February 2021
Tip of the Month
Vaccines are a sound way to decrease disease risk
Keeping up-to-date on vaccines for the milking herd, as well as heifers and dry cows, is an important component of any preventative health program. Vaccines should be given in the neck region, either subQ (preferred method, if possible) or IM, when injected. If boosters are needed, they need to be done at the correct interval for the best protection. Always consult your veterinarian as to which vaccines are appropriate for your dairy herd.
Training Self-Motivated, Independent "Cow" Employees
Invisible milking cows go about their “jobs”, needing little supervision or special attention from their owners. They eat, rest, rebreed, and milk well without drawing special attention to themselves. To achieve a herd of mostly invisible dairy cows, scientists point to the successful implementation of protocols associated with 5 different areas. Reviewing these areas on your farm is critical to ensure that these hard working, “cow employees” can do their jobs efficiently.
Which Feedstuffs Might Be a Good Buy?
With corn and soybean meal prices increasing tremendously, substitutions in diets for these ingredients may be financially beneficial. By calculating a nutritive predictive price, one can determine ingredients that potentially are good economically choices to include in diets.
2021 Center of Kentucky Dairy Short Course
(Click title to register for each session)
- FEBRUARY 18 (Rescheduled from Feb. 11 to 18)
So you DNA tested your herd. Now what? - FEBRUARY 25
Fungicide Application Methods and Products for Corn Silage - MARCH 4
Managing for the Invisible Cow
Kentucky Dairy Partners Meeting February 24
Join us in person, or virtually
Sloan Convention Center
1021 Wilkerson Trace
Bowling Green, Kentucky
or via Zoom - Register for link to attend virtually