

Farmers should identify unusual signs of disease in cattle and have them examined by a veterinarian

An emerging disease syndrome was originally identified in dairy cows in Texas. These cows were identified by animal care workers and veterinarians as having the main clinical signs of reduced milk production and decreased feed intake. Approximately 10 per cent of the cows seem to show clinical signs on affected farms. No deaths occurred and cows seemed to recover with supportive care within two to three weeks. However, loss of milk production was significant. These same farms reported deceased wild birds on their properties.


FILE PHOTO: Test tubes labelled “Bird Flu” and eggs are seen in this picture illustration, January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Bird flu hits Texas dairy cows, hens, human as ducks migrate

[Change management: career change] Outbreak may have started a month ago after mysterious illness affected 40 per cent of Texas dairy cattle

Migratory waterfowl are to blame for widening avian-flu outbreaks in Texas cows and poultry, and wild birds carrying the virus should be heading north soon, state Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said.

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Dairy bird flu cases creep closer to Canada

Michigan and Idaho become fourth and fifth state to confirm virus in dairy cattle

Idaho has become the newest U.S. states to identify highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy cattle operation, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (IDSA) confirmed March 30.

It’s predicted that an increase in the number of heat stress days will increase butterfat by one per cent, so ventilation will play a crucial role in reducing this increase.

Dairy management changes may offer answers to butterfat equation

With feed additive, analyze the numbers to see if it pays

Enhancing ventilation may be one of the most cost-effective ways to increase butterfat content in a herd’s milk over the long term instead of using feed additives, according to two experts from Lactanet. Economist Simon Jetté-Nantel and director of innovation and development Débora Santschi spoke to dairy producers about butterfat, and what pays back, at […] Read more


A genetic defect was discovered last year as a cause of muscle weakness (calf recumbency) in Holstein calves.

Carrier status for two dairy defects available soon

Lactanet will publish evaluations for defects affecting Holstein and Brown Swiss

Lactanet says dairy producers will soon have access to genetic information on tested bulls and females that carry the defect for muscle weakness (Holsteins) and the BH14 haplotype (Brown Swiss). Why it matters: To prevent potential spread of the fatal defects, breeders must avoid mating two recessive carrier-status animals. Dr. Allyson Fleming, a geneticist with […] Read more

(John Greig photo)

Disease affecting U.S. dairy cows re-identified as bird flu

U.S. officials say threat to the public is low; cows don't appear to spread infection within herd

A wild waterfowl-borne disease creating milk production problems in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico dairy herds has been identified as a strain of bird flu, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says.