WEBVTT 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:15.060 Breaking free from the chains of the past Where 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:18.820 truth moves faster than a Holstein calf No law 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:21.660 waiting on some printed page We're charting new 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:25.300 ground in the digital age From genomic codes 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:29.120 to robot facts We cut through the noise, no hold 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:32.460 them back not your daddy's dairy news tonight 00:00:32.460 --> 00:01:03.070 we're sparking Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, 00:01:03.530 --> 00:01:05.849 where we translate cutting -edge dairy science 00:01:05.849 --> 00:01:08.829 into practical strategies that boost your bottom 00:01:08.829 --> 00:01:12.230 line. I'm your host, and today we're diving into 00:01:12.230 --> 00:01:14.209 something that's been keeping me up at night 00:01:14.209 --> 00:01:17.349 lately, and it's not just the 4 a .m. milking 00:01:17.349 --> 00:01:22.170 routine. We've just analyzed the July 2025 Journal 00:01:22.170 --> 00:01:25.280 of Dairy Science, and honestly, There's more 00:01:25.280 --> 00:01:28.260 actionable intelligence packed into this summer's 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:31.060 research than we've seen in years. We're talking 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:33.459 about eight breakthrough findings that could 00:01:33.459 --> 00:01:37.040 transform how you manage everything from H5N1 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:40.340 preparedness to antibiotic protocols, genomic 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:43.920 selection to nutrition optimization. If you're 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:46.219 tired of leaving money on the table because you 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:48.819 haven't caught up with the latest research, this 00:01:48.819 --> 00:01:51.719 episode is for you. We'll break down exactly 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:55.120 what these studies mean for your operation. with 00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:58.359 real examples from farms that are already implementing 00:01:58.359 --> 00:02:02.040 these strategies and seeing results. So grab 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:04.780 your coffee and let's dig into the research that's 00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:07.319 actually moving the needle for dairy operations 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:10.400 across North America. Welcome back to the Bullvine 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:13.060 podcast, the show that digs deep into the topics 00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:14.860 that matter to dairy producers. That's right. 00:02:14.979 --> 00:02:17.759 Today, we're tackling a really interesting feature 00:02:17.759 --> 00:02:20.599 article from the Bullvine that's, well, it's 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:22.159 got everyone talking. We're going to break it 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:24.080 all down for you. Okay, let's jump right in. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:27.659 First big theme, navigating modern crises, and 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:31.490 specifically the H5N1 wake -up call. The article 00:02:31.490 --> 00:02:33.389 really frames this not just as a health issue, 00:02:33.469 --> 00:02:36.370 but like a case study in crisis management for 00:02:36.370 --> 00:02:38.810 dairy farms. We're talking nearly a thousand 00:02:38.810 --> 00:02:42.750 herds, 16 U .S. states confirmed between March 00:02:42.750 --> 00:02:47.030 2024 and May 2025. That's a huge footprint on 00:02:47.030 --> 00:02:49.449 the industry, isn't it? It absolutely is. And 00:02:49.449 --> 00:02:52.069 what's really striking here, I think, is how 00:02:52.069 --> 00:02:54.949 this outbreak has truly forced producers to look 00:02:54.949 --> 00:02:57.090 at their operations differently. Yeah. How so? 00:02:57.550 --> 00:02:59.110 Well, the article points out, you know, some 00:02:59.110 --> 00:03:00.830 are treating it as just a temporary headache, 00:03:00.949 --> 00:03:03.250 like this too shall pass. Right. White it out. 00:03:03.550 --> 00:03:04.889 But then you've got others who are seeing it 00:03:04.889 --> 00:03:07.289 as a chance, maybe even a necessity, to completely 00:03:07.289 --> 00:03:09.969 overhaul their biosecurity. And, well, it seems 00:03:09.969 --> 00:03:12.030 like that second group is really coming out stronger. 00:03:12.490 --> 00:03:14.870 And it sounds like the benefits go beyond just 00:03:14.870 --> 00:03:17.490 H5N1. There was that Michigan producer insight. 00:03:18.469 --> 00:03:21.370 This outbreak forced us to look at our entire 00:03:21.370 --> 00:03:23.530 operation differently. Exactly. They found that 00:03:23.530 --> 00:03:25.669 better biosecurity, things like improved ventilation, 00:03:26.069 --> 00:03:28.849 even better worker health monitoring, they're 00:03:28.849 --> 00:03:32.550 paying off in other ways, too. It's like... Fixing 00:03:32.550 --> 00:03:35.650 one problem highlighted other areas for improvement. 