Abomasal Bloat in Calves

Abomasal Bloat in Calves. By Heather Smith Thomas. Abomasal bloat is often blamed on ulcers, but these conditions are generally two very different problems, according to Dr. Geof Smith (former professor at North Carolina State University and now Dairy Technical Services Veterinarian at Zoetis Inc. at Raleigh...

Managing, Storing and Handling Veterinary Products

Managing, Storing and Handling Veterinary Products. By Jaclyn Krymowski. Most dairies have at least a somewhat designated area in the barn where all the medications, vaccinations, and veterinary supplies are stashed. In the ebb and flow of each work day, it is easy for these items – most of which are...

Nutrition and Management Practices around the Time of Kidding

Nutrition and Management Practices around the Time of Kidding. By Jennifer A Bentley - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. As does move through lactation, into the dry period, and back to lactating, there are some guiding practices that can help bridge nutrition and overall health of the doe and...

Be Wise with Biosecurity

Be Wise with Biosecurity.  By Jaclyn Krymowski.Keeping the dairy herd at its top performance level involves an adequate dose of preventative care. Prevention is a mindset that ought to find its way in all aspects of herd management from finances to human safety. But one of the most important is prevention against...

Winter Goat Care

Winter Goat Care. By Michael Metzger - Jackson County Extension Office - Michigan State University. As cold weather approaches, it is important to consider the comfort of the goats we care for.Winter can be a stressful time for livestock.  As owners, we need to help to reduce that stress by providing...

Mastitis and Milk Quality: Working Through Late Lactation, Dry Off, & Back to Kidding

Mastitis and Milk Quality: Working Through Late Lactation, Dry Off, & Back to Kidding.  By Jennifer Bentley - Iowa State University. Milk quality and mastitis are always challenges for goat producers but late lactation accentuates this. Many understand the challenges of early lactation with the demand...

Dairy Calves Need Good Care and Management During Winter

Dairy Calves Need Good Care and Management During Winter. By Heather Smith Thomas. Winter in some regions is not severe and management of dairy calves may not need to be much different than in other seasons.  In many areas of the U.S. however, winter is colder, wetter and more stressful for calves, so...

Dealing with Dystocia in Dairy Cows

Dealing with Dystocia in Dairy Cows. By Heather Smith Thomas. Many dairies have several thousand cows or more, with many calves born each day.  Most of these dairies have employees whose only job is working at the maternity barn.  They become very good at what they do, and can manage most calving...