(Continued from Page 10)
that the exposure to voltage will cause all types ot cure to sell. Get a second measurement done. If the
disease. This may be possible at high levels, but at two measurements are done correctly, they should
the levels I have found on the many farms I have support one another. If no significant voltage is de
monitored, potential current flow is well below the tected, then you can move on to look for other
threshold of being a problem. causes to herd problems.
I see two problems that develop related to stray Stray voltage is real and can cause real problems
voltage. One is the diversion from real and existing when in the wrong place at high enough levels. But
problems. Much time, energy, and money can be stray voltage is not difficult to rule in or out with
spent chasing down purported stray voltage prob- proper methods and equipment. I find that it too
lems while overlooking real and fixable problems, often gets more time and blame than is warranted.
An example is a recent farm visit that had been It reminds me of Mark Twain’s comment: “The
blaming stray voltage for a high somatic cell count rumors of my death have been greatly exagger
and lameness problems. I measured no more than ated.”
one-quarter volt in the barn on cow touch-points.
Not significant. But I did see lameness causing aci
dosis and poor milking techniques resulting in dam
aged teat ends.
Another problem that I see is the merchandising
of expensive “stray voltage” cures after question
able measurement methods. A small amount of
voltage will exist almost anywhere between two
points. So be certain that measurements depict con
nections between potential cow touch-points. Be
careful if the person doing the measuring also has a
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