00:03:35.849 --> 00:03:37.509 That's a great way to put it. It kind of shifts 00:03:37.509 --> 00:03:40.090 the thinking, doesn't it? From just crisis response 00:03:40.090 --> 00:03:44.729 to seeing this preparedness as an investment, 00:03:44.889 --> 00:03:47.509 an investment in just better operations long 00:03:47.509 --> 00:03:50.229 term, building resilience. Right. But the article 00:03:50.229 --> 00:03:52.870 also touches on something often overlooked, the 00:03:52.870 --> 00:03:56.289 psychological toll on the workers. What did it 00:03:56.289 --> 00:03:58.229 say about that impact? Yeah, that's critical. 00:03:58.310 --> 00:04:00.860 It's showing that the mental strain. You know, 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:02.639 dealing with sick animals, worrying about their 00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:04.800 families getting sick. It creates real operational 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:06.759 challenges. Challenges beyond just the disease 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:09.879 itself. Exactly. When your team is stressed or 00:04:09.879 --> 00:04:11.919 mentally checked out, everything else kind of 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:13.800 slows down. It's a hidden drag on efficiency, 00:04:14.180 --> 00:04:16.439 you know. That makes sense. Yeah. And it makes 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:18.759 you wonder, can we learn from how others have 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:23.120 tackled this? Like the Netherlands. They had 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:26.579 H5N1 back in 2021. Yeah, the article mentioned 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:29.449 their compartmentalization approach. Right. creating 00:04:29.449 --> 00:04:32.009 these distinct isolated zones within the farm. 00:04:32.170 --> 00:04:34.149 Treating parts of the farm almost like separate 00:04:34.149 --> 00:04:37.250 units instead of one big connected space. It 00:04:37.250 --> 00:04:39.990 seems like a more targeted biosecurity, not just 00:04:39.990 --> 00:04:42.009 a blanket lockdown. Which apparently reduced 00:04:42.009 --> 00:04:43.990 transmission rates. Yeah. And then you've got 00:04:43.990 --> 00:04:46.470 New Zealand dealing with it in pasture systems. 00:04:46.689 --> 00:04:48.629 That's giving us insights for our own grazing 00:04:48.629 --> 00:04:51.089 setups, right? Especially spring and summer. 00:04:51.350 --> 00:04:54.029 Totally. Their data showing outdoor transmission 00:04:54.029 --> 00:04:56.480 is... Well, it's a different beast compared to 00:04:56.480 --> 00:04:58.819 confinement systems, which is kind of what we're 00:04:58.819 --> 00:05:01.180 seeing play out now in the Midwest. Challenges 00:05:01.180 --> 00:05:03.600 some old assumptions. And what's really eye -opening 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:05.319 are the farms that jumped on those comprehensive 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:08.259 One Health protocols early. You know, the idea 00:05:08.259 --> 00:05:10.480 that human, animal, and environmental health 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:13.230 are all linked. They're not just managing H5N1 00:05:13.230 --> 00:05:16.310 better. They're finding, like, better air quality 00:05:16.310 --> 00:05:19.670 helps calf respiratory issues in the summer humidity. 00:05:19.930 --> 00:05:22.449 Oh, interesting. And improved worker health checks 00:05:22.449 --> 00:05:24.149 are catching things like heat stress earlier. 00:05:24.310 --> 00:05:26.810 Plus, better biosecurity just keeps other bugs 00:05:26.810 --> 00:05:28.790 out, too. It's like a win -win -win. That whole 00:05:28.790 --> 00:05:32.550 resilience idea again. Which leads nicely into 00:05:32.550 --> 00:05:35.569 our next focus. Are we doing everything we can 00:05:35.569 --> 00:05:38.670 with antibiotics and genetics for herd health? 00:05:39.050 --> 00:05:42.410 Yeah, the article really digs into some, frankly, 00:05:42.569 --> 00:05:45.870 sobering antibiotic resistance numbers, but also 00:05:45.870 --> 00:05:49.230 some exciting genetic advances. So the resistance 00:05:49.230 --> 00:05:52.050 part first. Well, it seems pretty clear we're 00:05:52.050 --> 00:05:54.069 leaving money on the table with some of these 00:05:54.069 --> 00:05:56.290 old one -size -fits -all antibiotic approaches. 00:05:56.490 --> 00:05:59.329 Like take Pastorella multisida in young calves. 00:05:59.550 --> 00:06:02.149 The article cites tetracycline resistance between 00:06:02.149 --> 00:06:05.649 20 and 50 percent. Wow, up to half. Yeah. So 00:06:05.649 --> 00:06:07.689 the drugs we relied on just aren't working like 00:06:07.689 --> 00:06:09.600 they used to. which means treatment failures, 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:12.660 longer sickness, higher costs for producers. 00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:15.420 It adds up fast. So what's the alternative? The 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:18.139 article mentioned an age -specific protocol framework. 