Dairy Nutrition
Weight at calving not only determines first-lactation performance, it sets in stone lifetime performance.
The accelerated milk replacer provides about twice as much dry matter per calf per day as traditional replacers.
When an auto-feeder calf barn proved to be too expensive, this positive-pressure barn equipped with mob feeders is proving to be a viable alternative.
These include harvesting at optimum plant moisture, proper chop length, sufficient kernel processing and silo packing.
Research shows feeding bypass amino acids helps boost milk protein
Higher production does not guarantee profitability, but it does provide the opportunity to pay more bills as long as costs are contained.
The key is to move cattle more frequently during wet weather.
Research studies shows how higher protein fresh cow rations can improve performance.
Late planting dates will impact quality and digestibility.
‘Numbers are only useful in decision making if they are used.’ Lane Ely, University of Georgia.
Do everything to maintain dry matter intake to maximize component levels.
Dairy farmers should consider alfalfa as a solution on prevent plant acres.
Chopping forage more finely can result in more consistent particle size and greater feed intakes.
Sorghum has a number of properties that make it a desirable dairy feedstuff, particularly for growing heifer rations.
The majority of operations, 59.2%, hand-fed colostrum to calves from bottles or a bucket. But on average, calves received hand-fed colostrum 3.3 hours after birth. Veterinarians and calf specialists typically recommend feeding colostrum within an hour of birth to optimize absorption of critical nutrients and to transfer immunity.
Producers from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin will benefit from informational conference.
There are a variety of calcium supplements available to help cows transition smoothly from calving to peak milk.
The transition period, early lactation and breeding age heifers all critical to milk income
Rate of passage can be extremely high, and the result can be inadequate fiber and energy.
While it is possible to wean calves from milk-based rations at as early as 6 weeks of age, University of Guelph calf researcher Michael Steele says it’s not optimal.
Some screenings contained as many as 250 Palmer amaranth seeds per pound of screenings.
A growing body of evidence suggests there are wide-reaching benefits to following colostrum with several feedings of transition milk.
Elevated BHBA levels alone do not necessarily indicate a need for treatment.