Using rectal temperature measurements in fresh cow monitoring programs and treatment protocols

Abstract

Today's dairy industry is marked by decreasing or stagnant profit margins and tight labor markets. Input costs continue to rise faster than the milk price. At the same time cost of living increases and government regulations have forced farm managers to increase the wages and benefits paid to employees and themselves. Payroll is second only to feed cost, in operating expenses on dairies. This puts farm managers under increasing pressure to use their employees more efficiently and effectively. While our ability to manage the nutrition and genetics of cattle has dramatically increased the productivity of dairy cattle, it also causes additional stresses that need to be managed.