The Dairyland Initiative

Courtney & Dr. Cook had an incredible week in Helsinki, Finland at the 4dBarn Dairy Welfare Seminar. They had an action-packed week full of connection, conversation, and collaboration. Take a look at their week in photos 📸🐮❄️

Calf transportation is an important welfare topic in the dairy industry that this Professional Dairy Producers Dairy Signal highlights, with specific focus on how early life transport affects calves and how we can minimize transportation stress. Watch now at https://lnkd.in/gkVgCwG2.

With winter quickly approaching here in Wisconsin, we, with the support from our friends over at Saputo, want to share how we protect calves from the winter chill. There are several elements to consider when trying to protect calves against the dropping temperatures including: 🍼 Excellent colostrum management 🍴 Proper nutrition ❄️ Protection from the elements - including deep, dry straw bedding & calf jackets Keeping calves properly fed, warm, and dry throughout the winter is crucial to their health and well-being. Join us, along with the Premier Sponsor of The Dairyland Initiative, Saputo Inc., in keeping our calves happy and healthy this winter!

Water is one of the most important nutrients for calves. This UW-Extension article outlines how much water calves need on a daily basis, and why providing water is important for their well-being and performance. Read more at https://lnkd.in/eV2uySM4?

Seasonal changes and fluctuating temperatures can challenge calves enough where we may see an increase in disease processes. Reviewing vaccination protocols, detecting disease early, and providing calves with the optimal environment will help set calves up for success during the winter months. Hear more from Dr. Ryan Breuer on the Midwest Farm Report. https://lnkd.in/gHMVqifS

There are a variety of ways to orient a robot within a pen, but the ideal robot placement will optimize visits to the automated milking system (AMS) by reducing traffic around the robot and providing plenty of space to minimize congestion and competition. Episode 16 outlines the pros and cons of six common robot layouts with a focus on improving cow flow and labor efficiency. Watch now at https://lnkd.in/e3Yfei6d

Efficient milking allows cows to be in the pen for longer so that they can rest, eat, and drink. Holding area and parlor design, animal handling, and the right equipment help make the milking process as stress free as possible. Read tips for maximizing throughput in this Progressive Dairy article. https://lnkd.in/gBuvZjrz

Lameness interferes with natural walking and lying behaviors, impairs milk production, and impacts the physical and mental affective states of cows. So as caretakers, it's essential to prevent, detect, and treat lame cows. Read how you can manage lame cows to improve animal welfare in this Progressive Dairy article: https://lnkd.in/g8tjKffQ

What are the limiting factors to farm expansion? How do you layout pens to optimize cow flow and what are the essential elements to pen design? Find out the answers to these questions and more Episode 15 of The Dairyland Initiative Podcast! https://lnkd.in/gZ39Y9ip