Education

Mineral Strategies During Heat Stress: What To Watch This Summer

Mon, 18 May 2026 15:01:31 GMT

Summer nutrition challenges are no longer limited to keeping cattle cool. As temperatures climb and forage conditions fluctuate, heat stress alters feed intake, grazing behavior, water consumption and, ultimately, mineral status across the herd.

In cow-calf production systems, those changes can show up in subtle ways first: inconsistent mineral intake, rough hair coats, reduced thriftiness, pica or cattle simply “looking off” long before overt disease appears.

Greg Eckerle, technical services manager with Novonesis, notes that successful summer mineral programs depend on understanding how environmental stress changes both animal behavior and nutrient availability.

“Maximizing the potential of what we’re putting out there to meet that animal’s needs is imperative,” Eckerle says.

Heat Stress Changes Intake Patterns

One of the biggest nutritional challenges during summer heat is reduced intake. To cope with heat stress, cattle naturally spend more time near shade and water, and less time actively grazing. This behavioral shift can dramatically affect mineral consumption patterns, particularly in regions facing prolonged heat and humidity.

Because of this, mineral feeder placement becomes critical. Positioning supplements between loafing and watering areas can increase encounters with mineral sources during the hottest parts of the day. Introducing salt blocks or highly palatable delivery methods, such as lick tubs, can also help maintain consistent intake when cattle are eating less overall.

External stressors can further compound nutritional demands.

“The big one for the United States cow-calf industry still remains to be the horn fly,” Eckerle explains. “They will take away more energy because they are big blood feeders.”

These pests worsen stress during already challenging environmental conditions, making targeted fly control a vital component of summer nutritional management.

Drought Changes Forage Quality and Mineral Availability

Heat stress rarely occurs in isolation. In many regions, rising temperatures trigger drought conditions that rapidly degrade forage quality and alter mineral availability throughout the grazing season.

As plants mature or become drought stressed, digestibility drops and anti-nutritional compounds can become problematic. Water quality simultaneously deteriorates as ponds shrink, often causing sulfur concentrations to spike. These environmental shifts directly interfere with trace mineral absorption, driving up the need for more bioavailable sources.

“Looking away from oxide sulfates trending toward an organic or hydroxy trace mineral will be important as we move into those drier periods,” Eckerle advises.

While forage testing provides a useful baseline for evaluating changing pasture conditions, results should always be interpreted within the context of rapidly shifting weather patterns. Regional differences matter, too: Northern grazing systems may hold forage quality further into the summer, while southern regions typically face earlier forage decline and prolonged heat exposure.

Water Remains the Foundation of Summer Nutrition

While mineral formulations receive significant attention during summer stress, Eckerle emphasizes water management may ultimately have the largest impact on herd performance. Poor water quality, elevated sulfur levels, toxic algae blooms and inadequate access can all worsen heat stress and further suppress feed intake.

Clean, accessible water sources are the ultimate defense during high-stress periods, as dehydration triggers a cascading wave of nutritional and health issues.

As Eckerle notes: “Water is the first limiting nutrient for all living things.”

How to Adjust Mineral Programs During Heat Stress

Because pasture, water and intake patterns shift rapidly during a scorching summer, mineral programs cannot remain static. Producers and veterinarians should actively collaborate throughout the season to:

Evaluate forage and water quality shifts regularly
Monitor daily mineral intake patterns
Assess cattle behavior, grazing habits and physical appearance
Troubleshoot early signs of declining performance
Align mineral formulations with current, real-time environmental conditions

Periods of intense heat are also the right time to audit practical management setups — ensuring optimal feeder placement, aggressive fly control, easy water access and highly palatable mineral options.

Signs of Mineral Deficiency to Watch For

While bloodwork and liver biopsies provide definitive diagnostic data, Eckerle says practical herd observation is a producer’s most valuable daily tool.

Changes in coat condition, hair loss around the ears or tail switch, unusual grazing behavior or bone chewing can all signal developing deficiencies before major production losses occur.

“Animals are really good at finding salt in the ground,” Eckerle says.

Behavioral clues like dirt eating or bone chewing frequently point to phosphorus or salt deficiencies, particularly when overall intake drops during prolonged heat spells.

Successful summer mineral management requires keeping a close eye on both cattle behavior and changing pasture conditions. As heat, drought and water quality fluctuate, your supplementation strategy must evolve alongside them to safeguard performance, reproduction and herd health through the toughest months of the year.

Waiting for the Vet: How to Manage Udder Vein Lacerations on Farm

Mon, 11 May 2026 13:56:01 GMT

Few situations on a dairy are more alarming than finding a cow actively bleeding from an udder vein laceration. Blood loss can happen quickly, and in severe cases, the situation can become life-threatening before a veterinarian arrives.

The first priority is staying calm enough to control the bleeding and stabilize the animal.

While udder vein injuries are among the more dramatic bleeding emergencies producers may encounter, many of the same principles apply to other significant lacerations on farm. Rapid bleeding control, minimizing movement and protecting the injured area can all improve outcomes while waiting for veterinary care.

Udder veins are particularly vulnerable because of their size. High-producing dairy cows require significant blood flow to support milk production, which means damage to those vessels can result in substantial blood loss in a short amount of time.

According to Dr. Erika Nagorske, these cases are memorable because of how quickly they escalate.

“Their udder vein goes from their udder up toward their chest right on their belly line,” Nagroske says. “It is garden hose-huge because dairy cows milk so much and need a lot of blood flow.”

Control the Cow First

As with many emergencies, the first step is containment.

Move the cow into a safe, confined area where she is less likely to panic, move excessively or injure herself further. A chute or small pen is ideal if available. Limiting movement helps reduce additional trauma and makes it easier to assess the source of the bleeding.

This same principle applies to many lacerations, particularly those involving limbs or areas where movement can repeatedly reopen the wound.

If the cow is already weak or beginning to wobble, minimizing stress becomes even more important. Heavy blood loss can cause animals to deteriorate quickly.

(Erika Nagorske)

Apply Pressure Immediately

Direct pressure is the most important first response.

Use clean towels, cloths or any absorbent material available and apply firm pressure directly over the source of bleeding. Even temporary clotting can slow blood loss enough to buy valuable time before veterinary care arrives.

For smaller lacerations elsewhere on the body, pressure alone is often enough to reduce bleeding until the veterinarian arrives. In more severe injuries, especially those involving larger vessels, additional intervention may be needed.

“If you have hemostats or true vet tools on hand, great. Otherwise, vise grips,” Nagorske says. “And it sounds very archaic, right? But it’s either we’re looking at either a dead cow or not a dead cow.”

If trained and comfortable doing so, producers may be able to carefully clamp above and below the damaged portion of the vein to slow bleeding until the veterinarian arrives.

Avoid Unnecessary Movement

Once bleeding is somewhat controlled, keep the cow as quiet and still as possible.

Walking the animal unnecessarily or repeatedly moving her between locations can worsen blood loss or disrupt clot formation. The goal is stabilization, not treatment.

Nagorske notes these situations can become especially difficult if the cow goes down before bleeding is controlled.

“That’s what’s hard about those bad bleeders,” she says. “They lay down, then you can’t get to the source of bleeding.”

What Not to Do

In high-stress bleeding emergencies, well-intentioned actions can sometimes make the situation worse.

Do not leave the cow uncontained
Do not repeatedly remove pressure to check the wound
Do not force the animal to walk long distances
Do not delay calling the veterinarian
Do not assume bleeding has stopped completely just because it has slowed

Keeping the animal calm, controlling bleeding and minimizing additional trauma can make a substantial difference in the outcome.

Be Prepared

Udder vein lacerations are not everyday events, but preparation matters.

Having towels, clean cloths and basic restraint or clamping tools accessible on the farm can make the initial response more effective while waiting for veterinary care. Reviewing emergency protocols with employees ahead of time can also help reduce panic during high-stress situations.

Most importantly, call the veterinarian immediately. Rapid intervention gives the cow the best chance of recovery and can prevent a serious situation from becoming fatal.

From Defense to Damage: Cattle Bunching on Dairy Farms

Mon, 04 May 2026 16:28:10 GMT

As temperatures rise and fly pressure builds, cattle bunching becomes a familiar sight. Often dismissed as a seasonal nuisance, it is actually a vital signal to interpret. What begins as a defense against stable flies quickly triggers a cascade of production and welfare challenges.

The economic impact is significant. Research indicates milk production declines by 0.6 kg per cow daily for every stable fly per leg. Furthermore, the presence of bunching itself is associated with a 0.45 kg daily loss. By the time this behavior is visible, production losses are already well underway.

Bunching is a predictable response to environmental stressors. While fly pressure is the primary trigger, factors like heat load, airflow and pen design determine the behavior’s intensity. Once a threshold is exceeded, bunching appears quickly and can spread across an entire pen.

Ultimately, bunching is not the problem; it is clinical evidence the system and the herd are already under immense pressure.

Why Do Cows Bunch?

Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) are blood-feeding insects that target the lower legs, delivering repeated, painful bites. Cows respond with a sequence of defensive behaviors: stomping, tail flicking and eventually, clustering.

This clustering is not random; it’s strategic.

By grouping tightly, cows reduce the number of flies landing on any one individual — a dilution effect. Animals compete for positions toward the center of the group, where exposure is lowest, creating the characteristic movement often observed in bunched pens.

Behavioral changes begin early. Around five flies per leg, cattle reach what is commonly considered an economic injury level, with measurable impacts on both behavior and production. More recent work suggests the threshold for behavioral change may be even lower under field conditions.

This is a coordinated response to discomfort, and in modern dairy systems, that response comes with trade-offs.

How Cattle Bunching Impacts Health and Performance

What begins as protection can quickly become part of the problem.

As cows bunch, they create localized conditions that amplify other stressors:

Airflow between animals is reduced, limiting the effectiveness of ventilation and cooling systems.
Heat builds within the group, increasing the risk of heat stress even when barn-level conditions appear acceptable.
Feeding behavior is disrupted. Cows are less willing to leave the group, and competition at the bunk increases. Reduced dry matter intake can occur before any visible drop in milk production.
Resting behavior is reduced. Increased fly pressure raises standing time, and bunching compounds this effect. Reduced lying time leads to less rumination and contributes to increased lameness risk over time.
Hygiene deteriorates. Clustering often occurs in areas with higher manure accumulation, increasing exposure to mastitis pathogens.

A behavior intended to reduce fly bites ends up amplifying heat stress, disrupting intake and compromising welfare.

Why Bunching Varies Between Pens

One of the more telling aspects of bunching is how uneven it can be. Within the same barn, under the same management, one pen may bunch consistently while another remains relatively unaffected. Bunching is strongly influenced by microenvironmental conditions that can differ across short distances.

Differences in airflow can create pockets where flies accumulate. Manure buildup increases local breeding pressure. Variations in shade, moisture or surrounding environment can further influence where flies — and therefore cows — concentrate.

Over time, these small differences become consistent patterns. The same pens bunch, often in the same locations, day after day. Cows are responding to environmental gradients that are easy to overlook but highly relevant to their comfort.

How to Diagnose the Cause of Cattle Bunching

When bunching behavior appears, a structured evaluation can help identify the underlying cause:

1. Fly pressure

Assess leg counts or trap counts where possible. Even relatively low counts can be meaningful, and increases beyond five flies per leg indicate significant impact.

2. Heat load

Review temperature-humidity trends and observe when bunching occurs. Heat amplifies both fly activity and cow response.

3. Airflow

Look for uneven ventilation or dead zones within the pen. These often correspond directly with bunching locations.

4. Stocking density

Overcrowding increases competition and accelerates clustering once cows begin to group.

5. Pen-level variation

Compare affected pens with those that remain stable. Differences in surroundings or management often explain the pattern.

This approach reframes bunching from a nuisance behavior into a diagnostic entry point.

When to Act on Cattle Bunching

One of the most useful aspects of bunching is how early it appears. Cows respond to environmental stressors faster than most monitoring systems detect them. As a result, bunching often appears before changes are obvious in bulk tank data or performance metrics. That creates an opportunity to act sooner.

When bunching emerges at consistent times or in specific areas, it provides a reliable signal that conditions have shifted. Adjusting fly control, improving airflow or modifying cooling strategies at that point can prevent escalation and limit cumulative losses.

Cattle bunching is a visible signal the system is under pressure. The goal is not to stop cows from bunching, but to understand why they are doing it and respond before defense turns into damage.

While Waiting for the Vet: Managing Uterine and Rectal Prolapses on Farm

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:49:27 GMT

Finding a cow with a prolapse is the kind of situation that raises urgency immediately. You call your veterinarian, but they may be 30 to 60 minutes away. What you do during that window can influence how straightforward the case will be once they arrive.

The goal is not to fix the prolapse yourself but rather to stabilize the situation and prevent it from getting worse. Erika Nagorske, a large-animal veterinarian with 4 Star Veterinary Service, shares the following advice for producers while they wait for their vet to arrive and address a prolapse.

Control Movement First

The most important first step is containment. A prolapse becomes more difficult to manage when the animal is moving, circling or slipping. Movement increases contamination, swelling and the risk of further damage.

“Every situation’s different, but if her entire uterus is prolapsed after she’s calved, there are really big blood vessels attached to that,” Nagorske says. “If she’s running around like crazy and not confined, those blood vessels can tear.”

Keeping the animal calm and contained is the most effective way to protect both the tissue and the outcome.

Nagorske recommends, without working the animal too much, getting it in a small space or in the chute. Even a tight alley can work. The goal is to limit the animal’s ability to turn quickly or move excessively.

Good footing is also important, as slipping can worsen the situation quickly.

(Provided Photo)

Uterine Prolapse: Protect the Tissue

With a uterine prolapse, the focus is on protecting exposed tissue until the veterinarian arrives.

Keep the uterus as clean as possible and avoid unnecessary handling. If feasible, try to keep it off the ground using clean towels, plastic or bedding. Even small efforts to reduce contamination can make a difference.

Avoid repeatedly trying to reposition or push the uterus back in. That can increase irritation and swelling, making the veterinarian’s job more difficult.

Think of this stage as preservation; the less trauma and contamination, the better the chances of a smooth replacement.

Rectal Prolapse: Reduce Swelling Early

Rectal prolapses present a slightly different challenge. Swelling can increase quickly, which makes replacement more difficult over time.

“Throw table sugar on it to help it shrink up so by the time I get there, it’s not twice the size it was when you first called,” Nagorske says.

Applying granulated sugar directly to the prolapsed tissue helps draw out fluid and reduce swelling. This is a simple, safe step that can improve the likelihood of a successful correction.

