Our focus
UW Milk Quality promotes an integrated, team-based approach to best manage udder health and milk quality. Producing high quality milk is not a one-person job. It takes farmers and their local dairy advisors to be able to evaluate, manage and improve milk quality. At UW Milk Quality, we develop tools and resources to help dairy producers meet their milk quality goals and increase farm profitability.
Mastitis Control
Mastitis is detected by inflammation that is caused by infection by microorganisms and occurs in both clinical and subclinical forms. Mastitis remains the most common disease of dairy cows and treatment or prevention of this disease is the most common reason that antibiotics are administered to cows.
Drug Residue Avoidance
Preventing antibiotic drug residues in milk and meat requires constant vigilance from all parties involved in the milk production process. The use of antimicrobials to treat food animals is under increased scrutiny by consumers, governmental officials and regulatory agencies and must be well justified.
Teat End Health
The teat canal is the primary physical and chemical barrier to invasion of mastitis pathogens into the udder. After repeated milkings, changes may appear in teat-end tissue, such as discoloring or callosity. Routinely evaluating teat health in the parlor will help reduce hyperkerotosis and teat barrel congestion in the herd.
Machine Milking
The main goals of machine milking are to remove the available milk from each cow’s udder quickly and completely, without slipping, with minimum discomfort to the cow and minimum damage to teats. Liner design, claw vacuum and pulsation greatly affect milking characteristics and performance.
About Us
UW Milk Quality is an online resource created to provide dairy producers, veterinarians and industry professionals the tools to improve herd health and milk quality.
The insights and contributions of these organizations clearly demonstrate a strong commitment to the Wisconsin dairy industry. Our mission is to improve the quality of milk and enhance the profitability and competitiveness of Wisconsin in the global dairy economy. The issues addressed and information provided will be useful for all involved in the production of milk—dairy farmers, veterinarians, educators, dairy advisors, researchers, field representatives and many more.
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UW-Extension
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UW Dairy Science
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UW Biological Systems Engineering
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UW CALS and School of Veterinary Medicine
Our Team
Pamela L. Ruegg, DVM, MPVM
Douglas J. Reinemann, PhD
Nikki Lennart, MS
What We Do
UW Dairy Extenstion Resources
Latest News
Link to feature articles, press releases, new research and the latest on what’s buzzing (or mooing) in dairy today.
Using On Farm Culturing to Improve Mastitis Treatment
This new video series will guide you through the principles of on farm culturing and selective mastitis treatment. You will learn what you need to get started, how to collect sterile milk samples, culture bacteria and diagnose results. Throughout this series, too, we will discuss which mastitis cases are treatable with antibiotics (and which are not) and how[…]
Impact of Mastitis on Reproductive Performance
Pamela L. Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, Paul Fricke, PhD & Maria Jose Fuenzalida, University of WI, Dept. of Dairy Science, Madison WI Introduction On many dairy farms, reproductive failure and the occurrence of mastitis are two of the most common management problems. Risk factors for mastitis and reproductive disorders are similar and it can be difficult[…]
NPR: Mood Music for Milking
Moo-d Music: Do Cows Really Prefer Slow Jams? When it’s time to buckle down and focus, plenty of office workers will put on headphones to help them drown out distractions and be more productive. But can music also help dairy cows get down to business? Some dairy farmers have long suspected that’s the case. It’s[…]
Drug Residue Avoidance Resources
UW Extension Dairy Team Drug Residue Avoidance Resources Preventing drug residues in milk and meat requires constant vigilance from all parties involved in the milk production process. In NMC’s March 2015 E-Newsletter, NMC provides a variety of resources available for outreach and education regarding drug residue prevention. Those resources include: Milk and Dairy Beef Residue Prevention[…]
CIAS Report: Outwintering Dairy Cattle
Outwintering Dairy Cattle: Animal Health Issues The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) is a research center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. CIAS was created to build UW sustainable agriculture research programs that respond to farmer and citizen needs and involve them in setting research agendas. Follow the link[…]
Launching Series: Evaluating Milking Performance
UW Milk Quality and the UW Milking Research and Instruction Lab bring you this new video series on evaluating milking performance. Throughout the series, you’ll learn how to perform various milking time tests to assess the final goal of milking cows quickly, completely and gently. In this first episode, Dr. Doug Reinemann and researcher John Penry[…]
Cow Talk with an Expert: Mastitis Treatments
Risks, Realities and Responsibilities Associated with Mastitis Treatments Mastitis remains the most common disease of dairy cows and treatment or prevention of this disease is the most common reason that antibiotics are administered to cows (Pol and Ruegg, 2007, Saini et al., 2012). Mastitis is detected by inflammation that is caused by infection by microorganisms[…]
Facts about using PCR to diagnose mastitis
