Health and Care
Find information on dairy cattle health, including prevention and control of mastitis. Resources on hoof health, lameness, heat stress, vaccines, and overmilking are also available in this section. Learn body conditioning scoring techniques.
Dairy Cattle Health Care
Dairy herd health is dependent on farmers’ expertise and readiness to prevent, diagnose, control, and treat common cow diseases and health issues.
The Pennsylvania Dairy Health and Biosecurity Manual is a comprehensive guide designed to help dairy farmers keep their herds healthy and economically productive. Compiled by Penn State Extension’s team of experienced veterinarians, it’s a practical and up-to-date resource on all cow-health related problems.
In addition to herd health care, dairy producers should also manage the biosecurity risks associated with cattle farming. Here you can find resources on how to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases and pathogens.
Dairy producers could also benefit from the body condition scoring technique and use it when troubleshooting cattle health and nutrition problems. Information on cow vaccines and schedules is also available in this section.
Udder Health and Mastitis: Prevention and Control
Mastitis, an inflammation of the cow’s udder, is the most common dairy cattle disease in the United States. It is also the most expensive issue on dairy farms, costing the average US dairy farm $110 per cow each year.
Proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid costly veterinary treatment and milk product loss. Learn how to conduct initial mastitis testing, how to culture milk to identify bacteria, and determine the cause of the mastitis with the On-Farm Milk Culturing for Mastitis Control online course.
Mastitis in cattle can be caused by contact with milking machinery or by infection. Get practical advice on the best milking practices for mastitis prevention.
Here you’ll find additional resources on udder health, overmilking, teat cleanliness, teat-end health, and rapid milk flow. For more information on the effect of mastitis on milk quality, visit the Dairy Production and Milk Quality section of this site.
Other Dairy Cattle Diseases
Information on this site is intended to help producers diagnose and treat other common diseases, such as foot rot and lameness, milk fever, endometritis, and ketosis in dairy cattle. Research on bovine tuberculosis is also available.
Get advice on hoof health, prevention, and control of foot problems in dairy cows, and learn methods to reduce lameness in new and existing housing systems.
Penn State Extension resources can also help producers identify and treat dairy cattle diseases and conditions, such as grass tetany, Johne's Disease, bovine leukemia virus, milk fever, and heat stress.
One of the toughest decisions livestock producers have to make when raising and caring for animals is deciding when euthanasia is the appropriate and humane choice. Find advice on how to determine if is it time for euthanasia and instruction on how to choose and perform appropriate euthanasia techniques.
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ArticlesBio-Security on Your Farm Continues to be Important
Minimize health risks to your dairy herd with visitor protocols, a biosecurity program, and a quarantine requirement for incoming animals. -
ArticlesFarmers and Ticks: What You Need to Know
It is important to check yourself for ticks daily when working outside. -
ArticlesWinter Calf Care
This article will discuss the C's of calf care management and focus on disease prevention how to provide adequate nutrition for continual growth during the winter. -
WorkshopsFree
Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Dairy Day
When 03/06/2025Length 6 hoursEvent Format In-PersonPlease join us at the annual Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Dairy Day for an informative workshop designed for dairy producers and other affiliated industry personnel. -
ArticlesHPAI: What You Need to Know About Dairy Cattle and Poultry
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has been found to affect several types of animals. Explore information about HPAI and tips to safeguard your animals and business. -
Workshops$35.00
Herd Health Toolkit: On-Farm Culturing for Mastitis and More!
When 02/19/2025Length 4 hours, 30 minutesEvent Format In-PersonStrengthen your herd health strategy with our hands-on culturing workshop! Learn to identify bacteria, combat disease, and protect your calves and cows with effective on-farm solutions. -
ArticlesUnderstanding HPAI in Dairy Cattle
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), historically known for its devastating impact on bird populations, has recently emerged as a threat to dairy cattle. -
ArticlesExploring the Basics of Calf Scours
Many factors affect the health and performance of calves on milk. A common problem, calf scours, or diarrhea, can severely affect the immediate and long-term health of those future replacements. -
ArticlesEnsure Heifers Thrive During Cold Weather
Dairy cattle, especially younger dairy animals, can be affected by cold stress, too. This article will focus on dairy heifers between post-weaning to calving age. -
NewsThe Dairy Industry's Growing Concern: Influenza A and Its Impact on Dairy Cattle
Date Posted 12/9/2024This article describes the new Federal Order for the National Milk Testing Strategy for HPAI in dairy cattle. -
ArticlesProviding Water to Calves at Birth – Liquid Feeds Serve a Different Purpose
Supplemental water for calves may allow for increased growth and improved digestive function. -
WorkshopsCalf Chat: The C's of Calf Care
Length 4 hours, 30 minutesExplore the essential "C's" of calf management in this workshop, covering nutrition, disease prevention, and anatomy with hands-on activities. Lunch provided. -
ArticlesHow Can You Improve Colostrum Quality on Your Dairy?
There are many management factors that can affect colostrum quality and quantity. -
ArticlesDairy Sense: Preventative Health Care for the Dairy Herd
Be proactive by performing an annual review of your herd health preventative care. -
ArticlesDairy Farm Preparation to Avoid the Winter Woes
A winter preparation checklist is a simple, but necessary tool. -
ArticlesCommon Pathogens Causing Diarrhea in Dairy Calves
Diarrhea is associated with more preweaning dairy calf deaths than any other disease. This article will discuss the pathogens that are associated with calf diarrhea. -
ArticlesWinter Ventilation for Calves
Take a look at calf housing to determine what calves need to stay healthy during cold weather months. -
ArticlesClean Drinking Water Is Essential to Cows
Clean drinking water is vital to all dairy animals and aids maintaining several key physiological functions such as temperature regulation, digestion, and transportation of nutrients at the cellular level. -
ArticlesPreventing Mastitis: Does Breed Matter?
Conflicting literature led researchers to investigate whether Jerseys are more susceptible to mastitis than Holsteins. -
ArticlesHow are Holstein Heifers Performing in PA?
How milk production is affected by age at first calving in Pennsylvania Holstein heifers. -
ArticlesHeat Stress and the Often-Forgotten Heifers
Shade structures can help reduce the effects of heat stress. -
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VideosPrácticas de Manejo en el Área de Maternidad
Estos videos describen practicas básicas de manejo en las operaciones de maternidad en ganado lechero. -
NewsAvian Influenza Identified in Dairy Cattle
Date Posted 3/19/2024This is an ongoing situation. Check back here for updates. -
ArticlesDairy Farm Transformation: Artificial Intelligence
This article explains the concepts of precision livestock farming, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the importance of identifying a dairy farm’s goals for a technology before making a purchase.
