Online Performance Tool Available to Dairy Farmers
A new tool is available online for dairy farmers, thanks to researchers at University of Wisconsin. Users can store information like milk quality and production. The data is compiled and a norm, based on statistics from other farms, is provided, allowing farmers to know where they excel and where they could use improvement.
Dairy farmers have the opportunity to compare the health and production performance of their herd with other herds around the country as the result of a recent research project from the UW Dairy Science Department.
Approximately 200 organic and 100 size-matched conventional dairy farms across the U.S. were recruited to participate in a recent study examining the impact of organic management on animal health and well-being. Dr. Pamela Ruegg, dairy science professor and Extension milk quality specialist, and her research team visited each farm to collect herd health records, milk samples, body condition scores, disease treatments, usage of veterinarians, livestock housing, feed, and routine milking procedures.