PCR, PFGE, ABCD…Understanding and Using Molecular Tests to Diagnose and Control Mastitis Pamela L. Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, University of WI, Dept. of Dairy Science, Madison WI USA Introduction The technical definition of mastitis is “inflammation of the mammary gland” but on a practical basis, almost all bovine mastitis is caused by bacteria [1]. Appropriate mastitis[…]
It’s that time again! World Dairy Expo
Designer Dairy 2014 The doors are open! Today is the first day of World Dairy Expo 2014. This year’s theme, Designer Dairy, focuses on the newest research, products and services that are relevant to today’s dairy operations–making Expo the industry’s “must attend” event. Thousands of visitors from countries around the world are expected to gather at[…]
Making Responsible Choices about Antibiotic Drug Use
Making Responsible Choices about Antibiotic Drug Use New Video Series! UW Milk Quality is back with a new video series: ‘Making Responsible Choices about Antibiotic Drug Use.’ As consumer consciousness about the food system increases, so do the concerns over antibiotic drug use and the potential of drug residue in the dairy industry. In this[…]
Risks, Realities, Responsibilities with Mastitis Treatment
Risks, Realities and Responsibilities Associated with Mastitis Treatments Pamela L. Ruegg University of Wisconsin Madison, WI USA Presented at 2014 Regional Meeting National Mastitis Council, Ghent Belgium. Introduction Mastitis remains the most common disease of dairy cows and treatment or prevention of this disease is the most common reason that antibiotics are administered to cows[…]
New Article: Treatments of clinical mastitis occurring on 51 large herds
New Article: Treatments of clinical mastitis occurring in cows on 51 large dairy herds in Wisconsin L. Oliveira and P.L. Ruegg J. Dairy Sci. 97: 1-11 The objective of this study was to describe treatment practices fro clinical mastitis occurring in cows on large dairy herds in Wisconsin.
UW-Madison chosen to develop curriculum for major dairy training program in China
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been selected to develop the curriculum for a new $400 million dairy training center being established by the Nestle corporation in China’s northeast province of Heilongjiang. Nestle executives will be on campus on June 10 to sign a three-year, $1.7 million agreement under which UW-Madison personnel will design and help[…]
Just Published: Welfare of Calves and Adult Dairy Cows
Comparison of selected animal observations and management practices used to assess welfare of calves and adult dairy cows on organic and conventional dairy farms J. Dairy Sci. 97 :1–12 M. A. Bergman ,* R. M. Richert ,* K. M. Cicconi-Hogan ,† M. J. Gamroth ,‡ Y. H. Schukken ,† K. E. Stiglbauer ,‡ and P.[…]
The Mastitis Series: Student Edition
The Mastitis Series: Student Edition is all about, well…mastitis. Dr. Pamela Ruegg’s PhD and Master’s students have teamed up to present their work dealing with the treatment of mastitis.
Registration Open for 2014 NMC Regional Meeting in Belgium
The program has been finalized and registration is now open for the National Mastitis Council Regional Meeting, scheduled for August 4-6, 2014 in Ghent, Belgium. This meeting marks the first time an NMC meeting will be held outside North America. Previous regional meetings have been held in Canada and Mexico, however NMC has not had[…]
DAIReXNET webinar: Milking System Design
Roger Thomson, DVM, Milk Quality Consultant April 7, 2014 The milking system is the heart of any dairy operation, and requires a lot of consideration! Dr. Thomson will talk about the design and analysis of a milking system, including some reasons a producer might consider changing the milking system, frequency of evaluation, and basic system[…]
Minimizing the Risk for Ketosis
Introduction Although most cases of ketosis occur in fresh dairy cows, feeding practices and cow health prepartum can predispose cows to experiencing ketosis after calving. Most cases of primary ketosis occur within the first 2 weeks of calving, and even most secondary ketosis (occurring after the onset of another disease) occurs within the first 30[…]
A Lower Bulk Tank SCC Needs Individual Action
Article from Hoard’s Dairyman By David A. Rhoda, D.V.M. The author is a senior partner in the Evansville Veterinary Service, Evansville, Wis. Amy’s bulk tank SCC (BTSCC) varied from 250,000 to 500,000 and occasionally would be over 600,000. With the allowed level being lowered to 400,000, she needs a management plan that prevents those worst[…]
53rd National Mastitis Council, January 26-28
The NMC 53rd Annual Meeting will be held January 26-28, 2014 at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. Known as “The City of Cowboys and Culture”, Fort Worth is located near Dallas, in north central Texas. The conference hotel is[…]
For Veterinarians: Antimicrobial Residues and Molecular Testing
Drug Residue Déjà Vu: Avoiding Residues in Milk and Cull Dairy Cows Dr. Pamela Ruegg, Dairy Science Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison While mastitis is the most common disease of adult dairy cows and accounts for most usage of antibiotics cows are also treated for other infectious diseases, including respiratory and uterine infections and infectious foot[…]
Upcoming Dairy Cattle Webinars from eXtension
These eXtension webinars are geared toward bringing pertinent information to dairy producers, extension educators, allied industry professionals, and veterinarians across the United States. Discovering Hidden Feed Costs for the Milking Herd Dr. Micheal Brouk, Kansas State University November 7, 2013 12:00 PM Central Time Unsure of where your dairy’s feeding program might be leaking money?[…]
Another paper posted in press!
