Effect of participation by veterinarians in a dairy production medicine continuing education course on management practices and performance of client herds

Abstract

Objective: To determine what effect participation by veterinarians in a dairy production medicine continuing education course would have on herd performance and management practices of client herds.

Design: Cohort study.

Sample population: 56 dairy herds for which health services were provided by veterinarians enrolled in a dairy production medicine continuing education program (treatment herds) and 97 dairy herds for which health services were provided by veterinarians not enrolled in the program (control herds).

Procedure: Management practices were evaluated every year for 4 years (1991 through 1994) by mail questionnaire. Herd performance was evaluated by reviewing Dairy Herd Improvement Association records.

Results: Mean age at first calving for the treatment herds decreased by 2 months over the course of the study. At the end of the study, treatment herds were 3 times more likely to review herd performance with their veterinarian and monitor heifer growth, and 2 times more likely to set goals and conduct adequate estrus detection than were control herds.

Clinical implications: Effective professional continuing education in production medicine can have a positive impact on health and performance of client herds.