Dairy calving management: Description and assessment of a training program for dairy personnel

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive calving management program designed to enhance the flow of applied, research-based, calving information to dairy personnel. Calving personnel (n=70), serving an estimated 18,100 cows from 18 Ohio dairies, attended the calving management program (∼1h of training and ∼2h of demonstration). Description of the birth canal, behavioral signs of normal parturition (stages I to III), dystocia (presentations, positions, and postures), hygiene practices during the assistance procedure, strategies for intervention (when and how to intervene), record-keeping, communication (when to call for help), and newborn care were discussed. Posttraining follow-ups (2/yr) were available for participating personnel. Educational materials were delivered through lectures followed by group discussions and hands-on demonstrations. Attendees were assessed using pre- and posttests of knowledge to determine the level of knowledge gained during the training program. Participants evaluated the program and provided feedback at the conclusion of the program. Dairy personnel reported that the overall program, presentations, and discussions were useful. The presented materials and demonstrations substantially increased the knowledge level of the attendees by 20.9 percentage points from pre- to posttest scores. Importance of open communication within the farm team, recognizing the landmarks for parturition, signs of calving progress, reference times for intervention, hygiene practices at calving, and strategies to correct abnormal presentation, position, or posture were listed as learned concepts with immediate field application. The follow-up assessment with participant personnel revealed that they were able to implement and apply their learned skills, communicate calving records with the farm team, and follow written calving protocols. Results indicated that the workshop was relevant and effective, offering information with immediate field application.

Assessment of calving progress and reference times for obstetric intervention during dystocia in Holstein dairy cows

“…For cows that need assistance at birth, timed intervention may reduce the negative effects of dystocia (e.g., due to increased calf birth weight or malpositions) on stillbirths, as observed in this study and elsewhere (Johanson and Berger, 2003). An intervention 60 min after the AS appearance outside the vulva reduced the proportion of stillbirths (by 9 percentage points; from 15.5 to 6.5%), at least in part for those cows that needed light assistance at birth (Schuenemann et al, 2011). In this study, intervention was provided approximately 80 min after AS appearance.…”

“…Hands-on demonstrations should always be available immediately after instruction not only to highlight key learning objectives, but also to provide critical feedback to participants and to make any necessary clarification. Dairy personnel have expressed strong support for these learning methodologies (Schuenemann et al, 2011).…”

Economic comparison of reproductive programs for dairy herds using estrus detection, timed artificial insemination, or a combination

“…Cows in the TAI group were re-enrolled in the Ovsynch after nonpregnancy diagnosis at 91 or 200 d after AI. Stillbirth probability was set at 6.5% according to previous reports (Bicalho et al, 2008;Schuenemann et al, 2011).…”

Prediction of parturition in Holstein dairy cattle using electronic data loggers

“…In an ideal situation, calving personnel would monitor prepartum cows around the clock (24 h, 7 d per week) at regular intervals. In practice, however, the frequency of observation (calving personnel walking the pen and actually observing cows every 1 h) is critical to determine the onset of the AS or feet of the calf outside the vulva and to identify cows in need of assistance (dystocia; Schuenemann et al, 2013) that likely results in stillbirth (Hunter et al, 2013). Therefore, development of monitoring systems that can predict calving time before the appearance of imminent signs of birth (AS or feet of the calf) would enable dairy producers and their personnel to implement a precision calving management program to help reduce undesirable calving-related events such as stillbirth due to late or no interventions.…”