Look after herds and keep profits healthy

According to the new GB Dairy Welfare Strategy 2018-2020, animal welfare remains a top priority for producers. The strategy aims to raise the bar for the entire dairy industry by creating a culture of continuous review and improvement driven by science, expert perspective, and consensus among farmers.

The health and welfare of all animals in the dairy herd is paramount for profitable and efficient milk production. Ensuring that cows are happy and healthy will improve fertility, yield, longevity and disease resistance as well as reducing costs – such as vet bills, medicines and labour.

There are also increasing pressures and regulations to ensure the already high standards that exist in the UK are maintained and increased. The Cattle Information Service offers a range of services to help dairy farmers when it comes to optimising cattle welfare.

Milk recording enables farmers to monitor the somatic cell count (SCC). This is highly valuable to dairy producers both because counts that are too high can lead to poor quality or even unsaleable milk and SCC can be used to monitor mastitis incidence in the herd. In addition, SCC is frequently used to determine quality payments to dairy producers. It has been reported that one in four producers do not receive the best milk price available to them, due to SCC

Controlling mastitis will reduce somatic cell counts and here are a five management tips.

1. Ensure cows and environment are clean - a dirty environment will lead to a build up of bacteria

2. Removing udder hair from the cow reduces the build up of dirt, water and bacteria

3. A cow’s immune function is at its lowest around the time of calving so clean calving pens are essential

4. Maintain a clean parlour - dirty pulsators and vacuum controllers can malfunction and cause teat-end damage which will lead to the spread of infection

5. Personnel – those working closely with livestock may also be contaminators of bacteria that could lead to mastitis. Encouraging milkers to wear gloves is good hygiene practice

Disease testing is another method for upholding welfare standards, and crucial to farm management decisions.

Many milk buyers now require their producers to develop an active health management plan with their farm vet to determine the best testing plan. Health testing will screen milk, tissue or blood samples for key diseases such as Johne's, BVDag, BVDab, IBR, Lepto, Neospora, Liverfluke and Schmallenberg. Also milk urea analysis to assist feed management and protein intercept comparing production with protein levels to gauge energy status.

Cattle lameness is one of the most significant welfare and productivity issues in dairy farming. It becomes not only an economic drain but can lead to other herd health problems such as complicating mastitis, metabolic illnesses, and fertility problems due to impeded mobility and behaviour.

CIS customer, Rob Higgins of Bentley Ford Farm, Longnor, Shrewsbury, said: “Health testing, in particular for Johne’s, is key for the welfare management of our herd and is also one of the requirements from our milk buyer. The service helps us identify, manage and reduce any potential problems flagged by the tests available to view online within 48 hours of the milk being tested.”

Bernadette Crayston, Cattle Information Service