MEDFORD VETERINARY CLINIC June 2015
Medford office 715-748-2341 Dr. H.H. Hildebrandt Dr. J.M. Osen Dr. M. Ortengren
Colby office 715-223-2858 Dr. C.A. Miller Dr. B.M. Grandaw Dr. H.J. Grandaw
www.medfordvet.com Dr. M.R. Moodie Dr. A.L. Ahles
Serving the dairy industry by providing prevention, treatment, and promoting efficiency – since 1958
Dairy Month!!
Dairy producers get a lot of well deserved
“Thanks” each June, and although a simple thank you doesn’t seem like enough from us -- Thank
You! You not only provide a safe and wholesome product to feed a growing world, you are doing it more eco-friendly, more efficiently, and more humanely than ever. Dairy farmers large and small are the backbone of our local economy and benefit everyone greatly whether they realize it or not. We are proud to be a small part of the success of your farm. You deserve a salute because I always say- I love being a dairy vet, but I can’t work hard enough to make it as a dairy farmer!
Dairy Breakfasts
Abbotsford Dairy Breakfast
Dukestead Acres Dairy
W1208 Willow Road, Abbotsford
May 31, 7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Town & Country Dairy Breakfast
Taylor County Fairgrounds, Medford
June 14, 6:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Colby Dairy Breakfast
Jeremy & Katie Haas Farm
H4355 Elm Road, Colby
June 28, 7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Calf Heat Abatement
Young calves experience heat stress starting over 78 degrees. Heat stress can cause decreased feed intakes, weak immune systems, decreased growth rates, and increased water intake. Heat abatement strategies include:
1.
Shading
2.
Fresh and clean feed and bedding- give fresh starter in evening to prevent spoilage
3.
Fresh cool water 2-3x daily- heat stressed calves can drink up to 6 gallons of water daily
4.
Breeze- natural or fans
5.
Timing stressful events- moving, vaccinating, dehorning- do these early in the morning while it is still cool.
6.
Feed calves in early morning and late afternoon -- avoids having peak digestion during peak temperatures
7.
Be quick to feed electrolytes -- fixing dehydration early can prevent sick calves.
Summer Mastitis and Milk Quality
It is a common problem to have increases in SCC and mastitis cases in the summer. There are many different contributors to why this happens and ways to control them.
Heat Stress: When cows are overheated, their immune system becomes compromised and simply can’t fight off infections as well. Heat control strategies are important to maintain feed intakes, milk production, and reproductive performance, and can improve milk quality as well.
Fly Control: Flies can bite and damage teat ends, cause stress, and most importantly transfer mastitis pathogens around a herd quickly.
Flies also transmit diseases like Bovine Leukosis
Virus, cause pinkeye infections, and contribute to feed spoilage.
Overcrowding: Whether in a pasture or a freestall barn, overcrowding problems get worse in the heat. This contributes the heat stress, reduces lying space, reduces bedding quality, and decreases bunk space. Cows may be forced to lie in mud or in an alley and udder cleanliness will rapidly deteriorate.
Bedding Quality: Bacteria grow best in warm, wet environments and a humid summer brings just that. Cows will also spend more time lying down to rest and take advantage of cooler ground temperatures. Bedding needs to be groomed and replaced more frequently in the heat, which will increase costs but can save much more in milk quality and mastitis costs.
Milk Culturing and Mastitis Vaccines:
Don’t just assume mastitis increases are from environmental causes. Summer can bring pathogens like yeasts and algae which are important to identify, as well as contagious causes.
Mastitis vaccines can be a big help, but make sure you know what you are dealing with first!