Dairy Resources - Management

March 2016

Can technologies like locomotion detectors and rumination monitors accurately predict calving time and thus improve calving outcomes?

July, 2018

Nigel Cook, BVSc, University of Wisconsin ( Tom Bennett, University of Wisconsin )

Worldwide, about 23% of dairy cattle experience lameness issues, with three types of hoof lesions causing most of those problems, says University of Wisconsin veterinarian Nigel Cook, BVSc.

June 2018

Distance walked is limiting factor on open lot dairies when it comes to water access. ( Wyatt Bechtel )

Much of the time spent focusing on nutrition only accounts for the daily feed dairy cows need. Water is often an overlooked component of nutrition and overall health.

March 2018

Strategies to get the most out of feed investment during challenging times were shared by Cornell University researchers in a recent white paper. A study of 2016-2017 farm expenses for 36 New York farms showed purchased grain and concentrate averaged 31% of total operating costs while total feed and crop expenses averaged 39% of total operating costs. In challenging economic times, managing these large investments is critical. The researchers recommend the following tips to ensure each feeding program is as effective and efficient as possible:

1. Know and track Income Over Feed Cost and Income Over Purchased Feed Cost
2. Optimize use of homegrown forages and feeds
3. Fine-tune your feeding management
4. Strategically review rations with your nutritionist
5. Carefully review cow and heifer inventories and needs

Read more details here.

Tom Overton and Larry Chase
Department of Animal Science and PRO-DAIRY Cornell University

June 2018

Paired housing can promote feed intake and decrease fearfulness in dairy calves, according to a short communication article published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Researchers compared the health and body weight of calves raised in pairs in modified hutches or in individual hutches. When calves were 60 days old, they underwent a food neophobia test where they were exposed to a novel feed for the first time. Pair-housed calves ate more starter than individually housed calves; these calves also consumed 2.6 times more novel feed in the neophobia test. The researchers observed no effect of treatment on body weight and concluded that social housing in modified hutches promotes solid feed intake and decreases fearfulness in dairy calves. Read more here. 

L. Whalin, D.M. Weary, M.A.G. von Keyserlingk
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-14361

April 2018

Dairy farmers use antibiotics to keep their herds healthy and production high. At the same time, these treatments threaten to harm public health through the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While the quantitative impact of such antibiotics on humans is not completely understood, a new Cornell study has pinpointed the financial toll that eliminating antibiotic use would have on dairy farms, a finding that could help guide regulatory policy.

March 2018

Effect of milk cessation method at dry-off on behavioral activity of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science. Advance online publication. doi: 10.3168/jds.2017-13588

BACKGROUND:  Most dairies in the US and many other countries dry cows off abruptly (e.g., stop milking cows on a set day), which has been shown to affect cow comfort. Gradually reducing milk production is another approach to dry cows off, routinely used in some countries and herds. No known research investigating the effect of different drying-off methods on dairy cow behavior have been conducted in US confinement systems or have specifically focused on the effect of high milk production at dry-off on lying behavior and activity of cows.

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