The lastest paper on organic dairy production is now in press in the Journal of Dairy Science. Dr. Pamela Ruegg and her research team assesses the association of bulk tank milk standard plate counts, bulk tank coliform counts (CC), and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in bulk tank milk. Various management and farm characteristics on[…]
New Concepts in Mastitis Control
From the Hoard’s Dairyman Webinar Archives Presenter: Pamela Ruegg, University of Wisconsin Host: Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois The production of high quality milk is based on prevention of mastitis and early detection of new infections. This webinar helps producer and advisers understand some of the new technologies that are being used for detection and diagnosis[…]
Center of the Dairy Universe: WORLD EXPO 2013
World Dairy Expo is where the dairy industry meets. No other dairy event in the world compares. Designed for dairy producers and industry partners World Dairy Expo is a showcase for elite dairy cattle, cutting edge research and modern technologies. As a visitor you might choose to tour the huge commercial exhibit display area or[…]
7 Habits of Highly Successful Milking Routines
New Video Series: The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Milking Routines UW Milk Quality introduces this new video series focusing on how to effectively milk cows to produce high quality milk. Dr. Pamela Ruegg from the University of Wisconsin will discuss the science behind effective milking routine in seven practical habits. Each habit will have[…]
Mastitis Management on Your Organic Dairy
WEBINAR: Mastitis Management on Your Organic Dairy Join eOrganic for a webinar on managing mastitis on your organic farm with Dr. Guy Jodarski on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 2 PM Eastern Time (1 PM Central, 12 PM Mountain, 11 AM Pacific Time). The webinar is free and open to the public and advance registration[…]
Understanding and Managing Drug Usage on Dairy Farms
Antimicrobial Residues and Resistance: Understanding and Managing Drug Usage on Dairy Farms In modern dairy cattle operations, antimicrobials are administered for both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Most antimicrobials are used therapeutically but some antimicrobials are used to prevent disease in healthy animals during periods of increased susceptibility. The objective of this paper is to review[…]
Making Antibiotic Treatment Decisions for Mastitis
Improving Mastitis Treatments by Targeted Antimicrobial Therapy Control of mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus has resulted in reductions in bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC) but many herds continue to struggle with treatment of clinical mastitis caused by environmental pathogens. While farmers often remember the most severe cases of mastitis, research demonstrates[…]
Improving Microbiological Services for Dairies
In spite of considerable progress in improvement of milk quality, mastitis continues to be the most frequent and costly disease of dairy cows, however few veterinarians are actively involved in mastitis control programs. On most farms, detection, diagnosis and administration of treatments for clinical mastitis are the responsibility of farm personnel and veterinarians are often[…]
Better Milk Quality from Better Mastitis Therapy
DAIReXNET and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents proudly present this webinar. Mastitis is one of the biggest chronic problems facing the dairy industry. In this session, Dr. Ron Erskine from Michigan State University will discuss how to better identify cases of mastitis through tools such as milk culturing, somatic cell count records, and[…]
In Press: Perceptions and Risk for Lameness
In Press: Perceptions and risk factors for lameness on organic and small conventional dairy farms Lameness is a common condition of dairy cattle that negatively affects the well-being of animals in both organic (ORG) and conventional (CON) management systems (Marley et al., 2010). Management factors that have been associated with the prevalence of lameness include[…]
ADSA – ASAS Joint Annual Meeting 2013
Be Sure to Attend the Premier Animal and Dairy Science Gathering in the World! July 8-12, 2013 Indianapolis, Indiana The Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) offers a diverse scientific program offering over 2,200 oral and poster presentations showcasing the scientific work of over 3,000 scientists. Enjoy more than 35 symposia presented by the world’s leading animal[…]
Impact of Organic Management Research Completed
The long-term, multistate research project aimed to identify organic management factors influencing dairy herd health and milk quality is complete. Led by University of Wisconsin dairy science professor and extension milk quality specialist, Dr. Pamela Ruegg, researchers from Cornell University, Oregon State University and UW-Madison collected animal health and management data on nearly 200 organic[…]
