Bovine Respiratory Disease: How to spot early signs
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is one of the most common and costly health problems on dairy farms. It’s also known simply as pneumonia, or “shipping fever”; an acute, stress-related form of BRD that typically develops after a long transport. It isn’t caused by just...
Using data to build a championship-caliber herd
More than 350 division-one schools are vying for an invitation to the NCAA tournament in March, but only 68 will get one. This sets the stage for millions of people to attempt to predict the tournament’s outcome, yet no one in the tournament’s history has ever filled...
Preventing and controlling the spread of Strep ag. mastitis in dairy herds
Mastitis is a costly and persistent issue for dairy producers, with clinical cases in early lactation leading to significant financial losses. While preventing mastitis remains a primary focus, there’s often less discussion about the specific pathogens behind the...
What the genetic base change and NM$ revisions mean to you
Every five years, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) updates the genetic base to reflect the ongoing progress in dairy genetics. This ensures predicted transmitting abilities (PTAs) remain relevant by comparing today’s animals to a more current reference...
Understanding Mycoplasma bovis mastitis in dairy cattle and why it’s a serious threat
You know the number, but it’s worth restating: a case of clinical mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation can cost you up to $444. While preventing mastitis is often the focus, how well do you truly understand the pathogens responsible for it? What are the real...
Understanding Staph. aureus mastitis in dairy cattle and how to manage it
We’ve all seen the statistic – a case of clinical mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation can result in an economic loss of $444. We talk about all the ways to prevent mastitis but what do we really know about the bugs that actually cause mastitis to begin with?...
Critical decisions in the final trimester for beef calf success
The last trimester of pregnancy is a critical period for determining the profitability of a cow-calf operation. Approximately 75% of fetal growth occurs during the final 90 days of gestation and the cow herself is preparing for the challenges of the calving process....