At Ned Tex Dairy in Stephenville, Texas, dairy farmer Roel Stoker has built over 40 years of experience managing a modern, high-performing operation. With around 1,000 cows—900 milked by robots and 100 in a conventional system—his focus is clear: optimize cow health, reduce stress, and maintain strong milk production. One solution that has made a noticeable difference is AHV’s StopLac.

High Production, High Expectations

Ned Tex Dairy operates a fully housed free-stall system with a total mixed ration (TMR). The herd achieves impressive production levels, with robotic milkers delivering an average of 93 to 94 pounds per cow. However, managing high-producing cows during the dry-off period has traditionally been a challenge—especially those producing 60 to over 100 pounds of milk daily.

The Dry-Off Challenge

Before using StopLac, Stoker and his team tried several methods to reduce milk production before drying off cows. These included lowering milking frequency—from three times to twice daily—and switching cows to dry cow feed. Despite these efforts, many cows continued to leak milk after milking stopped.

“Even after all that, once you stop milking them, they still leak,” Stoker explains. “It wasn’t eliminating the stress on the cows.”

Milk leakage during dry-off is more than an inconvenience—it can increase stress and raise the risk of udder health issues, such as mastitis.

StopLac: Fast, Effective, and Stress-Free

Since introducing StopLac, the process has changed dramatically at Ned Tex Dairy. According to Stoker, the results are immediate and consistent.

“When we give them the StopLac pills, they don’t leak anymore. They don’t seem stressed. Right away, their udder is basically dried up.”

Even for the highest-producing cows, leakage is minimal or eliminated entirely. This rapid dry-off significantly reduces stress during a critical transition period.

Benefits for Cow Health and Performance

Minimizing stress during the dry period has long-term benefits. Stoker notes that cows return to lactation in excellent condition and with fewer health issues.

“We see less stress in the dry pen. I think that shows up again when they come fresh,” he says. “You probably end up with less mastitis.”

In the past, cows treated with traditional dry-off methods could develop swollen quarters or infections, sometimes leading to permanent damage or culling. With StopLac, these issues have become far less common.

Moving Away from Antibiotics

One of the most significant advantages for Stoker is the reduction in antibiotic use. Ned Tex Dairy has eliminated routine antibiotic treatments during dry-off.

“We’ve eliminated all the antibiotics. If there is an issue, you can ship them right away without waiting for withdrawal periods.”

This approach not only supports responsible antibiotic use but also offers greater flexibility in herd management.

Ideal for Robotic Milking Systems

StopLac also integrates seamlessly with Ned Tex Dairy’s robotic milking setup. Previously, cows had to be moved to a parlor for treatment, which added stress and disrupted routines.

“Now we just milk them in the robot, lock them up, dry them off, and move them straight to the dry pen,” Stoker explains. “There’s no extra stress from moving them to a different area.”

This ease of use makes StopLac a practical solution for both robotic and conventional systems.

A Proven Solution for Modern Dairy Farming

For Roel Stoker, StopLac has become an essential tool in improving cow comfort, simplifying dry-off procedures, and supporting long-term herd health. By reducing stress, eliminating leakage, and minimizing antibiotic use, it offers clear benefits for progressive dairy operations.

Whether you’re managing a robotic dairy or a conventional herd, StopLac provides a reliable, efficient, and cow-friendly approach to dry-off.

Roel Stoker uses StopLac to dry-off cows