Healthy Udders and Feet & Legs = Healthy Cows & Happy Dairy Producers

Abstract

Optimizing animal health and performance is critical for quality, safe dairy products and the economic vitality of dairy operations. Producing both high quality and quantities of milk is the main income side of dairies and crucial for economic success, so attention to optimizing animal nutrition and care and practicing proper milk harvesting practices is essential. Bovine mastitis is one of the most economically expensive diseases of dairy cattle. Proper and rapid identification of mastitis problems and cows (clinical and subclinical) is critical and programs for both prevention and appropriate therapy including culling of problem cows are important for maximizing udder health. Lameness is dairy cattle is another of the top 3 dairy health expenses that leads to decreased production and performance, and often premature culling from dairy herds. Like mastitis, proper and rapid lameness identification coupled with appropriate prevention programs and therapy strategies are critical for dairy economic success.