Mabton, Washington – Managing cow health consistently on a large-scale dairy operation is no small task. For Lash Legacy Dairy, a rapidly growing operation now milking around 4,000 cows, standardizing protocols, improving labor efficiency, and reducing reliance on antibiotics have become essential priorities.

According to Kaleb Whitby of Lash Legacy Dairy, the journey started with a familiar challenge for many dairies: inconsistency in hospital protocols and cows spending extended time in treatment pens due to antibiotic withdrawal periods.

“We were running into situations where cows would stay in the hospital for a long time because they had to clear antibiotics,” Whitby explains. “Then you’re retreating, retreating, and there’s no real consistency in protocol.”

From Reactive to Proactive Dairy Health Management 

Lash Legacy Dairy set out to build a clear, repeatable protocol that could be applied consistently across their growing herd. The goal was not only to reduce antibiotic use when possible, but also to support cows’ natural ability to handle health challenges, streamline daily routines, and keep milk flowing efficiently through the parlor.

“We wanted something we could say: this is the protocol, this is why we’re doing it, and this is how it supports the cow,” Whitby says.

After testing their approach on a smaller dairy with positive results, the team implemented the same strategy at scale. Combined with targeted genetics, animal handling, and refined management practices, the program helped simplify hospital workflows and reduce time-consuming treatments.

UDDER and Fresh Cow Support Without Disrupting the Parlor 

A key part of Lash Legacy Dairy’s protocol includes AHV solutions such as Quick, Extra, Aspi, and the Metri Bolus, each used at critical moments in the lactation cycle.

• Quick, Extra, and Aspi Bolus are primarily used for udder health, helping the team manage bacterial issues without automatically resorting to intramammary antibiotic treatments.
• The Metri Bolus is administered right after calving to support cows during the fresh period and help them transition smoothly into early lactation.

“For mastitis cases, not every cow has to be pulled out of the parlor,” Whitby explains. “Timing and ease of use are huge benefits. It gives us more options instead of jumping straight to tubes.”

This approach has helped Lash Legacy Dairy create a more flexible and preventive mastitis management strategy, while keeping cows productive and minimizing disruptions to daily routines.

Rethinking Dry-Off with StopLac 

Dry-off was another area where Lash Legacy Dairy saw significant opportunity for improvement. Traditional dry-off protocols often required pulling cows, administering tubes, managing withdrawal periods, and slowing down parlor throughput.

“With tubes, you’re talking about beef withdrawal, extra labor, and 45 minutes to an hour where the parlor isn’t milking 500 cows,” says Whitby.

By introducing AHV StopLac, the team was able to streamline the process. Cows receive StopLac after their final milking, are moved to a separate pen, and are supported through a natural reduction in milk production.

“It keeps everything moving fast for the guys, it’s easier on the cows, and it reduces stress going into the dry period,” Whitby notes.

While Lash Legacy Dairy continues to refine how StopLac best fits into their dry-off program, early results show improved cow comfort, better labor efficiency, and sustained milk throughput.

Supporting Fresh Cows Through Transition 

Fresh cow performance is a critical indicator of long-term success. Whitby highlights that the combination of Metri Bolus use and improved management has helped cows handle the transition from calving to higher milking frequencies more smoothly.

“Cows are eating well in the fresh pen, moving on to the next groups, and handling that jump to being milked four times a day,” he says.

The result has been a more controlled fresh period and fewer recurring issues that previously required repeated antibiotic treatments.

Building Confidence Through Science and Transparency 

Whitby’s confidence in AHV solutions was further strengthened after visiting AHV headquarters in the Netherlands, where he saw the full journey from scientific concept to production and packaging.

“It was valuable to see everything under one roof—research, microbiology, production,” he explains. “It gave real credibility to the technology and the direction it’s going.”

A Tool for Progressive Dairy Producers 

With increasing scrutiny around antibiotic use in dairy farming, Lash Legacy Dairy sees AHV solutions as an important addition to their toolbox.

“It doesn’t replace everything,” Whitby emphasizes. “But it gives progressive producers options—to prepare the cow, support her immune response, and move away from always being reactive.”

For dairies looking to standardize protocols, improve labor efficiency, and support cow performance at scale, Lash Legacy Dairy’s experience shows how a preventive, protocol-driven approach can make a measurable difference.

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