Bovis Animal Care

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12/06/2026

Tips provided to improve employee safety around lagoons, including measures to prevent drowning, death caused by manure gases and injury caused by equipment. Signage should be posted to warn people of hazardous areas.

While many of us are experienced with pumping manure from lagoons to fertilize the soil, it is essential to remain vigilant around these dangerous environments. In this article, we will examine the key hazards and safety protocols associated with manure pits and related equipment.

Be aware of the hazards and risks
Manure pits, tanks, basins, ponds and lagoons present a variety of potential dangers.

Risk of falling and drowning. Workers and equipment operators face the risk of falling into manure storage areas. The edges of basins, ponds or lagoons can appear deceptively solid or become hidden from view, particularly in low light conditions or poorly lit areas. Tractors or other vehicles may also inadvertently drive into these spaces. Workers on push-off platforms or ramps, or those walking near pit boundaries, are also at risk of falling into the manure. Furthermore, unstable or poorly maintained ladders can contribute to accidents.
Manure gases that can suffocate, poison or ignite. Stored manure releases harmful gases, including hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia, which consume oxygen and can quickly overwhelm workers without warning. Conditions around manure pits may be safe one day and hazardous the next. Relying on past experiences or your sense of smell is insufficient for detecting manure gases. High concentrations of gases are often released when manure is disturbed during activities such as pumping or agitating. In warmer temperatures, gas production increases and certain gases, like methane, pose an explosion risk.
Moving parts on machinery and equipment. There are significant risks of injury when working around manure pumps, agitators and other rotating machinery. These moving parts can cause severe injuries, including amputations, broken bones or crushing injuries. Loose clothing, long hair, jewelry or body parts can easily become entangled.
Bacteria and other pathogens. Manure, whether solid or liquid, harbours harmful pathogens that can cause infections and illnesses. Exposure through splashes in the eyes or mouth can lead to serious infections.
Preventing drownings
To minimize the risk of drowning, consider the following preventive measures.

Clearly mark boundaries. Ensure that the boundaries of manure pits, ponds, basins and lagoons are clearly visible. Safely fence or block off these areas to prevent unauthorized access. Secure gates and access points, and install safety covers for tanks and manure pit openings to keep people out.
Post warning signs. Clearly mark manure storage areas with reflective tape or bright paint to enhance visibility, especially in low light conditions.
Emergency planning. Have a detailed plan for rescue operations in case of an emergency. Rescuers must be specially trained and equipped and follow all relevant safety procedures to avoid becoming additional victims.
Preventing manure gas deaths
Effective ventilation is crucial to prevent gas accumulation. Mechanical ventilation may be necessary to replenish oxygen in areas where workers must enter manure storage. Before entering pits, tanks or other confined spaces, ensure that oxygen levels and hazardous gases, such as hydrogen sulphide and methane, are measured. Use calibrated gas monitoring equipment to test for dangerous gas concentrations, including the lower explosive limit (LEL). Always follow established procedures for gas monitoring and ensure workers are trained in the safe entry process.

Preventing other injuries and illnesses
Mechanical injuries. Ensure that all machinery used around manure pits, such as pumps and agitators, has proper barriers or guards in place to cover moving parts. Train workers to understand how the equipment works and review lockout/tagout procedures to safely start, use, shut off, unclog, clean, repair and service the machinery. Provide necessary safety equipment and ensure that all employees understand the protocols for safe machine operation.
Pathogen exposure. When working with manure, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential. PPE may include eye protection, face shields, coveralls, gloves and protective footwear. These safeguards will help prevent pathogens from coming into contact with skin, eyes and mouth. Workers should follow proper handwashing techniques and hygiene practices to limit contamination risks.

Safety during manure agitation
During manure agitation, be especially cautious.

