However, the silage loaded into the mixer wagon may be significantly wetter or dryer than when sampled for forage analysis. Sanitation Simple sanitation is the key to prevention and control of mastitis. Keep cows out of mud and manure. Milk a clean dry udder. Unless you are using a timed breeding program or a natural service sire, heat detection is the most important reproductive herd management practice.
Many aids are available, but nothing beats watching cows at least twice a day every day.
The time spent watching cows for heat often reveals other management deficiencies. Nutrition Barriers to feed availability Feed availability influences dry matter intake. In fact, feeding and management practices account for about 22 percent of the variability in a cow's dry matter intake. Time spent at management rails. Group management Feeding management.