by: J. Richard Pursley and Alisson Santos, Michigan State University Department of Animal Science
Dairy farming is an intricate balance of maximizing milk production, maintaining animal health and ensuring long-term herd sustainability. At the heart of this balance lies cow...
Source: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301457
Abstract
Sole ulcers, a common cause of lameness is the costliest non-infectious foot lesion in dairy cows and one of the most prevalent non-infectious foot lesions in freestall housing systems. Costs associated with sole ulcers are treatment costs, plus...
Summary:
Monitoring blood metabolites is essential for assessing dairy cattle health, but traditional methods are time-consuming, costly, and stressful for cows. This study explored a more efficient approach by integrating in-line near-infrared (NIR) milk spectroscopy with on-farm data (days in...
Dairy cattle breeds have a limited genetic pool, making them vulnerable to recessive genetic disorders. Traditional methods for identifying these defects often miss conditions related to immune or metabolic issues, as they can be mistaken for environmental diseases.
This study...
The detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in U.S. dairy cattle in March 2024 prompted an urgent scientific response. Researchers at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) launched a study to determine how the virus affects...
Supplementing dairy cows with omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FA) during late pregnancy and early lactation positively affects their reproductive health. A recent study examined how n-3 FA impacts ovarian follicles and the endometrium by modulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS)...
Summary
Research investigated the effects of supplemental in-stall LED lighting on dairy cattle preferences and behavior. By testing three LED light colors—white, yellow-green, and blue—the study aimed to determine whether cows exhibited a preference for specific light conditions in free-stall...
Newborn dairy calves face significant challenges during winter as they transition from the warmth of the womb to colder external temperatures. Cold stress can negatively impact their health, growth, and overall wellbeing. A recent study investigated whether providing heated...
Monitoring dairy cow behavior is essential for health management and overall welfare. Behaviors such as standing, lying, eating, and drinking provide key indicators of well-being—prolonged lying can signal hoof disease, while reduced food intake may indicate digestive issues. Traditionally...
Source: Scientific Reports
Abstract
When weaning offspring, female mammals limit nursing opportunities. This study aimed to investigate whether imposing a gradual reduction in daily contact time, by separating cows from their calves as an attempt to stimulate weaning, reduced dairy cows’...