Diseases in Dairy Calves

Diseases in Dairy Calves  By Heather Smith Thomas  There are many disease issues that can impact dairy calves.  Multiple risk factors contribute to disease and these can vary from one farm to the next.  For instance, some farms struggle with pneumonia in the first few weeks of life, others experience this issue after weaning, and [...] READ MORE

Choosing the Right Flooring for Cow Comfort and Hoof Health

Choosing the Right Flooring for Cow Comfort and Hoof Health  By Jessica Graham  Maintaining healthy hooves is a critical part of managing a productive dairy herd. When a cow experiences foot pain or lameness, her normal behavior can change. She may spend less time at the feed bunk and more time lying down to take […]

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Hairy Heel Warts (Bovine Digital Dermatitis)

Hairy Heel Warts (Bovine Digital Dermatitis)  By Heather Smith Thomas  This painful foot disease (technically known as digital dermatitis) has often been called hairy heel warts or strawberry foot rot, and has been a common problem in dairies for a long time.  Terry Engelken, DVM MS (College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University) says it is much more difficult to diagnose, prevent and treat than foot rot.  “We generally see digital dermatitis (DD) lesions at the back of the […]

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