Mixed messages from "experts"?

[Sid]

So One "expert" says antibiotics need to be addressed, and another "expert" says all heifers need dry cow tubing.

I'd say prevention is better than cure, prevention through reducing challenge rather than blanket treatment.

 

[bovine]

I agree - completely stupid.

A little piece of advice would be to generally ignore those from the US when it comes to medicine usage. They still use antibiotic growth promoters, in feed medications, huge amounts of hormones in their dairy cows. I would hate someone to take from the article that the solution to mastitis in heifers was to use drugs and not look at the environment.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

I thought the general consensus with American dairying is that it is ahead of ours. I mean you never hear much of them coming over here for study tours etc. Yet many from here seem to have a "when I was in America" opinion.

If this is true, why are they considered so behind when it comes to medicine use.

 

[jimmer]

they are purely driven by size and therefore , all others think they are somehow better

 

[roscoe erf]

they are purely driven by size and therefore , all others think they are somehow better

i always thought they were more profit motivated over there

 

[multi power]

I thought the general consensus with American dairying is that it is ahead of ours. I mean you never hear much of them coming over here for study tours etc. Yet many from here seem to have a "when I was in America" opinion.

If this is true, why are they considered so behind when it comes to medicine use.

Don't be silly, they are way behind, they still have holstines

 

[buffalo_soldier]

Don't be silly, they are way behind, they still have Holsteins

I've spent this morning calving one of them, serving 12 of them and foot trimming 4 of them. Some days I might agree with you.

 

[roscoe erf]

I've spent this morning calving one of them, serving 12 of them and foot trimming 4 of them. Some days I might agree with you.

you must need a lie down after all that

 

[buffalo_soldier]

you must need a lie down after all that

With your track record. That statement has far too many possibilities for me to be able to reply.

 

[roscoe erf]

With your track record. That statement has far too many possibilities for me to be able to reply.

 

[Tarw Coch]

they are purely driven by size and therefore , all others think they are somehow better

I'm pretty sure their average herd size isn't that much over 100 cows but they do have some very big set ups, there's getting a few of them over here too!

 

[multi power]

I'm pretty sure their average herd size isn't that much over 100 cows but they do have some very big set ups, there's getting a few of them over here too!

Lots and lots and lots of well under 100 cow herds in Canada, I'm guessing the USA would be similar

 

[FonterraFarmer]

I agree - completely stupid.

A little piece of advice would be to generally ignore those from the US when it comes to medicine usage. They still use antibiotic growth promoters, in feed medications, huge amounts of hormones in their dairy cows. I would hate someone to take from the article that the solution to mastitis in heifers was to use drugs and not look at the environment.

Do you not use "Teatseal" in heifers up there?

 

[lazy farmer]

Do you not use "Teatseal" in heifers up there?

it is something a few are trying. we may well do a few this season as I have 6 heifers who are now 3 quatered. I think its down to a group of incalf heifers each year lying in the cubicles backwards.
am I correct in thinking the practise is wide spread in N Z due to wintering practices?

 

[Irish NZ]

it is something a few are trying. we may well do a few this season as I have 6 heifers who are now 3 quatered. I think its down to a group of incalf heifers each year lying in the cubicles backwards.
am I correct in thinking the practise is wide spread in N Z due to wintering practices?

Nah a lot of people are 2 tight
It's pretty common practice. I've achieved zero(0% and .6% over 2 seasons)heifer mastitis in spring. Dry cow tubing heifers is madness.

 

[multi power]

Nah a lot of people are 2 tight
It's pretty common practice. I've achieved zero(0% and .6% over 2 seasons)heifer mastitis in spring. Dry cow tubing heifers is madness.

When do you seal them? Is it not very difficult to get the seal into heifer small teats, without getting contamination? What would it cost in nz? Ten pound a cow here I think

 

[lazy farmer]

you need to change supplier then.

http://www.farmacy.co.uk/products/410-orbeseal-dc-120pk

 

[bovine]

I've talked to people about sealing heifers, but a poor uptake. People used to put antibiotic in to prevent summer mastitis, but I don't think anyone is still doing it.

 

[More to life]

This is not based on fact but I've always considered kiwi cows to have more open teat ends, faster milking and less scc concerns. With Holsteins maidan heifers being slower milking with a better seal ,unless they get sucked . This would all go out of the window once milking starts but it's why I think sealing heifers is unnecessary .

 

[FonterraFarmer]

it is something a few are trying. we may well do a few this season as I have 6 heifers who are now 3 quatered. I think its down to a group of incalf heifers each year lying in the cubicles backwards.
am I correct in thinking the practise is wide spread in N Z due to wintering practices?

I don't , but one piece of advise is don't do your heifers with teatseal on a rotary as they have too much room to move around, so best to do them tight in a herringbone shed