Factors associated with Ontario dairy producers' management and care of down dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to better understand current management practices for down cows in Ontario, Canada, and to identify factors associated with the adoption of acceptable practices. An online survey was distributed to all dairy producers in Ontario, Canada (n = 3,367) and was available from November 2020 to March 2021, inclusive. Dairy producers were identified through their provincial dairy organization and contacted via email, and the survey was also promoted via social media. The survey was comprised of 134 questions, 31 of which were related to down-cow management. Descriptive statistics were evaluated, and 2 logistic regression models were generated using Stata 17, exploring factors associated with (1) relocating down cows with hip lifters and (2) assisting cows to stand within 1 h after discovering a down-cow. A total of 226 producers responded (7.4%). Participants were predominantly male (68%), farm owners (78%), and 30 to 39 yr old (29%). Producers reported relocating down cows with a boat or sled (32.6%), front-end loader bucket (31.4%), hip lifters (28.0%), or "other" (with a text box to further describe; 8.0%). The median time to relocating a down-cow after identifying her was 1 h (range 0-17 h). Farms that relocated a down-cow sooner after identifying her as down, were more likely to use appropriate methods to move the cow. However, we also found that farms that provided feed and water sooner to down cows, were more likely to use an inappropriate method (hip lifters) to move her. Farms that used hip lifters to move cows had higher odds of assisting a cow to stand within 1 h following the discovery of recumbency. Additionally, producers who waited longer to relocate a down-cow were less likely to assist the cow to stand within 1 h of finding them down. Research has identified effective management practices for down cows, yet there remains a gap in understanding the implementation and the decision-making process of producers. Data from this study will be helpful in designing future research that further explores the barriers and motivations of producers when implementing evidence-based management plans to care for down dairy cows and may help inform current industry extension efforts.