Improving Treatments of Subclinical Mastitis
Pamela L. Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, University of WI, Dept. of Dairy Science, Madison WI 53705 Introduction Mastitis can occur in both a clinical and subclinical form. Clinical mastitis is readily apparent and easily detected by abnormalities in milk or the udder or the occurrence of secondary clinical signs. Treatment decisions for clinical mastitis are generally[…]
Antimicrobial Residues and Resistance
Antimicrobial Residues and Resistance: Understanding and Managing Drug Usage on Dairy Farms Pamela L. Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, University of Wisconsin, Dept of Dairy Science
In Press: Mastitis, Ketosis and Pneumonia
In Press: Risk factors for clinical mastitis, ketosis and pneumonia in dairy cattle on organic and small conventional farms in the United States The US regulations for production of organic milk include a strict prohibition against the use of antimicrobials and other synthetic substances. The effect of these regulations on dairy animal health has not[…]
Managing Mastitis: Environmental Streptococci
New Video! Managing Mastitis: Environmental Streptococci In the latest episode of the Managing Mastitis series, Dr. Pamela Ruegg from the University of Wisconsin discusses diagnosis, treatment and effective control programs for Environmental Streptococci pathogens. Learn why the focus should be on prevention with special emphasis on the dry period and which cows are most at[…]
Environmental Streptococci Fact Sheet
Environmental Streptococci Fact Sheet This fact sheet is a compendium to the Managing Mastitis: Pathogen Series episode “Environmental Streptococci” or can be used as a stand-alone guide. Download and print factsheet.
Power Lines and Organic Dairy Farming
Power Lines and Organic Dairy Farming “As power line moves in, an organic farm ponders its future” Midwest Energy News Posted on 3/15/2013 by Dan Haugen An organic dairy farm in Minnesota has become a high-profile example of the tensions that can emerge as new transmission lines are built through the rural countryside. The owners[…]
Article In Press: Risk Factors of Somatic Cell Count
Associations of risk factors with somatic cell count in bulk tank milk on organic and conventional dairy farms in the United States K.M. Cicconi-Hogan, M. Gamroth, R. Richert, P.L. Ruegg, K.E. Stiglbauer, Y.H. Schukken Journal of Dairy Science, Available online Click here for full text Abstract In the past decade, the demand for organic agricultural[…]
Klebsiella Fact Sheet
Check out our Klebsiella Fact Sheet and follow along with our recent video, “Managing Mastitis: Klebsiella.” Print it.
week EIGHT: Taking Sterile Milk Samples & The California Mastitis Test
Taking Sterile Milk Samples Background Part of mastitis control programs include microbiological analysis of milk from cows suspected of having mastitis. Culturing milk samples allows the identification of the bacteria that are causing the mastitis and the application of preventive management programs. Strict aseptic procedures must be used when collecting milk samples to avoid contamination[…]
New Managing Mastitis Episode: Klebsiella
New Managing Mastitis Episode: Klebsiella UW Milk Quality releases the fourth episode in its Managing Mastitis: The Pathogen Series. Klebsiella is a common Gram-negative pathogen in clinical mastitis cases. This video discusses the environmental sources and potential contagious transmissions of Klebsiella and control and treatment options for your dairy herd. Click here to download Klebsiella[…]
WI Dairy & Beef Animal Well-Being Conference
Wisconsin Dairy and Beef Animal Well-Being Conference March 8, 2013 at the Liberty Hall Banquet and Conference Center Kimberly, Wisconsin UW-Extension will be hosting its fourth annual conference on March 8, 2013 in Kimberly, WI to address the emerging issue of animal handling and well-being. Program Learning Objectives and Intended Outcomes: Increase knowledge or understanding of improved dairy[…]
Quality Milk Conference February 12-13th
Quality Milk Conference February 12-13th The Wisconsin Dairy Field Representatives Conference will be held in Madison, WI this February 12-13th. This annual technical conference serves the educational needs of the diverse population of professionals who serve dairy producers in the Upper Midwest region. The program will feature University of the Wisconsin professors, speakers from DATCP[…]
week SEVEN: Relationship Between Teat-End Callosity or Hyperkeratosis and Mastitis
week SEVEN: Relationship Between Teat-End Callosity or Hyperkeratosis and Mastitis After repeated milkings, changes appear in teat-end tissue, resulting in the development of a callous ring around the teat orifice. Cow factors like teat-end shape, teat position, teat length, milk production, lactation stage, and parity show a relationship with callused teat-ends. The teat canal is the primary physical[…]
