I&—Lancaster Farming, Saturday. March 5, 1977
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IMEDICINE AND
AUTHORS NOTE: Veterinarians are in the unique
position of usually being called upon only when there are
problems, or, more hopefully, to prevent problems. We
see what is going wrong more often than what is hap
pening right, the mistakes more often than the proper
decisions, and the conditions, environment, and
management that contribute to them. It is the hope of this
column to be able to use this position as a veterinarian,
along with being able to understand the farmer and what
is practical for him; to incorporate the two into a helpful,
meaningful, practical guide for many of todays modem
problems, along with seasonal hints and suggestions. It is
in no way intended to be a substitute for proper veterinary
service and consultation with your own veterinarian for
your own particular problems; but rather to encourage
ways which farmer and veterinarian can work more ef
ficiently together to insure optimum use of the many
services which your veterinarian can provide.
It is only fitting to begin this series with the most im
portant day on the dairy farm, D-day or delivery day. It
must be realized that this day is important for two
animals, the cow and her calf, and any decisions made
must be made in the light of the effect it will have on both.
There have been hundreds of columns written on this
subject, but some of the things which can be done on this
particular day are so important they cannot be stressed
too much. And these few things are the ones which, if
neglected, will cause the greatest losses.
The maternity pen is one of the most important areas on
the farm, but unfortunately, usually the most neglected. It
is the place where every replacement gets its start and
every cow begins what is hoped to be a profitable lac
tation. There are many things which can be done to
positively influence both.
The size of the pen itself is very important. It should be
at least 15 ft. by 15 ft. or a minimum of 225 square feet,
preferably larger if possible. Many of the problems arise
in pens so small that regardless of where the cow lays
down her front end is against one side making it difficult
to rise, or her back end is against the other side making it
difficult to calve or to assist in calving should that be
necessary.
The floor of the pen can be dirt or concrete, but if con
crete it should always have at least an eight inch firm
manure pack. Cows and concrete do not get along well
together, especially cows which are already under stress
and at a time when locomotion may become difficult for a
variety of reasons. There are many fresh cows lost
because they did not have good footing when they needed
it. Dirt and firm manure packs provide it. Concrete, even
concrete covered with straw does not.
The pen should be well bedded, well ventilated, well
lighted, dry, and free from drafts. Each of these is very
important, easy to provide in a properly constructed pen,
and should never be even slightly compromised, but all
too often are partially or completely neglected. Poorly
ventilated or drafty pens and respiratory problems are
constant companions. This is a period of stress for cow
and calf, and everything we can do to lessen the stress will
increase the chances for success.
The most important economic loss with fresh cows is not
milk fever but mastitis. Most fanners are alert tor and
recognize early signs of milk fever, and it is relatively
easy to treat. It is amazing, though, how few cows are
checked for mastitis when they calve. Depending on the
type and severity of the mastitis, a matter of just a few
hours can mean the difference between an infection that is
still treatable and one that is beyond control. Several
times a month I am called to check a fresh cow off feed
where mastitis is the only problem and the farmer does
not know it exists. So check those fresh cows for mastitis.
Check them as they are springing if any unusual hardness
or uneven swelling exists. If mastitis is a problem, the
READ LANCASTER FARMING
FOR FULL MARKET REPORTS
JACOB W. EBERLY INC.
Martin S. Zimmerman, President
PUC Rights for cattle hauling.
Utitz, PA
PH: 717-626-2585
Notes on freshening time
By CARL TROOP, VMD
quarter should be stripped out and treated, even if it
means increasing the chances for milk fever. Milk fever
can be treated. Many advanced mastitis cases can not.
Now for the calf. Again it has been written many times
of the importance of getting that colostrum into the calf as
soon after calving as possible. And again this one practice
is so important it cannot be stressed too much. The calf
P. L. ROHRER & BRO., INC.
should receive colostrum within 30 minutes after birth if
possible, as any delay is going to decrease the effective
immunity it gets from the colostrum, and increase its
susceptibility to many diseases. The navel should also be
dipped with iodine as soon after birth as possible. The
condition of the maternity pen is as important for the calf
as it is for the cow. If you are willing to compromise these
conditions, and the few moments it takes to properly care
for cow and calf, then you should be prepared to com
promise the quality of the products that come out of these
pens. If you want cows and calves with a head start on the
stresses in the days ahead, it is going to. take a little time
ana etton, out it win be time and effort which cannot be
matched for returns by any other endeavor on the farm.
One final point. As stated before, the maternity area is
the most important area on the farm, but all too often the
most neglected. If yours is inadequate, the next time you
are considering remodeling your bam, adding to or
building on, or just trying to figure out what financial
investment might give the best return, think of the
maternity area. A new tractor or disc can wait if you could
build or remodel to provide your cows with a more ideal
environment in which to calve, one designed to be well
lighted, easy to keep dry, well ventilated, and free from
drafts. It would generate returns for years to come.
Believe one who has seen and worked with all the
problems. It is something worthy of your consideration,
for it is the foundation from which your livelihood is built.