Select Sires

Sleeping on the Job - Managing Cows' Healthcare and Environmental Needs
Transcript of Select Sires' Reproductive Moment Program
on DairyLine Radio, Which Aired Dec. 26, 2002
with Mel DeJarnette, reproductive specialist,
Select Sires Inc.

This week’s Reproductive Moment is with Select Sires’ Mel DeJarnette, and Mel, you are continuing your series on Sleeping On The Job with your cow as your employee and how we need to pay them.

Thanks, Bill. In the previous segments we discussed that bovine employees require their pay in advance if you want good job performance from them. Bovine employee compensation is primarily in the form of nutrition. However, they also have demands for healthcare and for a safe clean working environment. So those are the issues we are going to focus on today.

When employees, human or bovine, don’t feel well, they are going to be less productive, if they show up for work at all. As we discussed last week, the nutritional compensation cows receive is essential to keep them healthy and happy. But, they also have other healthcare demands as well. They have very intensive demands in terms of maternity care. First, they demand a two-month vacation from lactation prior to calving. They demand special consideration of ration formulation during this period too, to prevent metabolic problems after calving. They demand to have a clean, comfortable area for calving and, although they don’t really want assistance, they demand to have a mid-wife check on them regularly just in case. This mid-wife must also observe the cows very closely for a couple of weeks after calving to watch for early signs of complications. This observation needs to be followed up with regular visits from the doctor or veterinarian to confirm that the recovery is proceeding normally. They demand a comprehensive vaccination program for all diseases relevant to the area, and new employee screenings for such diseases before being exposed to the rest of the group. Current employees should be provided sick leave away from the rest of the herd when necessary. Not meeting these demands could lead to the entire herd calling in sick one day, and basically a plant shut-down. Unlike with the airline pilots or the longshoremen, a call from the President is not likely to resolve matters when your bovine employees go on strike.

Your bovine employees demand a clean, safe working environment. Stalls must be of ample size to be comfortable, and bedding changed regularly to keep it clean and dry. Employees must have ample workspace, and overcrowding must be avoided. This is especially important during the summer months and in the cafeteria. Floors must be kept clean and dry as possible as well, not only to prevent hoof diseases, but also to provide a sound footing surface during that highly encouraged activity of romance in the workplace.

If you provide compensation, benefits packages and perks for your bovine employees, most will be productive and profitable employees. However, never forget they insist on being paid in advance. Performance today is a reflection of previous compensation.

Thank you, Mel. That is Mel DeJarnette, reproductive specialist with Select Sires.

Copyright 1996-2002 Select Sires Inc. Last updated 26-Dec-2002.

Select Sires Inc., 11740 U.S. 42 North, Plain City, Ohio 43064 / Phone: (614) 873-4683 Fax: (614) 873-5751