Transition Cow Index™

Authors

  • Ken Nordlund Department of Medical Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20064694

Keywords:

Transition Cow Index, cow management, milk yield, fresh cow disease

Abstract

A tool called the Transition Cow Index (TCI) has been developed to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of transition cow management at the herd level. Fourteen factors from the historical Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) record of each individual cow are used to predict her milk yield and projection at her first test date, a date that frequently overlaps with fresh cow disease periods. Deviations from her expected milk yield are calculated and used at the herd level to evaluate the overall effectiveness of transition cow management programs. TCI offers dairy managers and consultants an objective tool to benchmark current programs and monitor the effectiveness of interventions.

Author Biography

Ken Nordlund, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706

Clinical Professor

Cover image of the 39th Conference Proceedings: Three calves lying down in a pasture next to a white fence. Behind them, a rainbow spans over the distant hills. Yellow background.

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Published

2006-09-21

Issue

2006

Section

Dairy Sessions

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