Keeping Your Cow’s Comfortable - The Udder · PDF file · 2004-09-08Keeping...
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Transcript of Keeping Your Cow’s Comfortable - The Udder · PDF file · 2004-09-08Keeping...
1
Keeping Your Cow’sComfortable
Dr. Andy JohnsonTotal Herd Management Services, Inc
Clintonville, Wisconsin 54929
Keseca Veterinary ClinicSpring Meeting
Why Men ShouldNEVER
Take Messagesfor Their Wives!!
2
They work in parlors too!
The DifferenceBetween
Men and Women
They work in parlors too!
What If the USALost the War in
Iraq???
3
They work in parlors too! They work in parlors too!
They work in parlors too! They work in parlors too!
4
Don’t under estimate the importanceof the cow’s environment
Cow comfort is #1 reason forHIGH or LOW milk production
and CULL RATE!
Cow Comfort Realized
Cow Comfort and Environment
1. Increased DM intake, increased production
2. Decreased environmental mastitis
3. Increased conception
4. Decreased foot problems
The only correct answer to most questions is:
“It Depends!”
5
LISTEN TO THE COW!
They always tell the truth or the real story!!
Listen To The Cows
1. Won’t enter the parlor
2. Won’t lay down in stalls
3. Swollen legs, hocks or injuries
4. Don’t like to have teats touched
Cow Friendly Environment
1. Ventilation: All Four Seasons
2. Stall design and maintenance
3. Access to feed and water
4. Skid resistant walking surface
6
Legs, Do They Matter?
7
Where is the leg located?
Under and next to the Udder!!
DON’T IGNORE THE ENVIRONMENT!
The environment is the key to quality milk!
Does This Manure Matter???
Low Level Mud
Mature Cow 0-10cm 1st Lactation Heifer 0-10cm
8
Source Of Manure Source Of ManureMay Surprise You!
Medium Level Mud
Cows Heifers
Let’s not use weather as an EXCUSE to mismanage your dairy
9
Bad Environment
Free StallDoes not mean
“Free of Maintenance”
Stall Protocol1. Udder must be on clean/dry surface
2. Every milking scrape off wet area and cover with dry bedding
3. Less than 5% stalls wet or manure
4. Clean and dry stalls have less risk to new mastitis infections
10
What Are The Stalls Telling You??Less Than 5% Is The Goal!! Must scrape off manure every milking and cover
Cross Over Alleys Major Cause Of Dirty Cows
Free Stall Maintenance
MODIFIED RAKE/SCRAPER MAKES IT EASIER!
11
Modified Tool For Free Stall Maintenance
Scraper
RakeFor Mattress dairies, a broom works the best!!
Free Stall Maintenance
12
Barn Yard Care Is Critical
Cows Must Not Have Access To Manure!
Free Stall BarnsSigns of a problem
How many lunge attempts to get up?
Are there shinny spots on the loop?
Are loops breaking off their supports?
Signs of Poor Cow Comfort
13
Signs of Poor Cow Comfort Signs of Poor Cow Comfort
Signs of Poor Cow Comfort Improper Lunge Space
14
Improper Lunge Space Proper Lunge Space
Normal Lunge Lunge Space
Many people will suggest as long as a cow canlunge straight forward, that is good enough!
LISTEN TO THE COW!!
OK
15
Lunge Space
Give the cow every option and she will decide!2 out of 3 cows prefer to lunge to the side!
OK OK
OK
Lunge Space
OK OK
OK
LATEST DATA SHOWS COWS THAT DO NOT HAVE SIDE LUNGE, THE HERDS WILL HAVE HIGHER SCC AND HIGHER CULL RATES
Proper Measurements for Proper Lunge Space
Most critical measurement 9-10 in (23-25 cm) maximum
Outside Wall Lunge SpaceIs Also Important
What are the cows telling you?
