Research Nuggets http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets RSS Feed for Research Nuggets en-us Wed, 15 May 2013 18:02:40 GMT It pays to cool dry cows as they approach lactation http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/It-pays-to-cool-dry-cows-as-they-approach-next-lactation--207420951.html When dry cows are cooled with fans and sprinklers during warm weather, they produce more milk in their subsequent lactation, research has shown. Estimating DMI in dairy heifers http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/Estimating-DMI-in-dairy-heifers--207420641.html A recent study conducted by a research team at the University of Wisconsin evaluated dry-matter intake (DMI) in more than 9,000 dairy heifers. Right feed bunk design can reduce shrinkage http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/Right-feed-bunk-design-can-reduce-shrinkage--207420241.html Lowering feed shrinkage is an economic opportunity for dairies of every size. Does cooling improve transition into lactation? http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/Does-cooling-improve-transition-into-lactation-207419241.html Environmental factors, especially temperature and light exposure, influence the health and productivity of dairy cows during lactation, possibly via similar physiological mechanisms. Effect of heat stress during the dry period http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/Effect-of-heat-stress-during-the-dry-period-207418361.html Heat stress during the dry period negatively affects hepatic metabolism and cellular immune function during the transition period, and milk production in the subsequent lactation. Dried distillers grains are environmentally friendly http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/Dried-distillers-grains-are-environmentally-friendly--203394111.html Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) have become an important feed source in recent years. Besides their nutritional value, it appears that they have the potential to mitigate or reduce methane emissions from cows. When adding hay or straw, chop forage enough to minimize sorting http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/When-adding-hay-or-straw-for-effective-fiber-chop-forage-enough--203393901.html Penn State research suggests that when low-quality forage is added to the diet to achieve extra chewing or rumination, chopping it fine enough to minimize sorting will help cows to consume the amount of forage desired and still provide physically effective fiber. Effects of increasing amounts of corn DDGS with solubles http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/Effects-of-increasing-amounts-of-corn-DDGS-with-solubles-203393291.html The objective of this study was to examine the effects of including corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in the diet at the expense of corn and soybean meal on enteric CH4 emissions, ruminal fermentation characteristics, digestion (in sacco and apparent total-tract digestibility), N balance, and milk production of dairy cows. Canola meal affirmed http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/Canola-meal-affirmed--197985611.html Canola meal may be a better deal than people think. Keto-Test appropriate under a range of temperatures http://www.dairyherd.com/nutritionist-network/research-nuggets/Keto-Test-appropriate-under-a-range-of-temperatures-197985251.html The Keto-Test is an important tool for diagnosing ketosis in dairy cows.