CSI-DAIRY A COW-SIDE INVESTIGATION INTO BOVINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE Numerous ‘culprits’ on dairy farms combine to rob herd performance and injure a dairy’s bottom line. Identifying and arresting the offend- er isn’t always easy. In this month’s investigation, a new diagnostic tool provides the evidence necessary to solve the case. By Dr. Tom Shelton FYI I Dr. Tom Shelton is a dairy technical services manager for Merck Animal Health. He lives in Utah and can be contacted at 208-867-3502 or tom.shelton@merck.com. pregnancy check at one of his larger clients. Dr. Smith met with Joe, the herdsman, on the 1,400-cow dairy. They happily discussed the farm’s successful pregnancy outcomes. With increasing reproduction rates and milk produc- tion, Joe commented that all was good on the operation. That is, with the exception of a few calves in the hutch that seemed “a little off.” The sun was out, and the prospect of warmer weather was around the corner. Dr. Smith started his day with a routine herd Physical evidence Dr. Smith went straight to the source – the Milk Your Ration for all it’s Worth. Maximize the Value of Your Feed with Levucell SC Rumen Specific Live Yeast ® Levucell SC has been Shown to… · · · · Increase Fiber Digestibility and Utilization Improve Average Rumen pH and pH Pattern Create a More Favorable Rumen Environment Increase Microbial Protein Production Which Can Lead To... ©2012. Levucell is a registered trademark of Lallemand Animal Nutrition. · · · · Increased Milk Yield and Milk Fat Improved Feed Efficiency and Feed Conversion A Positive Return on Investment (ROI) A More Favorable Income Over Feed Cost MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF YOUR FEED WITH LEVUCELL SC. For more information, call (800) 692-4700. LALLEMAND ANIMAL NUTRITION Tel: (800) 692-4700 | Email: LAN_NA@lallemand.com | www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com www.dairybusiness.com May 2012 EASTERNDAIRYBUSINESS 17