As with uterine prolapses, avoid aggressive handling or repeated attempts to push the tissue back in.

What Not to Do

In both situations, a few common missteps can make things worse:

Do not let the animal roam freely.
Do not repeatedly handle or push the tissue.
Do not delay calling the veterinarian.

Stabilize, Then Step Back

The time before the veterinarian arrives is about control, not correction. Keeping the animal contained, protecting exposed tissue and taking simple, targeted steps can make a significant difference in how the case progresses.

A calm, controlled approach sets the veterinarian up for success and gives the animal the best chance for a positive outcome.

Train for the Why: How Understanding Reduces Treatment Errors on Dairy Farms

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:37:19 GMT

Most dairy farms are training their teams.

They’re holding sessions, reviewing protocols and preparing for audits. On paper, the boxes are checked. On the ground, the same issues persist: missed steps, inconsistent execution, repeated corrective actions.

The problem isn’t a lack of training. It’s a lack of understanding.

“When timing is tight, which it usually is on a dairy farm, training becomes about getting through the steps of the job, not building understanding, and it often happens too late or too far apart to really stick,” says Michelle Schack , dairy cow veterinarian and founder of DairyKind , a training resource for dairies.

Across many operations, training is built around urgency. The audit is coming. The team needs a refresher. Protocols are reviewed quickly, often in a single session, with a focus on what to do and what not to do.

This approach creates a necessary foundation but also leaves a critical gap. Employees may know the steps, but they don’t always know why they’re being asked to perform them.

From Compliance to Understanding

“Dip the navel.”
“Don’t stress cows.”
“Give the shot here.”

These instructions are clear, repeatable and easy to audit. But without context, they are also easy to forget, misapply or ignore under pressure.

Training that focuses only on protocols asks employees to memorize. Training that includes the “why” asks them to understand.

“This isn’t a motivation problem. People generally want to do the right thing for the animals they are caring for. This is an understanding problem. We often assume knowledge that was never actually taught,” Schack explains.

When employees understand the biological or physiological reason behind a task, compliance becomes more consistent. Decision-making improves in situations that fall outside strict protocols. The work itself becomes more purposeful. Without that understanding, the same issues repeat.

The result is a cycle many veterinarians and producers recognize: retraining without resolution.

Where Training Breaks Down — and How to Fix It

The gap between protocol and understanding shows up in everyday tasks on dairy farms. In each case, the issue is not the protocol itself. It is what is missing behind it.

Here are some examples of everyday tasks performed on the farm, how they’re trained and improvements that could be made to the training to increase worker understanding and engagement.

Navel Dipping in Calves

Standard training: Dip the navel.
What’s missing: The umbilicus is a direct pathway into the calf’s body. Without proper disinfection, bacteria can enter and lead to systemic infection.
What changes when the “why” is explained: Employees recognize the procedure as a disease prevention step rather than a routine task and consistency improves.

If she happens to be performing a necropsy, Schack will show workers the internal structures to help them better understand why navels need to be dipped.

“You can tell someone to dip navels to prevent infection, but when they see for themselves that the navel connects directly to the liver, it changes how seriously they take that step,” she explains.

Broken Tails in Dairy Cattle

Standard training: Don’t pull tails.
What’s missing: The tail is an extension of the spine, made up of bones and joints. Excessive force can cause permanent injury.
Key issue: Many employees are unaware tails can be broken. Broken tails cannot be corrected after the fact. Prevention depends on handling practices.

“I’ve had conversations with employees that were using a calf’s tail to move the calf who were genuinely surprised to learn that tails can be broken. That moment of realization shifts how they handle calves and cows moving forward,” Schack says.

What changes when the “why” is explained: Handling behavior shifts because the risk becomes concrete rather than abstract.

Stockmanship and Milk Letdown

Standard training: Don’t stress the cows.
What’s missing: Stress activates physiological pathways that inhibit milk letdown. This slows milking and reduces parlor efficiency.
What changes when the “why” is explained: Calm handling becomes directly tied to workflow, time and performance in the parlor.

“Employees recognize that a cow that balks slows down the workflow, but they don’t always connect that to stress. When you make that link, animal well-being stops being abstract and starts being something that not only helps the cows but also makes their job easier,” Schack explains.

Injection Technique (SQ vs IM)

Standard training: Give the shot here.
What’s missing: Route of administration affects drug absorption, tissue damage and treatment effectiveness.
Key issue: Employees may not understand the difference between subcutaneous and intramuscular injections.
What changes when the “why” is explained: Accuracy improves, particularly in fast-paced situations where shortcuts are more likely.

“In a fast-paced environment, people default to what’s easiest, unless they understand why it matters. That’s what keeps accuracy from slipping,” Schack explains.

The Veterinarian’s Role in Making Training Stick

Veterinarians are positioned to translate biology into practical, actionable knowledge. Even short explanations can shift how employees approach routine tasks. However, training is not always viewed as part of the veterinary role. Time is limited. Priorities compete.

Producers also influence how training is delivered.

When farms involve veterinarians in training conversations, not just for protocols but for explanation, the information is more likely to be applied. The reasoning carries weight when it is grounded in biology and delivered by a trusted source.

For producers, that may mean asking a simple question during the next visit: Can you help explain the “why” behind this protocol to our team?

Even brief moments of explanation from a veterinarian during a routine visit can have lasting impact. When the biology is clear, the protocol becomes logical rather than arbitrary.

From One-Time Training to Continuous Learning

That shared effort between veterinarians and producers also requires rethinking when and how training happens. Training is often treated as a one-time event. In practice, it functions as an ongoing system.

One-time, in-person sessions cannot reach every employee.

“Between turnover, schedules and time constraints, there is no way one training reaches everyone, so it has to be something people can come back and build on,” Schack says.

No single format is sufficient on its own. In-person training creates engagement. Digital tools provide accessibility. Language accessibility ensures the message is understood. Repetition reinforces it over time.

Every training instance should include:
● What to do and what not to do (addressing common shortcuts/mistakes)
● Why it matters (biological/physiological context)
● What happens if it’s done incorrectly
● Instilling pride in the importance of this task or their job

“When training is consistent and covers why the work matters and the impact of getting it right or wrong, the work becomes something they take pride in, not just something they complete.” Schack says.

Training will always be part of dairy operations. If the goal is lasting change, it cannot stop at protocols.

Protocols create consistency. Understanding creates ownership.

Clearing the Air About Ammonia in Calf Hutches

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:52:43 GMT

Most calf hutches look fine from the outside. But what’s happening inside the hutch, especially at calf level, is not always as obvious.

When wet bedding and manure break down, they release ammonia. In hutches, it builds up right where calves are breathing. Even at fairly low levels, it can affect intake, growth and overall performance.

During a recent episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, David Casper, a dairy nutritionist and owner of Casper’s Calf Ranch in Illinois, explains how ammonia develops in calf hutches and what it means from a management standpoint.

Airflow is a Strength

Calf hutches continue to be widely used across dairies because they naturally provide strong ventilation and keep calves in individual spaces that are easy to manage. They also offer flexibility as herds grow and do not require the same level of infrastructure as enclosed barns.

“In my opinion, the hutch would still be the gold standard as far as having the best environmental quality you could have, especially air quality, and not have to deal with ventilation problems,” Casper says.

Even so, ammonia can increase as bedding becomes damp. By the time it’s noticeable, calves have already been exposed.

“When we started using soy hulls, I started noticing ammonia in the hutches,” Casper says. “I could smell it and really picked up on it. And that’s when we started getting concerned.”

That realization prompted a closer look at ammonia levels in hutches and how they relate to calf growth and health.

Measuring Ammonia

To better understand the issue, Casper evaluated ammonia levels in 90 calf hutches. Calves were placed in alternating hutches assigned to either a control or treatment group, and ammonia was measured weekly.

“Once a week, we come through with a personal ammonia detector that’s digital, and we would turn that with the measuring system face down on the bedding,” he says. “After 30 seconds, you get a stable reading, and that was the ammonia reading in the hutch.”

Control hutches averaged about 10 parts per million, while treated hutches averaged around 1.5 parts per million, an 85% reduction.

“We actually reduced the ammonia levels in the hutches by 85%,” Casper says.

That difference was significat, as performance challenges can begin once ammonia exceeds about 4 to 6 parts per million.

“Basically the range is four to six parts per million,” he says. “Above that, you will actually start seeing performance losses or performance challenges.”

Ammonia levels varied widely between hutches. Wetter bedding, scours and older calves were all associated with higher readings.

“Some hutches would have values up to 100 parts per million and other ones would be very low,” Casper says.

Ammonia also tended to increase later in the preweaning period as calves consumed more starter.

“For our studies, week seven and eight were probably the higher ammonia readings,” Casper says. “The first week had almost no ammonia readings because they’re on freshly bedded straw and fecal output is very minimal.”

Impact on Calf Growth

Lower ammonia levels were also tied to better performance. Calves in lower ammonia environments gained more weight during the preweaning period.

“We actually picked up on a growth response as well,” Casper says. “We got .14 pounds more average daily gain.”

Milk feeding remained the same, pointing to differences in intake and environment.

“The calves that were in the lower ammonia levels in the hutches ate more calf starter and had better growth rates,” he says.

Calves in lower ammonia hutches also showed greater increases in heart girth, indicating more overall body development.

Managing Ammonia in the Hutch

While most dairies are not measuring ammonia regularly, several management areas influence how much builds up in hutches.

Bedding is the biggest driver. Keeping bedding dry and well maintained helps limit ammonia. Deep straw provides insulation and absorbs moisture, but it needs to be refreshed regularly, especially later in the preweaning period.

“A calf can take a lot of cold weather if they’ve got deep straw bedding that they can nest down into and stay warm,” Casper says.

Moisture control is also important. Hutches with scours or poor drainage tend to have higher ammonia levels, so identifying problem hutches early can help target extra bedding or cleanout.

Smell is another indicator. If ammonia is noticeable when checking calves, levels are already elevated.

Timing matters as well. Ammonia tends to increase as calves get older and consume more starter, so bedding management often needs to be more aggressive in the later weeks before weaning.

A few practical hutch-specific steps producers can use include:

Add fresh straw more often in the back third of the hutch, where moisture tends to build first
Pull wet bedding away from the calf’s resting area instead of just layering on top
Pay close attention to hutches with scouring calves and re-bed them first
Check bedding depth at the calf level, not just at the front entrance of the hutch
Clean or fully reset hutches between groups when possible to reduce carryover moisture

Paying attention to these areas can help keep ammonia levels lower and support more consistent calf performance through the preweaning period.

Fatty Liver in Dairy Cows: The Export Problem You’re Overlooking

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:29:48 GMT

The transition cow is often discussed as having an energy problem. Cows eat less, demand ramps up and they fall into negative energy balance. While true, this is only part of the story. The bigger issue is a logistical bottleneck: What happens to the fat that gets mobilized? If the cow cannot move that fat out of the liver efficiently, metabolic problems stack up quickly.

Why the Liver Gets Overwhelmed

Around calving, a cow’s dry matter intake drops by 30% to 35%, while energy demand increases sharply. To fill this gap, the cow mobilizes body fat and sends it to the liver. Once there, the fat follows three main paths:

Complete Oxidation: It is burned for fuel to generate ATP (energy).
Ketogenesis: It is converted into ketones.
Export: It is packaged and sent back into circulation to be used for milk synthesis.

When the volume of fat exceeds the liver’s capacity to process it, the system breaks down.

“Lipolysis happens, that adipose tissue is breaking down. Part is going to be used for milk synthesis, part is going to go for complete oxidation and generate ATP and part goes to ketogenesis. The third thing that happens is that triglycerides accumulate, and when the liver cannot keep up, fat builds up in the liver and we start to see metabolic problems in cows,” says Fabio Lima, assistant professor at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Choline as the Liver’s “Shipping Crate”

The fundamental struggle for the modern dairy cow is her low capacity to export triglycerides from the liver as very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Choline is the key ingredient needed to build the VLDL “package” that carries fat out of the liver cells.

“What we know about our modern dairy cows is that they have a low capacity to export triglycerides from the liver as VLDL. That inability to increase fatty acid oxidation or export is what leads our cows to develop fatty liver. Choline has been shown to be a key ingredient to reverse that,” Lima says.

By supporting the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a specific fat-transporting molecule, choline ensures the liver can keep up with the surge of fat mobilization.

“The modern dairy cow has been selected for high production. That creates a demand that makes nutrients like choline strategically important. It helps support that level of production,” Lima explains. “Choline is critical for VLDL assembly and hepatic fat export. And it’s critical to reduce fatty liver risk and minimize its impact. Phosphatidylcholine seems to depend on adequate choline, especially during the transition period.”

Why Rumen-Protection is Non-Negotiable

While choline is present in common feed ingredients like soybean meal, canola meal and forages, it is almost entirely degraded by rumen microbes before the cow can use it. Because natural feed sources rarely provide enough absorbable choline to meet the high demands of early lactation, rumen-protected choline is added to ensure the nutrient reaches the small intestine for absorption.

Despite the clear biological mechanism, the dairy industry is still refining exactly how much choline a cow needs. Because rumen dynamics are complex and every cow mobilizes fat differently, providing a one-size-fits-all dose remains a challenge.

“There has been 40 years of research, and we think, ‘Well, 40 years is a lot of research, we’re probably going to get some clear guidance.’ But we’re still not sure. There’s still the rumen dynamics and how much is metabolized, where it goes. All those things that make it difficult,” Lima says.

Rethink Transition Management

Success in the transition period requires looking beyond the feed bunk. The critical question is no longer just “Is she eating enough?” but rather: Is the transition cow able to handle the fat she is mobilizing?

Instead of focusing only on energy intake, it is equally important to consider how effectively the cow can process and move that energy. Supporting liver health through fat export is one of the most direct ways to reduce metabolic disorders and improve performance in the modern dairy cow.

Hidden Pneumonia in Calves: Why More Dairies Use Ultrasound to Catch Respiratory Disease Early

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:06:17 GMT

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains one of the most common and costly health challenges in preweaned dairy calves. The challenge is that many cases develop long before calves show visible symptoms.

“By the time calves show obvious clinical signs of respiratory disease, lung damage may already be present,” says Aerica Bjurstrom, regional dairy educator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “That’s why tools that help us detect pneumonia earlier can make a big difference in calf health and long-term performance.”

Traditional diagnosis relies on symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, or elevated temperature. But these signs often appear late in the disease process. In many cases, calves may look completely healthy while still carrying lung infections.

This form of illness, known as subclinical pneumonia, can reduce growth, feed efficiency and even future milk production.

