Maximizing performance of cattle is one of the key activities of veterinarians. Many scientific and practival insights on how to enhance milk production and meat quality of cattle have evolved over the past years. This page provides quality and performance mangement related articles for cattle.
Quality and performance
Latest article
Advising farmers in optimizing mastitis treatment
Farmers do not need to call in veterinary advice any time they spot clots in the milk. Using intra mammary tubes could be sufficiently effective. However, they would be wise to call in their vet in persistent cases and if the cow has a high temperature and is off food, pointing towards systemic disease.
Guidelines
Farmers will benefit from given guidelines how to act when they spot mastitis. Here is a proposal for guidelines.
First measure: take a milk sample before treatment. Add 1-2 ml... read more »
More articles
When quality equals peace of mind
There are two universal worries uppermost in the minds of the modern dairy farmer: herd health, and milk quality. They are equally important because of their impact on profits and the farmer’s peace of mind. The challenge is how to bring these together into a singular strategy. read more >
Sweeter grass does not lead to more milk
The characteristics of various varieties of perennial ryegrass do not influence the food intake of grazing dairy cows. Cell wall degradability did not vary among perennial ryegrass varieties. Research carried out by Hassan ZH Taweel at WageningenUniversity shows that an increased dry matter intake could be achieved by gaining more insight into the regulatory mechanisms behind the maximum use of rumen capacity. read more >
Structured on-farm medication reduces treatment costs
Continuing political pressure for more prudent use of animal drugs means the use of on-farm medicines and the regulations covering such use and recording are now being hotly debated. This looks like a threat, but could be an advantage for farmers. read more >
Greater rumen stability leads to healthier profit
Lower milk prices and a stagnating market force European dairy farmers to increase yield per cow. The extra work the cow has to do is mainly performed by the rumen. Essential oils could help to optimise the function of this complicated digestive organ. read more >
Cows on pasture grass mixture yields more
Kathy Soder rests a hand on the Holstein cow. With the other, she removes the plug to the portal-like fistula that’s surgically implanted into the animal’s side. Gently tugging a pink string, she fishes out a series of small white bags from the cow’s rumen, the largest compartment of its multichambered stomach. read more >
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