00:06:18.540 --> 00:06:21.480 Exactly. It breaks it down. For pre -weaned calves, 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:23.860 zero to eight weeks old, they have the highest 00:06:23.860 --> 00:06:26.540 tetracycline resistance. So the recommendation 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:29.399 is ceftio for first choice. Maybe macrolides 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:31.839 as a backup. And the key is catching respiratory 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:34.879 issues super early, especially in those hot, 00:06:34.920 --> 00:06:37.439 stressful summer months. Got it. And then for 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:40.540 older heifers? Weaned heifers, so eight weeks 00:06:40.540 --> 00:06:43.420 up to breeding age. They show moderate resistance, 00:06:43.660 --> 00:06:47.259 but different bacteria seem to be involved. Tilmacosin 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:49.459 shows better sensitivity there. And timing matters. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:52.360 Critically. Especially in the fall, you know, 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:54.100 when they're transitioning to winter housing, 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:56.339 that's a high -risk period for respiratory challenges. 00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:59.930 Got to be proactive. And lactating cows. Interestingly, 00:07:00.029 --> 00:07:02.269 they tend to respond better overall, but timing 00:07:02.269 --> 00:07:04.689 is everything. If you wait until the signs are 00:07:04.689 --> 00:07:06.889 really obvious, your recovery rates plummet. 00:07:07.129 --> 00:07:09.550 Especially bad during peak lactation, right? 00:07:09.629 --> 00:07:11.449 Makes sense. And there was that Wisconsin example, 00:07:11.769 --> 00:07:15.310 a 500 -cow herd. Yeah, that was impressive. Their 00:07:15.310 --> 00:07:17.589 first treatment success rate in pre -weaned calves 00:07:17.589 --> 00:07:21.990 jumped from 67 % to 91%. Just by switching protocols 00:07:21.990 --> 00:07:24.129 based on age. Just by switching. Think about 00:07:24.129 --> 00:07:26.009 almost doubling your success rate. That's real 00:07:26.009 --> 00:07:29.250 savings. Wow, that's huge. It really is. And 00:07:29.250 --> 00:07:31.470 it's worth noting, ceftiofer still seems pretty 00:07:31.470 --> 00:07:34.490 effective against Manheimia hemolytica. So resistance 00:07:34.490 --> 00:07:37.230 isn't building up there as much yet. And there 00:07:37.230 --> 00:07:39.870 are regional tweaks, too. Like down in Texas 00:07:39.870 --> 00:07:42.509 and Georgia, they're seeing better results with 00:07:42.509 --> 00:07:44.470 macrolides in the summer heat stress periods. 00:07:44.709 --> 00:07:47.730 While up north, ceftiofer is often the year -round 00:07:47.730 --> 00:07:50.089 choice. It's not totally uniform. And we can 00:07:50.089 --> 00:07:52.810 look overseas again, right? The EU. Yeah, their 00:07:52.810 --> 00:07:55.069 stricter rules are really pushing towards using 00:07:55.069 --> 00:07:58.040 diagnostics first to pick the right drug. That 00:07:58.040 --> 00:08:00.800 Danish producer example. Seeing about a 60 % 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:03.560 jump in first treatment success just by getting 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:06.639 more precise with age -specific protocols, it 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:08.800 shows what's possible. Precision seems to be 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:10.959 the key word, which also applies to genetics, 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:12.699 right? The article talked about a kind of quiet 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:15.060 revolution there. It did. And it makes you ask, 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:17.560 are we really using genomics for more than just 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:20.050 milk production? Good question. Research from 00:08:20.050 --> 00:08:22.370 European Holsteins is finding specific genetic 00:08:22.370 --> 00:08:24.310 markers for things like mastitis resistance, 00:08:24.769 --> 00:08:28.009 lameness, stuff that directly hits herd health 00:08:28.009 --> 00:08:30.370 and, you know, your vet bills. It's shifting 00:08:30.370 --> 00:08:34.389 the focus. From just quantity to maybe quality 00:08:34.389 --> 00:08:37.529 or robustness. Exactly. And you mentioned the 00:08:37.529 --> 00:08:40.710 USDA's net merit index getting turbocharged with 00:08:40.710 --> 00:08:43.070 this health data. Yeah, that caught my eye. Are 00:08:43.070 --> 00:08:46.690 farms seeing results? Seems like the early adopters 00:08:46.690 --> 00:08:49.389 are. That New York breeder, quote, really nailed 00:08:49.389 --> 00:08:51.529 it. We're finally selecting for the stuff that 00:08:51.529 --> 00:08:53.870 actually matters on the farm, not just what looks 00:08:53.870 --> 00:08:57.409 good on paper. Ah, yeah. A dose of reality. And 00:08:57.409 --> 00:08:59.570 this ties into crossbreeding, too. The article 00:08:59.570 --> 00:09:02.750 mentions Sanheng cattle having, like, higher 00:09:02.750 --> 00:09:05.450 immune capacity, better disease resistance than 00:09:05.450 --> 00:09:08.269 pure Holsteins. Interesting. So some progressive 00:09:08.269 --> 00:09:10.429 breeders, like that Vermont producer, seeing 00:09:10.429 --> 00:09:13.789 fewer calf respiratory issues in the tricky spring 00:09:13.789 --> 00:09:17.210 season, are strategically experimenting, trying 00:09:17.210 --> 00:09:19.710 to keep the milk but boost the health through 00:09:19.710 --> 00:09:22.269 careful crossbreeding, leveraging different strengths. 