“The lungs can really act as an indicator organ,” Bjurstrom explains. “Respiratory disease often reflects larger management challenges, such as poor colostrum intake, nutrition issues, or environmental stress.”

The Hidden Pneumonia Problem

Research has shown that pneumonia often develops days before visible symptoms appear.

“Ultrasound allows us to see what’s happening inside the lung tissue, even when the calf looks normal from the outside,” Bjurstrom says. “In many cases, pneumonia can be present for days before any clinical signs appear.”

Studies suggest that 50% to 80% of pneumonia cases may remain subclinical for 7 to 14 days before producers notice symptoms. That delay can allow lung damage to progress before treatment begins.

“Sometimes calves with severe pneumonia don’t show obvious symptoms,” Bjurstrom says. “But an ultrasound exam can reveal lung lesions that tell us the disease is already present.”

How Lung Ultrasound Works

Lung ultrasonography allows veterinarians to examine calf lungs in real time using portable ultrasound equipment.

A normal lung appears air-filled on the scan and produces horizontal white lines that move with each breath. These lines indicate healthy lung tissue.

Changes in the image can reveal early disease.

“Comet tails are bright vertical lines that extend down from the lung surface,” Bjurstrom says. “A few may be normal, but severe or diffuse comet tailing can suggest interstitial disease caused by fluid or inflammation within the lung.”

More advanced disease appears as lung consolidation, where portions of the lung fill with inflammatory material instead of air. On ultrasound, these areas appear as solid gray regions.

Veterinarians often use a 0 to 5 lung scoring system to evaluate severity.

“This scoring system helps identify disease before calves begin coughing or showing nasal discharge,” Bjurstrom says. “Early detection allows for earlier treatment and better outcomes.”

Dr. Ollivett demonstrates positioning for thoracic ultrasound scanning on a calf’s right lung.

(Denise Garlow, University of Wisconsin)

Why Early Detection Matters

Even when calves show no visible symptoms, lung damage can affect their long-term performance.

In one study of more than 600 Holstein heifers, calves with lung consolidation detected at weaning were less likely to become pregnant and more likely to leave the herd before first calving.

Another study found calves with significant lung lesions in the first eight weeks of life produced 1,155 pounds less milk during their first lactation.

“These findings highlight why early detection matters,” Bjurstrom says. “Subclinical disease can still influence growth, reproduction, and milk production later in life.”

Improving Treatment Outcomes

Early detection can also make treatment more effective.

“When pneumonia is caught earlier, treatment tends to work better,” Bjurstrom explains. “We’re able to intervene before the disease becomes severe and causes permanent lung damage.”

Ultrasound can also help veterinarians monitor recovery.

“That monitoring aspect is important,” she says. “It helps ensure calves are improving and reduces unnecessary retreatment.”

A Management Tool for Farms

Beyond diagnosis, lung ultrasound is increasingly used as a herd management tool.

“Ultrasound gives producers objective information about lung health,” Bjurstrom says. “That can help guide decisions about treatment, culling, or adjusting weaning timing for calves that may need more time to recover.”

Regular scanning can also reveal herd-level trends tied to management practices.

“When used consistently, ultrasound becomes a benchmarking tool,” Bjurstrom says. “It can help farms evaluate colostrum programs, ventilation, sanitation, and other factors that influence calf health.”

A Growing Tool in Calf Health Programs

Portable ultrasound units have become more accessible and easier to use, making them more common in calf health programs. With proper training, scanning a calf’s lungs typically takes less than a minute.

“The equipment requires an initial investment, but the information it provides can be incredibly valuable,” Bjurstrom says. “Earlier detection can lead to better management decisions, improved calf growth, and fewer losses.”

As dairy farms continue adopting more data-driven management practices, lung ultrasound is giving producers a new way to detect disease sooner and protect the long-term potential of their calves.

“Lung ultrasound helps us move beyond waiting for visible symptoms,” Bjurstrom says. “It allows producers and veterinarians to identify problems earlier and take action before long-term damage occurs.”

Moving Bred Cows? This Hidden Risk Window Can Cost You Pregnancies

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:16:18 GMT

A four-hour truck ride might feel routine. The timing of that move, however, can quietly work against you if cows are newly bred. This was the topic of discussion between Kansas State animal health experts on a recent episode of “ BCI Cattle Chat .”

Transport stress during early pregnancy is a management risk that often goes unnoticed. The issue is not just whether to move cows, but when.

The Critical Window

Early pregnancy is not equally stable from day to day. Specific windows carry a higher likelihood of pregnancy loss, and one stands out above the rest.

“There are a couple of times in pregnancy where we lose more fetuses, and one of those is maternal recognition of pregnancy, about two weeks after conception. That time is a really critical time, we lose a fair number of pregnancies right around that time so I don’t want to do anything to stress an animal then, like putting them on a truck for four hours,” says Bob Larson, professor in production medicine at Kansas State University.

That 14-day time point is roughly when the embryo signals its presence to the dam. Disruptions during this period can increase the likelihood of pregnancy loss.

This is not the only vulnerable stage.

“Probably the most loss is during that first two weeks. The next most is over days 28 to 35, and still some out to day 50,” Larson explains.

Taken together, much of the first 50 days of gestation carries elevated risk, with peaks at key developmental milestones.

Why Transport is a Problem (Even When it Seems Minor)

It is easy to assume only long hauls pose a threat. Distance alone misses the bigger picture.

“A lot of the risk or stress really comes from the gathering and loading, and in some ways, it hardly matters how far they go,” Larson says.

From a physiological standpoint, stress is cumulative. Gathering cattle, sorting and handling, loading onto trailers, the ride itself, and unloading all contribute to the total stress load. Even short trips can stack multiple stressors into a narrow window, especially when handling is rushed or facilities are limiting.

Is There Any Safer Time to Move Them?

If cattle must be moved around breeding, one narrow window appears more forgiving.

“There is one period of time when the cow is pretty protected, and that’s actually during the first week of pregnancy. That early embryo is still up in the uterine tube and is pretty protected up there,” Larson says.

During this stage, the embryo has not yet entered the uterus, which may provide some buffer against external stressors. The window is limited. Moving cattle later increases the likelihood of overlapping with more vulnerable stages of pregnancy.

Trucking Versus Walking: Not All Movement is Equal

Not all movement carries the same level of risk, and the way cattle are handled can significantly influence outcomes. Lower-stress handling appears to reduce the overall impact of movement, particularly over short distances.

“If you’re talking about walking cows slowly under low-stress conditions, one, two, maybe three miles somewhere, you’re probably okay,” Jason Warner, cow-calf specialist at K-State, explains. “Cattle handling is always an important aspect. So it’s not just distance or just putting them on a trailer, it’s how. Acting calmly with not a lot of dogs, not a lot of yelling, just really calmly. That’s a key component.”

This highlights an important distinction: while short, low-pressure movement may be tolerated, trucking often concentrates multiple stressors into a short period. Gathering, sorting, loading, transport and unloading all stack together, increasing the total stress load on the animal.

Practical Takeaways: Managing Stress and Timing in Early Pregnancy

Across all scenarios, the same principle applies: Minimizing stress during early pregnancy is essential for maintaining fertility. Whether managing bull turnout, coordinating pasture moves or planning transport logistics, early gestation is a high-risk period where even routine decisions can have measurable reproductive consequences.

From a practical standpoint, timing and handling decisions should work together:

Avoid moving cows around day 14 post-breeding
- This is the highest-risk window for pregnancy loss
Exercise caution throughout the first 50 days
- Risk declines over time but remains elevated
Move earlier rather than later when possible
- The embryo may be more protected the first week post-breeding
Focus on handling, not just distance
- Stress from gathering and loading is a major contributor
Prioritize low-stress stockmanship
- Calm movement reduces overall physiological strain

Transporting bred cows is not automatically a problem, but poor timing can be.

When moves overlap with early pregnancy, especially around the timing of maternal recognition, the cost may show up later as open cows and a stretched calving window. Management decisions made during this period carry more weight than they might appear.

The key question remains simple: Are you moving cows at a time when the pregnancy can handle it?

10 Practical Tips for Milk Fever Prevention and Treatment

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:55:18 GMT

Milk fever is still one of the most costly transition cow problems. While down cows get the attention, it’s often the subclinical cases quietly eroding performance that matter most.

To help producers navigate these challenges, we’ve gathered insights from a panel of experts featured on “ The Bovine Vet Podcast ”:

Heather Chandler, a practicing field veterinarian.
Burim Ametaj, an immunometabolism researcher at the University of Alberta.
Megan Connelly, a transition cow specialist with Protekta.

Identify the Invisible

1. Monitor the herd, not just the emergencies

Subclinical hypocalcemia is often invisible, yet it drives secondary diseases and lost milk.

“Blood calcium is an easy thing to look at if we want to be proactive,” Connelly says.

The Action: Pull blood samples from 10 to 12 fresh cows (0-72 hours post-calving) and track the percentage of the group falling below normal calcium thresholds.

2. Watch the cow, not just the spreadsheet

Data is vital, but the eye of a trained herdsman is irreplaceable. Connelly notes many subclinical cases simply show up as cows that “don’t come in and thrive.”

The Action: Train your team to flag cows with reduced intake, lower rumination or generally “off” behavior. Performance dips often precede clinical disease.

Choose and Lock in a Strategy

3. Pick one strategy and execute it flawlessly

Consistency beats complexity every time. Whether you choose a negative DCAD diet or a Zeolite program, the success of the program depends on execution rather than the choice itself.

The Action: If using DCAD, monitor urine pH religiously. If using Zeolite, focus on the feeding rate and dietary phosphorus levels.

4. Respect the 21-day close-up window

A transition diet only works if the cow actually eats it for the required duration. Chandler emphasizes both DCAD and Zeolite programs need to be fed 20 to 25 days before calving.

The Action: Separate close-up cows into their own group 21 days before their due date and ensure they have daily access to the specific transition ration.

Immediate Calving Intervention

5. Time your calcium boluses for maximum impact

Calcium demand spikes the moment the calf hits the ground. Timing is everything.

“You can even give boluses before she calves,” Chandler suggests.

The Action: For high-risk cows, provide one bolus at the onset of labor (or immediately at calving) and a second bolus 12 to 24 hours later.

6. Treat down cows as true emergencies

A cow that cannot stand is a race against time.

“The pure weight of a down cow leads to muscle necrosis quickly,” Chandler warns.

The Action: Respond immediately. While waiting for the vet, roll the cow side-to-side to maintain circulation and ensure she is on deep, supportive bedding. When administering IV calcium, do it slowly and monitor the heart rate.

7. Address the full mineral picture

If a cow isn’t responding to calcium, it may not be a simple case of milk fever. Chandler notes low phosphorus or magnesium are often at play.

The Action: If a cow’s response to treatment is poor, work with your vet to supplement phosphorus or magnesium and review your overall mineral protocols.

Long-Term Stability

8. Prioritize rumen health to support calcium

Rumen stress and inflammation can directly disrupt a cow’s ability to regulate calcium. Ametaj points out many transition cows exist in a chronic inflammatory state.

The Action: Protect the rumen by avoiding sudden starch increases. Push up feed frequently to prevent sorting and ensure the ration contains adequate effective fiber.

9. Avoid over-acidification

While DCAD is effective, more is not always better. Over-acidifying the diet can lead to a drop in dry matter intake, creating a new set of problems.

The Action: Regularly check urine pH. For Holsteins, aim for a target of 5.5 to 6.5. If you see intake drop, reassess the diet immediately.

10. Commit to a monthly program review

“Collaboration is the key to success,” Connelly says. A program that worked six months ago may need a tune-up today.

The Action: Meet monthly with your veterinarian and nutritionist to review fresh cow disease data, milk fever cases and blood calcium trends. Small, data-driven adjustments prevent major wrecks.

Watch the latest episode of The Bovine Vet Podcast focusing on milk fever here:

Your Vet Recommended RT-PCR for Mastitis — Now What?

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:03:57 GMT

If your veterinarian is recommending RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction), it’s usually tied to a specific frustration point on the dairy. That might be repeated “no growth” culture results, ongoing contagious mastitis challenges or a high number of clinical cases without clear answers.

As Dr. Jim Rhoades, veterinarian with IDEXX, put it:

“PCR is not new, but it may be new to some of our producers. It’s a tool that is really applicable to diagnosing mastitis on commercial dairy farms now. Getting good, timely information to make management decisions is probably undervalued in many cases.”

At its core, this isn’t about adding another test. It’s about getting clearer, more actionable information to guide management decisions. RT-PCR is one key in the advancement of technology for mastitis detection and prevention .

What RT-PCR Actually Does

RT-PCR works by detecting the genetic fingerprint of bacteria rather than trying to grow them in the lab.

Here’s the simple version:

Every pathogen has unique DNA. RT-PCR takes a milk sample mixed with fluorescence-tagged pathogen-specific DNA primers and runs it through repeated heating and cooling cycles that facilitate the amplification of the target pathogen DNA. As that DNA builds up through the cycles, a fluorescent signal increases, and once that signal crosses a defined threshold, the test reads as positive.

This amplification process is what allows PCR to detect even very small amounts of bacteria that culture might miss.

“PCR is grounded in specific genetic sequences that make the bacteria the bacteria. It is very specific to a single target. We’re not casting a wide net to see what grows. We’re looking for specific pathogens or groups of pathogens,” Rhoades explains.

How to Interpret a PCR Result

Instead of colony counts, PCR reports a cycle threshold, or Ct value. This reflects how many amplification cycles, the repeated heating and cooling cycles, were needed before bacterial DNA was detected via fluorescence.

The key takeaway is straightforward:

Low Ct = more bacteria present
High Ct = less bacterial DNA present

That’s the opposite of what most people are used to with culture, but once understood, it becomes a reliable way to gauge how significant a result may be.

Why PCR Can Still Be Positive When Culture Isn’t

In practical terms, culture depends on live bacteria being able to grow, while PCR detects DNA whether or not those organisms are still viable, which is why it can pick up infections that culture misses.

“With PCR we can have positive results that may have been negative with culture. It can give us information we may not have gotten from culture,” Dr. Pamela Adkins, associate professor of food animal medicine at the University of Missouri, says. “About 30% of clinical mastitis cases will come back culture-negative. When we use PCR, we find only 8% of those cases are actually negative.”

In practice, PCR is especially useful when:

Bacterial levels are too low to grow in culture
The cow has already started clearing the infection
Sample handling reduces bacterial viability

One of the most important things to understand is that PCR detects DNA, not necessarily live bacteria.