Avoid entering the barn. Do not enter the barn while manure is being agitated in the pit below. Instruct workers and all visitors to stay clear of the area while the manure is being pumped or agitated.
Lockout tags. Use lockout tags to notify everyone on the farm that agitation is taking place.
Ventilation. Set the barn’s ventilation system to maximum capacity and adjust the fresh air inlets to ensure optimal air movement. Do not open windows or doors that are not part of the normal ventilation system, as this could create stagnant air pockets with little or no air movement.
Foaming manure warning
If the manure is foaming, be aware that it contains high levels of methane. Agitating the foam can cause a dangerous buildup of methane in the barn, increasing the risk of fire or explosion.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for pit entry
If entry into a manure pit is absolutely necessary, the following PPE must be worn:

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for fresh air
Safety harness with lifeline
Eye protection and face shields
Coveralls, gloves and protective footwear
It is essential that at least two other workers are present to assist in a rescue if necessary. Rescuers must also wear proper breathing equipment to avoid becoming victims themselves. Prior to any worker entering the pit, the team should discuss and document emergency procedures, and each worker should sign off on the safety protocol.

Signage and communication
To further enhance safety, post clear and visible signage around manure pits to serve as a constant reminder to workers and visitors. Signage should include warnings about the potential hazards, as well as safety instructions. Make sure all individuals on the farm are aware of and understand these safety measures.

By following these detailed safety protocols and maintaining a proactive approach to hazard prevention, agricultural operations can greatly reduce the risks associated with manure pit safety.

12/06/2026

Take a few days away from the dairy farm. I know it isn't easy, but your health matters too. Spend some time in nature, away from the daily routine. Let your mind rest, enjoy the quiet, and reconnect with yourself. A little time alone can help you recharge and return with a clearer mind and renewed energy.

Everyone has their own routine and hobbies that bring them comfort. For me, it's traveling. For you, it may be something completely different. Just do what you enjoy, but don't forget to make some time for yourself. A little time to relax, reflect, and recharge is important no matter how busy life gets.

04/06/2026

Today, replacement heifers are worth more than in past years – both economically and genetically. Creating pregnancies in these animals at the right time is crucial to productivity for your herd.

Thre need for a more intentional and strategic approach to heifer management, particularly in reproduction. With fewer animals in the pipeline, mistakes such as delayed breeding or missed opportunities can have a greater impact on herd performance and profitability.

Research consistently shows that age at first calving has a direct impact on lifetime productivity. Heifers that calve too early often lack sufficient body development, which can limit milk production. On the other hand, animals that calve too late incur additional raising costs and may also produce less milk over time. The optimal window, around 23 to 25 months, balances growth, productivity and cost efficiency.

Achieving this target requires careful reproductive management. During the growth phase, there are limited opportunities to shorten the timeline without compromising the animal’s future performance. Maintaining a short and effective breeding window is essential.

It is not enough for heifers to simply become pregnant. They must conceive as soon as possible once they reach the appropriate bodyweight and structural development. Ultimately, age at first calving is determined by when the heifer becomes pregnant.

Heifers are often considered the most fertile group on a dairy, which can lead to a more relaxed approach to their reproductive management. In many operations, protocols are minimal or absent, sometimes limited to occasional hormone treatments or reliance on visual heat detection.

However, this mindset can be misleading. While individual heifers may have high fertility, overall system performance still depends on consistency and timing. Missed heats, delayed inseminations, or long intervals to conception can quickly increase costs.

One of the largest expenses in raising heifers is feed, which accumulates daily. Unlike more visible costs, feed expenses can go unnoticed, yet they have a significant impact on profitability. Each additional day a heifer remains open increases total raising costs, making reproductive efficiency a key driver of financial performance.

With fewer replacement heifers available, every breeding decision becomes more critical. Ensuring that animals conceive promptly is no longer optional. It is essential.

To improve consistency and reduce reliance on heat detection, many farms have adopted estrus synchronization programs combined with timed A.I. protocols. These programs have become increasingly common due to their ability to improve breeding efficiency.

Programs such as the five-day controlled internal drug release (CIDR) method are widely used as a starting point for heifers. Other approaches, including those using melengestrol acetate (MGA), have also regained attention as viable options.

These programs do not eliminate the need for estrus detection, but they ensure that all heifers enrolled can be inseminated at the end of the program. This guarantees an earlier first service compared to relying on estrus detection alone. In addition, they help concentrate estrus activity for non-pregnant heifers, making it easier to detect returns approximately 18 to 24 days after the first insemination.

Regardless of the specific program, the primary goal remains the same: Increase insemination rate and ensure that more heifers are bred at the right time.

Insemination rate is one of the most important factors influencing reproductive success. Traditional approaches that rely solely on heat detection or minimal hormonal intervention typically result in insemination rates around 50%. In contrast, implementing the protocols listed above for first service can increase this rate to approximately 80%.

