Rough Concrete was ‘Trimming’ Feet

by James A. Jarrett, D.V.M. “For want of a nail, a shoe was lost. For want of a shoe, a horse was lost.” And so the story goes, ending in the sad tale of a war being lost because a rider could not deliver a message as of a result of the horse he was to ride having a sore foot. This scenario often can be related to dairy cows with sore feet. Usually, when sore feet occur, animals do not eat as much as normal because they do not eat as frequently as they should. Quite often, they also suffer systemic infections that can enter the body through the feet. As the dairy industry moves...

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Grooving Concrete Improved Heat Detection

by James A. Jarrett, D.V.M. One of the four major areas of concern in dairy management is that of reproductive health. At this point, many experts feel that open days in excess of 90 (on a herd basis) cost approximately $3 per cow per day. A 100-cow herd with an average open days of 100 would see a financial loss of about $30 per cow per year. Usually the first thought that comes to mind in discussing breeding problems is that of infectious diseases or hormonal imbalances resulting in such problems as cystic ovaries. However, an examination of the situation on most dairy farms reveals that...

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