Dairy Notes (November 2021)
Tip of the Month:
Fresh cow management impacts a cow’s milk production, health and reproductive performance. Key components include:
- Minimize stress on these cows by providing plenty of bunk space (≥30 inches/cow) and resting space (1 stall or 100 sq ft /cow).
- Do not house fresh cows with sick cows since their immune system is naturally depressed first few days after calving. Delay vaccinations for at least 10 days post calving.
- Observe cows daily for early signs of disease.
- If possible, house fresh cows separately from rest of milking herd for minimum of 7-14 days. Heifers also do better housed and fed separately from older cows.
- Feed additives, i.e. choline, may be most cost effective in fresh and prefresh diets.
Profitable Dairy Diets Start and End with Dairy Managers
Dairy managers play a significant role in the design and implementation of timely, cost effective feeding programs. This role goes beyond the harvesting and storage of high-quality forages.
To learn more:
Tools to Manage Risk for Dairy Producers
Risk management tools are available for dairy producers should consider utilizing as part of their marketing plans. They are all different and offer unique features, so understanding how each operates is key to determining which programs meet the needs of an individual operation.