00:09:22.590 --> 00:09:24.789 Okay. And staying with calves for a moment, there 00:09:24.789 --> 00:09:26.509 was that early detection method for pneumonia. 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:29.960 Using ultrasound. That sounds potentially game 00:09:29.960 --> 00:09:31.879 -changing. I agree. It's really innovative because 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:34.399 it uses tech many farms already have for preg 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:36.200 checks. Right. Same machine, different application. 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:39.539 But it lets you spot subclinical pneumonia, like 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:41.559 days or even weeks before you'd see traditional 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:43.720 signs. You're catching it before it does major 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:46.720 lung damage, saving treatment costs, and frankly, 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:49.340 saving calves. And that Pennsylvania example, 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:52.379 the 300 -cow farm. Yeah. Treatment success jumping 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:56.879 from 78 % to 96%. Just by catching it early with 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:59.720 ultrasound, it's moving from reaction to real 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:02.080 prevention. So how would a farm implement that? 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:04.740 Well, the article suggests different strategies 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:07.399 by size, maybe quarterly screening for smaller 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:10.629 herds. Under 200 cows, focusing on high -risk 00:10:10.629 --> 00:10:15.269 times. Medium herds, 200, 500, maybe weekly during 00:10:15.269 --> 00:10:18.529 peak calf arrival seasons. And the big guys, 00:10:18.789 --> 00:10:21.590 500 plus. Some are doing daily checks with trained 00:10:21.590 --> 00:10:23.950 techs. And timing it seasonally matters too. 00:10:24.110 --> 00:10:26.110 Definitely. Spring and fall weather transitions 00:10:26.110 --> 00:10:28.590 are key times to ramp up screening. Integrate 00:10:28.590 --> 00:10:29.909 it where it gives you the most bang for your 00:10:29.909 --> 00:10:32.049 buck. All right. Another area where timing is 00:10:32.049 --> 00:10:34.029 critical, according to the article, is dry cow 00:10:34.029 --> 00:10:36.669 treatments, specifically ivermectin. Oh, yeah. 00:10:36.769 --> 00:10:38.830 And this one hits the bottom line directly through 00:10:38.830 --> 00:10:42.090 market access. The research is clear. Treating 00:10:42.090 --> 00:10:44.149 within 10 days of calving can lead to detectable 00:10:44.149 --> 00:10:46.789 residues in milk, residues that might exceed 00:10:46.789 --> 00:10:49.149 regulatory limits. Which could block you from 00:10:49.149 --> 00:10:52.330 export markets or premium milk programs. Exactly. 00:10:52.389 --> 00:10:55.490 It jeopardizes those valuable contracts. That 00:10:55.490 --> 00:10:58.070 10 -day rule isn't just a suggestion. It's crucial. 00:10:58.730 --> 00:11:01.590 That Vermont producer's close call really highlighted 00:11:01.590 --> 00:11:04.490 that. Treating a cow eight days pre -calving 00:11:04.490 --> 00:11:07.070 almost cost them their whole export deal because 00:11:07.070 --> 00:11:10.289 of residues. Wow. That's cutting it close. And 00:11:10.289 --> 00:11:12.409 it's not just a U .S. thing. Global regulators, 00:11:12.590 --> 00:11:14.570 especially in the EU, are getting much stricter 00:11:14.570 --> 00:11:16.950 with residue monitoring, more testing, bigger 00:11:16.950 --> 00:11:19.309 penalties. So accurate record keeping becomes 00:11:19.309 --> 00:11:21.950 even more vital. Absolutely. Integrated systems 00:11:21.950 --> 00:11:24.629 that track treatments and withdrawal times are 00:11:24.629 --> 00:11:26.850 basically becoming essential if you want to play 00:11:26.850 --> 00:11:29.730 in those global markets. Compliance is key. Okay, 00:11:29.809 --> 00:11:32.039 let's shift gears a bit. Theme three. Boosting 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:34.419 production and efficiency. The article had some 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:36.720 really interesting bits on nutrition, housing, 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:39.960 even cow social life in robotic systems. Yeah, 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:42.340 the nutrition part, especially on amino acids 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:45.500 like methionine, was fascinating. It challenges 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:48.240 the idea of feeding all cows the same. Because 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:50.299 the response is different. Dramatically different, 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:52.879 according to the research. First lactation cows, 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:57.360 perimiparous cows, show big responses to methionine 00:11:57.360 --> 00:12:00.559 supplementation. Better mood protein, fat yields. 