Herd Health

John HouseSydney University

The Australian Dairy Industry

Efficiency of Production is Key to Long Term Sustainability

PlanningDefining objectivesMonitoring outcomesIdentifying bottlenecksImplementing changesAssessing responses

Applied Sciences in Dairy Farming

Crop ScienceAgronomyCropping

Animal ScienceNutritionHealthReproduction

Environmental ScienceWaterEffluent

Determinants of Cow Performance

NutritionFeeding the right ration at the right time

ComfortMinimizing environmental stressKeeping cows clean and dry

ReproductionPosition the cow to achieve her potential

The Life Cycle

Heifer ReplacementsSex distribution of calvesPerinatal mortalityPre-weaning mortalityGrowthReproductive performance

Perinatal mortality

Pre Weaning Mortality

Growth

Heifer Reproductive Performance

Survival Plot (PL estimates)

0 3 6 90.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00Survivor

Times

Survival Plot (PL estimates)

0 100 200 300 4000.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00Survivor

Times

Adult Cow Monitoring

NutritionReproductionHealthProduction

Nutrition

ForagesGrown on farm

Concentrates Contracts with growers

CommoditiesFeed merchants

Nutrition

Ration formulationProfessional nutritionistLeast cost rationsCows grouped according to productionRations formulated to meet cow requirements

Nutrition

Milk ProductionComponents

Manure Cow healthBUNNEFA

Nutrition

Reproduction

Focus on transition cow managementUtilize computerized recordsUtilize technology Proactive interventionsMonitor outcomes

Reproduction

Reproduction

Cow Comfort

Optimise production Promote dry matter intakePromote restingMinimise microbial challenge to the teat endFacilitate expression of oestrous

Minimize diseaseMastitisLameness

Health Outcomes

Health

Health

Coliform growth with additives in CM

02

46

810

1214

1618

20

0 12 24 48 72 120 168

Time (Hours)

LN(c

fu/m

L)

CM 2.5% Lime 5% Lime 10% Lime Stalosan Mistral

Milk culture results

100.0676Total

17.5118No growth

5.235Minor pathogens

7.7522 isolates

13.289Staphylococcus sp.

24.6166Coliform

32.0216Streptococcus sp.

PercentageNumber of samplesBacterial Isolate

Production

Production

SummaryDeterminants of Production

Cow ComfortNutritionReproduction

High production is achieved when systems are designed and managed to meet the needs of the cow.

Implement existing knowledge and technologyPlanSet goalsMonitor outcomesAdjust management according to outcomes