Dairy Resources
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Drought does not develop overnight but progressively over time. Proper management during a drought period can make or break a producer’s ability to stay in the cattle business. One main concern during a drought period is feeding and nutrition of the cow herd. Several problems could arise due to drought conditions. A good producer should stay alert for warning signs and avoid potentially damaging situations.
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The number of calves sold is a major source of income from a cow/calf operation. A high percent calf crop increases profit. Reproductive efficiency is the first factor to consider in a breeding program. A beef cow must conceive in the first 40 to 60 days of the breeding season, have a live calf unassisted, breed back to calve every 12 months, and raise a calf that is heavy enough to be profitable. To accomplish this, she must be managed correctly.
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Adjust rations for the dry matter (DM) content of each feed, especially when wet feeds, such as silage, are fed. Small changes in the DM content will change the nutrient profile of the ration. The potential results of not monitoring the DM content of wet feeds and adjusting rations accordingly are a combination of problems including decreased animal performance and feed efficiency and increased health problems and feed cost.
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Prevalence of mastitis in dairy goats ranges between 5% and 30%, with Staphylococcus spp., otherwise known as the coagulase-negative staphylococci, identified as the most frequent cause of infection. These staphylococci produce persistent subclinical mastitis with markedly elevated somatic cell counts (SCC), which may lead to clinical symptoms.
Prevention is the key to controlling staphylococcal mastitis in dairy goats, as once this disease becomes established, chronic inflammation of mammary tissues and elevated SCC will follow, resulting in reduced milk yield and quality. This publication discusses proper husbandry practices and sanitation methods that can be implemented by producers. The results of two vaccine trials as a potential means to control mastitis in ruminants are also presented and discussed.
Vaccination should only be included as part of the whole herd approach to mastitis control. Any vaccination program must be carried out in conjunction with other proper management practices.
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Research has demonstrated that proper dry-off methods are vital in promoting udder health during the nonlactating period and at calving. For high producing cows, it may be necessary to decrease dietary energy over the last 1-2 weeks of lactation by increasing fiber and eliminating grain. Abrupt cessation of milking is probably as good as intermittent milking with a diet change for low and medium producing cows; however, intermittent milking is recommended for high producing cows to decrease milk yield and minimize leakage at dry-off, which could lead to mastitis. First lactation cows should be given a 50- to 60-day dry period, but multiparous animals fare well with a 35- to 45-day dry period. Selective dry cow therapy with non lactating cow antibiotics plus teat seal is as effective as blanket dry cow therapy with non lactating cow antibiotics plus teat seal for cows with SCC less than 200,000/ml. However, blanket dry therapy with both products is recommended for cows that dry off with greater than 200,000/ml. It is important to follow recommended infusion techniques to preserve the protective components of teat canal keratin and the sphincter muscle. And lastly, use of coliform vaccines will enhance immunity over the dry period and reduce clinical coliform mastitis in early lactation. This publication address these topics in more detail in order to help producers prevent mastitis in their dairy herds.
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Reproductive management of dairy heifers is one area in which many dairy producers can improve. Heifers are the most fertile animals in a herd and should have the greatest genetic potential. Dairy producers need to pay more attention to getting heifers bred sooner and breeding them to genetically superior bulls. This publication describes methods for improving dairy heifer reproductive management.
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Producers need to be aware of the impacts that manure can have on water and air quality. However, management of manure and other byproducts of livestock and poultry production has important impacts on farm profitability, neighbor relations and protecting soil and water quality.
This publication covers: Farm and Homestead Maps; Manure Storage and Treatment; Nutrient Budgeting with Nitrogen and Phosphorus; Land Application of Manure and Fertilizers; Grazing Land; Pesticide and Chemical Management for Water Quality; Mortality Management; Record Keeping; Coexisting with Neighbors; Emergency Action Plans; and other resources.
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Vaccines are an integral part of a comprehensive herd health program. When used in conjunction with other management tools, vaccines can reduce both the risk and impact of disease in beef cattle herds. Nevertheless, when used inappropriately, vaccines can be virtually useless and, in some cases, result in impaired productivity and significant economic losses.
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Mastitis continues to be a major livestock disease afflicting the U.S. dairy industry. As the industry strives to improve milk quality to meet consumer as well as exportation demands, the legal limit for bulk tank sec will likely be reduced from 750,000/ml to 400,000/ml in the near future. It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of US dairy farms, mostly located in the Southeast, are currently at or above the 400,000/ml SCC limit and will have to adopt stricter methods for controlling mastitis in their milking herds, dry cows, and heifers.
This publication reviews the survey results of adoption rates for mastitis control measures and shows that there is much room for improvement.
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