Produce Nutrition News

The Unified Front: Dairy’s Generational Evolution and the Path to 2026

Thu, 07 May 2026 13:28:46 GMT

The atmosphere in Oak Brook, Ill., at the 2026 Dairy Sustainability Alliance Spring Meeting was one of focused optimism. When Dennis Rodenbaugh, president and CEO of Dairy Farmers of America and chair of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, took the podium, he told the crowd they weren’t just listeners — they were the people redesigning the future of American farming. His message was clear: The U.S. dairy industry has moved past the era of defense and has firmly planted its flag in the territory of proactive leadership.

For years, the dairy industry found itself reacting to external pressures, often operating from a defensive posture. Rodenbaugh reflected on a time when the sector felt it was on its back heels, responding to narratives shaped by those outside the farm gate. However, the 2026 meeting marked a definitive departure from that stance. The current leadership, he argued, is no longer content to follow prevailing narratives. Instead, they are prioritizing the celebration of dairy’s intrinsic value — nutrition, stewardship and community impact.

Sustainability: A Legacy, Not a Label

One of the most compelling segments of Rodenbaugh’s address was his reframing of sustainability. To the modern ear, the word often sounds like a product of 21^st-century corporate mandates or NGO pressure. Rodenbaugh dismantled this notion, asserting sustainability in dairy did not begin with the invention of Scope 3 emissions reporting or government regulations.

“U.S. dairy farmers have been practicing sustainability decade after decade,” he reminds. For the farmer, sustainability is synonymous with stewardship. It is the practice of protecting natural resources not for a quarterly earnings report, but for the next generation. This generational thinking is the ultimate form of innovation. The goals of soil health, water conservation and animal care were not imported into the industry; they were born in the soil and passed down through lineages of farm families.

The Power of Alignment and Shared Responsibility

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy exists to solve a problem that no individual actor can tackle alone: scale. Rodenbaugh emphasizes real progress only happens when responsibility is shared and execution is aligned across the entire supply chain — from the cooperative to the processor to the retail partner.

In an increasingly fragmented world, the dairy industry has found strength in a coordinated roadmap. This alignment ensures food remains accessible, affordable and nutrient-dense. Rodenbaugh warns without this collective effort, individual farms or customer segments risk becoming isolated and vulnerable. By working through the alliance, the industry protects its license to operate and ensures the billions of people relying on dairy for nutrition are not let down.

By the Numbers: The Efficiency Miracle

To ground his vision in reality, Rodenbaugh points to the staggering efficiency gains the industry has achieved since the mid-20^th century. The modern U.S. dairy cow is a marvel of biological and technological innovation. Compared to her mid-century predecessors, today’s cow:

Produces five times more nutrition.
Uses 65% less water.
Requires 90% less land.
Maintains a 77% lower carbon footprint.

These figures aren’t just statistics; they are proof of a journey of improvement. However, Rodenbaugh cautions against defining sustainability too narrowly. While greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration are vital components, they are only pieces of a much larger puzzle.

The Social Fabric of Dairy

Rodenbaugh proposes a holistic definition of sustainability that connects the environment to the economy and social stability, outlining a virtuous cycle: Farmers produce nutrition; that nutrition drives human health; healthy people build stable communities; stable communities support innovation; and innovation, in turn, drives further sustainability.

This circularity of health positions the dairy farmer as the cornerstone of community stability. When the dairy industry thrives, the environment thrives and the people fed by that industry are empowered to innovate. This is the narrative Rodenbaugh urges the alliance to champion — one where the cow is a solution to global nutritional and environmental challenges, not a contributor to them.

Inclusion: From 100 to 10,000

Perhaps the most critical challenge addressed was the participation gap. As sustainability standards and expectations are developed — sometimes by entities outside the U.S. or outside the industry — there is a risk of leaving certain producers behind.

Rodenbaugh is adamant that for sustainability to be successful, it must be inclusive.

“The 10,000-cow dairy and the 100-cow dairy need to be recognized as both being essential to our future,” he says.

The dairy industry must create pathways where farmers of all sizes can participate in environmental markets and adopt new technologies. New value must be generated to support the necessary investments on the farm. If the bar is set so high that only the largest operations can clear it, the industry loses its diversity and its soul.

The Frontier: AI and Sound Science

Looking toward the future, Rodenbaugh expresses excitement about the role of artificial intelligence in energizing and coordinating these efforts. AI offers the potential to better track measurements, meet the reality of on-farm practice and accelerate the trend of efficiency.

However, he tempered this technological optimism with a call for humility. The planetary systems the industry interacts with are enormously complex. Therefore, the industry’s strategies must remain grounded in sound science and guiding principles.

