Navigating winter dysentery and the everyday challenges of dairy farming

ZISK
2 hours ago
1 min read

Have you ever asked a dairy farm owner or manager, “What are the things that keep you up at night?” Or, if you are a dairy farm owner or manager, how would you respond to this question? I would expect responses relating to employee retention and labor concerns, current and future milk pricing or possibly future planning for growth and/or sustainability of the farm. I may get some answers that are more specific to milk yield issues, crop health or possibly manure management concerns. Most assuredly, not one person would respond with winter dysentery to this question.

Despite this seeming lack of concern regarding winter dysentery, nearly every dairy farm has, and unfortunately will have again, a winter dysentery disease outbreak. Winter dysentery is ubiquitous worldwide where cattle are present. Studies report on-farm clinical incidence rates anywhere from around 5% to well over 50% of a lactating cow herd can be affected by this contagious disease on an annual basis.

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