Understanding Staph. aureus mastitis in dairy cattle and how to manage it
We’ve all seen the statistic – a case of clinical mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation can result in an economic loss of $444. We talk about all the ways to prevent mastitis but what do we really know about the bugs that actually cause mastitis to begin with?...
New Transfer of Passive Immunity Standard
There has been a long-standing definition of successful transfer of passive immunity, stated as 10 grams of IgG per liter of serum, 24-36 hours post colostrum feeding. The United States Department of Agriculture has raised the standard.
Prioritize, Execute, Repeat
The progress made in reproductive performance on dairies is truly impressive. Today, it’s more commonplace to find herds with pregnancy rates over 30%.
Mastitis PCR Frequently Asked Questions
What is PCR? Polymerase chain reaction is an advanced laboratory technique that amplifies DNA so it can be detected even when present in very, very small quantities. It is the same technique used to investigate crime scenes. How does PCR determine how much DNA is...
How many heifers should you raise?
The goal of reproduction has shifted from creating a replacement, to creating a fresh cow; the calf, or many of them, are simply the byproduct.
Reaching for Genetic Potential
Whatever happens to a calf day 1, week 1 or month 1 of its life determines if it will live up to its genetic potential. This statement is true for both replacement heifers with tremendous milking…
PCR Is a Game Changer for Mastitis Management
Midwest-based CentralStar Cooperative pioneered testing of dairy herd information (DHI) milk samples for the management of cow herd health and disease…