This improvement has a direct impact on days open and, ultimately, age at first calving. By ensuring that more heifers are inseminated promptly, farms can maintain tighter control over their reproductive timeline.

A useful way to think about this is to manage heifers similarly to lactating cows. Just as cows have a defined voluntary waiting period, heifers should be bred as soon as they reach the appropriate age, bodyweight and structural development. Delaying breeding beyond this point only adds unnecessary feed cost without necessarily improving outcomes.

While sexed semen offers clear advantages, its use in heifers requires careful management. Many farms apply the same strategies used for conventional semen, which can lead to suboptimal results.

Sexed semen is more sensitive to timing and requires greater precision during insemination. If not managed correctly, conception rates may be lower than expected. This makes it even more important to combine sexed semen with well-designed synchronization programs and proper ex*****on.

One of the most common concerns about synchronization programs is their initial cost. Simpler approaches, such as relying on natural estrus, may appear more economical at first glance. However, focusing only on the cost of the program can be misleading.

The true economic driver in heifer reproduction is the total number of days on feed. Since feed represents the largest expense in raising heifers, reducing the time required to achieve pregnancy can generate significant savings.

Comparisons between minimal intervention strategies and more intensive synchronization programs illustrate this point. Although advanced programs have higher initial costs, they often result in earlier insemination and faster conception. This reduction in days open translates into lower feed expenses and improved overall profitability.

In many cases, the savings in feed costs more than offset the additional investment in reproductive programs. A more proactive approach to heifer breeding can yield better financial outcomes.

For many producers, the challenge lies in reframing how reproductive costs are viewed. Instead of seeing synchronization programs as an expense, they should be considered an investment in efficiency and future performance.

This shift in perspective is especially important as herds rely on fewer replacement heifers. Each animal represents a greater portion of the herd’s future, making it critical to maximize its potential.

Heifers are sometimes overlooked because they are not yet contributing to milk production. However, their long-term impact on the herd is substantial. Proper management during this stage sets the foundation for future success.

The decline in replacement heifer numbers has fundamentally changed how dairy farms must approach heifer management. With fewer animals available, the importance of getting each one pregnant at the right time has never been greater.

By focusing on timely breeding, increasing insemination rates and viewing reproductive programs as investments rather than expenses, farms can improve both efficiency and profitability. In today’s environment, one of the easiest opportunities on many dairies lies in optimizing the performance of replacement heifers, ensuring that each animal enters the milking herd at the right time while minimizing overall raising costs.

04/06/2026

Ultrasonography in calves
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains one of the most common and costly health challenges in preweaned dairy calves. The challenge is that many cases develop long before calves show visible symptoms.

“By the time calves show obvious clinical signs of respiratory disease, lung damage may already be present.

That’s why tools that help us detect pneumonia earlier can make a big difference in calf health and long-term performance.”

Traditional diagnosis relies on symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, or elevated temperature. But these signs often appear late in the disease process. In many cases, calves may look completely healthy while still carrying lung infections.
This form of illness, known as subclinical pneumonia, can reduce growth, feed efficiency and even future milk production.

“The lungs can really act as an indicator organ “Respiratory disease often reflects larger management challenges, such as poor colostrum intake, nutrition issues, or environmental stress.”

Research has shown that pneumonia often develops days before visible symptoms appear.

Ultrasound allows us to see what’s happening inside the lung tissue, even when the calf looks normal from the outside,” In many cases, pneumonia can be present for days before any clinical signs appear.”

Studies suggest that 50% to 80% of pneumonia cases may remain subclinical for 7 to 14 days before producers notice symptoms. That delay can allow lung damage to progress before treatment begins.

“Sometimes calves with severe pneumonia don’t show obvious symptoms,” Bjurstrom says. “But an ultrasound exam can reveal lung lesions that tell us the disease is already present.”

Lung ultrasonography allows veterinarians to examine calf lungs in real time using portable ultrasound equipment.

A normal lung appears air-filled on the scan and produces horizontal white lines that move with each breath. These lines indicate healthy lung tissue.

Changes in the image can reveal early disease.

More advanced disease appears as lung consolidation, where portions of the lung fill with inflammatory material instead of air. On ultrasound, these areas appear as solid gray regions.