Confidence must be earned through research and a commitment to on-farm viability. The goal is not to meet a fleeting trend, but to build a permanent, pragmatic framework that works for the land and the checkbook.

As he closed his remarks, Rodenbaugh looked out at the record-breaking attendance of the spring meeting. The high turnout was, to him, evidence the industry sees the value in coordination. While other sectors may have struggled to find their footing in the sustainability conversation, dairy has emerged as a leader — not just within agriculture, but across the global corporate landscape.

The 2026 meeting served as a reminder the alliance is more than just a name; it is the room where the future of food is secured. By aligning on facts, embracing their history as stewards and ensuring every farmer has a seat at the table, the U.S. dairy industry is not just surviving the sustainability movement — it is defining it.

Managing Vitamins and Minerals to Increase Calf Survival

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:31:03 GMT

Stillbirths and weak newborn calves are among the most frustrating outcomes in both beef and dairy systems. Calving difficulty, infectious disease and congenital defects are often investigated first, yet many cases end with no clear explanation. Even when calving appears normal, losses still occur leaving veterinarians and producers searching for answers after the fact.

Dr. Bob Van Saun, professor and Extension veterinarian at Penn State University, spoke on the importance of maternal nutrition and the placental transfer of vitamins and minerals on a recent episode of AABP’s “Have You Herd?” podcast.

What often goes unnoticed is the gestational environment that shaped the fetus long before calving began. Nutritional decisions made months earlier, particularly around vitamins and trace minerals, can quietly determine whether a calf is born resilient, compromised or nonviable. Rather than being isolated calving failures, some stillbirths might represent the final outcome of inadequate fetal preparation.

“If we don’t do what we need to do nutritionally for that pregnant animal, we could have very long-term effects not only on the reproductive success of the female, but also on the offspring,” Van Saun says.

Newborn Calves Enter the World Nutritionally Limited

Newborn calves, whether beef or dairy, arrive with a biological disadvantage: milk alone cannot meet their trace mineral and vitamin needs.

“We often tout milk as nature’s perfect food, and it certainly plays a very important role in the macro minerals and in energy and protein, but one of the things that’s been well known is milk does not have significant quantities of most of the trace elements. Particularly iron, copper, selenium and even some of the vitamins aren’t in high quantities within the milk,” Van Saun says.

Trace minerals and vitamins are essential for enzyme function, immune development and antioxidant defense, yet the neonatal diet provides very little of them. As a result, the calf’s ability to survive early life depends heavily on what accumulated before birth, particularly in the fetal liver.

“With some of the work that’s been done, we’re starting to recognize that the mineral status of that newborn calf is very dependent upon how we feed mom,” Van Saun says.

In addition to gestational nutrient transfer, colostrum is an important way to get calves off on the right foot, especially with fat soluble vitamins, so long as the mother has been appropriately supplemented.

Placental Transfer of Minerals and Vitamins

Minerals and vitamins reach the fetus through the placenta, but not all nutrients behave the same way. Trace minerals appear to move primarily by facilitated diffusion, rather than active transport. Van Saun explains that as a result, fetal blood concentrations are typically much lower than maternal blood concentrations.

Once those nutrients enter fetal circulation, the liver becomes the key storage site. However, the complete mechanism by which these nutrients are stored in the liver is not well understood.

“If you remember the anatomy, the umbilical vein goes directly to the liver. It’s my thinking that the fetal liver somehow captures these minerals and stores them,” Van Saun says. “The fetal liver can concentrate these trace elements to a level that’s nearly twice what we typically see in the dam. We need to find out what influences this.”

In contrast, fat-soluble vitamins cross the placenta inefficiently, particularly later in gestation, leaving newborn calves relatively depleted at birth and heavily reliant on colostrum to establish antioxidant protection.

Maternal Mineral Deficiencies and Fetal Loss

At the Penn State diagnostics lab, mineral and vitamin analyses of fetal and stillborn calf livers have revealed a surprising number of incidences of deficiency. Despite expectations of a linear relationship between maternal mineral status and fetal mineral status, there appears to be very little direct relationship.

“When I plot maternal versus fetal concentrations, I generally see a shotgun scattergram,” Van Saun explains. “That makes me think there’s got to be some other regulatory process there.”

Across the data, several nutrients appear repeatedly in association with fetal loss and stillbirth. Van Saun highlights the following:

Copper: Essential for enzyme systems and antioxidant defense
Selenium: Critical for glutathione peroxidase activity
Zinc: Involved in cellular and immune development
Magnesium: Supports energy metabolism and neuromuscular stability
Vitamin A: Needed for epithelial development and antioxidant defense

Oxidative Stress at Birth

As umbilical blood flow is compromised during delivery, particularly during prolonged or difficult births, the fetus experiences hypoxia.

