At Van der Hoek Dairies in California, efficiency and cow health go hand in hand. For dairy farmer Hans van der Hoek, working with AHV has helped simplify udder health management, reduce concerns around residues, and support cows he believes are worth keeping in the herd.

“Right away, the thing I liked the most was starting with the udder protocol,” Hans explains. Even in cases of subclinical issues—when symptoms aren’t always obvious—he noticed cows responding quickly. “Sometimes the guys pull a cow and can’t figure out which teat has mastitis. With the pills, it doesn’t matter which one.”

That simplicity has made a real difference on-farm. According to Hans, cows can often return to the milking line faster, without extended time in the hospital pen. And when tough decisions need to be made, the process is more straightforward. “If we decide to cull the cow, we can do that much faster too.”

No Residues, More Flexibility

A key advantage for Hans is peace of mind. AHV’s approach means no concerns about milk residues, which adds flexibility to daily decision-making.

“We don’t have to worry about any type of residue or anything like that,” he says. As a result, van der Hoek Dairies is treating fewer cows overall. Instead, the focus is on investing in animals that have long-term value in the herd. “The ones that I want to keep—the ones worth investing in—this helps keep them around.”

A Smoother Dry Period and Fresher Starts

Hans has also seen benefits from using AHV StopLac. He notes that cows seem to dry off more effectively, with udders shrinking well during the dry period. When cows return after calving, restarting milk production appears easier.

“Even if they calve earlier or abort the calf, we can just start milking them right away because there are no residues to worry about.”

Perhaps most importantly, Hans has observed fewer mastitis challenges at freshening. “We’ve noticed that there’s less mastitis coming in when they freshen.”

Practical Support for Real-World Dairying

For Hans van der Hoek, AHV fits into a practical, results-driven dairy management style—supporting cow health while keeping operations efficient and flexible.

“Much easier,” he sums it up simply.

HANS IS USING: