Boost Your Herd: Six Ways to Strengthen Resilience in Dairy Cows

By Chris Gwyn, Jefo Nutrition North American Ruminant Business Development Manager

Why resilience matters

In the world of dairy farming, resilience in cows is synonymous with profitability and efficiency. A cow that's resilient stays healthy, productive, and stress-free. During the 2023 Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) Annual Meeting, Dr. Matt Lucy from the University of Missouri shed light on distinguishing stress from strain in dairy cows and its profound impact on their well-being and productivity.

Key strategies for resilient cows

Here's a quick guide to making your dairy herd more resilient, inspired by Dr. Lucy's insights:

1. Decipher stress vs. strain

• What's the difference? Stress is an inevitable part of a cow's life, caused by production demands, environment, and social dynamics. Strain, however, is the wear and tear from chronic stress, and it’s this that truly impacts well-being and output.

2. Tackle stressors head-on

• Practical steps: keep calving pens clean and install efficient cooling systems to combat heat stress. Adopting low-stress handling techniques during routine tasks can make a significant difference.

3. elect for tough traits

• Smart breeding: use genomic data to breed cows with resilience naturally built in. Traits linked to resilience should be prioritized to help your herd handle stress better.

4. Balance the diet

• Nutritional focus: high-producing cows especially need balanced diets to avoid metabolic chaos. Support their metabolism to cut down on stress and strain.

5. Keep a close eye on reproduction

• Early detection: regular checks on reproductive health can catch problems before they escalate. Stress can seriously affect reproductive success, so proactive measures are key.

6. Think long-term

• Future-minded: stress during critical periods like transition and postpartum can lead to lasting repercussions. Prioritize managing stress for enduring health and performance benefits.