An international team of researchers have demonstrated that feeding a compound known as 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) could reduce ruminant methane emissions without any apparent negative effects.
There is no shortage of doom and gloom about grain price prospects at the present time. Prices have indeed fallen to quite low levels compared to the high prices that occurred over much of 2008-2013. For some, this is p
The use of baleage for forage preservation has gained considerable popularity in recent years according to Ted Probert, a dairy specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
Everything seems to cost a little more these days. Just ask developers of crop chemicals. Getting a product to market is now more costly than it has ever been.
Alfalfa producers should plan to use commercial fertilizer to supply nutrients on a consistent basis, according to advice from Dirk Philipp, a forages faculty member at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agri
Are you ready for your first silage cutting? Review the process and what you should be doing right now to prepare because it'll be here before you know it.
If you are considering round bales for silage storage, here's a listing of the pros and cons to consider. Also get tips on when to cut and how to minimize losses when feeding.
Water is a continuous concern for dairy producers, whether used for cows or crops, and management information was shared with those attending the recent High Plains Dairy Conference in Lubbock, Texas.
A major cause of dry matter (DM) loss in silage is deterioration of readily available carbohydrates by aerobic microorganisms. That can result from a too-loose pack or from a feed-out face that is too large.
Is pasteurized waste milk a cost-effective source of calf nutrition? How much does herd size influence the economics of purchasing a waste-milk pasteurization system? Is it ever economically advantageous to feed whole,
Livestock feed contaminated with mycotoxins, pesticides, excessive minerals or other toxins can present a hazard to animals or to people who consume meat, milk or eggs from exposed animals.
To GMO or not GMO - that is the question on many farmers minds in 2016. The prospect of reduced input costs and potential for premium can be tantalizing, but is the risk of possible lower yields worth it?
Last month we explained the importance of taking time to observe dairy cows because it provides clues to the quality of the nutrition program. Today we will review how to analyze milk production records that can also gi
The potential imbalance between supply and needs in high-producing cows increases the likelihood that cows will respond to Bvitamin supplementation. A better understanding of dietary factors driving ruminal synthesis of
A. There is growing interest in possible yield/quality differences between bm-1 and bm-3 genotypes. In 2015, the Miner Institute conducted a trial to assess yield and quality of brown midrib (BMR) and non-BMR hybrids. T
Forages continue to the backbone of most dairy rations. But, forage quantity and quality can be variable and must be considered when building rations in 2016.
The markets hinge on weather. Depending on rain, drought, temperatures, sunshine and more, farmers could grow another record crop in 2016 or yields could be dismal. Which will it be?
Now that crops are in storage it's time to plan the forage utilization for 2016. It is tempting to rely on previous experience in determining forage needs. However, this can lead to some costly management mistakes
Matching nutrient requirements with nutrient supply is essential for maximizing feed efficiency in dairy farming systems. To accomplish this, feeding a consistent and homogeneous ration is critical. In Summer 2015, the
University of Michigan Extension educator Frank Wardynski compares the economics of raising dairy steer calves on three different preweaning nutrition programs: conventional, accelerated and early weaning. The most prof
The Dairy One Forage Lab collaborated with Allenwaite Farm in Schaghticoke, N.Y., to conduct a 12-week study feeding Shredlage® versus conventionally processed corn silage. One objective of the project was to help de
Short-season forages provide dairy producers an excellent opportunity to supplement forage supplies when needed during specific seasons, while adding flexibility to forage production systems. Options depend on the time
The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of different dry cow feeding strategies on glucose tolerance and on resting concentrations of blood glucose, glucagon, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA
Understanding the importance of physically effective fiber and knowing how to measure it accurately can be very helpful in managing high producing cows to avoid sub-acute ruminal acidosis and its negative impact on heal
Scientists are working to bring that cost down by combining genomics and nutrition science in an effort to breed cows that require less food to produce the same volume of milk.
Pricing a commodity only on nutrient content does not consider the real cost of feeding a commodity and the lingering effect on the dairy’s total feed cost.
Feeding adequate quantities of high quality colostrum shortly after birth to newborn calves is critical to achieving passive immunoglobulin transfer from dam to calf.
Over the past few years, the dairy industry has made it a priority to feed higher forage diets with a correct balance of amino acids and an accurate ratio of lysine to methionine.
