More Regulations Coming to the Dairy Barn

First it was no tail docking at the beginning of the year.  There's no iodine starting June 1. Marylynn Collins with Cornell Cooperative Extension says the next round of regulations will deal with herd health, especially lameness.

As you may recall last year The Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) went into effect as dairy farmers and their veterinarians signed a document that enabled the use of antibiotics. This is yet another part of the Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program being administered by The National Milk Producers Federation.

The next phase will require a written herd health plan that covers the care of newborn calves, pain management, caring for non-ambulatory animals and euthanasia. You will also need to understand and evaluate the health of each cow based on the following criteria:

• 95% of the lactating and dry dairy herd scores a 2 or less on the FARM Locomotion Scorecard.
• 95% or more of lactating and dry dairy herd score a 2 or less on the FARM Hock and Knee Scorecard.
• 99% of all classes of animals score a 2 or more on the FARM Body Condition Score Scorecard.

When it comes to lameness, Marylynn suggests keeping accurate records when it comes to hoof trimmng and how any lameness was treated.  You can read more about the new regulations on page 10 in the May Farm Flash at CCE.com or call 315-736-3394 ext. 132.

SOURCE:  Cornell Cooperative Extension - Marylynn Collins