“I WANT TO HAVE HEALTHY COWS THAT I DON’T HAVE TO GIVE ANTIBIOTICS TO”
David Goodrich
At Goodrich Cylon Dairy in New Richmond, Wisconsin, cow health is more than a priority, it’s a legacy. For six generations, the Goodrich family has raised their 1,200 cross-bred cows with a clear goal: keeping them healthy without relying on antibiotics. “Our drug usage is very low around here,” says David Goodrich. “With our cross-bred herd—mostly German Fleckvieh, Montbéliarde, and Holstein—we rarely see milk fever or ketosis.”
A Smarter Approach to Cow Care
David’s journey with AHV began with a simple introduction from local representative Matt Linehan. “We started using the pills on cows that were off feed or had mild mastitis. It worked well, so we kept going.” Today, AHV’s three-pill series (Metri, Aspi, Quick) is used for cows with twins or high cell counts. “We saw half of those cows return to normal the next month—without conventional treatments.”
Transforming Dry Cow Management with StopLac
One of the biggest shifts came with the adoption of AHV StopLac for dry cows. Since December, every cow has received it. “I haven’t seen any increase in cell counts or fresh cow mastitis. In fact, I think tubes and sealants may have caused more issues.” The new process is also more efficient. “It doesn’t take more time than tubes and sealants—actually, it cuts a step out. Our team doesn’t have to handle cows twice in the parlor anymore.”
Efficiency, Economics, and Long-Term Health
David notes that the cost of StopLac is nearly equal to traditional methods, but with fewer problems. “In the long run, it’s more economic.” He’s also adjusted his dry-off strategy for two-year-olds, drying them earlier to boost second-lactation milk production. “I haven’t had any issues with high-producing cows leaking or developing problems.”
With fewer health issues, lower cell counts, and a streamlined workflow, Goodrich Cylon Dairy is showing that better cow health doesn’t require antibiotics or complexity. “I want healthy cows that I don’t have to give antibiotics to,” David says. Thanks to AHV, that vision is now a reality.
Talk to Matt Linehan
