Speaker: Roger Blowey BSc, BVSc, FRCVS, FRAgS, RCVS

Lameness – A Condition of Cows that Starts in Heifers

Lameness is one of the major ailments of dairy cows, but the problem starts in heifers. The distress it causes to the afflicted animals is reflected in decreased milk yields and an increase in infertility. This webinar explores the issue and provides a guide to prevention and hoof care. It covers the incidence and costs of lameness, the structure of foot, with its function and possible inflammation, hoof trimming, and the treatment of common diseases.

Improving Calf Rearing – Colostrum, Management & Disease

The purpose of this webinar is to enable the dairy farmer, beef producer and calf rearer to keep their stock healthy and productive. The emphasis is on the importance of caring for the animals correctly from the very early stages and the big effect this has on subsequent performance and economics. Newborn calves must receive high quality colostrum. Colostrum contains antibodies or immunoglobulins (essential proteins) necessary to provide the calf with protection from disease. Roger Blowey explains in detail the best practices in feeding and caring for calves to give them a good start in life and to provide for better development of the animal from young calf to adult.

Milk Quality and Mastitis Control

Mastitis in dairy herds is a worldwide problem, with significant implications for milk yields and quality, economic losses, and animal health and welfare. Effective control makes a considerable difference to the farmer and the animal. Roger Blowey explains basic principles in a clear and practical way, covering anatomy, epidemiology, milking machines, disinfection, somatic cell counts, and diseases of the udders and teats in order to provide an understanding of the causes of mastitis and measures of control and prevention.