David L. Prentice

Parasites don’t take a break in the winter, so why should your control plan?

Ectoparasites like mites and lice increase in cooler temperatures and may cause discomfort in dairy cattle.

January 19, 2024

While most ectoparasites may take a break for the winter, it is important not to let your guard down because some parasites like mites and lice prefer the cooler time of the year.

BRD prevention in dairy calves starts with dry cow management

Proper dry cow management practices are paramount for calf health, growth and early immunity.

October 4, 2023

David L. Prentice

Managing bovine respiratory disease (BRD) can sometimes feel like a game of whack-a-mole for dairy producers. Many stressors can pop up with little to no advanced warning early in a calf’s life, putting them at greater risk for developing BRD.

Colostrum can help control BRD: Build immunity early in replacement heifers

Controlling BRD is essential for raising healthy calves, but to do so producers and employees need to do a few key things: Know the signs of BRD, provide good-quality colostrum and vaccinate against it.

December 14, 2022

David L. Prentice

If bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a challenge on your dairy, you’re not alone. BRD remains the number two killer of pre-weaned calves and is the primary cause of death in weaned calves.

Create quality colostrum in the cow

February 25, 2022

David L. Prentice

A majority of the attention placed on colostrum management has to do with how to properly harvest, store and feed colostrum for maximum benefit to the calf.

Are your cows ketotic? Testing & the economics of ketosis

April 6, 2011

David L. Prentice

What level of ketones defines ketosis? Defining an exact level at which ketones are too high has been something of an enigma. Ketosis is a threshold disease, meaning cows will be affected only after a certain level has been reached. The mean level of ketone bodies for a population of animals in a herd means little. Furthermore, because some of the manifestations of ketosis occur later, it is more difficult to study. Most research studies are based on blood betahydroxybutyrate (BHB), which is considered the “gold standard” in testing.

Are your cows ketotic?

February 3, 2011

David L. Prentice

If you answered “yes,” you should feel good about being proactive about this condition, knowing you can do something about it. If you answered “no” because you have actually tested for ketosis, you, too, can feel good about being proactive, but remember that testing should be an ongoing process. But if you answered “don’t know” or “haven’t tested,” keep reading. This article explains what ketosis is, its effects and why a dairy should be testing for it.

Articles by David L. Prentice

Parasites don’t take a break in the winter, so why should your control plan?

BRD prevention in dairy calves starts with dry cow management

Colostrum can help control BRD: Build immunity early in replacement heifers

Create quality colostrum in the cow

Are your cows ketotic? Testing & the economics of ketosis

Are your cows ketotic?

Economic Update: Class I base price falls for December

Milk production slightly higher than year ago for third consecutive month

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