“That’s going to produce large quantities of reactive oxygen species,” Van Saun explains. “And if those aren’t squelched by the antioxidant system, that could cause the demise of the animal.”

Trace minerals and fat-soluble vitamins play central roles in the defense against reactive oxygen species. When fetal reserves are marginal, oxidative stress during calving might push a compromised fetus past a survivable threshold. This could help explain why some stillborn calves show no obvious infectious, genetic or mechanical cause at necropsy.

Why Overfeeding Isn’t Usually the Problem

A common concern is whether aggressive mineral supplementation could harm the fetus. However, even in dams with liver mineral levels that would be considered toxicosis, fetal levels remain within a narrow range.

“When maternal concentrations of liver minerals are very low, the fetal maternal ratio is quite high. In other words, the fetus is capable of extracting more mineral from a deficient mom,” Van Saun says. “But as mom’s mineral status increases to very high levels, the ratio is quite low. Suggesting that there is some mechanism in place where the fetus doesn’t over accumulate.”

Van Suan observed this most profoundly with copper, but has also seen the same pattern with zinc, iron, selenium and manganese.

“Somehow, Mother Nature has built in a protective mechanism on both ends of the spectrum ensuring even when mom is on the low side, the fetus can try to accumulate,” he says. “And then if mom is on the high side, the fetus doesn’t over-accumulate.”

Stillborn Calves as Nutritional Sentinels

Stillborn calves represent an underused opportunity to evaluate herd nutrition. Liver mineral and vitamin analysis from stillborn calves can uncover deficiencies that were not clinically apparent in the dam.

“We really need to emphasize how to make a good situation out of a bad situation,” Van Saun says. “I think if you’re having a string of stillborns, I would be wanting to take a liver sample.”

Repeated measures of low selenium, copper, or vitamin A in stillborn calves, especially in the absence of other pathology, can point back to gestational nutrition as the root cause.

What Can You Do to Get Ahead of the Problem?

Effective investigation of stillbirths and weak calves should begin with diet evaluation, but meaningful assessment of gestational nutrition requires a broader, more deliberate strategy. A clearer understanding can be gained by using multiple diagnostic entry points across the herd and across time.

Van Saun highlights several practical diagnostic opportunities:

Submitting liver samples from stillborn calves when infectious and congenital causes are not identified
Using cull cow or abattoir liver samples to establish baseline mineral status
Sampling healthy animals within defined physiologic groups, rather than sick cows in inflammatory states
Building longitudinal data rather than interpreting isolated results

Taken together, these approaches allow the shift from reactive troubleshooting to proactive risk management.

Stillbirths and weak calves are often the final expression of biological constraints established months earlier not failures limited to the calving event.

New Dietary Guidelines Move Food Pyramid Closer to the Farm

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:43:24 GMT

The White House delivered a simple but clear message to Americans today: Eat real food.

“We are finally putting real food back at the center of the American diet. Real food that nourishes the body, restores health, fuels energy and builds strength,” says Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “This pivot also leans into the abundant, affordable and healthy food supply already available from America’s incredible farmers and ranchers. By making milk, raising cattle and growing wholesome fruits, vegetables and grains, they hold the key to solving our national health crisis.”

In the “most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades,” the White House released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 . The updated pyramid inverts the 1992 USDA version by prioritizing:

Protein (1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, an increase from 0.8 grams)
Dairy and healthy fats as the foundation
Vegetables (3 servings per day)
Fruits (2 servings per day)

Unlike the old pyramid’s grain-heavy base and processed carbs, new recommendations limit whole grains to 2 to 4 servings per day and added sugars and highly processed oils should be avoided entirely.

Eat More Protein

Rollins says the previous dietary guidelines demonized protein in favor of carbohydrates.

“These guidelines reflect gold standard science by prioritizing high-quality, nutrient-dense protein foods in every meal,” Rollins says. “This includes a variety of animal sources, including eggs, poultry, seafood, and red meat, in addition to plant-sourced protein foods such as beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy.”

To put the new protein recommendations into perspective, Sigrid Johannes, executive director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says for folks who should be consuming 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight that’s a 100% increase in recommended daily protein intake.

Dairy’s Seat at the Table

Dairy emerged in a strong position under the new dietary guidelines, with federal nutrition guidance supporting dairy at all fat levels for the first time.