16
Alternatives to ImproveLunge Space
Alternatives to ImproveLunge Space
Alternatives to ImproveLunge Space
17
Proper Loop Design Proper Loops NeedLonger Lower RailAnd Be Placed CloserTo The Cow Bed
Longer Lower RailKeeps Cow StraightIn The Stall
At least 60cm backOf brisket board
Proper Loop Design Proper Loop DesignThe facts:
Lower cull rates
More comfort
Less injuries
18
Cow ComfortBrisket Board Benefits
1. Cow position in stall better so cow cleaner
2. Cow gets up easier, it braces her as she lunges
Cow ComfortBrisket Board Dimensions
1. 66-68 inches(168-173 cm) from back of curb
2. 35-40% above bedding level with rest below
Cow ComfortBrisket Board Failures
Board Too LargeBoard Mounted Too HighBoard Too Far Forward
Improper Brisket Board Location
Too far forward >68 in (173 cm)
19
Improper Brisket Board Location
Mounted Too High
Low Neck Rails = Discomfort
Less than 46 inches (112 cm)
Low Neck Rails = Discomfort
Less than 40 inches (100 cm)
OLD FACILITIESYou don’t have to tear down
what you already have.
You just need to modify itto improve cow comfort!
20
Remodel Stalls to Improve Cow Comfort Remodel Stalls to Improve Cow Comfort
Remodel Stalls to Improve Cow ComfortRemodel Stalls to Improve Cow Comfort
21
Remodel Stalls to Improve Cow Comfort
Manure Piles Under Loops; Common Sign of Wide Stalls
Wide Stalls Are Not The AnswerEspecially If We Talk Quality Milk!!
Wide Stalls
Greater than 48 inches (120 cm) wide
22
Wide Stalls Wide Stalls**
Upside Down Loops
It is a BIG mistake!
Neck Rail Location66 inches (168 cm)
Backs of Stalls Are Dirtier
23
Alley WidthReducing alley width is a poorchoice of ways to reduce cost.
Cow Alley 12 feet (Many 10 feet)Feed Alley 15 feet (Many 12 feet)
Alley WidthKey Reason For Dirty Cow Legs
When narrow, more manuresplashed on animal’s legs
regardless if over crowding or not!
Alley WidthCow Alley
NOTE: After 12 hours, manure load minimal!Approximately 25% total manure
Alley WidthFeed Alley
NOTE: After 12 hours, manure load heavy!Approximately 75% total manure
24
Manure Creates Mastitis
***
Sand is the Best BeddingFor The Quality Milk
Production
All other bedding options have an increased risk to
new infections!
25
Sand is the Best Bedding
After that, you choose your own poison!
The True Value Of Sand
Sand Mattress
Issue Sand MattressLameness 15% 25%Hock/Legs 10.4% 24.4%Culling 26% 38%Milk Production 26,058 24,064
VALUE: $12/cwt and 100 cow dairyMilk $23,928Lameness $7,400Culling $ 18,000TOTAL: $ 49,330 $500/cow/year
How much are manure pumps????
The True Value Of Sand
Sand Mattress
Worth $1.66 more incomeper hundred pounds
of milk produced higher milk price when compared to
mattress herds.
Sand is Comfort
26
Sand is Comfort Properly Installed TiresReduce Sand Use By25-35%!
Tires Must Be HandPacked With Sand And Be 3-4 inches(7-10 cm) Below The Curb
Improper Tire Placement Causes Poor Cow Comfort
Decrease SandUse “Sand Trap”
27
Decrease SandUse “Sand Trap”
University of Georgia Study NMC 2003 Proceedingsshowed best success with “Sand Trap” in reducing sand use and best cow comfort
Sand in Stanchion And Tie Stall Barns
Cleaner CowsMore ComfortBetter FootingLower Somatic Cell CountsLess Clinical MastitisLess Leg InjuriesLess Stepped on Teats
Sand in Tie Stalls Sand in Tie Stalls
28
Mattress Stalls Mattress Stalls
Mattress Stalls
•Never were designed to eliminate bedding•Loose cushion effect in 2-3 years•Only those selling suggest no bedding to justify high cost.•Dirtier cows•More hock and leg injuries
HOWEVER!
