Albert De Vries

Heat stress (HS) has detrimental effects during all stages of dairy cattle life. Cows that experience HS reduce dry matter intake, milk yield, and its composition. In addition, HS has major effects on a cow's health and fertility and negatively impacts a cow's welfare. The decrease in the efficiency of milk production in such conditions increases the negative contribution of the world dair ...

We have a renewed interest in the optimal dry period length for dairy cows. The average dry period length in the US is 57 days but variation exists. DHIA data say that on average, 13% of cows are dry less than 40 days and 26% are dry more than 70 days. The dry period allows the udder to go through a period of involution and ensures that the numbers of mammary cells continue to increase normally d ...