“The immune system may clear the pathogen, which is great. If that happens too quickly, we may not get an answer from culture, but the PCR will still be positive,” Adkins explains.

This is where interpretation is important. A PCR-positive result doesn’t always mean an active infection that needs treatment; it may reflect a recent infection that has already resolved.

Where PCR Fits and What to Do With It

PCR is best thought of as part of a broader diagnostic approach rather than a replacement for existing tools. Rather than replacing culture, it complements it by adding speed and sensitivity, particularly in situations where traditional methods fall short.

“These are all tools and we need to use all the tools in our toolbox,” Rhoades says.

In practice, PCR adds the most value when it helps you step back and understand what is happening at the herd level. It can identify infections that would otherwise be missed, clarify what pathogens are driving mastitis on your farm and point toward more effective prevention strategies.

For producers, that translates into a few key advantages:

A clearer picture of what’s actually in the herd
Better ability to reduce spread of contagious pathogens
More confidence in targeted, cost-effective decisions

When used correctly, RT-PCR can give you the information needed to make better decisions with fewer surprises, fewer missed infections and more control over the problem.

To learn more about how mastitis detection, prevention and treatment are changing, check out the following episode of “ The Bovine Vet Podcast ”.

Zeolite Strategies Reshape Milk Fever Management on Dairy Farms

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:13:40 GMT

Milk fever remains one of the most well-known metabolic diseases in dairy cattle, yet it is far from solved. While clinical cases still occur on most farms, the larger — and often more costly — challenge lies beneath the surface: subclinical hypocalcemia.

That’s why transition cow management continues to be a critical focus for veterinarians and producers alike.

“If you have transition cow issues, you’re going to have metabolic issues. Cows aren’t going to come in and perform the way you think they should. You’re going to have repro issues. You’re going to see a whole host of effects,” Meghan Connelly says, research and technical director at Protekta and guest on the most recent episode of “The Bovine Vet Podcast” .

Against that backdrop, a growing number of nutritionists and veterinarians are turning to zeolite-based pre-fresh diets, a relatively new approach that is reshaping how the industry manages calcium metabolism during the transition period.

The Hidden Burden of Hypocalcemia in Dairy Cows

On most dairies, clinical milk fever rates fall between 1% and 5%, depending on herd management and nutrition strategies. Subclinical hypocalcemia, however, is far more prevalent, affecting an estimated 25% to 45% of cows in many herds.

Unlike clinical cases, subclinical hypocalcemia is difficult to detect — but no less important.

“Subclinical is where we can’t see it, but it’s happening. The cow has low blood calcium, but we can’t tell that she’s low. But that still has consequences for the cow. There’s all these different systems and calcium is such a critical mineral for all those systems. So many different diseases that are influenced by calcium status,” Connelly says.

Instead of obvious signs, these cows often present as subtle inefficiencies that compound over time. Reduced rumination, lower feed intake and increased rates of retained placenta, metritis and mastitis are all commonly linked to inadequate calcium status. These hidden cases can quietly erode both performance and profitability.

DCAD Diets: The Traditional Approach to Milk Fever Prevention

For decades, the primary strategy for preventing milk fever has been the negative DCAD (dietary cation-anion difference) diet, which works by inducing a mild metabolic acidosis that improves the cow’s responsiveness to parathyroid hormone (PTH).

“We feed different feed supplements that contain anions in order to drop urine pH. When urine pH drops, the system is primed for PTH to work and mobilize bone and help support calcium homeostasis when the cow calves,” Connelly says.

This approach is well validated and remains a cornerstone of transition cow nutrition. However, it comes with practical constraints that can limit its use, particularly in larger or more complex feeding systems.

Where DCAD can create friction:

Requires consistent access to low-potassium forages
Can reduce dry matter intake due to metabolic acidification
Depends on monitoring tools such as urine pH
Often still requires post-calving calcium supplementation

As operations scale and feed variability increases, these limitations have driven interest in alternative strategies that can deliver similar or improved outcomes with fewer constraints.

(Meghan Connelly)

How Zeolite Works: A New Strategy for Hypocalcemia Management

Zeolite offers a fundamentally different approach to milk fever prevention, one that targets phosphorus rather than acid-base balance.

“When we feed a zeolite diet pre-fresh, we bind dietary phosphorus. The cow goes, ‘Oh, I better go get more phosphorus.’ The main storage for phosphorus is in the bone. When she mobilizes bone, she brings double the amount of calcium with it,” Connelly says, referencing the P:Ca ratio in bone.

By binding dietary phosphorus in the gastrointestinal tract, zeolite creates a mild, controlled drop in blood phosphorus. The cow responds by mobilizing bone reserves to restore balance. Because bone contains both phosphorus and calcium in a fixed ratio, this process results in a simultaneous release of calcium into circulation.

Unlike DCAD diets, which rely on parathyroid hormone sensitivity, zeolite operates through a separate pathway involving fibroblast growth factor-23, a hormone produced in bone cells that acts on the kidneys to regulate phosphate levels, and vitamin D metabolism. The outcome — improved calcium availability at calving — is similar, but the biological mechanism is distinct.

Why Zeolite Adoption Is Increasing on Dairy Farms

Although zeolite has only been available in the U.S. since 2017, adoption has accelerated rapidly, according to Connelly. Much of that momentum is driven by a combination of visible on-farm results and meaningful management advantages.

Producers implementing zeolite programs often report improved calcium status through the first 48 to 72 hours after calving, along with fewer clinical milk fever cases.

“If you go from having 30 down cows a month to four, that’s a pretty big change,” Connelly says, referencing the improvement she has seen on farms changing to zeolite.

Beyond clinical outcomes, zeolite introduces greater flexibility into ration formulation. Because it does not depend on lowering dietary potassium, producers can incorporate a wider range of forages — including haylage, rye and sorghum — that would typically be restricted in DCAD programs. This allows better use of homegrown feeds and can reduce reliance on purchased inputs.

Zeolite programs are also associated with reduced dependence on calcium supplementation after calving. With cows already mobilizing calcium effectively, the need for boluses and intravenous treatments often declines, lowering both labor and treatment costs.

Management simplicity is another advantage. Zeolite eliminates the need for urine pH monitoring and reduces the number of adjustments required in close-up groups. In addition, because it does not induce metabolic acidosis, it avoids the intake suppression sometimes observed with DCAD diets, helping support dry matter intake during a critical window.

Where Zeolite May Not Be the Best Fit

Despite its advantages, zeolite is not universally applicable. Its effectiveness depends heavily on overall diet composition, particularly phosphorus levels.

Situations where DCAD may still be the better fit:

Diets high in phosphorus (e.g., distillers grains, canola meal)
Operations with well-optimized DCAD programs already in place
Systems where tight ration control supports consistent acidification

In high-phosphorus diets, zeolite may become saturated, allowing the absorption of the remaining free phosphorus, reducing its effectiveness and making DCAD the more reliable strategy.

A Technology Still Evolving and the Veterinarian’s Role

Compared to DCAD, which has decades of supporting research, zeolite remains a relatively new tool. Since its introduction in 2017, both research and field experience have rapidly expanded understanding of how best to implement it.

“We didn’t necessarily know everything about it when it came out. I like to say that we continue to learn in real time with this strategy,” Connelly says.

Advances in feeding guidelines, monitoring approaches and troubleshooting frameworks have already improved consistency across farms, and further refinement is expected as adoption continues.

As that evolution continues, veterinarians are playing an increasingly central role. Transition cow programs are becoming more nuanced, and selecting the right strategy requires more than simply choosing between DCAD and zeolite. It involves identifying herd-level challenges, interpreting blood calcium data and aligning protocols with nutrition and management realities on each operation.

Close collaboration between veterinarians, nutritionists and producers remains essential. No single approach fits every farm, and the most successful programs are those tailored to available feed resources, labor capacity and herd goals.

Zeolite is not a replacement for DCAD, it is an expansion of the milk fever management toolbox.

It represents a shift from priming calcium regulation through acidification to directly driving mineral mobilization through phosphorus control. For many dairies, that shift is delivering higher blood calcium, fewer clinical cases and simpler management during one of the most critical periods in the production cycle.

As the industry continues to refine its use, zeolite is quickly moving from a novel concept to a practical, field-proven strategy in transition cow nutrition.

To hear more from Connelly on using zeolite for the management of transition cows to avoid hypocalcemia, listen to the full conversation on the latest episode of “The Bovine Vet Podcast.”

USDA Updates New World Screwworm Response Playbook for Ranchers and Vets

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:40:45 GMT

The “ New World Screwworm Response Playbook” was developed as a resource to help animal health officials and responders manage and adapt their response if NWS is found in the U.S. The first draft of the Playbook was released in October 2025.

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released an updated Playbook to serve as a comprehensive guide to support coordinated, science-based action should NWS be detected.

“USDA continues to execute Secretary Rollins’ five-pronged plan to keep NWS out of the United States,” says Dudley Hoskins, USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs. “While we are aggressively safeguarding American agriculture and working with Mexico to prevent further northward spread, we must also ensure that our domestic response plans are ready for immediate activation. Strong coordination with states, producers, veterinarians, sportsmen and other partners is essential to achieving that goal.”

Hoskins was a guest Tuesday on AgriTalk. He discussed NWS preventative and response measures, including the sterile fly dispersal efforts.

He explains the goal of the Playbook is to try to balance that constant posture of vigilance, prevention and emergency response coordination.

“We want to be as least disruptive to the industry and commerce as possible,” he explains.

Hoskins stresses APHIS is asking for feedback on version two of the Playbook as they continue to fine-tune the response plan.

“We’re asking that same community of states and industry partners to continue to review the playbook,” he explains. “We want to continue to have those discussions and and those deliberations to improve the can and hopefully perfect have to use it, and hopefully never have to use it.”

Refining the Rules: Key Updates to the 2026 Playbook

The updated Playbook outlines critical science-based strategies for federal, state, tribal and local responders, including how to:

Coordinate response operations
Reduce spread and prevent establishment of NWS in new areas
Manage the pest in infested animals
Implement NWS fly surveillance and control measures
Maintain continuity of business
Support efficient information flow and situational awareness

APHIS has released the updated New World Screwworm Response Playbook - strengthening preparedness via coordination with states, producers, veterinarians, wildlife & other partners.🤝
It guides rapid, science-based action should NWS be detected in the U.S.https://t.co/lgplvaNjDy pic.twitter.com/kq4wKbqkGY
— USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (@USDA_APHIS) April 8, 2026

Collaborative Design: Incorporating Tribal and Industry Expertise

After sharing the draft Playbook in October 2025, APHIS worked to gather feedback from state animal health officials, federal partners, livestock and wildlife industry groups, tribal partners, veterinary organizations and other key stakeholders to prepare the updated version.

According to the APHIS press release , “Their expertise and operational experience were essential in shaping practical, field-ready guidance for real-world response scenarios.”

Based on this feedback, APHIS made several key updates to the Playbook including clarifying and expanding:

Terminology — NWS establishment, suspect, zones, types, phases, quarantines — treatment versus preventative NWS animal drugs and pesticide products
Agency roles, responsibilities and authorities
Animal movement requirements
Wildlife management, including:
- Improved description of roles, responsibilities and authorities related to wildlife
- Added and improved definitions of confined, farmed, and free-ranging wildlife
- Refined guidance on use of antiparasitic drugs and pesticide for use on/in wildlife
- Development guidance on wildlife surveillance

Accessing the Playbook: Resources for Producers and Responders

APHIS updated four supplemental guidance documents that were posted with the draft Playbook and added an additional eight supplemental guidance documents, all referenced in the Playbook .

(USDA APHIS NWS Playbook)

“To ensure continued alignment with state-level plans and industry practices, APHIS will continue to revise the Playbook as preparedness activities advance and evolve,” the release explains. “The agency will continue to work directly with states, territories, tribes, federal agencies, industry wildlife and other partners to refine response tools, strengthen coordination and support joint planning efforts.”

Your Next Reads:

Why Getting Cows Bred Earlier Pays Off More Than You Think

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:06:25 GMT

Timing is one of the most powerful and underleveraged tools in cow-calf production. While genetics, nutrition and health protocols often take center stage, both research and field experience point to a simpler truth: When cows get bred matters just as much as whether they get bred at all.

In a recent conversation, Jacques Fuselier, manager of cattle technical services at Merck Animal Health, reinforced what many veterinarians and producers have observed for years: Cows that calve earlier in the season consistently outperform their later-calving herdmates. They wean heavier calves, rebreed more efficiently and generate greater returns per head. But the real story starts earlier in the cycle.

Calving Timing Starts With Breeding Timing

The advantage of early calving is well established. Earlier-born calves have more days to grow before weaning, often align better with peak forage availability and enter the market at a weight advantage. Their dams also have more time postpartum to resume cyclicity and conceive again.

As we know, calving timing is not random; it reflects when cows conceive during the breeding season.

As Fuselier explains, “The goal is to get as many cows pregnant as you can in the first 21 days.”

The more cows that conceive early, the more calves that are born early, and the more consistent and productive the system becomes.

Uniformity Is the Economic Engine

The biological advantages of early calving translate directly into economic returns.

“When calves are sold, they are sold by the pound, so pounds matter,” Fuselier says. “If you could come up with a way to not do a lot more to your herd — but whatever you do make it better to where you have more calves born early in a calving season — you’ll end up with a heavier, more uniform calf crop and weaning, therefore being more profitable.”

Uniformity is one of the most important drivers of value in a calf crop. Calves that are similar in age and weight are easier to manage, easier to market and often command stronger prices. A tighter calving window produces a more consistent group, improving both operational efficiency and sale outcomes.

The Hidden Cost of a Long Breeding Season

“When the breeding season is strung out, the calving season gets strung out. So, the uniformity of your herd goes down,” Fuselier says. “Plus, the time for those cows, after calving, for their uterus to repair, to start cycling again and to be able to get bred again is important. If there’s an overlap of when bulls go out and when those cows are recovering from calving, you just perpetuate that cycle.”

Late-calving cows have less time to recover before the next breeding season, making them more likely to breed late again or fall open. Over time, this creates a persistent tail of late-calving animals that erodes herd performance and profitability.

Small Timing Shifts, Big System Changes

Even modest improvements in early breeding can create meaningful downstream effects.

“By shortening the number of days that cows are calving, it allows you to focus your labor force better and for a shorter period of time, instead of having to split duties over multiple months,” Fuselier says.

This improved labor efficiency complements the biology and economics of a tighter calving window. In an environment where labor is increasingly limited, concentrating calving into a shorter, more predictable period can significantly reduce management strain.

