Animal Nutrition
Whether or not to feed hay to preweaned dairy calves is a longstanding debate, without an absolute answer.
Growth-promoting implants, and implant protocols, have evolved considerably since their introduction in 1958.
Severe cold this winter, especially in areas with little to no snow cover, could result in damaged or killed stands of alfalfa.
A device about the size of an electronic key fob, paired with a smart phone, will allow livestock producers and consultants to conduct real-time on-farm feed analysis
Late planting dates will impact quality and digestibility.
Elevated BHBA levels alone do not necessarily indicate a need for treatment.
Ruminants produce about 25% of methane in the U.S. Production efficiency is reducing that number.
Distance walked is limiting factor on open lot dairies when it comes to water access.
Less salad, more carbs and proteins. That’s how cow diets are likely to shift as farmers try to keep animals well fed amid a Midwest shortage in hay and other forages.
In the coming months feed cost and availability will be a challenge. One opportunity livestock producers can use to get ahead is to store wet or modified distiller’s grains now to be fed at a later date.
As understanding of the cattle microbiome improves, dairies can benefit from strategic use of probiotics and microbial management.
Grass tetany might be easily defined as a deficiency of magnesium, but for Dick Kurtz of Oregon, Mo., it just means trouble. He lost three cows in March to the disorder and is carefully watching a few more.
Poisonous plants are responsible for considerable losses in livestock although many cases go unrecognized and undiagnosed due to a lack of knowledge of which plants could be responsible.