Nebraska dairy producers are being urged to strictly adhere to their operations’ biosecurity measures due to health concerns coming from lactating dairy cows in Texas.
The Nebraska State Dairy Association (NSDA) and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture issued a statement on Tuesday to producers.
“Currently, we recommend adhering strictly to your biosecurity practices and quarantining new animals into the herd for 30 days if possible,” the statement read.
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) said clinical signs of the health issues include:
- decreased herd level milk production
- acute sudden drop in production with some severely impacted cows experiencing thicker, concentrated, colostrum like milk
- decrease in feed consumption with a simultaneous drop in rumen motility
- abnormal tacky or loose feces
- Fever
NDA and NSDA said at this time, it appears the illness only affects lactating dairy cows and is not being seen in other segments of the cattle industry. Epidemiology and diagnostics are ongoing, but so far, no causative agent has been identified.
TAHC said impacted herds have reported older cows in mid-lactation may be more likely to be severely impacted than younger cows and fresh cows or heifers. Dry cows and heifers do not appear to be affected. In addition, some herds have reported pneumonia and clinical mastitis cases as secondary sequelae.
If you notice signs compatible with those listed, contact your herd veterinarian and Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