Published: Assessment of Herd Management
Assessment of herd management on organic and conventional dairy farms in the United States Journal of Dairy Science, 2013 K.E. Stiglbauer*, 1 K.M. Cicconi-Hogan†, 1 R. Richert‡, 1 Y.H. Schukken† P.L. Ruegg‡ M. Gamroth* * Department of Animal Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331 † Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell Veterinary Medicine,[…]
Managing Mastitis: The Pathogen Series: E. coli
VIDEO Managing Mastitis: The Pathogen Series: E. coli As part of the UW Milk Quality continuing series on mastitis pathogens, Dr. Pamela Ruegg introduces an important organism called E. coli. E. coli is one of the causes of clinical mastitis occurring in dairy cattle, and in this episode Ruegg discusses its diagnosis, treatment and prevention.[…]
Frozen Teat Alert: Signs of Frostbite
Frozen Teat Alert: Signs of Frostbite With the approach of colder weather we all need to be aware of the potential for frostbite on teats of dairy cows or heifers. Frozen or frostbit teats generally occur when wet teats are exposed to bitterly cold conditions. Risk factors for developing this syndrome include: outwintering of lactating[…]
week SIX: All in the Design
week SIX: All in the Design Your teat dip cup’s style could affect your herd’s mastitis risk Proper milking procedures are critical for reducing mastitis spread in your herd. One aspect of consider is your teat dip cup’s design. The type of cup you use could affect your herd’s mastitis control rate. …To read[…]
week FIVE: Evaluation of Bovine Teat Condition in Commercial Dairy Herds: 3. Getting the Numbers Right
week FIVE: Evaluation of Bovine Teat Condition in Commercial Dairy Herds: 3. Getting the Numbers Right
Managing Mastitis: The Pathogen Series Continues
Managing Mastitis: The Pathogen Series Continues The new UW Milk Quality video series, “Managing Mastitis: The Pathogen Series” was just launched last month to bring to light the various pathogens that cause mastitis on dairy farms. Each episode introduces a new pathogen and provides treatment and control recommendations for decreasing the risk of infection within[…]
On the Air: Dr. Ruegg Talks Mastitis and Research Surprises
On the Air: Dr. Ruegg Talks Mastitis and Research Surprises Sevie Kenyon, from the University of Wisconsin Extension in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Madison, WI, visited with Dr. Pamela Ruegg, UW Department of Dairy Science, to discuss the evolution of the most costly disease of dairy cattle. 3:04 – Total Time 0:16 –[…]
Upcoming Dairy Webinars from eXtension
Upcoming Dairy Webinars from eXtension Feeding Systems for Group-Housed Dairy Calves December 7, 2012 12:00-1:00 PM Central Time Dr. Mark Thomas, Countryside Veterinary Clinic Nutrition is a vital part of calf health and development, and making sure that calves get the nutrients they need in an efficient manner is an important job! Dr. Thomas will[…]
week FOUR: Evaluation of Bovine Teat Condition in Commercial Dairy Herds: 2. Infectious Factors and Infections
week FOUR: Evaluation of Bovine Teat Condition in Commercial Dairy Herds: 2. Infectious Factors and Infections
Plan for Winter Dairy Udder Health Now
Plan for Winter Dairy Udder Health Now Article taken from: North Dakota State University Agriculture Communication – Oct. 4, 2012 Source: J.W. Schroeder jw.schroeder@ndsu.edu Editor: Ellen Crawford ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu Limit cows’ exposure to cold temperatures and use proper milking practices. This week’s sudden shift in the weather is a stark[…]
week THREE: Evaluation of Bovine Teat Condition in Commercial Dairy Herds
week THREE: Evaluation of Bovine Teat Condition in Commercial Dairy Herds: 1. Non-Infectious Factors Ohnstad4, M.D.Rasmussen2, L.Timms5, J.S.Britt5, R.Farnsworth5, N. Cook5 & T. Hemling5. “Teat Club International”, c/o F. Neijenhuis, Research Institute for Animal Husbandry Lelystad, The Netherlands. email: f.neijenhuis@pv.agro.nl Co-authors from: Australia1, Denmark2, The Netherlands3, UK4, USA5 ABSTRACT Classification of bovine teat condition can[…]
Influence of Extension on Milk Quality Success
The Influence of Extension on Team Success of a Milk Quality Improvement Program Mastitis control programs are effective at increasing milk production on dairy farms and improving overall dairy profitability. Different approaches have been used; however, most programs focus on adoption of research-based practices that reduce the amount of subclinical and clinical mastitis. Between 2001[…]
Video: How to Improve Your Mastitis Treatments
Video: How to Improve Your Mastitis Treatments Dr. Ruegg presented “How to Improve Your Mastitis Treatments and Maintain Healthy Cows” at the 2012 World Dairy Expo. If you missed it, here’s your second chance.
