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This comprehensive book integrates new technology and concepts that have been developed in recent years to manage dairy farms in a profitable manner. The approach to the production of livestock and quality milk is multidisciplinary, involving nutrition, reproduction, clinical medicine, genetics, pathology, epidemiology, human resource management and economics. The book is structured by the production cycle of the dairy cow covering critical points in cow management. Written and edited by highly respected experts, this book provides a thoroughly modern and up-to-date resource for all those involved in the dairy industry.

The rearing of young stock until calving is often neglected on dairy farms, compared to the management of adult cattle. It is often not realized that young stock represent a critical investment in the future of the dairy farm and that sufficient attention should be paid to the rearing period to safeguard that investment and to gain efficiency. Optimal weight gain and health during rearing are essential. The ultimate goals are that the heifer, after her first calving, enters into milk production to her fullest genetic potential and that she will have an optimal health and longevity in the herd. A population medicine approach is used to focus on healthy animals which bring profit rather than costs. Practical tools are provided to manage the complexity of young stock rearing. This approach provides the farmer with structure, planning, organisation and coaching. Risk identification and risk management, like in bio-security and in quality risk management, are key aspects of the population medicine approach. Practical examples are added to illustrate the points. Finally, a section on diseases in young stock is added as a quick reference guide. This book is a valuable reference for practising veterinarians, herd health practitioners, extension officers and other farm advisors, as well as dairy farmers.