Planning Dairy Animal Well-Being: Managing The Down Cow

Management of the down cow is a crucial role on the farm.  As employers and managers, we need to set our employees up for success when responding to a down cow.  Employees need to have clear expectations of their job as well as written protocols and standard operating procedures.

 

A farm’s animal well-being plan must include how to care for these animals and, in the rare situations when the animal is compromised, individuals on the farm must know how to respond appropriately, with the animal’s best interest in mind.  Plans should include how to handle the down animal and implement the treatment plan. Plans should be written down and accessible to all individuals.  Primary caretakers should be trained in proper animal handling.

 

In the factsheet, Planning Dairy Animal Well-Being: Managing the Down Cow, UW-Extension Taylor County Agriculture Agent Sandy Stuttgen addresses how to:

 

Video: CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

In this CEOs of the Industry – International Edition, we sit down with Michael Agerley, Partner at IQinAbox, to explore how data is reshaping the future of pig production.

After more than 20 years as a veterinarian, Michael shares his unique perspective on the shift from hands-on animal care to data-driven decision making across the pork value chain.

We dive into:

• How better data is improving real on-farm decisions

• The biggest opportunities still untapped in pig production

• How Europe is leading (and where it’s still lagging) in tech adoption

• The role of AI and smart systems in the next 5–10 years

• Why trust, leadership, and practical application matter more than ever

This conversation bridges veterinary insight, technology, and real-world farming, offering a clear look at where the industry is headed—and what it will take to get there.