Health Programs for Productivity Using Bovine Somatotropin (BST)

Abstract

Production medicine programs for Bovine Somatotropin (BST)-treated herds will be similar to programs in high producing herds. Veterinary activities will include reproductive health, nutrition, udder health and production monitoring services. Available research data indicate little effect on cow health or fertility in animals receiving BST at efficacious levels. Primary concerns are maintaining/restoring body condition, reproduction management options and consumer/marketing issues. This presentation will briefly discuss disease effects other than those associated with nutrition, reproduction and udder health, outline possible treatment strategies, describe dry cow and fresh cow management for BST treated herds and present a rationale for on-line production monitoring.