“One of the key messages they’re telling consumers is eat dairy and eat dairy at all fat levels — that’s whole milk, cheese and butter,” says Matt Herrick of the International Dairy Foods Association. He calls it “a significant watershed moment,” reflecting how many families currently eat and shop today.

Echoing Herrick’s perspective, National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doud adds by better recognizing both fat and protein, the guidelines give a fuller picture of dairy’s nutritional value.

“Not all fats are created equal, and because the guidelines acknowledge this, dairy’s benefits are better reflected in this iteration of the guidelines,” Doud says.

When it comes to protein, consumer demand is reshaping the category, with cottage cheese at its highest level since the 1980s because of the high-protein trend, Herrick notes.

“Consumers are looking at labels more than ever and trying to find cleaner, less processed foods. Dairy fits that bill. Most products have just a handful of ingredients, and they’re all high in protein. People are turning to protein for growth, energy and overall health, and we’re going to continue to see consumers look to dairy to fulfill their protein and healthy fats needs,” Herrick says.

The processing sector has grown alongside the rising demand for dairy, reflecting both increased production and changing consumer preferences. Roughly $8 billion has been invested in new processing facilities from 2022 to 2025, with another $11 billion expected through 2028.

“We’re going to continue to see investments in processing facilities — new plants, updated lines and more capacity — to meet growing consumer demand for dairy protein and healthy fats,” Herrick notes.

Eat More Meat and Poultry

When it comes to meat and poultry, Julie Anna Potts, Meat Institute President and CEO, says Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy’s leadership have simplified the dietary guidelines making it clear meat is a protein powerhouse.

“Robust scientific evidence demonstrates that meat is a rich source of high-quality protein, essential vitamins and highly bioavailable minerals that support human health throughout the lifespan,” Potts says.

Kansas beef producer Marisa Kleysteuber describes the new “commonsense” dietary guidelines as “exciting and refreshing.”

“As beef producers we are blessed to work with a ruminant animal that can utilize Mother Nature’s production of cellulose from rain and sunshine and then convert it to one of the most nutrient rich proteins there is,” she says. “Whether the consumer is desiring an organic, grass fed or corn fed beef product, there are cattlemen and women all over the U.S. who put their heart into raising these cattle to produce a nutritious and delicious product that we have always believed in and now our leaders are standing behind the ranchers and farmers of America.”

Quintessentially American foods such as burgers, steaks, pork chops and Easter hams can remain a staple of American households, and the guidelines go so far as to recommend parents introduce nutrient-dense foods, including meat, early and continue focusing on “nutrient-dense foods such as protein foods” throughout childhood.

“America’s pork producers appreciate the 2025 dietary guidelines putting pork front and center on the plate. They took note of producer concerns and rightly gave pork and other high-protein, nutrient-dense and delicious meats their due when it comes to Americans’ health and dietary habits,” says Rob Brenneman , National Pork Producers Council president-elect and pork producer from Washington, Iowa.

Maddie Hokanson , a Minnesota pork producer and mother of two, says the new dietary guidelines’ strong emphasis on protein is a positive for the pork industry. She believes the new guidelines, paired with pork’s quality nutrition and versatility, bring together the perfect opportunity to increase pork consumption and demand in the U.S.

“As pig farmers, we are proud to produce a meat product that is packed with high-quality protein, while also being nutrient-dense with many essential vitamins and minerals,” Hokanson says. “As a parent to young children, I see both the physical and cognitive benefits of prioritizing protein in the diet at all ages, and I’m excited to see what the short- and long-term effects of this recommendation will be.”

Three Servings of Veggies and Two Servings of Fruit

Dairy and meat weren’t the only items at the top of the new dietary pyramid. Fresh fruits and vegetables were also given top billing.

“Diets rich in vegetables and fruits reduce disease risk more effectively than many drugs,” says Robert F Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health.

The new dietary guidelines recommend three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit per day. Like past editions of the dietary guidelines , the new guidelines recommend Americans eat “a variety of colorful, nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits” and advises whole produce items be eaten “in their original form.” Though not explicitly stated, the updated guidelines also call out “frozen, dried, or canned vegetables or fruits with no or very limited added sugars” as good options.

“Today’s dietary guidelines reinforce the critical role fruits and vegetables play in overall health,” says Mollie Van Lieu, International Fresh Produce Association vice president of nutrition and health, in the group’s response. “Scientific evidence consistently shows that fruits and vegetables should make up the majority of what people eat. The Administration’s focus on whole foods is an opportunity to increase fruit and vegetable intake, as they are the most nutrient-dense foods available.”

Rollins Teases Plan to Expand Real Food Retail Accessibility

There was more than the new dietary guidelines announced at the press event. Rollins mentioned upcoming changes at retail she says would increase the accessibility of whole, healthy foods to those in food deserts.