A Tool to Move the Herd in the Right Direction

Long-term strategies like genetic selection and heifer development remain essential, but there are also practical tools that can help shift breeding timing more immediately.

One example is the use of prostaglandin-based synchronization products, including the cloprostenol injection Estrumate , at or shortly after bull turnout. This product induces luteolysis in cycling cows, encouraging more animals to return to estrus early in the breeding season and increasing the proportion bred in that critical first 21-day window.

“With very little effort, just the addition of another injection, you can start moving that calf crop up and tightening the calving window by having more born earlier in the calving season than later in the calving season. You end up increasing the uniformity of your calf crop,” Fuselier explains.

In natural service systems, where synchronization options are often more limited than in artificial insemination-based programs, this type of approach offers a relatively simple way to influence breeding distribution without significantly increasing labor or complexity.

The Compounding Effect Across Generations

The impact of early breeding extends beyond a single season.

“Heifers born to cows in the first part of that calving season will end up reaching puberty earlier and breeding earlier. You try to build the herd with cows that have their biological clocks that way. So, generation after generation after generation, you’re seeing it,” Fuselier says.

This creates a powerful compounding effect. Early-born heifers are more likely to become early-breeding cows, gradually shifting the entire herd toward improved reproductive efficiency over time. Few management decisions influence both short-term performance and long-term herd development so directly.

Early calving gets the attention, but early breeding is the lever that makes it happen.

Calf Survival Tips For Before, During and After Birth

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:13:09 GMT

Most discussions around calf loss begin at calving. But by then, much of the outcome has already been set in motion.

Across veterinary perspectives from different production environments, a consistent picture emerges. Calf outcomes are shaped over time, influenced by a series of decisions and conditions that build on one another.

It is important to note these patterns may look different depending on region — whether driven by cold stress, heat, drought or mud. The underlying process, however, remains consistent across systems.

Before Birth: Build Resilience Early

Calf outcomes begin to take shape during gestation. Nutrition, stress and overall maternal management all contribute to how the calf develops before it is ever born.

“Poor nutrition of the cow is a stress on the fetus … any stress on the cow can affect the development of the placenta and also of the calf,” says Dr. Katie Waine, veterinary pathologist at the University of Calgary. “Maternal stress around breeding and pregnancy can also have much longer-term effects on calf health, production and reproductive performance way off into the future.”

This concept, known as fetal programming, highlights how early conditions influence organ development, immune function and long-term performance. Calves may appear normal at birth while still benefiting from stronger developmental foundations established during gestation.

Key risk factors before birth include:

Inadequate maternal nutrition or poor body condition
Environmental or physiological stress during gestation
Inconsistent feed quality
Health challenges
Gaps in vaccination or biosecurity planning

Nutritional management during gestation plays a central role in setting the foundation for calf health. Cows entering calving in appropriate body condition are better positioned to support both fetal growth and colostrum quality. Reducing stress during pregnancy further supports placental function and fetal development. Consistent feed quality, stable environments and proactive health management all contribute to a stronger starting point for the calf.

At Birth: Support a Strong Transition

Calving represents a key opportunity to support the calf’s transition into early life. While it can reveal existing vulnerabilities, it also provides a chance to reinforce resilience.

“The effects of a difficult calving don’t stop at birth — they carry forward into immunity, vigor and overall survivability,” says Dr. Lisa Freeze, field veterinarian supervisor with the Government of New Brunswick.

A smooth calving process helps calves stand, nurse and absorb colostrum more effectively. Timely intervention when needed can prevent minor challenges from becoming larger setbacks.

“When calves are delayed during calving or we have to intervene late, they’re already starting life at a disadvantage,” Freeze says.

Key risk factors at birth include:

Prolonged or difficult calving (dystocia)
Delayed standing or nursing
Inadequate or delayed colostrum intake
Early-life stress or trauma

Focusing on calving ease, monitoring progress and ensuring early colostrum intake all support a stronger start. These early actions directly influence immune transfer and overall vigor.

“What we see with the sickness and death of calves all depends on how much pathogen they get exposed to and how resistant they are to it,” says Dr. Van Mitchell of Metzger Veterinary Services.

Supporting resistance through colostrum and minimizing early stress helps calves respond effectively to their environment.

After Birth: Manage Exposure and Reinforcing Success

After birth, management focuses on maintaining the balance between exposure and resistance. Even well-prepared calves benefit from environments that support their continued development.

In practical settings, multiple factors often interact. Recognizing these interactions allows producers to stay ahead of potential challenges.

“It’s rarely just one thing. A calf that struggles at birth, doesn’t get enough colostrum, and then is exposed to a challenging environment — those risks stack on top of each other,” says Dr. Allison Pylypjuk of Beausejour Animal Hospital.

Dr. Lauren Wilson of Peterborough Veterinary Services agrees: “Those calves that don’t receive adequate colostrum are much more susceptible to disease, and when you combine that with environmental exposure, that’s when we start to see problems like scours and pneumonia.”

The same principle applies in a positive direction. When calves receive timely colostrum, experience minimal stress at birth and are raised in clean environments, those advantages build as well.

Key risk factors after birth include:

High pathogen load in calving or housing areas
Overcrowding or poor stocking density
Mixing age groups, especially older calves with newborns
Delayed identification and isolation of sick animals

Clean calving areas, appropriate stocking density and thoughtful grouping strategies help limit pathogen exposure. These practices support calves as they continue to develop immunity and resilience.

“We can eliminate a lot of exposure to the pathogens by keeping our calving areas clean, keeping the sick animals away,” Mitchell says.

Managing these factors helps maintain momentum established earlier, allowing calves to continue on a positive trajectory.

A Proactive Approach to Calf Survival

Viewing calf outcomes as a cumulative process creates more opportunities for intervention. Each stage — before birth, at calving and after birth — offers a chance to support the calf’s success.

Rather than focusing only on problems after they appear, this approach emphasizes building resilience early and reinforcing it over time. The goal is not to eliminate all challenges, but to create conditions where calves are better prepared to respond. Consistent management, early attention and thoughtful decision-making all contribute to improved outcomes.

Calf survival is not determined in a single moment. It develops step by step, shaped by a series of actions that build on one another from gestation through early life.

Better Colostrum Decisions Start with the Right Tools

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:39:55 GMT

Not all colostrum is created equal, and understanding its quality can influence how well calves get started. That’s why having the right tools to measure colostrum quality can help producers make better feeding decisions for newborn calves.

Immunoglobulin (IgG) levels in colostrum can vary widely, from less than 20 mg/mL to more than 100 mg/mL depending on factors like the cow’s breed, health history, season and how much colostrum she produces. In general, colostrum with at least 50 mg/mL of IgG is considered high quality and provides the antibodies calves need for a strong start.

Because of that variation, appearance alone is not a reliable way to judge colostrum quality. Many producers use on-farm tools to measure IgG levels and sort high-quality colostrum from the rest. Two common options are the colostrometer and the Brix refractometer, each with its own pros and cons, according to Jud Heinrichs, Professor Emeritus of Dairy Nutrition at Penn State University, and Coleen M. Jones, former research associate in dairy.

colostrumfeeding.jpg

Colostrometer

The colostrometer is a hydrometer that floats in a sample of colostrum and measures its specific gravity. The tool is placed in a cylinder of colostrum and allowed to float freely. A color-coded scale estimates the IgG concentration: green indicates more than 50 mg/mL and high-quality colostrum, yellow falls between 20 and 50 mg/mL, and red shows less than 20 mg/mL.

Because of the color scale, the colostrometer is best used to sort colostrum into general quality categories rather than to measure an exact IgG value. This makes it easier to identify which colostrum is ideal for the first feeding and which should be saved for later feedings or mixed with transition milk.

The Pros:

Simple and inexpensive, usually under $100.
Lets you quickly separate high-quality colostrum from lower-quality batches.
Can test several samples from the same milking.

The Cons:

Temperature matters. Room temperature (around 72°F) gives the most accurate reading. Colder colostrum will look better than it is, and warmer colostrum will look worse.
Other components in colostrum, like fat and protein, can affect readings. It’s better for sorting than for precise IgG numbers.
The colostrometer is made of glass, so it can break if it’s dropped or handled roughly.

Brix Refractometer

A Brix refractometer is normally used to measure sugar, but it can also give a good estimate of IgG in colostrum. To use it, just place a few drops of colostrum on the prism, lower the cover and the digital display gives a quick, easy-to-read Brix value.

A reading of 22% or higher usually means the colostrum contains 50 mg/mL of IgG or more, making it adequate for newborn calves. Research shows the Brix refractometer tends to match lab-tested IgG levels better than a colostrometer, and it’s less fragile., which makes it easier to handle day after day without worrying about breaking it.

The Pros:

More accurate than a colostrometer.
Sturdy, especially digital models.
Works well across a range of colostrum temperatures and even frozen or thawed samples.
Can also estimate total solids in milk or IgG in calf serum.

The Cons:

Optical models can be tricky with high-fat colostrum because the line can blur. Digital models read it more clearly.
Slightly higher cost for digital models, but farm-friendly options are available for under $100.
Needs regular cleaning and occasional calibration to keep it accurate.

Both tools give farmers a practical way to know which colostrum will help calves get a strong start. The colostrometer is simple and inexpensive, perfect for separating the best colostrum from the rest. The Brix refractometer is more accurate and easier to read with thick, fatty colostrum. Either tool can help make sure calves get enough IgG to grow healthy and stay well.

Where Euthanasia Delays Begin on Farm

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:36:42 GMT

Perhaps you have experienced a similar situation: there is a down cow that lingers longer than it should, or a calf that continues to decline despite repeated reassessment, and eventually it becomes clear the issue was not a lack of effort, but a delay in acting when the outcome was already decided. These cases tend to stick with you because they reveal something deeper about how decisions actually unfold on the farm.

As Dr. Mariana Guerra-Maupomé, professional services veterinarian with TELUS Agriculture, puts it, “The main problem is not the lack of guidance. We have plenty of standards and guidelines. The main problem is the failure to turn concern into timely action.”

Most farms are not struggling because they lack knowledge, but because their systems do not consistently support acting at the right time, even when the need is recognized.

Beyond the Euthanasia Method

Euthanasia discussions often center on technique, and that makes sense. Proper execution is important. However, when you step back and look at where things break down, the issue is rarely how euthanasia is performed. More often, it is when the decision is made and how long it takes to move from recognition to action.

This is where the two-clock model becomes especially useful for veterinarians trying to diagnose system failures on farm.

“Clock 1 starts when a compromised animal is identified to when the decision is made, the decision to euthanize. Clock 2 starts when the decision to euthanize is followed by the procedure of euthanasia and the confirmation of that,” Guerra-Maupomé says.

In practical terms, the model separates euthanasia into two distinct types of delay:

Clock 1: Recognition-to-decision delay
Where uncertainty, unclear thresholds or hesitation slow downs the decision itself
Clock 2: Decision-to-action delay
Where logistics, training or equipment affects how quickly euthanasia is carried out

Most farms have invested effort in improving Clock 2, ensuring once a decision is made the procedure is performed correctly and efficiently. The larger and more persistent challenge lies in Clock 1, where unclear expectations or hesitation can delay decisions by hours or even days.

This distinction matters, because it shifts the focus from refining technique to understanding why action is not happening sooner.

Delay Is More Than a Welfare Problem

It is easy to frame delayed euthanasia strictly in terms of animal welfare. But in a production setting, the consequences extend well beyond that. Delayed decisions affect not just the animal, but the broader operation.

“Late euthanasia creates three types of risk: clinical risk, animal welfare risk and business or compliance risk. With euthanasia being delayed, there’s non-compliance to audit, reputational risk for the industry and supply risk for the industry as well,” Guerra-Maupomé says.

Positioning euthanasia within this broader context often resonates more strongly with producers, because it connects timely decision making to efficiency, compliance and long-term sustainability, rather than isolating it as a standalone welfare issue.

Where Systems Tend to Break Down

When delayed cases are reviewed, the same patterns tend to emerge reflecting a lack of clarity in how decisions are structured and communicated. One of the most consistent issues is vague guidance around reassessment. Without clear expectations, cases drift and repeated evaluation replaces decisive action.

“Stop using vague language like ‘Let’s monitor or recheck later.’ Define exactly when you are going to check. The decision trees suggest checking in less than 24 hours, but I would encourage you that you can even check in six to 12 depending on the severity,” Guerra-Maupomé says.

This is where Clock 1 quietly ticks on. Each undefined “recheck later” adds time. Without a clear endpoint, the system defaults to waiting rather than progressing toward a decision.

Role Clarity Keeps the Clocks Moving

Even when the clinical picture is clear, delays can still occur if roles are not well defined. When responsibility is ambiguous, decisions are often deferred, and cases stall despite obvious need. Strong systems prevent that by establishing a clear flow of responsibility.

“The caretaker identifies a compromised animal and escalates. The supervisor makes a decision to euthanize the animal. Next, a trained operator executes the procedure promptly, and then the operator or supervisor confirms that and documents,” Guerra-Maupomé explains.

This structure helps keep both clocks moving, ensuring once a problem is identified, it progresses steadily toward action without unnecessary delay.

The Veterinarian’s Role in Euthanasia Decisions

This type of structure also changes how veterinarians fit into the process. In many operations, euthanasia decisions still depend heavily on veterinary input, which can unintentionally slow things down, particularly when access is limited or communication is delayed.

A more effective approach positions the veterinarian as a system designer and reviewer.

As Guerra Malcome explains: “The veterinarian should never be the bottleneck for a case. The veterinarian is there to help train, audit and review the system. A veterinarian has an oversight role and can help at every single step.”

When farms operate this way, decisions can be made promptly on site while still benefiting from veterinary guidance, training and ongoing oversight.

The Human Side of Delay

It is also important to recognize not all delays are structural. Some are human, and those factors can be just as influential.

These challenges tend to show up in predictable ways on the farm:

Hesitation in clear-cut cases, even when prognosis is poor
Repeated reassessment without escalation, particularly in borderline animals
Avoidance of decision-making, especially among less experienced staff

This is where system design intersects with human behavior.

“A clearer and more structured system does not just improve decisions. It also lifts a weight off the staff. By providing clear protocols and structured support, we reduce ambiguity, delay and the staff burden,” Guerra-Maupomé says.

Reducing ambiguity helps reduce hesitation, which in turn shortens Clock 1 and improves outcomes.

