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FARM HEALTH NEWSLETTER
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!