OCR Text |
Show Prepare cows for cold Dairymen tired of wet weather and concerned about its effect on cow comfort and profitability of production take little solace in predictions of cold stormy weather ahead. Adverse effects of storms on the cows and aggravation on those doing the milking can be reduced. Ample bedding material and well-maintained well-maintained stalls will help greatly, says Dr. Don W. Thomas, extension ex-tension dairy health specialist, Utah State University. He advises dairymen : -Make sure that every cow has a stall to lie down in. -Manage those stalls for cow health and comfort. -Be sure to have an ample inventory of bedding on hand - long straw, chopped straw, sawdust, shavings or sand - to go through the winter without shortchanging short-changing the cows on comfort. Dr. Thomas strong advocates going through the stalls every day to throw out any fecal material and bedding that has become wet with urine. Then pull back into the stalls fresh b edding to provide a clean dry place for the cows to lie. |