The Consequence of Postpartum Uterine Disease on Dairy Cow Fertility

Dairy cows being milked in a milking parlour at the Shenandoah Dairy Farm. Milking, milk production.

This new 4-page document discusses the reproductive consequences of uterine disease in the dairy cow, potential mechanisms, and current treatments. Written by Rachel L. Piersanti and John J. Bromfield, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, March 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an354

Are Cows Comfortable in Modern Dairy Facilities?

A dairy calf. Photo taken 04-01-17.

The main challenge of modern large dairy operations is to achieve high milk yield per cow without sacrificing health and welfare. Properly designed and managed facilities allow calves, heifers, and cows to be comfortable and successfully grow, mature, maintain health, and reach peak performance. This 8-page document discusses facilities, cow comfort, resting behavior, feed and water access and availability, stocking density, and heat stress. Written by Izabella Toledo, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, December 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an349

Economic Evaluation of Dairy Cow Stocking Density

Dairy cows feeding at the Shenandoah Dairy Farm. Cow, feed, milk production. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

What is the optimal number of dairy cows in a pen after their transition period? This 4-page document discusses the economically optimal stocking density for lactating dairy cows, measured as maximum profit per stall. It also introduces a spreadsheet that can be used to calculate the effects of various inputs on the economically optimal stocking density. Written by Albert De Vries, Haile Dechassa, and Henk Hogeveen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, August 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an346