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:04.100 Okay. And mature cows. Mature cows. Not so much 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:06.379 on the components. They mainly just show increased 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:08.759 dry matter intake. So the way they use it is 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:11.100 different. Interesting. So are we leaving money 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:14.080 on the table by not having parity -specific feeding? 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:16.980 It really looks that way. That California nutritionist 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:20.000 saw first calf heifers respond within just two 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:22.779 weeks. measurable improvements. That's a fast 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:25.639 ROI. And season matters here, too. Yeah, especially 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:28.779 with heat stress. In summer, those first lactation 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:31.100 cows under stress seem to benefit even more from 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:32.860 methionine because their metabolic needs are 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:35.059 higher. So folks in the Southwest, for example, 00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:37.299 are adjusting protocols for summer. And they've 00:12:37.299 --> 00:12:40.000 mentioned leucine showing similar patterns. Briefly, 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:42.100 yeah. Suggests it might be a broader principle 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:45.100 for amino acid balancing based on parity and 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:48.679 stress. Okay. Now, what about where cows live? 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:51.879 The housing debate. Compost barns versus outdoor 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:54.519 systems. Right. This brings up that constant 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:58.340 balance. Cow comfort versus cost. Compost barns 00:12:58.340 --> 00:13:00.399 generally mean better udder hygiene, maybe higher 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:03.679 production, but they cost more up front, like 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:06.659 maybe 40 % higher construction costs than some 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:08.960 outdoor setups. That's significant. But then 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:10.980 there was that Ohio example where milk quality 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:13.580 premiums actually covered the extra cost of the 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:16.100 compost barn. Exactly. So the ROI isn't just 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:18.500 the build cost. And outdoor systems can work 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:20.620 well for production, especially with lower capital. 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:23.279 But they definitely demand more intense management 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:26.100 for milk quality. It's a tradeoff. And the article 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:28.179 connected housing to labor, too. Yeah, that was 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:30.139 a great point. The Minnesota producer who found 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:32.100 better working conditions in the compost barn 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:34.299 helped him keep good employees. Which has its 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:36.529 own economic value, especially now. For sure. 00:13:36.789 --> 00:13:39.889 Employee retention is huge. And of course, climate 00:13:39.889 --> 00:13:41.850 matters. Compost barns might offer more advantages 00:13:41.850 --> 00:13:44.289 in cold northern winters, while well -managed 00:13:44.289 --> 00:13:46.129 outdoor systems with shade and cooling might 00:13:46.129 --> 00:13:49.429 work better down south. No single right answer 00:13:49.429 --> 00:13:52.490 for everyone. Okay, finally, for farms using 00:13:52.490 --> 00:13:56.370 automated milking systems, AMS, or robots. The 00:13:56.370 --> 00:13:58.429 article pointed out a kind of hidden efficiency 00:13:58.429 --> 00:14:00.529 killer. Yeah, this one surprised me too. It's 00:14:00.529 --> 00:14:02.470 not just about the robot's settings. It's about 00:14:02.470 --> 00:14:05.629 cow sociology. Social dynamics. Around the robot. 