Cows send out signals continuously about their health, well-being, nutrition, and production. The challenge for the dairy farmer is how to interpret these signals and use them. Dutch vet and cow enthusiast Jan Hulsen has drawn on his expertise and wide experience of cows and dairy farmers to write Cow Signals: a richly illustrated farmer s guide on how to interpret the behaviour, posture and physical characteristics of groups of cows and individual animals.

Not knowing something is forgivable. But not seeing something is stupid .

A farmer

When observing cows it is important not to jump to conclusions immediately, but instead always to ask yourself three questions: What do I see? Why has this happened? What does this mean? For example, a lump on a cow s shoulder says something about the feed barrier, while cows standing in cubicles is a sign of mediocre cubicle comfort. Armed with information like this, you can take appropriate remedial action. If you know what to look for, you can pick up the signals everywhere and any time. Cow Signals will show you how.