Managing transition cows is the one of the most important, but under utilized aspect on dairy farms across the United States. Getting fresh cows off to a healthy start after calving is critical to achieving high milk production, getting cow rebred, and avoiding metabolic disorders. A well management transition cow program (starting three weeks prepartum to three weeks postpartum) can increase milk production 1200 pounds or more while reducing milk fever to less than 5 percent, displaced abomasums to under 3 percent, and ketosis to less than 2 percent.

To assist dairy managers, veterinarians, nutritionists, consultants, and educators; the Four State Dairy Extension Group (University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin, Iowa State University, and University of Minnesota) and Monsanto Dairy co-sponsored and developed a CD ROM providing state-of-the-art and cutting edge information on managing transition cow allowing them reach their genetic potential.

Over eight hours of lecture and listening time with Power Point visuals and streaming video can be studied at home or work. Listen to experts discuss nutrition, health, and housing areas plus cow side techniques to monitor and evaluate results (tool box section). The CD ROM contains 48 modules ranging from 8 to 19 minutes in length. A list of topics and speaker are listed below. To order a CD ROM, contact:

University of Illinois Academic Outreach
http://www.outreach.uiuc.edu/cdorders/
217-244-9058 (phone), 217-333-0972 (fax)

Credit card orders are accepted (each CD ROM is $25 in U.S. or $40 for foreign delivery).

For technical details, contact the University of Illinois Dairy Extension Office at: 258 A.S.L., 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; 217-333-2624 (phone); or 217-333-7088 (fax), hutjensm@uiuc.edu