00:14:05.809 --> 00:14:09.129 Basically, yes. High -ranking boss cows can actually 00:14:09.129 --> 00:14:11.909 block other cows, especially timid ones, or maybe 00:14:11.909 --> 00:14:14.250 lame cows from getting to the robot easily. So 00:14:14.250 --> 00:14:17.029 those cows get milked less often. Right. It creates 00:14:17.029 --> 00:14:20.309 this invisible drag on productivity that you 00:14:20.309 --> 00:14:22.870 might not even see in your standard AMS reports. 00:14:23.049 --> 00:14:25.769 It's like a hidden trapping jam. Wow. So what's 00:14:25.769 --> 00:14:28.620 the fix? Priority lanes. That's one solution 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:30.840 the article highlights. Systems that give lower 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:33.379 ranking or identified cows preferential access 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:35.820 can really help boost their milking frequency. 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:38.019 And that Wisconsin producer quote was telling, 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:40.639 we had no idea how much production we were losing 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:42.860 to social competition until we started tracking 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:45.860 individual cow behavior. Exactly. It shows that 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:48.340 optimizing AMS is moving beyond just tweaking 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:50.720 the machine. It's about managing the complex 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.559 interactions around the machine. And there were 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:56.019 guidelines based on cows per robot. Yeah, rough 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:59.279 guidelines like under 60 cows per robot, maybe 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:02.700 focus on training individual cows. Between 60 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:06.480 and 80, priority lanes seem most effective. Over 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:08.879 80, you're probably looking at needing another 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.980 robot or some significant management changes. 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:13.159 Gives you a starting point. Okay, so we've covered 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:15.539 a lot of ground. After digging through all this, 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:18.100 what are the key takeaways? The really actionable 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:20.059 things a farmer listening today could start thinking 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:22.379 about. All right, let's boil it down. Five key 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:25.700 things, I think. First. Age -specific antibiotic 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:28.019 protocols. They're game changers. Like that Wisconsin 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:31.259 farm jumping from 67 % to 91 % success. Exactly. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.740 Start with your highest risk group, probably 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:36.480 pre -weaned calves. Switch off tetracycline if 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:39.299 resistance is likely. Focus on timing, like fall 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:42.019 transitions. Better health, lower costs. It's 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:44.740 practical. Okay, number two. Second, parity -specific 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:47.639 methionine feeding. This pays off fast. Try a 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:49.960 pilot pen of first lactation fresh cows. You 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:52.440 see results in like two weeks, right? Yeah. Measurable 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:55.070 milk component improvements. Mature cows mostly 00:15:55.070 --> 00:15:57.370 just eat more. Target the ones who benefit most. 00:15:57.769 --> 00:16:01.710 Simple trial. Got it. Third. Third. Ultrasound 00:16:01.710 --> 00:16:04.450 for calf pneumonia. Don't dismiss it as too high 00:16:04.450 --> 00:16:06.850 tech. It's practical prevention. Using the preg 00:16:06.850 --> 00:16:09.570 check machine. Right. Catch subclinical cases 00:16:09.570 --> 00:16:12.090 early, like that Pennsylvania farm going from 00:16:12.090 --> 00:16:15.970 78 % to 96 % treatment success. Use it strategically 00:16:15.970 --> 00:16:18.289 during risky weather transitions, spring and 00:16:18.289 --> 00:16:21.070 fall. It saves money and calves. Makes sense. 