D A Moore1, W M Sischo, L J Hutchinson. 1. Department of Veterinary Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.
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.
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.
Authors: Alda F A Pires; Amos Peterson; Jerome N Baron; Ragan Adams; Beatriz Martínez-López; Dale Moore Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-02-14 Impact factor: 3.240