“Soon, USDA will finalize our stocking standards,” she says, explaining retailers that take SNAP benefits are bound by the stocking standards. “Very soon we will be finalizing that rule that will mandate all 250,000 retailers in America to double the type of staple foods they provide for America’s SNAP households. This means healthier options will be in reach for all American families, regardless of circumstance, at levels never seen before in our country.”

Grains and Oilseed Industry Focuses on Positives

In terms of grains, in its guidance USDA recommends Americans “focus on whole grains, while sharply reducing refined carbohydrates.” The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) shared mixed reactions to the changes.

“We appreciate the continued recognition of whole grains as an essential part of Americans’ diets,” said a spokesperson with NAWG in a statement to Farm Journal. “However, we are concerned that some portions of the new guidelines around grains and wheat are unintentionally confusing. Wheat, wheat flour, and foods made from wheat have been nutrient-rich, life-sustaining staples for tens of thousands of years and deserve clear, continued support as a central part of our nation’s diet.”

The American Soybean Association (ASA) focuses on the positives saying it highlights the importance of increased protein consumption, including plant-based proteins, such as soy-based foods. They also emphasize prioritizing healthy fats, including oils rich in essential fatty acids like soybean oil.

ASA says an addendum continues to call into question the process of soybean oil extraction, which it says is scientifically proven to be safe for human health.

“Soybean oil and soy protein play a critical role in the health and nutrition of Americans,” says Scott Metzger, ASA president and Ohio farmer, in a press release. “We remain deeply concerned by the rhetoric and selectively cited studies regarding the health and safety of soybean oil in DGA supporting material.”

Metzger says soybean growers will continue to work with the administration and educate MAHA commission leadership on the health benefits of soy-based foods and soybean oil.

The National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) echoed those concern: “Vegetable oils, or “seed oils” as they’re sometimes referred to, are a significant provider of essential fatty acids and remain a safe and cost-effective source of dietary fats in the American diet, as they are globally,” said a NOPA press release. “However, some appendices rely on a narrow evidence base with limited citations, which is concerning given the administration’s rhetoric questioning the safety of certain vegetable oils despite an established scientific consensus.”

NOPA also argues oilseeds support the production of affordable meat, dairy and eggs as meal produced from oilseeds are a key component of livestock diets.

Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Costs Dip By 5%

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:35:20 GMT

As families across America prepare for their Thanksgiving celebrations next week, the 40th annual American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) survey brings some welcome news for the wallet.

The classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people is projected to cost an average of $55.18, marking a 5% decrease from last year. However, this price point remains notably higher than five years ago.

A Long-Standing Tradition
Since 1986, the AFBF has tracked and reported the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Each year, volunteer shoppers from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico canvas local grocery stores—or their online counterparts—to record prices for a standard list of holiday staples.

The list of items surveyed for prices includes turkey, cubed stuffing, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, frozen peas, fresh cranberries, celery, carrots, pumpkin pie mix and pie crusts, whipping cream, and whole milk.

This year’s grocery bill highlights several price shifts. Four key items saw a drop in price: the centerpiece turkey, cubed stuffing, fresh cranberries, and dinner rolls.

Conversely, five items—sweet potatoes, frozen green peas, vegetable tray, whole milk, and whipping cream—experienced price increases. Pumpkin pie mix and pie shells remained virtually unchanged from last year’s figures.

Regional Differences Contribute To Costs
For those celebrating in the West, the classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people costs $61.75, making it the most expensive region and approximately 12% higher than the national average. Families in the Northeast also face prices above the national average, with their classic meal coming in at $60.82. The South boasts the most affordable holiday meal at $50.01, closely followed by the Midwest at $54.38.

Americans living in the West will pay, on average, nearly $10 more per meal than those living in the South.

(AFBF)

If you expand dinner options to include ham, Russet potatoes, and green beans, including these additional items elevates the total meal cost for 10 to $77.09, or $7.71 per person.

Regionally, the South again offers the lowest total at $71.20, followed by the Midwest at $76.33. Both the Northeast and the West saw a jump in cost, reaching $82.97 and $84.97, respectively. The West once more stands out, with costs higher there than in other regions.

Turkey Takes a Back Seat in the Bill
Historically, the turkey has been the undisputed heavyweight on the Thanksgiving receipt, often accounting for an average of 43% of the total dinner cost. However, in 2025, a 16-pound turkey represents only 39% of the cost for a 10-person dinner—its lowest share since 2000.

Turkey prices have dropped for consumers this year because, in many instances, retailers are using them as a loss leader to attract shoppers.

