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Managing the dairy cow at calving time
1Dairy Production Department, Teagasc, Dairy Production Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland. jmee@moorepark.teagasc.ie
The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice
|October 9, 2004
Summary
Effective dairy cow calving management is crucial for calf health and cow transition. Veterinarian-led training for herd personnel can mitigate financial and welfare costs associated with poor periparturient management.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Science
- Dairy Production
Background:
- Periparturient management is often undervalued, lacking specialist training.
- Poor calving management incurs significant financial and welfare costs for dairy farms.
- This contrasts with specialized practices like artificial insemination and ultrasonography.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the economic and welfare implications of inadequate dairy cow calving management.
- To advocate for veterinarian-led education and upskilling of herd staff.
- To define the essential components of successful periparturient care.
Main Methods:
- Review of current practices and their consequences.
- Argumentation for enhanced training protocols.
- Identification of key management principles.
Main Results:
- Poor calving management leads to adverse outcomes for calves and cows.
- Suboptimal transitions impact milk production and herd health.
- Financial losses and animal welfare issues are direct consequences.
Conclusions:
- Implementing veterinarian-led training improves calving management outcomes.
- Upskilling herd personnel is vital for healthy calf births and smooth cow transitions.
- Proactive and informed calving management minimizes problems and enhances farm profitability.