Dairy Basics - Herd Health: Featured article
Effects of heat stress on colostrum quality During heat stress cows exhibit reduced feed intake, decreased activity, increased respiratory rate, and increased peripheral blood flow in sweating. When heat stress is experienced close to calving an additional negative side effect is impaired transfer of maternal IgG's to colostrum. A study which proved this phenomenon grouped 1st calf heifers in either a cool (Temperature Humidity Index (THI) of 65) or hot environment (THI of 82 f...
Extreme heat can negatively influence a cow's ability to produce high quality colostrum. Heat stress can also negatively affect a calf's ability to absorb IgG from colostrum. Favorable environmental conditions are vital to promoting calf health, minimizing disease risk and mortality, subsequently encouraging growth rates. Two main reasons heat stress negatively influences successful passive transfer of immunity are discussed below.
Effects of heat stress on colostrum quality During heat stress cows exhibit reduced feed intake, decreased activity, increased respiratory rate, and increased peripheral blood flow in sweating. When heat stress is experienced close to calving an additional negative side effect is impaired transfer of maternal IgG's to colostrum. A study which proved this phenomenon grouped 1st calf heifers in either a cool (Temperature Humidity Index (THI) of 65) or hot environment (THI of 82 f...
Udder Health - Herd Health
For decades, the legal limit for the bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) in the U.S. has been 750,000 cells/mL. Above which, producers cannot ship their milk for sale. However, there has been a movement to lower the legal limit.
Calf Health - Herd Health
Calf raisers are responsible for the dairy herd's future - the next generation of healthy, high producing milking cows. The Wisconsin Herd Health Working Group has set out the 5 C's to a healthy start for newborn calves as: Colostrum, Calories, Cleanliness, Comfort and Consistency.
Heifer Health - Herd Health
How many dairy producers know how much their heifers weigh at birth, weaning, breeding, and calving? In too many herds the first time that a weight is recorded is when a heifer calves.
Metabolic Disease - Herd Health
Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is a common problem for many North American dairy herds, affecting 20 to 30 percent of cows in high-producing dairy herds.
Udder health - Herd Health
The most effective ways to prevent new infections are to eliminate conditions that expose teat ends to bacteria and reduce the possibility of spread from cow to cow – many of which are discussed below.
March 6th 2012
January 16th 2012
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