Veterinarians often use a 0 to 5 lung scoring system to evaluate severity.

“This scoring system helps identify disease before calves begin coughing or showing nasal discharge. Early detection allows for earlier treatment and better outcomes.”

Early detection can also make treatment more effective.

“When pneumonia is caught earlier, treatment tends to work better. We’re able to intervene before the disease becomes severe and causes permanent lung damage.”

Ultrasound can also help veterinarians monitor recovery.

24/05/2026

A cow with a dropped udder, uneven teat placement or chronically rough teat ends often becomes “that mastitis cow” long before she leaves the herd. You may notice her first in the parlor through slow milkouts, liner slips, dirty udders or repeated flare-ups, but the real issue often started much earlier.

Udder structure has largely been discussed through the lens of genetics, classification scores or showring appearance. Udder anatomy directly affects pathogen exposure, milking efficiency and infection risk.

“Each teat has its own set of glandular tissue. “That’s why we have mastitis only affecting maybe one quarter most of the time.”

Every quarter essentially functions as its own individual unit. When a teat end becomes compromised through trauma, poor placement, overmilking or environmental exposure, the localized risk escalates quickly.

How Teat-End Damage Increases Mastitis Risk in Dairy Cows
Mastitis detection and prevention was the focus scussing mastitis, we generally focus on pathogens, treatment protocols and milk cultures. However, before bacteria can cause mastitis, they first have to gain access to the mammary gland.

“The only way that anything can get into the udder is through blood barriers and the teat end,”

That makes teat-end integrity one of the most important components of mastitis prevention.

After milking, the teat canal remains temporarily open before closing again. This is a significant opportunity for infection. During that window, teat-end condition is very important. Rough teat ends, hyperkeratosis, liner slips, overmilking and vacuum fluctuations all increase the likelihood of damage to the teat sphincter.

“If we damage that protective sphincter, we’re going to see mastitis cases increase,

Teat-end scoring can offer valuable insight into whether a herd’s milking routine is protecting or damaging that first barrier of defense. Chronic rough teat ends are often an early warning sign that milking procedures, equipment settings or unit alignment need to be checked.

Why Udder Attachment and Teat Placement Affect Cow Longevity
Udder depth and medial suspensory ligament strength directly shape how much environmental exposure the udder experiences every day. This ligament divides the udder halves as well as holds up the udder floor.

As the medial suspensory ligament weakens, udders hang lower and teat placement shifts. Teats become more vulnerable to manure contamination, mud exposure and physical trauma. Milking unit alignment also becomes more difficult, increasing liner slips and incomplete milkout.

“If we lose that support, the cow will not likely have longevity within the herd.

The challenge is that no amount of excellent management fully eliminates the structural disadvantage.

“Even if our barn is the cleanest possible, if our udder structure is poor, we’re still going to have increased incidences of mastitis.

That does not mean environment and management are unimportant. In fact, the opposite is true. Structural weaknesses amplify environmental risk. A deep udder in wet bedding is exposed to far more bacterial pressure than a tightly attached udder in the exact same pen.

How Bedding Cleanliness and Barn Hygiene Influence Mastitis Pressure
While anatomy plays a major role, Powers repeatedly emphasizes the importance of environmental management.

“If you’re not willing to lay in their bedding, you probably shouldn’t have them laying in it either,

Clean, dry, comfortable housing remains one of the most practical mastitis prevention tools available. Wet bedding, muddy lots, poor drainage and manure contamination all increase bacterial exposure at the teat end.

That environmental pressure becomes even more important during stressful periods such as calving, freshening or heat stress, when immune defenses may already be compromised.

“A poor nutritional plane means we’re not going to be able to fight off infection as well.

Nutrition, stress management and housing quality all influence immune resilience. Even well-conformed cows become vulnerable when environmental and immune pressures stack together.

What to Evaluate for Mastitis Prevention
Mastitis prevention starts long before clinical signs appear. Mastitis is not simply a bacteria problem. It is an anatomy problem, a management problem, an environmental problem and, often, a consistency problem.

This means herd mastitis investigations may benefit from looking beyond cultures and treatment protocols alone. Teat placement, udder depth, teat-end condition, stall cleanliness, milking routine consistency and replacement-heifer selection can all shape future mastitis risk.

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