ASC-225: Managing Precision Dairy Farming Technologies

Jeffrey Bewley, Lauren Mayo, Amanda Stone, Nicky Tsai, Barbara Wadsworth | Sep. 22, 2015 (New)

Precision dairy farming is the use of technologies to measure physiological, behavioral, and production indicators of individual animals to improve management strategies and farm performance.

---

ID-180: Collection and Preparation of Milk Samples for Microbiological Culturing

Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley, Bob Harmon, Stephen Locke | Apr. 16, 2014 (Major Revision)

In developing individual farm mastitis control and treatment strategies, it is often necessary to characterize the types of bacteria that are present on your farm. To answer this question, a microbiological analysis, or milk culture, must be performed on milk samples collected from cows showing clinical or subclinical signs of mastitis. Results of the milk cultures will help identify which bacteria are causing the mastitis. In turn, this information can be used to alter mastitis control, prevention, and treatment options to fit your herd's conditions.

---

ID-218: A Fresh Cow Health Monitoring System

Donna Amaral-Phillips, Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley, Amanda Sterrett | Apr. 2, 2014 (New)

Researchers at the University of Kentucky combined existing disease detection systems to produce a fresh cow examination system that may help producers detect diseases earlier by monitoring subtle changes every day during a cow's fresh period. Compiling daily information about each animal will enable producers to notice changes in health that may otherwise have been overlooked. These records may help producers detect illnesses early, thus reducing the long-term effects (reduced milk production or fertility) and costs (re-treatment, milk loss, or death) of a disease. Learning what diseases are common on a particular farm can focus producers' efforts towards preventive measures specific to their operation. Preventing disease, rather than treating, can save producers time and money and can improve overall cow well-being.

---

Precision Dairy Farming Technologies List

Jeffrey Bewley, Matthew Borchers | Mar. 4, 2014 (Minor Revision)

---

ID-212: Using DHIA Records for Somatic Cell Count Management

Donna Amaral-Phillips, Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley | Apr. 26, 2013 (New)

DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association) records are an essential part of dairy herd management for many progressive dairy operations. However, for producers new to DHIA, interpreting the meaning of all this information can be a bit overwhelming. Even producers who have been DHIA members for many years may not fully understand all the value that DHIA records can provide for SCC management. What follows is a description and interpretation of SCC-related information available to dairy producers on DHIA test reports.

---

ID-213: 2011 Kentucky Compost Bedded Pack Barn Project

Jeffrey Bewley, Randi Black, George Day, Joe Taraba | Apr. 26, 2013 (New)

Kentucky dairy producers are adopting compost-bedded pack barns (CBP) as dairy cattle housing at a rapid rate. When properly managed, as an alternative dairy housing system, CBPs may decrease somatic cell count (SCC), increase production, and reduce lameness. Because the system is relatively new, however, many questions remain regarding best management practices and key factors for success. University of Kentucky dairy scientists and agricultural engineers conducted a comprehensive observational study of Kentucky CBPs from October 2010 to March 2011. The goal of this research was to determine key management concepts that determine success or failure in the compost-bedded pack system.

---

ASC-208: Pre-Investment Considerations for Precision Dairy Farming Technologies

Jeffrey Bewley, Karmella Dolecheck | Mar. 18, 2013 (New)

Precision dairy farming involves the use of technologies to measure physiological, behavioral, and production indicators on individual animals. The primary goals of precision dairy farming are to 1) maximize individual animal performance, 2) detect diseases early, and 3) minimize the use of medication through preventive health measures.

---

ASC-207: Stall Bases: Are Your Cows Comfortable?

Jeffrey Bewley, Barbara Wadsworth | Mar. 18, 2013 (New)

Cow comfort generally refers to minimizing animal stress in order to maximize milk production and animal well-being. Lying behavior plays a critical role in the production, profitability, and well-being of dairy cattle. The potential economic impact of increased production, reduced lameness, improved milk quality, reduced culling rates, and increased longevity are immense.

---

ID-208: Recommended Milking Procedures for Maximum Milk Quality

Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley | Nov. 30, 2012 (New)

When it comes to minimizing mastitis and lowering somatic cell counts, the area where you have the most control is your milking procedures. Understanding and following proper milking procedures is a critical step to maintaining maximum milk quality.

---

ID-209: Management of the Dry Cow to Prevent Mastitis

Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley | Nov. 30, 2012 (New)

As we move into a new era of lower acceptable somatic cell count levels, the prevention and control of mastitis takes on increased importance. For many years, the contagious mastitis pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis were the focus of control measures primarily implemented in the milking parlor to stop the spread of these organisms from cow to cow. These contagious organisms often cause high individual somatic cell counts and ultimately high bulk tank somatic cell counts. As these high somatic cell count cows have been culled due to milk marketing regulations and more dairymen have adopted NMC recommended milking procedures, the contagious pathogens are decreasing.