Insight Into Action

Improving euthanasia outcomes does not require complex interventions, but it does require intentional system design and follow through. A few focused changes can make a meaningful difference:

Define clear, time-based reassessment points so Clock 1 does not drift
Assign primary and secondary decision makers to prevent hesitation
Ensure trained personnel are available to carry out euthanasia promptly
Review both clocks regularly to identify where delays are occurring

These steps help create a system where decisions are made and acted on consistently, rather than reactively or inconsistently.

A Process, Not a Moment

Euthanasia is often thought of as a single act, but in practice, it is a process shaped by how quickly problems are recognized, how clearly decisions are made and how reliably systems support follow-through.

The two-clock model makes that process visible. One clock measures how long it takes to decide, and the other measures how long it takes to act. Both matter, but in many cases, it is the first clock that ultimately determines the outcome.

For veterinarians, the opportunity is to influence both. Because in the end, the difference between a good outcome and a poor one is rarely about knowing what to do, and far more often about whether the system supports doing it at the right time.

The Eye in the Sky: Why Computer Vision is the Next Great Leap for Dairy Management

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:04:46 GMT

For decades, the gold standard of dairy management was the keen eye of a seasoned herdsman. It was the ability to walk a pen and instinctively know which cow was beginning to favor a foot or which one had dropped a few pounds of body condition. But as herds have grown considerably over the last decade, that human eye has been stretched to its limit.

Enter the era of computer vision (CV).

As Jeffrey Bewley, executive director of genetic programs and innovation at Holstein USA, recently shared at the High Plains Dairy Conference in Amarillo, Texas, the dairy industry is on the cusp of a visual revolution. It is a shift from reactive management to a world where the eye in the sky never sleeps, never tires and — thanks to a decade of breakthroughs in artificial intelligence — is becoming more accurate than the humans it assists.

The ChatGPT of the Barn

To understand why camera technology is exploding now, we have to look outside the barn. Most of us have experimented with ChatGPT, the AI that can write a poem or summarize a legal brief in seconds. As Bewley points out, the engine powering ChatGPT is the same engine now powering the best computer vision systems on dairies.

“Every dollar invested in ChatGPT-style AI lifts all AI — including farm vision,” Bewley says.

The massive global investment in AI (projected at $200 billion in 2025) has created a tidal wave effect. It has made high-powered hardware cheaper, algorithms smarter and a talent pipeline of researchers available to solve agricultural problems.

In 2012, a breakthrough called AlexNet proved deep neural networks could “see” with human-level accuracy. By 2015, a system called YOLO (You Only Look Once) allowed cameras to detect and classify multiple objects in real-time, even in the chaotic, low-light conditions of a dairy barn. Today, that technology isn’t just a university prototype; it’s a commercial reality.

From Geometry to Gold: Body Condition Scoring

One of the most immediate wins for computer vision is body condition scoring (BCS). Traditionally, BCS is subjective and infrequent. One person’s 3.0 is another person’s 2.75.

A variety of camera systems use 3D depth sensors to measure the “geometry” of a cow. By analyzing the angles of the posterior hooks and the spring of the ribs, these systems estimate BCS automatically every time a cow walks under the lens.

The ROI is staggering. Bewley highlights research showing 3D cameras can return 200% to 500% annually, costing roughly $1 per cow per month. This is because the camera detects a downward trend in condition two to three weeks earlier than the human eye. In the high-stakes world of transition cow management, those three weeks are the difference between a simple ration adjustment and a clinical case of ketosis.

The Gait Keeper: Early Lameness Detection

If BCS is about geometry, lameness detection is about symmetry. Tech systems use pose estimation to track landmarks on a cow’s body as she walks. The AI analyzes gait symmetry frame-by-frame, assigning a locomotion score based on how the animal moves.

In a traditional setup, a cow is often only treated once she is visibly “three-legged lame.” By then, the loss in milk production and the cost of treatment have already taken a bite out of the bottom line. Computer vision flags the asymmetric walker long before she becomes the lame walker, allowing for early intervention and significantly higher recovery rates.

Rib-Arrow Dairy in Tulare, Calif., has implemented the Nedap SmartSight vision technology.

“A lame cow used to be something you could see — she was limping,” Ribeiro says. “But the camera showed us we have problems with feet long before there is a limp. It’s like wearing the same running shoes for a year on concrete. That subclinical pressure on the joints, ankles and knees starts a decline we can’t visually pick up until it’s too late.”

The impact is most visible in first-lactation animals. These bulletproof heifers often hide discomfort, but the vision tech caught the subtle crooked gait that leads to chronic issues. At the start of the program, lameness prevalence in first-lactation cows was 6%. Today, overall and severe lameness rates have been slashed to just 2% — one-third of what they were.

Beyond the Cow: Management Visibility

The power of the camera doesn’t stop at the animal’s hide. Computer vision is now being used to monitor the environment that surrounds the cow:

Feed Availability: Cameras can determine exactly when feed events happen and, more importantly, when the bunk is empty, sending alerts to the feeder in real-time.
Bird Detection: Innovative systems use AI cameras paired with guided laser beams to detect and deter birds, protecting feed quality without the use of chemicals or loud noises.
Employee Safety & SOPs: In the parlor, cameras can monitor for missed post-dip events or track phone time, ensuring the farm’s standard operating procedures are being followed when the owner isn’t looking.

The Pitfalls: It’s Not All Plug-and-Play

Despite the promise, Bewley is quick to offer a reality check.

“Camera systems are not plug-and-play,” he warns.

The marketing brochure rarely mentions the physical problems that plague dairy tech: manure splatter, dust, ammonia corrosion and the rural broadband problem.

A single 4K camera stream requires 10 to 20 Mbps of bandwidth. Many rural farms struggle to get 25 Mbps for the entire office. To solve this, the industry is moving toward edge computing — where the thinking happens on the camera itself, only sending a small alert to the cloud — and the adoption of Starlink to bridge the connectivity gap.

There is also the garbage in, garbage out factor. An AI trained on clean, perfectly lit university cows will often fail when faced with a sand-bedded freestall barn full of shadows and dirty coats. Success requires models trained on real-farm data.

The Human Factor: Your Team is the Technology

Perhaps the most critical takeaway from Bewley’s insights is that the best camera system in the world is worthless if nobody acts on the data.

“The #1 predictor of precision technology success on farms isn’t the technology. It’s the people using it,” he says, noting every successful system needs a champion (someone who owns the data), a skeptic (to ensure the alerts are accurate) and a responder (someone with a clear SOP to fix the problem the camera flagged).

The Big Question: Should You Invest?

So, is it time to hang cameras in your barn? Bewley breaks it down into three categories:

Invest Now: If you have a specific, quantifiable problem (like high lameness rates) and reliable internet.
Invest Soon: If you are planning a renovation. It is 50% cheaper to build camera infrastructure into a new project than to retrofit an old one.
Wait & Watch: If your internet is unreliable or your team isn’t yet comfortable using data to drive daily decisions. Focus on wearables first.

The Bottom Line

Computer vision is no longer a someday technology. It is happening now. As labor becomes scarcer and the margin for error in dairy production becomes thinner, the ability to see every cow, every minute of every day, will become the baseline for the modern dairy.

“Technology should serve the animal and never lose sight of the cow,” Bewley exclaims.

The transition to computer vision doesn’t mark the end of the traditional herdsman; rather, it represents the evolution of the craft. By augmenting human intuition with digital precision, producers can finally reclaim the individual attention that large-scale operations often struggle to maintain. As the industry moves forward, the competitive edge will belong to those who can bridge the gap between the barn and the byte. Ultimately, while the engine of the dairy may be changing, the mission remains the same: providing the best possible care for the cow, one frame at a time.

The Invisible Perimeter: High-Tech Biosecurity in the Age of Bird Flu

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:47:21 GMT

In the heart of Tulare, Calif., Tyler Ribeiro is conducting an experiment in “mediocrity-free” farming. As a fourth-generation dairyman at Rib-Arrow Dairy, he has seen the industry evolve through a century of challenges. But today, the stakes have shifted. While the Central Valley sun and volatile markets remain constant pressures, an invisible threat moved to the forefront of the dairy conversation last year: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu.

For a dairy milking 1,500 cows, the emergence of H5N1 in dairy herds represents a fundamental shift in how animal well-being is defined. It is no longer just about comfort and production; it is about the rigorous defense of the milk supply itself. At Rib-Arrow, the philosophy of being tech-forward has become the farm’s strongest shield against this mounting biosecurity threat.

Early Detection: The Digital First Line of Defense

The battle against a viral threat like bird flu begins with early detection. Ribeiro’s implementation of Nedap SmartSight vision technology and activity monitoring collars provides a level of granular oversight that was impossible for previous generations. While these systems were primarily installed to monitor locomotion — reducing the lameness incident rate in first lactation cows from 6% to 2% — their value in a biosecurity crisis is immense.

“A cow starts hurting long before we can see it with our eyes,” Ribeiro notes.

Tyler Ribeiro

(Rib-Arrow Dairy)

This same principle applies to viral illness. Before a cow shows clinical signs of HPAI, such as a drop in milk production or lethargy, her data — captured 24/7 in the NedapNow cloud platform — begins to tell a story. By catching subtle changes in activity or movement early, high-tech dairies can isolate animals and implement quarantine protocols before a virus has the chance to move through the entire herd. In the era of bird flu, data is the difference between a minor incident and a total operation shutdown.

Automated Perimeter

Biosecurity is often compromised by the movement of people and equipment. Rib-Arrow’s lean toward automation directly mitigates this risk. The HoofStrong automated foot baths, which have been in place since 2015, are a prime example. Because the system is fully self-contained and self-cleaning, it reduces the need for constant employee intervention and chemical handling.

(Rib-Arrow Dairy )

Similarly, Ribeiro’s three-pronged approach to fly control — using automated flash-sprays, baits and parasitic wasps — limits the presence of pests that can carry pathogens across the dairy. By automating these dirty work tasks, the dairy ensures protocols are executed with 100% consistency, creating a closed-loop environment where the risk of cross-contamination is significantly lowered.

Protect the Pipeline: A Strategic View

The challenges faced by dairies like Rib-Arrow are the focal point of the upcoming 2026 High Plains Dairy Conference in Amarillo. A critical addition to the lineup is the panel “Protecting the Milk Supply,” featuring experts like Dee Ellis from Texas A&M and New Mexico state veterinarian Samantha Holeck. Their work bridges the gap between the regulatory requirements of state-level safety and the daily reality of the parlor.

As Ribeiro notes: “I hate it when people show up and say, ‘You’re doing a great job.’ Show me where I’m missing.”

This mindset is essential for modern biosecurity. Protecting the pipeline requires producers to work alongside data scientists like Jason Lombard of Colorado State University’s AgNext to understand the science of staying open, which involves analyzing every touch point on the farm — from how calves are transported to how manure is managed — to ensure business continuity in the face of a biosecurity event.

(Rib-Arrow Dairy)

Reputation and Resilience

The final layer of defense against bird flu is communication. For a dairy like Rib-Arrow, transparency and clear communication are vital.

Ribeiro’s “data nerd” approach allows him to provide a real-time truth about his herd’s health. Whether it is downloading thousands of cells of data to analyze with AI or checking his phone app for a cow’s locomotion score, he is equipped to prove the resilience of his operation.

As the road through 2026 and beyond is paved, the goal remains the same as it was 100 years ago: healthy cows and a sustainable business. The difference now is the eye in the sky and the mountain of data are the tools ensuring the next generation of the Ribeiro family is still standing — and profitable — no matter what biological threats the world throws at them.

Spring Pasture Growth Raises Grass Tetany Risk in Beef Herds

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:07:12 GMT

As spring moisture and fluctuating temperatures drive a surge in forage growth, conditions are aligning for an increase in grass tetany risk across many beef operations. The same environmental shifts that are jumpstarting wheat pasture and other small grains can also create the mineral imbalances that trigger sudden losses in lactating cows.

With rapid pasture growth underway in many areas, grass tetany risk is rising in susceptible herds, according to Paul Beck, Extension specialist for beef nutrition with Oklahoma State University. High-quality forage is often directed toward cows with the greatest nutritional demands, placing early-lactation animals directly into higher-risk environments.

Fertility and Forage Growth Driving the Issue

Cool-season annuals are a valuable resource, particularly when they reduce reliance on hay and supplemental feed. But as pasture quality improves, mineral balance can shift in ways that are not immediately visible.

“Our best managed cool-season annual pastures have had adequate fertilizer high in nitrogen and potassium, both of which are necessary for grass growth. But high nitrogen and high potassium interacts with the marginal magnesium level in these forages and create issues with beef cows as they begin lactating,” Beck says.

Nitrogen and potassium fertilization support aggressive forage growth, particularly during periods of favorable moisture. At the same time, they can interfere with magnesium uptake, leaving cows vulnerable even when forage appears nutritionally rich.

Magnesium absorption occurs primarily in the rumen and can be impaired by high potassium levels, which reduce transport across the rumen epithelium. This is why fertilized, rapidly growing forages create a consistent risk pattern.

Periods of rain followed by rapid pasture growth can further amplify the risk, especially when cattle are transitioned quickly onto highly digestible forage.

Early Signs Easy to Miss as Cases Develop Quickly

Grass tetany remains a neurologic condition driven by low blood magnesium, and clinical signs can escalate rapidly once levels fall.

“Cows will start shaking and have uncontrolled muscle movements. They will lose their balance. That will be one of the first signs you see,” Beck says.

In the early stages, affected cattle may appear nervous or uncoordinated. As the condition advances, animals can go down and become unable to rise, with death occurring shortly after if intervention is not successful.

Because of this rapid progression, cases are often first recognized only after severe signs appear.

Early treatment with intravenous or subcutaneous calcium-magnesium solutions can be effective, particularly before animals become recumbent. Relapses are possible, and animals should be monitored closely following initial treatment.

Grass tetany should be differentiated from other causes of neurologic signs and sudden death, including hypocalcemia, polioencephalomalacia, and lead toxicity. History, pasture conditions and response to magnesium therapy can help support a presumptive diagnosis in the field.

Prevention Hinges on Timing, Not Reaction

Despite the speed at which grass tetany can develop, the risk itself is highly predictable. That makes prevention the most effective strategy, particularly during periods of rapid pasture growth.

“The best way to counter the problem is to act before we get to it,” Beck says.

That means preparing ahead of turnout, not reacting after symptoms appear. In practical terms, that looks like identifying high-risk pastures and production stages in advance, then ensuring supplementation is in place before cattle enter those environments.

This is especially important during spring transitions, when forage conditions can change quickly over a short period of time.

Mineral Intake Remains the Weak Link

While most producers are aware of the need for high-magnesium mineral, consistent intake remains the primary challenge.