Follow UWMQ! We’re Connected!
Follow UWMQ! We’re Connected! Like us, Tweet us, Share us, Follow us, Talk about us. UW Milk Quality is now connected to all your social media needs. Let’s build a community! Like us on facebook and get talking about the herd health and milk quality issues affecting you. Stay up-to-date! Follow us on[…]
week TWO: Addressing Teat Condition Problems
week TWO: Addressing Teat Condition Problems I. Ohnstad, G.A. Mein, J.R. Baines, M.D. Rasmussen, R. Farnsworth, B. Pocknee, T.C. Hemling and J.E. Hillerton Teat Club International Introduction In this paper the collective experience and knowledge of members of the Teat Club International have been applied to • describing effective treatments, changes in management or changes[…]
Managing Mastitis: The Pathogen Series
Managing Mastitis: The Pathogen Series The new UW Milk Quality series, “Managing Mastitis: The Pathogen Series” brings to light the various pathogens that cause mastitis on dairy farms. Each episode introduces a new pathogen and provides treatment and control recommendations for decreasing the risk of infection within herds. This first episode in the series focuses[…]
week ONE: A Tool Box for Assessing Cow, Udder and Teat Hygiene
week ONE: A Tool Box for Assessing Cow, Udder and Teat Hygiene Paper presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the NMC, by Nigel B. Cook and Douglas J. Reinemann University of Wisconsin-Madison Introduction Infection of the mammary gland with environmental bacterial pathogens is the most significant udder health problem facing the dairy industry in North[…]
World Dairy Expo, Madison WI October 2-6
World Dairy Expo, Madison WI October 2-6 A World of Fresh Ideas for Dairy Producers World Dairy Expo is where the dairy industry meets. No other dairy event in the world compares. Designed for dairy producers and industry partners World Dairy Expo is a showcase for elite dairy cattle, cutting edge research and modern technologies.[…]
It’s Here! A Great Read For Fall
It’s Here! A Great Read For Fall Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice Mastitis in Dairy Cows On a daily basis, veterinarians work with dairy producers to implement preventive health care programs that will ensure the well-being of cows, minimize the use of antimicrobials, and result in the production of safe, high-quality dairy[…]
week TWELVE: Water, Feed, And Milk Production Response Of Dairy Cattle Exposed To Transient Currents
week TWELVE: Water, Feed, And Milk Production Response Of Dairy Cattle Exposed To Transient Currents
Register Now! Dairy Practices Council Annual Conference
Register Now! Dairy Practices Council Annual Conference The Dairy Practices Council holds a three-day conference each fall to provide a forum where topics of common interest can be shared with the membership and other attendees. This year’s conference in will be held in Madison, WI November 6 – 9 at the Crowne Plaza Madison. The[…]
Milestone in Mastitis Management Unveiled: SmartSAMM
Milestone in Mastitis Management Unveiled: SmartSAMM NEW ZEALAND–A new dairy industry resource for managing mastitis and improving milk quality has been unveiled by DairyNZ at the New Zealand Milk Quality Conference in Hamilton today. Known as SmartSAMM, the new online resource builds on the success of the SAMM Plan (seasonal approach to managing mastitis) with[…]
week ELEVEN: Milking Performance and Udder Health of Cows Milked Robotically and Conventionally
week ELEVEN: Milking Performance and Udder Health of Cows Milked Robotically and Conventionally By Misty A. Davis, Graduate Research Assistant & Douglas J. Reinemann, Professor University of Wisconsin-Madison, Milking Research and Instruction Lab Written for presentation at the 2002 ASAE Annual International Meeting / CIGR XVth World Congress [toc=”5″] Introduction & Literature Review Past studies[…]
New Episode: Managing Cows with Chronic Mastitis
New Episode: Managing Cows with Chronic Mastitis In this episode of UW Milk Quality’s ongoing video series, Dr. Pamela Ruegg discusses how to prevent and manage cows that develop chronic mastitis infections. Episode #4: Managing Cows with Chronic Mastitis Be sure to also check out other episodes on our YouTube channel uwmilkquality.