Mattress Stalls
•If managed correctly, they can work well•Fantastic for tie stall or stanchion barns•Extra padding •Bedding keepers•90 plus pounds of milk•Under 150,000 SCC
29
Organic Bedding
Wood Products Must Be Dry and Clean
Sawdust bedding
• Coliform cfu/g > 106 =
Bramley & Neave 1975
Coliform mastitis
Coliforms in bedding
Rendos et.al. 1975
3.1x1066.6x10652.7x106
Straw ShavingsSawdust
cfu/g
> >
Bacteria on teats
Rendos et.al. 1975
812127Straw ShavingsSawdust
Coliform cfu/swab
> >
30
Klebsiella spp. in bedding
Rendos et.al. 1975
.06x106.66x1064.4x106
Straw ShavingsSawdust
cfu/g
> >
Bacteria on teats
Rendos et.al. 1975
1211Straw ShavingsSawdust
Klebsiella spp. cfu/swab
> >
Streptococci in bedding
Rendos et.al. 1975
8.6x10611.0x10653.0x106
ShavingsSawdustStraw
cfu/g
> >
Bacteria on teats
Rendos et.al. 1975
3837172064Sawdust ShavingsStraw
Streptococci cfu/swab
> >
31
Bacteria in Used Bedding
Hogan et al. JDS 1989: n=9 farms6.31031.62Streptococci
.003.04Klebsiella
.5001.58Coliform2.51012.59G(-)
cfu/g x 106
InorganicOrganic Bacteria
Coliform Bacteria in Bedding
ORGANIC
INORGANIC
Streptococci in Bedding
ORGANIC
INORGANIC
UNDERSTANDING YOUR BEDDING
The more fines in the bedding,The higher the bacteria
numbers
32
8.0
16
30
As Bedding is Allowedto Build Up,
Environmental Bacteria Numbers Increase.
Changing Bedding Oftenis Best.
33
MIXING TWO BEDDINGS
TOGETHERCREATES HIGHER
BACTERIAL LOADS
ADDING FRESH BEDDING TO
OLD BEDDINGIS LIKE ADDING
GAS TO A SMOLDERING FIRE!
Bedding Cultures
A great management tool for monitoringthe bedding choices you use.
Helps you determine whether there isAn increased risk or not for your cows.
34
Organic Bedding
Bedding Keepers Provide More ComfortIf Managed Properly. (Clean and Dry)
1.25 cm
Calcium CarbonateReduces Bacteria
Be sure to cover lime with bedding!
Sanitizing Mattress Stalls
•Scrape Back 30 inches (75 cm) of stall•Spray Stall with Tek-trol* weekly
–300cc per 3 gallons (11.3 liters) of water–Does 125 stalls
•Pull fresh bedding over sprayed area
* Biotek Industries 404-799-2050
Dry Period Housing
OFTEN SUCKS!
35
Typical Dry Cow “Bedding Pack”Contamination or Natural Exposure??
Pre-fresh Inoculation!!Dry Cow Environment
Is there a better alternative?
36
Bedding Packs are Usually Manure Packs
• Do the knee drop test
This is not a bedding pack, it is a shit pack!!
37
Bedding Packs:
• 150 square feet per animal• 16-17 square meter per animal• Control bedding – remove pies
Bedding Packs Require Lots Of Labor andLots and Lots of Bedding
Sand Calving Pens are Great, however,They too need lots of labor and care!
The Sooner EveryDairy Farm Understands
There is a HUGE Difference Between Calving Pens and
Pre-Fresh Packs,
The Better Their Milk Quality Will Be!
Over 75% of all clinical mastitis that occurs in the first 120 days of lactation are from the pre-
fresh area and calving pens.
38
Cumulative risk of mastitis, by parity - SWEDEN
0,000,030,050,080,100,130,150,180,200,230,25
-15 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 180 195 210 225 240 255 270 285 300
Days from calving -15 to +300
cum
ulat
ive
risk
cum risk_allcum risk_4+cum risk_3cum risk_2cum risk_1
39 % of treatments of mastitis day -3 to +15
1-2 %*
Østerås, Lindberg et al, 2002
Calving Pens:
On less 2 hours prior to calving, off within 24 hours after
calving.
All in and all out on bedding
Dry PeriodHuge opportunity for all dairy farms
Data at least 30 years oldData on low producing cowsData on 2X Herds
*****
Dry PeriodWhere the next lactation is either enhanced or ruined.