(AFBF)

A 16-pound turkey will set shoppers back an average of $21.50, reports the AFBF, a significant 16% decrease from 2024. While fresh turkey prices continue to climb as the poultry sector battles highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the prices for frozen turkeys—the preferred choice for most Thanksgiving feasts—are steadily declining.

Adding to this trend, turkey demand outside of the holiday season continues to wane, with the average American consuming only 13 pounds of turkey per year, nearly 3 pounds less than six years ago.

Side Dishes Gain Weight on the Grocery Receipt
Despite the overall dip in Thanksgiving meal costs this year, side dishes now command a larger share of the total grocery bill. Price increases for fresh produce and essential baking ingredients underscore elevated costs throughout the entire supply chain.

Items like fresh vegetables and sweet potatoes registered some of the most substantial cost increases. A veggie tray is up by more than 61%, and sweet potatoes saw a 37% jump.

Several items saw price reductions this year, helping to mitigate the overall meal cost, according to the AFBF survey. Dinner rolls are down 14.6%, stuffing is down 9%, and cranberries are down 2.8%.

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Understanding Potassium’s Role in the Ruminant Diet

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 19:36:35 GMT

By: Adele Harty, Cow/Calf Field Specialist, SDSU Extension

Potassium may often be an underappreciated mineral in the world of ruminant nutrition, but it plays key roles in the body. Potassium is involved in acid-base regulation, osmotic pressure maintenance, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and carbon dioxide and oxygen transport. Potassium works with sodium and chlorine to maintain the acid-base balance. We often hear of an animal’s salt requirement, but why don’t we hear about potassium? The concentration of potassium inside cell walls is nearly equal to that of sodium in the extra-cellular fluid, therefore the diet requirements are significant.

The answer is that potassium is more abundant in forages. Recently balanced rations for backgrounded calves have indicated excessive or toxic levels of potassium. Upon review of the feed analysis, potassium levels are often in excess of 2.5 percent on a dry matter basis and readily available for absorption. Requirements are approximately 0.65 percent for 550 lb steers, therefore forage based diets have excess potassium. What result do these excess levels have on cattle over an extended period of time? Some minerals have very detrimental effects when they are fed in excess or at toxic levels. One example is when excessive or toxic levels of sulfur are supplied, cattle can develop polioencephalomalacia.

So what happens with toxic levels of potassium? Unfortunately the answer is not clear cut. Dr. Terry Engle, a Professor at Colorado State University has a research focus on trace minerals. I asked him some questions regarding potassium and at what point do we need to be concerned about toxicity and what potassium toxicity looks like. Dr. Engle referred to the “Mineral Tolerances of Animals” Second Revised Edition 2005. This book discusses the chemistry of minerals and how they work in the body. Potassium is key to body function, but deficiency is outlined better than toxicity. In most cases toxicity is rare as excess potassium is excreted in urine, however this document also states 3 percent potassium as the maximum tolerable level. As the levels of potassium increases, magnesium absorption in the gastrotintestinal tract will decrease, which could have a resulting effect of milk fever or grass tetany depending on the forage situation. Aside from the issues with magnesium absorption, levels up to 6 percent potassium have been added to the diet of non-lactating animals with no toxicity symptoms being evident.

Why have potassium levels increased in forages? There have been some recent trials from the University of Illinois evaluating soil potassium levels and how they increase in the soil. They did a four year trial with bi-weekly testing of potassium levels to see how the levels change over time. The study showed that in order to produce a 200 bushel corn crop, 46 lbs of potassium is removed with the grain, while the residue puts 180 lbs of potassium back into the soil. This is three times more than the next crop needs and is all readily available. So as the plants go through their life cycle, a small portion of potassium is taken into the seed, with a larger portion going back into the soil from the residue.

There are a few take home messages with potassium:

Potassium is crucial for many metabolic systems in the body, but excess potassium is readily excreted in the urine.
The excess levels will have a more negative effect on lactating females than on non-lactating cattle.
Potassium fertilization of grains is not necessary in many situations as the grain takes a smaller portion of potassium out of the soil than the residue puts back in.
Most potassium sources are readily available, therefore when there are higher levels in forages, that potassium will be nearly 100 percent available.

Nutrition Lower protein rations

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

*Extended comments are highlighted in blue.

The paradigm for dairy cow diets is always changing.

In past times -- when protein was cheaper and abundant, margins were better and environmental issues were not as focused -- the strategy was to feed all that could be justified and then some more to be sure.

With tightening margins, higher feed cost and more attention to environmental consequences, there are opportunities to refocus on just how much or how little protein is needed to sustain high production and returns to the herd. We are seeing dairy producers reducing the protein levels in their rations by 2% of the diets or more while maintaining production and performance.

