For producers to meet their production goals, they need a group of healthy cows that can consistently produce quality milk year over year with minimal downtime due to health challenges. So, how can producers keep cows healthy and in the herd longer?
The answer lies in not only the hands of a farm team and its animal husbandry practices but also the overall genetic potential of a dairy animal. By pairing management practices with innovations in genomic testing, producers can stock their herds with the right animals that have the potential to be high producers of milk, fat and protein; have less risk for mastitis; require a reduced need for antibiotic use; produce more salable milk; and possess greater potential for improved herd profitability.
SCC levels and overall risk of mastitis present a large opportunity to improve long-term profit
It’s no secret that turnover on a dairy is costly. However, the cost of herd turnover extends beyond the difference between the monetary value of a cull cow and its replacement. It’s also about the animal's production potential. Third-lactation cows produce about 25% more milk than first-lactation cows. When producers replace mature cows with younger ones, they can experience production losses. In fact, we partnered with Compeer Financial and conducted a study that found the difference in profit between herds with the highest and lowest rates of turnover was 9.8 pounds of milk per cow per day and $307 per cow per year.
The same study found elevated bulk tank somatic cell counts (SCC) to be associated with lower milk production, reduced pregnancy rates and greater death losses – all factors that can lead to turnover. Therefore, reducing SCC levels and the overall risk of mastitis presents a large opportunity to improve turnover rates and long-term profit.
This means that preventive measures are not only imperative, but the dairy industry can use prediction tools to help producers make sure they have the females they need to reach their goals.
Invest in the genetic potential of the herd
Genomic testing can help producers identify and invest in the right heifers – those with the lowest risk for disease and greatest livability.
Catching these disadvantages early through genomic testing enables producers to strategically manage their herds to help meet goals of improved milk quality, lower herd SCC, better udder health and reduced antibiotic use.
We conducted a peer-reviewed study using the Clarifide Plus and Dairy Wellness Profit Index (DWP$) that showed the following stats, on average, between cows ranked in the top 25% group compared with the lowest-ranking group:
- Produced 741 more pounds of fat, 583 more pounds of protein and 17,810 more pounds of salable milk
- Stayed in the herd for seven months longer
- Experienced 33% less mastitis, 55% less metritis and 42% less lameness
- Demonstrated 43% fewer lifetime antibiotic therapy interventions
With insights from the genomic testing solutions the dairy industry has available today, producers can optimize herd selection and reduce net herd turnover costs.
Prioritize animal husbandry and don't overlook mastitis management protocols
While genomic testing is a long-term strategy to improve the genetic makeup of a herd, it’s just one piece of the pie, and management practices can’t be overlooked.
Producers should work closely with a local veterinarian to establish routine, strategic herd health protocols so herds can perform their best from the start of their first lactation. These protocols should include industry-leading mastitis prevention and treatment plans.
Prevention protocols: A comprehensive dry cow program is a proactive way to help keep SCCs low by helping prevent new mastitis infections. When going into the dry period, make sure protocols are created to clear up existing infections and prevent new ones. Implementing a dry cow treatment program that includes a broad-spectrum tube, a proven internal teat sealant and vaccination against coliform infections can help.
Treatment protocols: Ensure treatment protocols are tailored to achieve effective bacteriological cures, not just clinical cures. For difficult mastitis pathogens, flexible mastitis therapy that’s on-label can sometimes be necessary to achieve a bacteriological cure and help reduce the chance of relapse. Flexible-label mastitis therapy helps hone the treatment duration to the individual case for mastitis when extra days of therapy are needed.
Good management and genetic expression can drive the herd forward
Keeping the right cows in production to maximize lifetime milk production requires a dedicated, consistent and strategic approach.
Figure 1 shows data from an operation that excelled in animal husbandry and herd health protocols. The operation complemented those efforts with genetic testing. In return, this herd saw greater results than predicted: a 5,100-pound genomic response. This is 2.5 times the expected response and a great testament to the relationship between a herd’s environment and genetic potential.
Genomic selection will not compensate for suboptimal management practices, just as outstanding animal husbandry practices will not enable a cow to push past her genetic milk production limitations. Both components must work together to drive the herd forward.
References omitted but available upon request by sending an email to an editor.