Clinical Mastitis and Culling Comparison Tools
Clinical Mastitis and Culling Comparison Tools We’ve added even MORE comparison tools for better on-farm assessment. These tools will help evaluate the health of your herd regarding clinical mastitis and culling rates. Click below to direct you to each tool: 1. Clinical Mastitis Comparison Tool 2. Culling Comparison Tool
week TEN: Turning Analysis Tools into Reality
week TEN: Turning Analysis Tools into Reality This week we take a look at one of our analysis tools in action. Our own Dr. Doug Reinemann uses the Labor and Capital Analysis of Milking Centers, seen in week FIVE of this series, to help a dairy producer decide whether expanding the milking parlor and possibly[…]
week NINE: Robotic Milking: Current Situation
week NINE: Robotic Milking: Current Situation Douglas J. Reinemann University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin, USA [toc=”5″] The population of farms using automatic milking systems (AMS) has grown from the first installation a dairy farm in the Netherlands in 1992 to more than 8000 milking units on more than 2400 farms today. The vast majority of[…]
Grab Your Seat on the Robotic Milking Bus Tour
The Robotic Milking Bus Tour Click on the promotional flyer (with registration form) below for information on the summer bus tour of robotic milking dairy farms in Michigan. The tour will be July 25 and is being sponsored by Delaval Direct, Hi-Tech Dairy Supply, and Brown Dairy Equipment.
week EIGHT: Where the Rubber Meets the Teat
week EIGHT: Where the Rubber Meets the Teat and What Happens to Milking Characteristics
This Just In: More Project COW Comparison Tools
This Just In: More Project COW Comparison Tools By identifying indicators of animal health and milk quality, additional performance benchmark reports for participating organic dairy farms were created from our study, “Impact of Organic Management on Dairy Animal Health and Well-Being”. The peer benchmarking approach can help organic farmers identify areas of strengths and weaknesses[…]
week SEVEN: Milking Machine Cleaning and Sanitation
week SEVEN: Dairy Operators Guide to Milking Machine Cleaning and Sanitation
week SIX: Water Supply and Distribution
week SIX: Water Supply and Distribution [toc=”5″] February 2004 Draft Douglas J. Reinemann, Ph.D. Professor of biological Systems Engineering University of Wisconsin- Madison, Milking Research and Instruction Lab www.uwex.edu/uwmril A successful water system will supply the correct quantity of water of adequate quality and temperature for each application. There are many end use points for[…]
week FIVE: Labor and Capital Analysis of Milking Centers
week FIVE: Labor and Capital Analysis of Milking Centers This analysis tool will help you estimate your milking center costs and performances, including: 1. Freestall barn 2. Milking center buildings (parlor, holding area, milk room, utility room and office) 3. Milk hose equipment (bulk tank, refrigeration and other milk house equipment) 4. Milking parlor equipment (milking[…]
week FOUR: Milking Machines and Milking Parlors
week FOUR: Milking Machines and Milking Parlors Credits: Dr. Doug Reinemann
Episode #3: Clinical Mastitis in Dairy Cows
Episode #3: Clinical Mastitis in Dairy Cows UW Milk Quality has released yet another installment in its video series, Organic Dairy Health Management. In this month’s episode, Dr. Pamela Ruegg discusses the causes of clinical mastitis in dairy herds and outlines monitoring and management strategies to reduce occurrence. Coming Soon: “Evaluating Mastitis Treatment Outcomes”
Annual Bike Ride for Beginning Dairy Farmers
Annual Bike Ride for Beginning Dairy Farmers Wisconsin Ag Connection – 04/30/2012 Dozens of cyclists will be riding through the rolling hills of rural Dane and Green counties later this spring to raise funds for a program that helps Wisconsin’s next generation of dairy farmers get off to a good start. The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s[…]
week THREE: Milking System Video Library
week THREE: Milking System Video Library Parlor Routine Training Milk parlor trial-and-error verses a well planned training program for staff. Cow Acclimation Introducing the herd to a new milking facility. Training Staff for Crowd Gate Management How to train the humans in proper crowd gate etiquette to reduce frustration during cow entry and exit. Crowd[…]
week TWO: Milking Facilities for the Expanding Dairy
week TWO: Milking Facilities for the Expanding Dairy
week ONE: Milking Parlor Types and the Dos and Don’ts of Milking Parlor Planning
week one: Milking Parlor Types and the Dos and Don’ts of Milking Parlor Planning Milking Parlor Types The first questions that must be answered in order to make rational decisions about the type and size of milking parlor for a diary farm are: • What is the desired milking routine? The amount of time required[…]
UW Milk Quality Introduces New Weekly Series
