IN BRIEF

7 March 1997

IN BRIEF

BULK milk urea measurements have little, if any, value in assessing the causes of poor dairy cow fertility.

Vet David Whitaker, of the Dalgety dairy herd health and productivity service, says that at best, bulk milk ureas are a diversion and at worst, they may cause costly feeding and management mistakes.

He claims US research shows no link between high milk ureas and low conception rates. "The trials showed the opposite, with the highest conception rates in cows with the highest milk ureas," he says.