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
Tag Archives dairy — page 11
Amazing biology, but there’s also risk in bovine hooves
Is the suspensory apparatus in bovine hooves a boon or Achilles' Heel?
Managing veterinary medicine shortages
Cattle producers often find bare shelves when they need animal health products
In the ever-changing world of global supply, cattle producers regularly face inconsistent supplies of critical animal health products. This makes it necessary for producers to be in close contact with their veterinarians to ensure they’ve got what they need when they need it. The issues that can affect supply are varied and include: For example, […] Read more
Genetic analysis confirms stable flies as mastitis vector
Research shows flies can carry the bacteria from manure breeding sites
New genetic sequencing research shows that stable flies carry pathogenic bacteria associated with mastitis. Petri dish research is now supplemented with gene sequencing in the bacteriology lab so a team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin decided it was time for an update to the understanding of relationships between dairy barn-dwelling flies and milk […] Read more
Cattle Scan’s bolus system wins pitch competition
It took five minutes for ag-tech startup founder Denis Tokarev to secure a $10,000 prize at a recent “pitch competition” in Calgary, but he hopes the buzz generated by the award as well as his networking with dairy sector stakeholders while in Alberta will eventually lead to a bigger payback for Guelph-based Cattle Scan. Inventures […] Read more
Lameness stagnation: Why hoof health issues persist in dairy cattle
Despite years of identifying causes and new approaches hoof health is still a problem
Lameness is a complex condition influenced by a diverse array of intertwined factors, from cow-level elements to environmental conditions and management practices. It is often the cumulative impact of several interacting factors that leads to the development of lameness, making it challenging to control effectively. This interdependent nature of risk factors requires comprehensive and integrated […] Read more
Strategically feed the robot
Feeding more in the milking robot doesn’t mean more visits by cows
Feeding cows that are milked with a robot is more complicated than you think. It is not enough to add feed to the robot. It is necessary to ensure that the cow’s complete ration is adequate. How much feed should be added to the robot? What is the impact on cow performance? What will be […] Read more
Top genetics shouldn’t change much under modernized LPI
Lactanet to update its benchmark Lifetime Performance Index by early next year
The emphasis given to production and health characteristics will change in a proposed new Lifetime Performance Index (LPI) for Canadian dairy cows – with new weighting for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing “milkability”. Brian Van Doormaal, chief services officer for Lactanet, the genetic testing and data management organization leading the process, says changes in […] Read more
Moisture management is key in compost-pack barns
Compost barns could be a transition option for those who now milk in tie stalls
Compost bedding packs that get too wet can be bad news and result in problems with slower composting, milk quality and the need to add more bedding. Those are findings from recent research projects on Ontario dairy farms, conducted by students at the University of Guelph, including Angie Wilson, who is completing her post-doctoral research […] Read more
Canada expands bird flu surveillance in dairy cattle
Government issues requirements for testing bird flu in dairy cattle and milk
The Government of Canada and stakeholders are taking new precautions to help prevent the emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Canadian dairy cattle. Late last week, the feds announced intentions to expand its avian flu surveillance by: -Requiring negative HPAI test results for lactating dairy cattle being imported from the United States to […] Read more
Domestic birds host for bovine influenza A virus
Epidemiologist says there is “still lots” to investigate about how virus jumped from from birds to dairy cattle
Domestic birds that live in and around barns have been confirmed as the avian hosts of an outbreak on dairy farms in the United States of highly pathogenic avian influenza. An April 16 update from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the avian host in this outbreak wasn’t migratory waterfowl, as has […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