Researchers, Extension personnel, feed consultants and feed advisers are taking a new look at not just reducing protein levels in the diets, but how to better manage matching the cow’s fundamental protein or nitrogen requirements with her needs. The goal: to improve the efficiency of the protein and reduce the excretion of the excess or unused protein as nitrogen in the manure. The potential results are improved margins and a reduced environmental impact.

Establishing the animal’s protein requirements is a process that continues to evolve through research, new models and ration systems. At one time, the concept of crude protein was fundamental to all protein decisions and calculations. The idea was that crude protein is 16% nitrogen and thus, measuring the feed’s nitrogen times 6.25 results in the percentage of crude protein. That concept has held true for more than the past century.

What has developed is a greater and better understanding of what makes up that protein requirement and how those protein fractions are used by the modern dairy cow. The application of all that knowledge is encompassed in the modern dairy ration program that resides in the computer that you or your feed adviser may be using.

The on-farm challenge is to utilize this knowledge base, along with the other technologies and management strategies on your farm, to narrow the allowance for diet protein to the cow’s needs.

Here are some steps to help you meet that challenge:

Make sure you understand the concept so you can reduce the allowance for errors in the program and minimize errors in application.
Use a well-planned system for accurate and trusted feed analysis. Feed analysis should be representative, repeatable, regular and reliable. The system should be technically complete, matching the protein components that are used in your feed programming. Your feed testing program should include all the forage and concentrate portions of your diets.
Have a good system for feed inventory control. You need to know how much, where it is and how long it will last for each of the forages that you intend to feed.
Have a system for knowing and adjusting the dry matter content of all your feeds. Dry matter content is the biggest and most frequent variable in your bunk stored feeds. Day-to-day weather conditions will cause significant variation in dry matter and consequent changes in the total mixed ration.
Make sure you understand and correctly utilize your ration computer programs. Know their limits and opportunities and be able to deal with the details. There are several programs supported by university research and the National Research Council. Many of the proprietary programs are based on those concepts. All of them have some limits and strong points. It may not work to mix programs and all the components of the ration need to work together.
At the operational level, weigh and mix accurate rations. An extra hundred pounds dumped in the mixer is expensive, and to be short a few pounds of a concentrated ingredient just does not work. Feed multiple groups to be able to bore into the tighter diet standards. Feeding to the high end of a large group overfeeds everyone else.
Learn to use the milk urea nitrogen (MUN) test as a monitoring tool. High MUN is a good indication of wasted or misaligned protein in the diet. MUN above 16 mg/dL is an indication of excess nitrogen in the diet, and below 10 mg/dL indicates a possible shortage. A good target is 12 to 14 mg/dL.

Bonus content:

Practically Dropping Protein of Diets to Reduce Nitrogen Excretion

Nutrition High-forage rations

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

*Extended comments are highlighted in blue.

One strategy used by Midwest dairy managers in 2009 when feed prices were high and milk prices were at record lows was feeding more forages.

Incorporating more forage in the ration reduced feed costs while not writing a check to purchase feed (a common banker demand). Another plus was that most Midwest dairy managers are excellent crop managers who raise high-quality legume-grass forage, small-grain forage and corn silage. Those savings lead to lower forage prices and lower cost of production.

In Illinois, dairy managers could raise high-quality alfalfa hay for less than $90/ton, while it would have cost more than $160/ton to purchase. While high-quality forages are worth the higher market price, dairy managers could “sell” high-quality forage to their dairy enterprise at production cost (similar to “selling” their labor below market price to preserve capital).

The questions and answers below can help guide you when transitioning to high-forage diets.

What is a high-forage ration?

Midwest rations range from 45% to 55% of the total ration dry matter as forage depending on forage quality and inventory. High-forage rations can range from 60% to 70% forage dry matter. Inclusion of byproducts as fiber sources (such as beet pulp, corn gluten feed, citrus pulp and wheat midds) also fit this definition.

What are the key concepts behind high-forage rations?