“Magnesium oxide does decrease the palatability of mineral mixes, making it important to manage the feeding of these minerals,” Beck says.

Magnesium oxide is widely used due to its availability and cost-effectiveness, but reduced palatability can limit voluntary intake. Without active management, even well-designed mineral programs may fall short.

Management Focus as Risk Window Opens

With pasture conditions improving and turnout underway or imminent in many areas, attention is shifting toward practical prevention.

Risk mitigation should focus on:

Ensuring high-magnesium mineral is available before and during turnout.
Monitoring intake closely, rather than assuming consumption.
Placing feeders in high-traffic areas to encourage consistent use.

A Seasonal Risk That Follows Predictable Patterns

Grass tetany tends to emerge when rapidly growing forage, high-producing cows and inadequate magnesium intake intersect. Spring conditions consistently bring those factors together, making this a predictable — yet preventable — challenge.

Outbreaks often affect multiple animals within a short timeframe, particularly when herd-level mineral intake is inconsistent. This makes grass tetany both an individual animal emergency and a herd management issue.

Timely supplementation and close management of intake can help you stay ahead of the problem before clinical cases begin to appear.

Can Phytogenics Shield Your Herd from Acidosis and Heat Stress?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:27:08 GMT

Heat stress is intensifying, subacute ruminal acidosis remains widespread and dairy producers are under increasing pressure to maintain performance while reducing reliance on medications. Many of these challenges share a common thread: the gut.

From microbial imbalance to compromised intestinal barrier function, disruptions in gut health can trigger inflammation, reduced production and poorer welfare outcomes. Herd health is increasingly approached through the lens of gut integrity and systemic inflammation, and interest in nutritional tools that support digestive stability is growing.

Nicole Reisinger, senior scientist with dsm-Firmenich Animal Health and Nutrition in Austria, studies how feed additives influence gut biology, biomarkers and animal health. In a recent conversation on the “ Dairy Podcast Show ”, she described emerging evidence that plant-derived compounds may help cows cope with physiological stress affecting the digestive tract. Phytogenic feed additives may support gut health by stabilizing rumen microbial populations, strengthening intestinal barrier function and reducing inflammatory responses.

What Are Phytogenic Feed Additives for Cattle?

Phytogenic feed additives are gaining attention as part of this shift toward preventative herd health. Derived from plants, they include essential oils, herbs, spices and plant extracts, often combined into blends designed to produce complementary biological effects.

Reisinger notes part of their appeal lies in the biological roles these compounds already play in nature.

“The nice thing is that they’re kind of designed by nature. Those compounds all have a purpose in nature, so it’s quite logical that they would also have an impact on animals,” Reisinger says.

Rather than relying on a single compound, many phytogenic products combine multiple ingredients designed to influence several physiological pathways.

“It might be that one substance is not enough. You need to combine them in the right way so that you really have the effect you are interested in,” she explains.

These combinations may influence microbial activity, inflammatory pathways and digestive processes simultaneously — an approach that may be useful when addressing multifactorial health challenges in cattle.

Can Phytogenic Feed Additives Improve Rumen Health During Acidosis?

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) remains one of the most common nutritional disorders in high-producing dairy herds. While ration formulation and feed management remain central to prevention, a growing body of research is beginning to show how phytogenic blends may influence rumen function during acidosis challenges.

This includes controlled work from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, where phytogenic blends containing compounds such as menthol, thymol and eugenol have been shown to improve rumen pH, stabilize fermentation patterns and reduce inflammatory markers during SARA challenges.

“For acidosis, there were quite a few positive effects we could see. It really started with feed intake and then also saliva production and buffering the rumen pH. We had an influence on the pH of the saliva, but then also on the microbiome, which is very essential,” Reisinger says.

What recent research suggests:

A recent meta-analysis of essential oils in ruminants found these compounds can shift fermentation pathways, reduce ammonia production and improve efficiency without compromising animal health.

These effects are consistent with observed changes in rumen stability and feed utilization during acidosis challenges, where microbial modulation appears to play a central role in maintaining digestive function.

How Does Heat Stress Affect Gut Health in Cattle?

Beyond rumen acidosis, heat stress presents another major physiological challenge for cattle, particularly as extreme temperatures become more frequent and severe.

Heat stress can affect the digestive system in several ways, including:

Reduced blood flow to the intestinal tract
Increased gut permeability (leaky gut)
Movement of endotoxins into circulation
Activation of systemic inflammatory responses

“Phytogenics are essential for this kind of challenge because they can really impact gut permeability. They can really help to strengthen the gut barrier, and this is one of the major things we see with heat stress,” Reisinger says.

What recent research suggests:

Phytogenic blends can improve feed efficiency and nutrient utilization in lactating dairy cows under summer conditions without negatively affecting milk yield, even when dry matter intake is reduced.

By helping maintain intestinal integrity, phytogenics may improve the animal’s ability to cope with environmental stress.

Where Do Phytogenic Feed Additives Fit in Herd Health Management?

Despite the potential benefits, feed additives alone cannot solve complex herd health problems.

“It’s always a combination of nutrition as well as management. We also need to be honest that it’s not the feed additive alone,” Reisinger says.

Sound ration formulation, transition cow management and environmental controls such as ventilation and cooling remain essential. Phytogenic additives may serve as another tool to help cows remain resilient when stressors arise.

What recent research suggests:

In grazing dairy cows , phytogenic blends can lead to improvements in rumen fermentation and milk production comparable to monensin, supporting their role as a viable alternative.

What Is the Future of Phytogenic Feed Additives in Cattle?

Interest in phytogenic feed additives continues to grow as the dairy industry looks for preventative approaches that support productivity and animal welfare.

“I think phytogenics are a good choice for the future, especially thinking about staying a bit more into the natural support,” Reisinger says. “Consumers are probably interested in us looking more into biological support than giving medication.”

Many of the dairy cow’s most significant health challenges begin in the digestive tract. Supporting gut stability may be central to helping cows remain healthy and resilient in the face of both nutritional and environmental stress.

How is Artificial Intelligence Enhancing Cattle Health Monitoring?

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:56:59 GMT

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made its way into agriculture in various ways, providing new technologies to enhance production agriculture. At the University of Arkansas, researchers developed a tool, the CattleFever system , that uses AI and thermal and RGB color cameras to detect cattle body temperature.

Traditionally, cattle temperatures are taken rectally. With the CattleFever system, this can reduce labor required to track herd health. Temperature is a key symptom for many diseases, so this system allows for faster detection and treatment.

Research Background

The University of Arkansas is equipped with an Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision Lab, directed by Ngan Le, associate professor in the department of electrical engineering and computer science. She explains one of her key research directions is precision agriculture with artificial intelligence and computer vision.

Previous projects have focused on poultry, but broader agriculture-related projects, including cattle welfare, are on the horizon.

Le says, “This motivation led me to initiate collaborations with colleagues in the department of animal science, including Dr. Kegley, Dr. Powell and Dr. Zhao to combine their expertise in cattle with our strengths in AI and computer vision.”

This project initiative was closely supported and funded by the University of Arkansas division of agriculture.

Platform Construction

To build CattleFever, researchers needed data. However, the existing data for cattle only provided overhead rather than thermal images. So, the group built their own dataset using thermal images of calves. Collaborating with the Savoy Research Complex at the university, calves were recorded with synchronized RGB cameras, technology that captures images with red, green and blue light, and thermal cameras.

Rectal temperatures were also recorded for a base in the dataset. Technical team members, Trong Thang Pham and Ethan Coffman, along with several undergraduate students developed a semi-automated annotation and data processing system. More than 600 recorded frames were used to train the system in what to look for. This data all served as a benchmark for the CattleFever system.

All images gathered were linked to thermal and RGB images. Landmarks in 13 different places, such as eyes, ears, muzzle and mouth, on the animal were established.

“These landmarks allow the system to localize individual facial regions, and the thermal camera then measures the temperatures in those regions,” Le says.

The eyes and nostrils read closest to the rectal temperatures, so these landmarks were established as focus areas for thermal image readings. A machine-learning approach was used to predict data results.

These technology trainings resulted in CattleFever being able to automatically detect animal temperature within 1 degree of the rectal reading. Le explains that as more data is collected in real-life environments, the more accurate the system will become.

Project Outlook

In these studies, all cattle were directly facing the thermal cameras.

“‘We probably need to take more photos of them in the real-world settings, such as running around, to capture their motion in the field,” Pham explains.

Teaching the cameras how to recognize and interpret a cow’s face in real-world environments is the next step. Le explains further features like environmental and audio sensors will be added to increase animal welfare monitoring accuracy and lead to more developments of indicators like common symptoms or early signs of illness. At this point, additional funding is being sought to continue more research on this project.

Eventually, the goal is for producers to have access to technology like this. This could look like a monitoring system of cameras set up that are synched to a mobile interface or app.

Le says, “While the current work represents an important first step, we are excited about continuing to develop technologies and expanding its capabilities to support the real-world agricultural applications.”

The Top Three Biggest Mistakes When Using Crowd Gates

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:47:51 GMT

Crowd gates are often one of the most used tools on a dairy. Not only do they save significant time for employees, but they also help reduce the stress associated with moving cows.

However, just like any tool, crowd gates can be used incorrectly and can sometimes negatively impact cow comfort and welfare. Carolina Pinzon, a Dairy Outreach Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, highlights the three most common mistakes she sees in crowd gate usage and provides practical strategies to avoid them.

Overcrowding the Holding Area

Occasionally, overcrowding the holding area happens, but Pinzon warns that prolonged overcrowding can negatively impact cow health, production, and welfare. This is especially concerning during summer when cows generate extra body heat and require sufficient airflow.

“Signs of an overcrowded holding pen include cows with their heads up, unable to plant their four feet on the ground, and looking restless and uncomfortable,” Pinzon says. “Short-term overcrowding can also result from misuse of the crowd gate, by employees pushing it too far forward and smashing the cows.”

To prevent overcrowding, Pinzon recommends balancing parlor and pen sizes, so cows spend no more than one hour away from their pens during each milking. Holding areas should allow at least 20 square feet per cow.

“If needed, a large pen can be divided into smaller groups,” Pinzon suggests. “While this means more trips to the parlor for workers, it significantly reduces the time cows spend in the holding pen. Additionally, short-term overcrowding can be alleviated by moving the crowd gate backward to provide more space for the cows.”

Being Careless

While dairy cows are typically gentle giants, they can be stubborn and slow to move. This, however, doesn’t justify using force. Moving crowd gates too quickly or applying electricity can cause unnecessary stress and fear for the animals.
Instead, Pinzon emphasizes the importance of calm and gentle handling. She advises guiding cows to the parlor without pressure or haste.

“Once the cows on one side of the parlor have exited, the crowd gate can be moved forward,” Pinzon says. “This regular adjustment is crucial to accommodate the changing number of animals and available space in the holding area. Automating crowd gates to move forward every time exit gates are open/lift can help reduce misuse.”

Pinzon recommends keeping crowd gates at least three feet from the cows to avoid pressing against their backs. She suggests using sound cues, like bells or ringing, to train cows to move forward, rather than relying solely on gate movement. If the gate gets too close, pull it back to give the cows more space before resuming forward movement. These practices promote a stress-free and productive environment for both cows and workers.

Workers Entering the Holding Area

Crowd gates are valuable tools for safely and efficiently moving cows toward the parlor entrance. However, when employees enter the holding pen to push cows, it can create unnecessary stress for the animals and put workers at risk of injury.

Pinzon highlights the importance of regularly training employees on proper cow handling and the correct use of crowd gates. She stresses avoiding the practice of entering the holding area to chase cows and instead maintaining a calm and consistent environment for the animals.

“Except for when loading the last cows of a pen and fresh cows, the door from the parlor pit to the holding area should remain closed during most of the milking process,” she adds. “This physical reminder is to discourage workers from entering the holding area. In addition, regular maintenance of crowd gates, prompt reporting of issues, and swift resolution of problems by management are crucial for proper gate function.”

Spotting these three common mistakes in crowd gate use and taking proactive steps to address them can significantly improve cow welfare, employee safety, and your herd’s operational efficiency. Regular maintenance, clear protocols, and proper training go a long way in preventing overcrowding and keeping things calm and stress-free for both cows and workers.

Compounded Drugs in Livestock: Regulations, Uses and Benefits

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:25:20 GMT

“Compounding pharmaceuticals are drugs that we start with an approved drug in livestock and poultry,” says Dr. Brian Payne, veterinarian and director of research and development and technical services for Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions on a recent episode of DocTalk . “We change the format of it so that it’s more applicable to the livestock species.”

In livestock medicine, you may face situations where no labeled drug exists for a specific species, condition or route of administration. In those cases, compounded drugs may provide an alternative by adapting approved medications into formulations better suited for food animal production systems.

Why Compounded Drugs Are Used in Livestock Medicine

One reason compounding plays a role in food animal medicine is the limited number of pharmaceuticals developed specifically for livestock species.

“There’s a limited amount of resources being spent on livestock today on new pharmaceuticals,” Payne says. “But there’s a lot of really good pharmaceuticals out there that veterinarians want to use for livestock. If we can take those active ingredients from FDA-approved products and get them into the right format, you have a whole other tool for your producers.”

Rather than creating entirely new drugs, compounding allows veterinarians and pharmacists to modify existing FDA-approved medications into formats better suited for livestock production.

How Compounded Drugs Improve Drug Delivery

One advantage of compounding is the ability to create alternative delivery methods that may better fit livestock production systems.

Many treatments traditionally require injections or running cattle through a chute, which can increase labor and stress for animals and handlers. Compounded formulations may allow treatments to be delivered through oral suspensions or drinking water systems when appropriate.

“If you’re putting it through the water, it can minimize handling, which is always a positive,” Payne says. “And also if you need to choose a drug that’s different, now you have the ability to administer it that way.”

Alternative delivery routes may also allow veterinarians to select drugs with different pharmacologic profiles when needed.

“It gives you the ability to choose a drug that’s different and administer it in a way that works for the operation,” Payne says.

Veterinary Regulations for Compounded Drugs

Despite some misconceptions, compounded drugs used in livestock are subject to regulatory oversight.

“We always have to start with an FDA-approved product,” Payne says. “Once we start manipulating or compounding those drugs, we have to follow procedures to make sure that’s cleanly done.”

Compounding itself can be performed either by a veterinarian or a pharmacist.

“Once a veterinarian gets their license, they have the full ability to compound themselves or a pharmacist can compound,” Payne explains. “A producer can’t compound on their own.”

