BOTTOM LINE THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019 SECTION D
Sharing ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.
Manage bedding for udder health Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin staff
Dry clean bedding is a must for cow health and production. Dr. Sandra Godden, veterinarian, is a professor of dairy-population medicine at the University of Minnesota. She provided new research on the role of bedding management for udder health, cow comfort and lameness Godden at the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin’s recent business conference. “If cows are comfortable they’ll lay down – and when they lay down it results in less lameness,” she said. “Good management practices also mean better traction, resulting in less likelihood of falls and injuries.” She reviewed results of several studies comparing lameness risk and cow-lying time with types of bedding. In general sand bedding is preferred, resulting in cows with the fewest severe hock lesions, longest lying bouts and least bacteria counts. In contrast mattresses resulted in greater numbers of hock lesions and shorter lying times. “Sand continues to be king,” Godden said. “But management practices are critical regardless
A deeply bedded and regularly maintained pack is critical for cow comfort – a precursor for optimal health and production. of bedding material. Keeping bedding amounts in stalls full and level will encourage higher stall use and lying time while also reducing potential for injuries.” She emphasized the importance of routinely replacing wet bedding with dry bedding. “It makes sense that when cows are lying down 12 to 14 hours each day their teat ends are exposed to whatever bacteria are in the bedding,” she said. Godden shared an overview
of research focused on defining the relationship between bedding material, bedding-bacteria counts and udder health. The research seeks to identify management practices to reduce bedding-bacteria counts and establish benchmarks for those counts. Samples of unused bedding from storage and used bedding from stalls were collected during the summer and winter of 2016 from 168 herds in 17 states. Researchers also gathered Dairy Herd Im-
provement Association-testing data, bulk-tank cultures and udder-hygiene scores. Results to date indicate increased bedding-bacteria counts are generally associated with poorer udder health. But the relationship between bacteria count and udder health varies by bacteria group and bedding type. New sand bedding is inorganic and has the least bacteria count. Some studies indicate poorer udder health in cows bedded with manure solids, which are organic.
Regardless of bedding material, a number of management practices should be followed for optimal udder health. Add fresh organic bedding to stalls daily or every other day. Remove wet or soiled bedding from the back third of stalls at least twice per day. Minimize standing water, manure or mud in alleyways. Avoid overcrowding, ensure correct stall design and dimension, and provide good ventilation.
Tell consumers cow care is priority J
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une Dairy Month is a time for the dairy community to celebrate what they do. It allows producers to showcase their ways of life to consumers who don’t know much about the day-today experiences of dairy farmers and their cattle. A familiar JENNIFER statistic in VAN OS the industry is that less than 2 percent of the U.S. population is employed in agriculture. Another perspective is one person in every 50 people produces food for the other 49. Although most of today’s consumers are physically far removed from the farm, many have desires to connect with their food as well as the people and animals producing it. Not everyone wants to know every detail from farm to fork, but many want to feel confident that what they consume upholds their values. One common question consumers often have is, “Are the cows happy?” Producers are often able to affirm they take care of their cows. Good cow care results in good production so it makes perfect business sense. But stating the truth that way can sound like a conditional statement. Think about the unintended question a consumer might have as a result. “If taking care of cows would not result in good production, would producers still take the best care of their cows,” he or she might ask. When the answer is an emphatic yes, that’s an important message to convey. For people who have never set foot on a farm or encountered a working farm animal, their frame of reference may be limited to family pets. Of course dairy cattle aren’t pets. But there’s an important responsibility to take good care of them – not merely so they’ll perform better but because it’s the proper thing to do. Visitors and social-media followers are often amazed at the amount of technology involved on many modern dairy operations. They’re often fascinated when they learn
about activity monitors or cow “fitbits.” Producers might see such technology as par for the course. But it definitely resonates with consumers and amplifies their opinions about farmers. One way to tell consumers cow care is a priority is to proactively draw attention to the innovations routinely employed in today’s dairy industry. Another positive message to emphasize to consumers is how frequently producers consult with experts to stay up-to-date on the latest advances in technology and scientific knowledge – such as veterinarians, nutritionists, Extension educators and university researchers. Much research is being done to improve efficiency and animal welfare. Consumers need to know the degree to which modern agriculture is constantly pursuing – and implementing – new
information. Studying animal welfare allows producers to come as close as possible to answering the question, “What makes cows happy?” There are behavioral well-being techniques to evaluate health outcomes. But they also assess which situations affect the way cattle are feeling and what behaviors are important for them. Studies have found that cows are motivated to spend more than half the day lying down. Probably every farmer would say seeing all their cows lying down is satisfying. And if cows could talk, they’d likely say they’re also satisfied. Studies have shown cattle brushes – whether the mechanical rotating type or simple scratchers – are good for improving hygiene as well as behavioral well-being. When producers tell consumers
their cows have access to cattle brushes, it portrays cow care is a priority. Point them out to visitors. It’s likely their faces will light up when they see for themselves how much cows and heifers enjoy itching those hard-to-reach spots. People want to know producers care not just about their business but also about animal well-being. For someone whose livelihood is dairy farming, it’s easy to take for granted that caring for and about the cows is essential. But the “other 49” Americans aren’t mind-readers. It’s imperative to openly talk about how decisions and actions are made with the cows in mind – not just production. “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care,” is a quote that’s been attributed to Teddy Roosevelt. When dairy producers apply that wisdom to their
A lactating cow leans into a cow brush – an important aspect to her behavioral well-being. dairy-management practices, consumers will respond positively. Recently a Wisconsin dairy producer shared his motivation to keep milking cows – that feeling of satisfaction he has when he walks by pens of cows each day before the sun comes up to see them all lying down, each one quietly chewing their cud.
Dairy producers know those are happy cows. Be sure consumers know, too. Jennifer Van Os is an assistant professor and University of Wisconsin-Extension specialist in animal welfare in the department of dairy science at UW-Madison. Email jvanos@wisc.edu to reach her.
“... our best results with Udder Comfort.” — Janny Wilbourn
KLEINE DAIRY FARM, CEDAR LAKE, INDIANA The Kleine Family, since 1917 110 cows, 87 lbs/cow/day, SCC 110,000 “Udder Comfort™ is the best. We’ve been using it for 6 years on fresh cows and first-calf heifers for the first few days after calving to reduce the swelling,” says Janny (Kleine) Wilbourn. She milks and helps with herd health at her family’s Kleine Dairy Farm, Cedar Lake, Indiana. They milk 110 cows producing 87 pounds/cow/day of high quality milk, mostly Holsteins, along with Janny’s registered Brown Swiss. Seeing opportunities and challenges for her generation, Janny finds value in doing Ag Awareness events and being part of organizations like Dairy Girl Network, where she says, “it feels so good to learn, vent, and be reassured we can get through things together.” On udder management challenges and cow comfort she says: “We have our best results with Udder Comfort.” “I love how it works and the way it smells. We tried other brands, but after using this one, Udder Comfort is all we ever use now. It is a big help in being proactive with our fresh cows and in our management of udder health.”
Quality Udders Make Quality Milk
Keep the milk in the system 1.888.773.7153 1.613.652.9086 uddercomfort.com Call to locate a distributor near you.
For external application to the udder only, after milking, as an essential component of udder management. Always wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking.