Individual-cow activity monitors have helped many dairies improve their heat detection rates in recent years.

By tracking increased levels of cow activity, the monitors help producers identify animals in the initial stages of estrus, which can lead to more timely insemination, reduced reproductive hormone expense and improved pregnancy rates.

When you think about summer, do the words “heat” and “humidity” instantly come to mind? How about the words “salmonella” and “outbreak”? The truth is the heat and humidity of summer can create the ideal environment on a dairy for a salmonella outbreak.

Earlier this year, Dr. Dave Rhoda, a Wisconsin veterinarian, shared treatment protocol planning with a group of dairy and beef producers at the beef checkoff’s annual Dairy Producer Communications breakfast at the Cattle Industry Convention in Tampa, Florida.

Mastitis is among the most costly diseases of dairy cattle. It is a complex disease with many causes, many presentations and many treatment options. Prevention remains the most effective means of controlling this disease.

Low-milk-fat syndrome, commonly known as milk fat depression (MFD), has been studied for approximately 170 years. Many hypotheses have been evaluated in order to explain the biological mechanisms by which nutrition could modulate milk fat percentage.

In order to achieve any goal in life, the first step is to believe it is possible. Perhaps your herd is averaging 26,000 or 28,000 pounds of milk. That’s nothing to shake your head at.