UW Milk Quality Introduces New Weekly Series Milking Systems and Parlor Management is a new new weekly series that will feature academic papers, how-to manuals and resources to improve your milking equipment, management of staff and dairy profitability. Douglas Reinemann has been a professor and Director of the UW Milking Research and Instruction lab at[…]
Mastitis and Milk Management Weekly Series Wraps Up
The Mastitis and Milk Management Weekly Series Wraps Up The Mastitis and Milk Management Weekly Series wraps up for the winter season. Click through the 12-week archived series below to learn more about the effects of mastitis on your farm. A look ahead: Milking Systems and Parlor Management. The new weekly series will feature academic[…]
April Dairy Webinars from Extension
eXtension Offers Free April Webinars on Dairy Cattle and More Learn online from eXtension webinars. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. You can chat and participate in question and answer sessions. All webinars are free and available nationwide. The times listed are Eastern Time so adjust the viewing time for Central,[…]
UW Milk Quality Video Series: Take Two
UW Milk Quality Video Series is Back! The new installment of our video series has just been released! Dr. Pamela Ruegg from the University of Wisconsin-Madison is back discussing the occurrence of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows. This is the second episode in the UW Milk Quality Video Series, Organic Dairy Health Management. The series focuses[…]
week TWELVE: Teat Disinfection Facts
week TWELVE: Teat Disinfection Facts The rate of new udder infection is related to the number of mastitis-causing pathogens on teat ends. Disinfecting teats with a germicidal agent immediately after milking kills most of the pathogens on teats. This in turn reduces the chance of those pathogens getting into the udder. Click here to learn[…]
week ELEVEN: The Role of Milking Equipment in Mastitis
week ELEVEN: The Role of Milking Equipment in Mastitis There are many factors that can affect milk quality and udder health in dairy cattle, and milking equipment is one of them. Click here to learn more.
March Dairy Webinars from Penn State Extension
March Webinars and Conference Calls from Penn State Extension Dairy Team Analyzing Your Test-Day Records Improving Dairy Profitability Designing Quality Resting Areas Adding Expertise to Your Dairy Team Penn State Dairy Data Analysis Tools: Doing More with Test Day Records Webinar The Penn State Dairy Data Analysis Tools webinar series includes separate trainings on how[…]
UW Student Research: Milk Pricing
UW Student Research: Milk Pricing Contributor: Rob Rowbothan Born and raised on the family dairy genetics farm, Rob has been involved in the Wisconsin dairy industry all his life. He earned both his bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in dairy science at UW-Madison focusing on business and dairy cattle breeding. His academic achievements led him to[…]
Just Released: Somatic Cell Count Comparison Tool
This benchmarking tool allows dairy producers to compare their herd’s bulk tank somatic cell counts with other herds around the nation. Using the Project C.O.W. database, results can be based on management type, herd size, milk production, years dairying and time of year.
week TEN: Making Better Treatment Decisions for Managing Clinical Mastitis
week TEN: Making Better Treatment Decisions for Managing Clinical Mastitis Although considerable progress has been made in controlling contagious mastitis, intramammary infection continues to be the most frequently occurring and costliest disease of dairy cows. Click here to learn more.
week NINE: How Milk Quality is Assessed
week NINE: How Milk Quality is Assessed How is milk quality determined? Several different methods are used to assess milk quality. Some methods such as thesomatic cell count (SCC) and standard plate count (SPC) are mandated by the federal Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, which is a document that specifies safety standards of Grade “A”[…]
UW Student Research: Predicting Liner Performance
UW Student Research: Predicting Liner Performance: How Liners Impact Milking Contributor: Sonia Gomez Born in Northern Spain, in a rural area surrounded by small dairy farms, Sonia’s interest in dairy production began when she was young and increasingly grew ever since. She graduated as a veterinarian in 2003 from the University of Santiago de Compostela,[…]
week EIGHT: Mastitis Detection, Prevention and Control in Dairy Replacement Heifers
week EIGHT: Mastitis Detection, Prevention and Control in Dairy Replacement Heifers Replacement heifers,whether they are raised on the farm, purchased from other dairies, or contract-raised by growers, are critical to herd productivity because they represent the future milking and breeding stock in all dairy operations. The goal should be to provide an environment for heifers[…]
week SEVEN: Dry Cow Therapy
week SEVEN: Dry Cow Therapy Traditional dry cow therapy is the use of intramammary antibiotic therapy immediately after the last milking of lactation. Click here to learn more.