There’s no doubt that dairy cattle are a very profitable part of the country’s ag economy, but transition cows are fragile animals. Getting them through the transition period without disease is going to be more profitable for producers during that lactation. However, if a transition cow experiences postpartum disease, it becomes an economic burden if she survives. Read more “How to boost immunity and prevent mastitis in transition cows”

Fat supplements are incorporated into dairy diets to provide energy and enable cows to maintain butterfat levels. Most of those used in the UK are formulated with palm acid oil.

While there is nothing nutritionally wrong with this, palm oil production in general is associated with deforestation and a high carbon footprint. Read more “Can palm-oil be replaced in feed to help cut dairy emissions?”

With high temperatures set to continue, dairy farmers need to be alert to the signs of heat stress in their cows.

Cows become affected by heat stress when temperatures reach just 20C and it can lead to reduced milk yields as a result of depression of feed intakes.

In recent days, temperatures in the UK have been well above 20C. The week ending 20 June saw a peak temperature of 21°C which, combined with 83% humidity, gave a stress risk of 70%. Read more “Act early to reduce dairy cow heat stress”

At least one afternoon a week, as I start trying to figure out what to prepare for dinner that night, I truly wish I were a cow. Yes, I said a COW; you didn’t read that incorrectly. It would be total luxury to have my meals calculated for my tastes, nutritional and caloric needs, adjusted for the season of the year and delivered to me ready to eat. I’d be in pure heaven! Read more “WHAT DOES A DAIRY COW EAT?”