Latest News From Nutrition

Importance of Forage Quality

Livestock production depends largely on the feeding program; and what you should feed your animals will depend on an analysis of the forage quality.

Fresh Cow Health is Among Top 10 Keys for Dairy Financial Success

Maintaining healthy fresh cows is among the top 10 most important factors that can impact a dairy operation’s financial performance.

Que este invierno las becerras sigan creciendo

For every 1° drop in temperature below 50° F, a calf requires 1 percent more energy.

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Heifers’ DMI Changes With Fiber Levels

New study sheds light on the dry matter intakes of heifers under commercial-rearing conditions.

Nutrition: Keep Calves Growing this Winter

For every 1° drop in temperature below 50° F, a calf requires 1 percent more energy.

It’s All About the Details: How Does Your Calf Feeding Program Measure Up?

With cold weather looming, calves energy requirements will be increasing greatly in the coming weeks. Calf starter consumption plays an important role in providing your calves with the energy they need, when they need it most.

Protecting Dairy Cattle Immune Function Is Critical During Transition Period

Nutritional and management practices can have a major impact on a dairy cow’s immune system during the transition period.

Dairy Producers Have ‘Collective Power’ to Grow Sales though their Checkoff Program

Dairy checkoff leader Tom Gallagher offers successful examples in global and domestic markets.

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Zinpro Corporation Introduces Availa-Plus

New research-proven product delivers nutritional solution to help manage digital dermatitis from the inside out for cattle.

Mycotoxins a Concern—Again

Testing and proper bunker management are critical to prevent contaminated feed.

Nutrition: Shredlage - What We Learned

The suggested roll settings on shredlage units are only starting points.

Innovative Feed Technology Helps Prevent SARA

Soaking barley and heating it at low temperature with lactic acid before it’s fed will prevent the common digestive disorder.

California Dairy Council Launches Common Sense Solutions to Implementing Common Core State Standards

Free K-8 nutrition curriculum also builds healthy eating habits.

Dealing with Prussic Acid in Sorghum and Sorghum-sudangrass

Grazing or feeding green sorghums, sudangrasses and sorghum-sudangrass crosses to cattle can be a bit worrisome because of the threat of prussic acid poisoning, but there are ways to mitigate that risk.

Heifer Costs Soar

Age at calving and the herd’s overall cull rate have a huge impact on heifer raising costs.

Troubleshoot Your TMR Mixer

After six months, don’t expect the wagon to perform like it did the day it arrived on the dairy.

Purina Launches HEIFERSMART® Feeds

These products have been developed to address the often overlooked nutritional needs of developing dairy heifers.

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Management of Fresh Dairy Cows Critical to Profitability

Feeding and management programs for dairy cows the first 2 to 4 weeks after calving have a direct and long-term impact on their health, milk production, and reproductive performance.

Purina Launches Improved AMPLI-Calf® Grower Feed

Feeding rates could be reduced by up to 20 percent (8 versus 10 pounds) while maintaining optimal weight gains.

Propel® Energy Plus Supplement Introduced

It helps lactating cows meet the energy demands of early lactation.

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Take Advantage of Second-Cutting Hay

Indiana's second hay cutting is lower yielding, but higher in nutritional value than the first. This can help cattle producers decide on a feeding program and supplement strategies.

For cows, less can be more

Cows fed reduced energy diets during dry period performed better after calving in Illinois study.

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New High-Energy Protein Ingredients for Weanling Pigs

The use of soybean meal in diets fed to weanling pigs is limited due to intolerance but there are other ingredients available to producers as well.

Top 5 Priorities for Fall/Winter Dairy Feeding Programs

Develop a plan for using homegrown forages and determine whether you need to purchase other forages.

Feed-O-Meter Feeding Behavior Monitoring System

System creates a 10-day behavior history measuring feeding behavior including visits to and total amount of time spent at the feed bunk.

Alfalfa Acres Up 2%

But total acreage of other hay is unchanged from a year ago.

Treadmill for Dry Cows?

Exercise helps fat mobilization and liver function.

University of Illinois Offers Two On-Line Dairy Classes

A third, in-person lab will be held on a farm near Madison, Wis. during World Dairy Expo week.

Sugar in Diets for Lactating Dairy Cows

Feeding additional sugar to lactating cows may result in improved feed efficiency and animal performance.

Dairyland Seed Introduces Third-Generation Alfalfa Hybrid

GEN-3 has been tested in 21 university state trials in seven states, showing a 12.3% yield advantage.

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6 Ways to Minimize Shrink Loss in Forage Storage Methods

A good silage management plan should take in consideration the following aspects to prevent forage shrink loss.

China Widens Dairy Investigation With Tetra Pak Under Probe

Chinese agencies also are investigating 23 cases of possible monopoly violations by overseas companies.

Diamond V Receives FDA “Functional Claim” for Dairy DMI

Increasing dry matter intake benefits the dairy cow and contributes to greater dairy profitability.

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Five Steps to the Development and Implementation of a Feed Management Plan

Feed management can assist with reducing the import of nutrients to the farm and reduce the excretion of nutrients in manure.

Dairy Farmers Looking for Forages to Replace Alfalfa

Many dairy farms across the Midwest are short of alfalfa. Finding an acceptable alternative forage will be a critical factor contributing to the success of dairy operations this next year.

6 Tips for Reproduction Management

Higher total life-time milk production and more calves born per year are just two of the economic benefits of improved reproduction.

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Reduce Feed Costs with Commodity Storage

Commodity feeding can be a money saving or money losing game, and each farm needs to look at their numbers and make that decision for their operation.

Failure of the Farm Bill -- and Beyond

Dairy economists explore the whys and what ifs of the long over-due farm legislation.

Corn Silage Harvest Timing

Use these following tips for determining the correct time to start corn silage harvest.

New USDA Regulations on School Snack Foods Good News for Dairy Sector

Prominent role for milk, other dairy products maintained in new rules.

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Tips to Reduce Hay-Drying Time, Produce Quality Forage

There are steps farmers can take to get the hay up quickly and reduce the potential for rain damage.

Challenges of Mixed Forage Plantings for Dairy Producers

Planting mixed forages can have significant variation across the field. Variation of feedstuffs causes problems in dairy ration balancing.

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Value of Baler Preservative Applicators

Preservative applicators likely worth the effort and expense to save the harvest.

When the sun is shining, you better be baling.
Tips on Adding Hay or Straw for Effective Fiber

According to research, when adding hay or straw for effective fiber it is best to chop forage enough to minimize sorting.

Consider Alternative Crops for Forage

With reports of significant alfalfa stand damage due to winterkill after a year of drought and tight forage inventories, farmers may need to consider alternative crops to provide much needed forage.

Rumination Data Improves Dairy Decisions

Michigan dairy uses it to monitor health, transition period and reproduction.

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Impact of Nitrogen on Dairy Farms

Use the following eight steps to establish a target Milk Urea Nitrogen level for your herd.

Summer Calf Protocols

In summer, the calf’s maintenance energy requirement is elevated— similar to the effects of cold stress.

Eight Steps to Managing a Grazing System

Eight key components in managing a grazing system for the milking dairy herd.

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Hay Buyers Should Plan Purchases Early

With fewer acres in production and most farms trying to rebuild their own inventories, a hay buyer will need to purchase supplies early.