00:16:21.210 --> 00:16:24.429 Fourth takeaway. Fourth. rethink housing ROI. 00:16:24.990 --> 00:16:28.149 It's more complex now. Yes, compost barns might 00:16:28.149 --> 00:16:30.929 cost 40 % more up front. But factoring milk quality 00:16:30.929 --> 00:16:33.750 premiums? Maybe better worker retention. Exactly. 00:16:33.769 --> 00:16:36.090 And labor efficiency, changing market requirements 00:16:36.090 --> 00:16:39.250 for 2025. Look beyond just the initial construction 00:16:39.250 --> 00:16:42.309 bill. Good point. And number five. Fifth, for 00:16:42.309 --> 00:16:45.590 AMS users, priority lanes tackle hidden losses. 00:16:45.929 --> 00:16:48.210 That social competition at the robot is real. 00:16:48.389 --> 00:16:50.649 Like that Wisconsin producer discovered. Yeah. 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:53.399 Track individual cow behavior if you can, or 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:55.539 consider priority systems if you're in that 60 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:58.080 -80 cows per robot range. You might be surprised 00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:59.879 what you find. Those are some really concrete 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:01.799 actions. And I guess the overarching theme is, 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.860 you know, start small, measure the results, and 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:06.259 then scale up what works for your specific operation. 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:09.480 Precisely. You can't manage what you don't measure. 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:12.579 The data tells the story. And really, the whole 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:15.869 article points to the industry being at... an 00:17:15.869 --> 00:17:18.269 inflection point. Inflection point. Yeah. Where 00:17:18.269 --> 00:17:20.750 really applying science -based management, being 00:17:20.750 --> 00:17:23.950 precise, using data, that's what's going to define 00:17:23.950 --> 00:17:26.130 success going forward. It's not just about small 00:17:26.130 --> 00:17:28.769 tweaks anymore. It's fundamental shifts. And 00:17:28.769 --> 00:17:31.150 the choice really is whether you embrace that 00:17:31.150 --> 00:17:33.750 or risk getting left behind. A powerful thought 00:17:33.750 --> 00:17:36.730 to end on. Great points. And that's all the time 00:17:36.730 --> 00:17:39.150 we have for today's deep dive. For more articles 00:17:39.150 --> 00:17:42.329 and insights, be sure to visit www .thebullvine 00:17:42.329 --> 00:17:44.640 .com. And don't forget to subscribe wherever 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:46.900 you heat your podcasts. Thanks so much for listening. 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:49.599 And there you have it. Eight research insights 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:52.059 that could seriously impact your farm's profitability. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:55.599 From age -specific antibiotic protocols boosting 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:59.539 success rates by 60%, to parity -specific methionine 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:01.880 feeding delivering results in just two weeks, 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:04.400 to ultrasound screening that can jump treatment 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:10.099 success from 78 % to 96%. Here's the thing. This 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:13.440 isn't theoretical anymore. These are proven strategies 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:16.380 that progressive operations are already implementing. 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:18.720 The question isn't whether this stuff works. 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:21.019 It's whether you'll be the one profiting from 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:23.579 it first or watching your competitors gain the 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:26.880 advantage. Remember, the most successful operations 00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:29.460 treat research as practical business intelligence, 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:33.640 not abstract academic exercise. So pick one protocol, 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:37.059 start small, test thoroughly, and scale gradually. 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:39.859 For the full article with all the implementation 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:42.460 details, decision frameworks, and source links, 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:46.559 head over to www .thebullvine .com. That's T 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:50.160 -H -E -B -U -L -V -I -N -E dot com. Thanks for 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:52.519 listening to The Bullvine Podcast. Until next 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:55.000 time, keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:58.059 in dairy management. Your cows and your bank 00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:59.400 account will thank you.