This research suggests that specific rumen microbes are altered in cows with high SCCs. Cows with high SCCs showed lowered milk and component yield and rumen volatile fatty acids concentration — but these cows also had higher rumen bacterial diversity compared to low SCC cows. Read

Read more about how researchers evaluated 7,500 lactating cows to evaluate the long-term effects of disease during the early postpartum period. Read

Heat stress during the dry period has dramatic negative impacts on the cow and her offspring. Cows that experience heat stress in late gestation make less milk and are at greater risk of disease and nutritional issues. Read

This study from the University of Florida, Gainesville, found that cooling for the entire dry period increased milk yield up to 30 weeks into lactation. It showed that heat stress at any time during the dry period compromises performance of cows after calving. Read

Laminitis-related and infectious claw disorders often cause a decrease in milk yield. Claw disorders are also responsible for reproduction problems and can reduce feed intake. This study examines the most efficient measures to prevent those losses — and improve animal welfare. Read

Milk yield is significantly lower in first-lactation heifers that experienced fetal heat stress. This study examines how the development of mammary glands are affected by heat stress during gestation. Read

Milk yields are different between the first and subsequent lactations. This fact led researchers to investigate if there was also a difference in rumen microbiota. Read

A new multi-study analysis on the relationship between feeding behavior and lactating dairy cow performance shows that milk yield is increased by 0.02 kg per minute of rumination and confirms that milk fat is related to rumination time. Read