It is time to take another look at how to manage this important group of animals
39
Dry PeriodBiggest issue is animals giving too much
milk at dry off.
Common to see animals over 40 lbs at dry off.
Dry PeriodCows over 40 lbs of milk will have open
teats for up to 80 days.
Open teats increase risk to new infections by 70%.
Impact of Production at Dry Off On Keratin Plug Formation
0
20
40
60
80
100
DryOff
1 2 3 4 5 6
Week of Dry Period
% O
pen
Teat
s
<46.2lb >46.2lb
Production at dry off may be the biggest key in fresh cow mastitis!
Dry PeriodGoal is to have less than 15% of the cows
and heifers have an elevated SCC (>200,000) on first test.
40
Dry PeriodHandling animals prior to dry off is
nothing new. Dairy farms used to do it routinely.
This has become a forgotten practice on most dairy farms.
Dry PeriodNew approach to Days Dry
For years, a 60 day dry off was considered ideal. That was when cows were just cows.
Dry Period42 Day Dry Period
* Four weeks far off* Two weeks close up* May be best option
Dry Period42 Day Dry Period
* Increase milking herd size* Decrease dry cow housing needs* Very successful
41
Dry Period28 Day Dry Period
* 1-2 weeks far off* 2-3 weeks close up
Short Dry Period28 days
2004 University Idaho Study* No difference in production* Colostrum Quality Same* No difference reproduction* BF same, Protein slightly higher* SCC no difference
Effects of Mastitis on Milk Production
Lactation Dry Period LostProduction
Infected Non-infected (cured) 11.3%
Infected Infected (not cured) 33.2%
Non-Infected Infected (new infection) 36.6%
SCC AT DRY SCC AT CALVINGCows With Cleaner
Udders Can Be Milked Faster!
42
Flaming Udders
Makes a Major Difference in Milk Quality and Parlor Performance
Flaming Udders
Flame Udders On Every AnimalWhen They Enter
The Pre-Fresh Group
Flame All Animals As Needed During Lactation
43
The Super Torch
Parlor or Tie Stall Version
Stanchion Flaming Parlor Flaming
44
Parlor FlamingThere’s Always A New Way
OOPS!!Bad Place To Do Demonstration On Flaming!!
Water is Wealth Water is Wealth
Every New Facility Should Have Water MetersTo Monitor Water Intakes!
45
Water Intake Meters:
An absolute must on every dairy farm.
Water is Wealth
Normal Daily Need Of Milk Cow
25-35 gallons/95-133 liters(More if hot weather or cow is high producing)
Water Space2 – 2.5 Inches Per Cow
Crossover Less Than 12 feet Limits Feed and Water Intake
46
Trough Space on Exit Lanes
24 inches of Water per Parlor Stall
Lack of Water Is A Key Reason for Low Milk Production
Lack of Water
Common Cause Poor Milk Production
Clean Water SupplyPoor Water Supply
Water At Parlor Exit Makes A Positive Difference
47
Water In Parlors Makes More Milk New Water Cup Provides
More Water To Cow
Water Cups Should Not Be OnThe Cow Side of Stall
Water is Wealth
Lack Of Water Pressure A Major Problem In
Tie Stall/Stanchion Barns
Do Pressure Test TonightImproving Water Availability In Tie Stall BarnsPVC Pipe and Float A Low Cost Addition
48
Water Trough In Tie Stall Barns Increases Milk Production
5 Pound or 2.5 Kg Increase in Milk Production Each Day
Water is Wealth
34 inch
20” 5.5”
Giving Cows Adequate Water Makes A Difference!
Water is Wealth Water is Wealth
49
Water is Wealth Poor Water Fountain
IMPROVING FORAGE QUALITY
Plastic lining of bunkers will reduce spoilage andprotect over all feed quality.
Cow CleanlinessCows must be kept
clean, dry, and comfortable24 hours a day!
REMEMBER: Always listen to the cows!!!
B
50
World Record Milk Production HeiferTru-Blu Duster Ihm Gem 2yr 3mo
365days 61,030 milk, 2,368 BF (3.9%), 1,930 Pro (3.2%)