Housing - Facilities
Ammonia can build in calf hutches and affect growth, but small changes in bedding and daily management can help keep levels in check.
Crowd gates are often one of the most used tools on a dairy. However, just like any tool, crowd gates can be used incorrectly and can sometimes negatively impact cow comfort and welfare.
Calves can suffer from heat stress the same as older animals. But even when the heat is on, they prefer to stay close to their partners in pair housing situations, according to a recent study by University of Wisconsin researchers.
Could a cow’s birth season impact its longevity and productivity? University of Florida researchers say yes—discover how heat stress at birth could shape a cow’s future.
The minute a newborn calf hits the ground, its surrounding environment can impact its future health. A multi-phase study from the University of California-Davis teases out the finer points of maternity pen management.
With beef-on-dairy calves in high demand, giving them the best start is essential for both their health and market value. Dr. Gail Carpenter outlines five key priorities for dairy farmers to focus on to help set these calves up for success.
Cold, snow, wind, and more – winter in the northern climates brings extra challenges for dairies and their animals.
When dairy farmers think about animals impacted by cold stress, calves are often the first that come to mind. However, it’s important to remember that cold stress doesn’t just affect calves—it can also significantly impact heifers.
If you’re thinking about installing an autofeeder system in your calf program, you’re headed into a fairly momentous management shift. Dr. Melissa Cantor, Assistant Professor in Precision Dairy Science at Penn State University, shares advice on smoothing the transition.
If you are experiencing a shortage in your straw supply, here are six bedding alternatives to consider.
A new approach to automated milking is gaining traction in the industry – robotic batch-style milking.
Rumen-protected choline has been shown to produce a host of benefits for transition cows, from improved liver function to better immunity and higher milk production. New research shows it can help build better calves, too.
As temperatures begin to creep their way higher, consider these strategies to help keep calves cool and healthy during the heat of the summer.
VES-Artex has recently unveiled a new soaking system, Intelligent Soaker 2.0, which is designed to help alleviate heat stress while significantly reducing water usage on dairy farms.
Keeping cows, calves and employees comfortable during the winter months is a balancing act. However finding the right combination between keeping animals warm while also providing adequate air exchange is essential.
Though maternity pens can sometimes feel chaotic to manage, there are additional ways to help minimize stress and create a calmer calving environment for both cow and calf.
Whether you’re building a new calf barn or retrofitting an existing structure, there are measures that can be taken to ensure the best possible calf comfort, welfare, and health.
A big question on the minds of many decision makers on the dairy is: Should one invest more heavily in hiring highly skilled cow people or in adopting technology that can perform tasks that good cow people could do?
Dairy farms can often be a slippery place for both farmers and cows to work.
As we transition the cows into a new facility, take time to watch the cows’ usage of the facility. Cow behavior in the facility will indicate what may need to be adjusted.
Factors for consideration include colostrum management, group composition and dynamics, bedding and space, nutritional management, early disease detection and the need for “real life” observations.
Monitoring what’s happening at the pen level, rather than for individual dairy cows, is proving to be the best approach for producers with more than 1,000 cows.
This is the story of one dairy producer’s struggle with the impact of stray voltage on her cows and family. She wants her family’s experience to be something veterinarians and dairy producers can learn and benefit from.
Keep an eye on water intake and feedstuffs. Avoid vaccinations when heat levels are high. Address the environment for management steps you can take to improve cow comfort.
Dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment. At times it can even feel like farmers are literally with their cows nonstop. Nestled in the small Northeast Iowa town, Dan and Lynn Bolin offer an experience to do just that.
Want to keep disease out of your calf barn? If so, it might be prudent to take a page from the biosecurity measures of our pig-and-poultry-raising kin, and set up a “Danish entry.”
While the milking herd is usually given top priority in management efforts, dry cows and springing heifers are arguably the more important groups to protect from heat.