A decision framework from the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act and FDA guidance that prioritizes approved treatments before considering compounded options should be followed:

Use an FDA-approved drug for the species, condition and route of administration when available.
Consider extra-label use of an approved product when appropriate.
Use compounded formulations when no approved option meets the clinical need.
Ensure the compounded drug begins with an FDA-approved product.
Establish appropriate withdrawal intervals to prevent residues.

Withdrawal Times and Quality Control

Residue avoidance remains a critical responsibility when using compounded drugs in food animals.

“There’s zero tolerance for any residues in compounded products, and we have to keep that in mind,” Payne says. “It’s the responsibility of the veterinarian to prescribe that with a withdrawal period.”

Withdrawal intervals may be determined using pharmacokinetic information, including drug half-life and available research data, to estimate when residues are no longer present in the animal.

Quality control is another important component of pharmaceutical compounding. Compounding pharmacies may test compounded batches to ensure the drug concentration matches the intended formulation.

“We want to check to understand if the potency we say is in there is actually in there,” Payne says.

Compounded Drugs as an Additional Tool for Livestock Veterinarians

Compounded drugs are not intended to replace approved pharmaceuticals. Instead, they provide another option when labeled products are unavailable or impractical for a particular situation.

For veterinarians managing herd health across diverse livestock systems, that flexibility can be valuable.

“It gives you another set of tools to utilize,” Payne says.

Data, Dirt and the 100-Year Legacy: Inside Rib-Arrow Dairy’s Tech Revolution

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:08:23 GMT

In the heart of Tulare, Calif., where the Central Valley sun can push the mercury past 110°F and the mud of a rainy season can challenge even the sturdiest boots, Tyler Ribeiro is conducting an experiment in mediocrity-free farming.

Ribeiro is the fourth generation of his family to steward a dairy legacy that spans over a century. Since 1994, the family has operated at the current Rib-Arrow Dairy site, but the operation today looks vastly different than the one his grandfather managed. With 1,500 milking cows, 1,000 Holstein-Angus crosses for beef and 800 acres of farmland, Rib-Arrow is a high-octane intersection of traditional animal husbandry and cutting-edge silicon.

Tyler Ribeiro

(Rib-Arrow Dairy)

“I am not one that likes to settle for mediocre,” Ribeiro says, standing in the middle of a barn designed with the precision of a wind tunnel. “We are pushing the systems we have, and we’re learning as we go. I haven’t got paid enough to tell you all the good things and none of the bad — we’re going through it as it is.”

(Rib-Arrow Dairy)

The Cow-Centric Blueprint

Walking through Rib-Arrow, it becomes clear every piece of steel and every line of code is centered on the cow’s perspective. This philosophy starts with the physical geometry of the barn. Ribeiro’s father and grandfather designed the entrance to the milking parlor to be narrow, widening as it opens up.

“It’s like being in a tunnel behind a big rig,” Ribeiro explains. “If you can’t see what’s in front of the truck, you’re hesitant. The way this is set up, as they’re walking in, they can see around the cow in front of them. It helps their load time speed up dramatically.”

Comfort is equally engineered. Along the top of the barn, an array of fans and cooling soakers manage the California heat. But these aren’t just on-off switches. The system uses eye-to-eye sensors. If a cow isn’t in a specific area, the cooling grid shuts off to conserve resources. In a closed-loop nod to sustainability, the water used to soak the cows and clean the lanes is captured from the cisterns used to cool the milk.

(Rib-Arrow Dairy)

Seeing the Unseen: The Locomotion Revolution

Perhaps the most significant bite Rib-Arrow has taken in recent years is the implementation of Nedap SmartSight vision technology. For a hands-on dairyman like Ribeiro, admitting that a camera can see better than a human eye was a hurdle, but the data has been undeniable.

“A lame cow used to be something you could see — she was limping,” Ribeiro says. “But the camera showed us we have problems with feet long before there is a limp. It’s like wearing the same running shoes for a year on concrete. That subclinical pressure on the joints, ankles and knees starts a decline we can’t visually pick up until it’s too late.”

The impact is most visible in first-lactation animals. These bulletproof heifers often hide discomfort, but the vision tech caught the subtle crooked gait that leads to chronic issues. At the start of the program, lameness prevalence in first-lactation cows was 6%. Today, overall and severe lameness rates have been slashed to just 2% — one-third of what they were.

Precision Management in the Cloud

The vision tech doesn’t work in a vacuum. It is paired with Nedap activity monitoring collars and the Cow Locating system. This tech stack allows Ribeiro’s team to not only receive an alert that a cow needs attention but to pinpoint her exact location in the barn. This data flows into NedapNow, a cloud-based platform that provides real-time insights.

Ribeiro has even refined the software’s parameters to match the biological reality of hoof healing.

“We found that a 31-day hold time wasn’t enough for a hoof to grow out and heal. We’ve moved to a 41-day sweet spot. If she’s still flagging after that, we know we need to look deeper.”

This level of precision changes the economic math of the dairy. Ribeiro points to a high-producing cow the system flags frequently.

“The guys ask why we keep bringing her in. I tell them, for a cow like that, I’ll pay $7 a month in maintenance to keep her in the herd and keep her comfortable,” he says. “We’re aiming for old cows — high-producing, healthy veterans.”

(Rib-Arrow Dairy )

Automating the Dirty Work

While the cameras watch the cows, other automated systems handle the grueling maintenance tasks that traditionally lead to labor fatigue. Rib-Arrow has used HoofStrong automated foot baths since 2015. Running five days a week and rotating between Formalin and a proprietary copper/zinc formula (LQA), the system is entirely self-contained and self-cleaning.

“It doses via schedule to keep the potency where it’s supposed to be, and then pressure pumps the manure and product out at the end of milking,” Ribeiro notes. “It keeps my people away from the chemicals and ensures the protocol is executed perfectly every single time.”

Even pest control has gone high-tech. Ribeiro uses a three-pronged approach to flies: baits, parasitic wasps and an automated flash-spray system. The sprayer, triggered by sensors as cows pass through, provides full-body coverage without wasting product or requiring an employee to stand in a cloud of spray.

The Human Element and the Future

Despite the heavy lean into automation, the human element at Rib-Arrow remains remarkably stable. Most of Ribeiro’s outside crew has been with the dairy for over a decade. The technology hasn’t replaced them; it has empowered them.

“The system shines a light on things you’d look at and say, ‘She’s healthy,’” Ribeiro says. “Now, we have to educate ourselves on what the data is actually saying. My guys have tablets in their Kubotas. My breeder has a tablet. We’re all looking at the same real-time truth.”

Ribeiro, a self-described “computer geek and data nerd,” isn’t finished. He’s already planning to install Nedap’s pass-through ID system in the parlor to replace older RFID tech that struggled with “noise.” This will pave the way for Nedap’s SmartFlow milk meters, closing the loop on individual cow performance data.

As Rib-Arrow Dairy moves toward an average lactation of 2.7 and beyond, the goal remains the same as it was 100 years ago: healthy cows and a sustainable business. The difference now is that Tyler Ribeiro has a digital eye in the sky and a mountain of data to ensure the next 100 years are even better than the last.

“I hate it when people show up and say, ‘You’re doing a great job,’” Ribeiro concludes. “Show me where I’m missing. Show me the holes. That’s what this technology does — it shows me where I need to work.”

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Low-Stress Handling Isn’t Just for Livestock

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:59:40 GMT

We spend years learning how to move cattle properly.

We study flight zones. We talk about pressure and release. We redesign facilities so animals can flow instead of fight. We debate crowd tubs like they’re moral issues.

Then we walk into the clinic and bark at a technician before coffee.

Ashley Nicholls, founder of Reach Agriculture Strategies, has a way of making a room laugh before he makes it uncomfortable. When speaking on low-stress handling, he starts in familiar territory: prey behavior, blind spots, comfort zones. But he doesn’t stay there.

“We understand [cattle] are prey animals,” Nicholls says. “They have blind spots. They have a flight zone. They hide pain. And their priority is survival.”

Then he pivots.

“Employees. Team members. Colleagues. They have blind spots. They have a flight zone. They hide pain. And at the end of the day, their priority is survival — it’s just workplace survival,” he says.

The room got a little bit quieter after that.

Flight Zones Aren’t Just Physical

In livestock handling, we read the pen before we apply pressure. We look for heads up, animals bunching, tension in the group. We understand what looks calm may only be a snapshot.

Nicholls reminds us this is the same with people: we may only ever get a snapshot. We don’t see what’s happening off screen — exhaustion, financial stress, family strain, imposter syndrome. Yet we respond as if the visible moment is the whole story.

Even simple gestures can make a big difference.

“Something as simple as starting with ‘good morning’ just opens a channel of communication,” he says.

In barns, we know better than to storm in loudly. The same applies for spaces with coworkers.

Communication: It’s Not the Words

Nicholls references the 55-38-7 rule of communication: 55% body language, 38% tone and pitch and 7% actual words.

“In other words, 93% of what we’re doing is completely non-verbal,” he explains.

This is an important consideration. You can ask a perfectly reasonable question and still raise the stress in a room if your arms are crossed, your voice is clipped, you’re standing too close or you’re not making eye contact. The words may be neutral, but it’s all in the delivery.

Nicholls points out cattle feel pressure long before they process anything else. Humans do, too. We scan posture, pace and tone for signals of safety.

“If I climb over the fence and I land in the pen and I’m big and loud,” he says, “All of a sudden the cattle are holding up on the backside of the pen — I probably did that.”

If the room feels tense, it’s worth assessing the energy you brought in with you.

Pressure and Release

Low-stress handling depends on timing. Apply pressure, get movement. Release pressure, allow the animal to settle. Teams are no different.

Nichols demonstrates this with a deceptively simple exercise: A group is asked to lower a lightweight pole to the ground while each person keeps two fingers supporting it. What should be easy becomes surprisingly difficult. The harder individuals try to correct it on their own touch, the higher the pole floats.

When communication is inconsistent or unclear, people push against each other instead of working together. Pressure escalates, frustration builds and the task stalls.

In livestock handling, we’d change our angle or soften the cue. In workplaces, we tend to repeat ourselves louder.

Are You Crowding the Tub?

Nicholls calls the crowd tub “the most poorly named piece of equipment in beef.”

The mistake? We crowd it.

Cattle need room to circle back toward the exit. If you pack the tub tight, they can’t move their feet. They can’t think. They lock up.

“If we take away their ability to make decisions, they also don’t have the ability to improve,” Nicholls explains.

Micromanagement works the same way.

Hover long enough and people stop taking initiative. Correct every move and they stop experimenting. Remove decision-making and growth stalls.

In livestock systems, we intentionally design spaces that allow movement. In workplaces, we sometimes build invisible walls.

Space to Mess Up

Nicholls is blunt about this part. Teams need space to mess up — and space to fix it.

Agriculture often sends mixed signals. We say we want initiative. We say we want ownership. Then we add, “Check with me first.”

He jokes about “seagull leaders” — the ones who hover overhead, swoop in to criticize or “steal your chips,” then disappear.

That approach creates anxiety, not development.

In ranching, you set the gate before you ride out. You create the conditions for success before you ask for performance. The same principle applies to onboarding staff, explaining expectations and clarifying the why.

Clarity reduces stress, autonomy builds confidence and release allows learning.

Low Stress Shouldn’t Stop at the Gate

Low-stress livestock handling changed how we think about welfare and productivity. It works because it respects biology and behavior. It acknowledges that fear blocks learning and pressure without relief creates chaos.

Humans operate under the same principles.

The uncomfortable question Nichols leaves behind is simple: if we’re willing to treat livestock with patience, intentional movement and respect for their stress thresholds, why wouldn’t we treat our teams the same way?

Low-stress handling shouldn’t stop at the gate.

Overcome inevitable pathogen challenges with a farm-tested calf probiotic

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 20:26:24 GMT

The first weeks of a calf’s life are crucial. Early health challenges don’t just inflate vet bills and hinder growth, but the long-term effects can ripple for years.

The most pressing challenge? Environmental pathogens like Clostridia, E. coli, and Salmonella are primary drivers of digestive upset in calves. These pathogens damage the gut lining, produce toxins and infiltrate the body, leading to long-term health issues and secondary infections like bovine respiratory disease.

Frustratingly, these pathogens are very common and difficult to avoid. Which means preventative measures aren’t enough. Protection is critical for ensuring calves live long, healthy lives.

Enter probiotic solutions. They are a cost-efficient tool that can be highly effective at supporting pathogen management on the farm. And when it comes to probiotics for calves, BaciFlex®-Calf is the only one with highly selected strains that facilitate comprehensive pathogen control to support health and immune function.

Testing BaciFlex-Calf in real-world conditions
To validate its practical efficacy, BaciFlex-Calf was tested at a Wisconsin calf-raising facility on 717 pre-weaning calves over the summer months in wet and muddy conditions.

Calves were sourced from multiple farms, arrived at the calf-raising facility between 1 to 5 days of age, and were housed on dirt in individual calf hutches. They were fed a 24-20 non-medicated milk replacer with or without BaciFlex-Calf, along with starter until weaning at about 64 days of age.

Body weight was determined upon arrival at the facility and at weaning. At less than 1 week, 4 to 6 weeks, and 7 to 8 weeks of age, calf fecal and health scores were assessed, and fecal samples were submitted for analysis of Clostridia, C. perfringens, E. coli, and Salmonella.

Papillon Agricultural Company

(Papillon Agricultural Company)

BaciFlex-Calf strengthens health and drives growth
BaciFlex-Calf started out by inducing a significant reduction in fecal E. coli levels, which resulted in 40% lower fecal scores throughout the trial.

Papillon Agricultural Company

(Papillon Agricultural Company)

Reducing pathogens and healing the gut supported a 45% reduction in respiratory disease in calves consuming BaciFlex-Calf – going from 14.5% to 8%. This reduction allowed calves to meet the industry gold standard of less than 10% pre-weaning respiratory incidence.

With the pathogen burden lifted, calves on BaciFlex-Calf were able to increase their average daily gain, leading to a 5.5 lb. higher body weight at weaning. This additional gain allowed calves to double their birth weight by weaning and meet industry growth recommendations, while the control calves did not.

Papillon Agricultural Company

(Papillon Agricultural Company)

This performance will pay dividends for years. Research has shown that higher weights and fewer negative health events pre-weaning translate to decreased health events post-weaning, greater milk production and increased longevity in the herd.

On the farm, pathogen challenges are inevitable. But with the right protection, their impact can be mitigated. To learn more about how BaciFlex-Calf can benefit your herd, contact your local Papillon Youngstock Specialist .