Consistent quality is critical to maintain a constant source of nutrients for the dairy cow. This goal may be more attainable with high-corn-silage-based rations as harvest occurs once a year with a wider harvest window. That wide window depends on planting strategies (spreading planting dates by one to two weeks) and variety selection (changing from 100-day to 115-day corn varieties).
Legume-grass forages have several risks that must be controlled or managed: weather (e.g., rain damage); multiple harvests that vary in nutrient content due to heat and moisture stress; and variation in the field due to winterkill of legumes, light soil or insect damage.
High-quality forage is a must to deliver needed nutrients to the herd (optimal protein level and form, starch levels, effective fiber and energy requirements). Nutrient requirements do not change with high-forage diets. Corn silage dry matter can range from 30% to 35% dry matter, with more than 30% starch, less than 45% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), more than 55% NDFD (NDF digestibility), pH less than 4 and lactic acid levels more than 5% on a dry matter basis. Legume-grass silage can range from 35% to 60% dry matter (depending on storage structure), with more than 18% crude protein (higher with legumes), less than 45% NDF (less than 40% with legumes), more than 50% NDFD, pH less than 4.5 and lactic acid more than 4%.
The nutritionist can be flexible in building the ration around forage types available on the farm: corn silage for rumen-fermentable starch and high yield per acre; legumes for protein and functional fiber; grasses for digestible fiber and higher intake; small grain forage for an early forage source and double cropping with corn silage; and straw for lignin and effective physical fiber if needed.
Inventory control and availability are important factors in accessing each forage needed to develop the optimal ration. Corn silage bunkers and piles allow for economic storage and fast removal while silage bags allow storage of varied forage qualities and cuttings. Balage can provide a source of long forage without baled hay weather damage risks.

What are the economic benefits?

Cornell University workers surveyed 16 herds feeding 57% to 68% forage dry matter and found milk production ranging from 68 lb. to more than 100 lb. of milk/cow/day.
Using the Spartan II least-cost computer balancing function, the table above shows a 20¢ lower feed cost/cow/day as corn silage increased in the ration. In this example, a 1,400-lb. cow produced 80 lb. of milk with 3.7% milk fat. Alfalfa hay priced at $150/ton, corn silage at $32/ton, corn grain at $3.50/bu. and a protein supplement at $350/ton were used.
Higher milk components can be achieved with high-forage, high-fiber rations due to more favorable rumen fermentation environments and microbial growth.

Bonus content:

Spanish translation

High Forage Rations for Dairy Cattle - How Far Can We Go?

Positioning Commodity Feeds in Dairy Rations

Amino Acids in the Balance An opportunity to improve

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

Balancing dairy rations for rumen-protected amino acids is often an exercise in confusion. There are few hard and fast rules. Different ration formulation software programs give varying answers.

Some producers report gains in milk production; others see gains in components, particularly milk protein. Some see an increase in dry matter intake; others see an improvement in feed efficiency. It’s enough to drive any rationally thinking producer to just forget about it.

That would be a mistake. With milk prices still in the doldrums and feed prices above the five-year average, improving rations is a win-win, say dairy nutritionists.

The reason? “The cost of feeding methionine and lysine is offset by feeding less rumen-undegraded protein,” says Chuck Schwab, the nation’s leading amino acid expert. Schwab, professor emeritus at the University of New Hampshire, now consults with Adisseo.

“When amino acids are supplemented, you almost always make other changes to the diet and balance for rumen-undegraded protein,” he says. Supplementing the amino acids and lowering crude protein, Schwab says, can save up to 25¢/cow.

“Lowering protein in the ration without giving up milk production is especially helpful now,” says Rick Lundquist, a nutritionist who consults with large Southern dairies.

A 25¢/cow increase in income over feed costs yields a $65/cow to $75/cow gain, depending on herd average. On a 500-cow herd, that’s an annual gain of $30,000 or more.

The science behind amino acid nutrition is still evolving, but the basics are firmly grounded. “Absorbed amino acids, not protein, are the cow’s required nutrients,” Schwab says.

Amino acids are the building blocks for tissue and milk proteins. In dairy cattle, rumen microbes provide the bulk of protein and energy that are needed for maintenance, growth, milk production and reproduction. But in high-producing herds, particularly in early lactation, the rumen bugs simply can’t meet all the cow’s nutrient needs.

That’s where rumen-bypass feeds come in. Typical legume protein sources such as alfalfa and animal byproducts are low in methionine.

“Methionine in milk and bacteria are 2.6% to 2.7% of crude protein; in soybean, blood, feather and meat meals, methionine is only 0.8% to 1.4% of crude protein,” Schwab says.

“Lysine is first limiting when corn and feeds of corn origin such as distillers’ grains provide most of the rumen-undegraded protein. Lysine in milk and bacteria are 7.6% and 7.9% of crude protein, respectively, whereas in corn silage, corn, corn distillers’ and corn gluten meal, lysine is only 1.7% to 2.8% of crude protein.”

Also, byproduct feeds used as bypass protein supplements are highly variable. In a recent Ohio State University study, blood meal samples ranged from 3.4 grams/lb. of digestible lysine to 42 grams.

Feeding commercially manufactured amino acids is likely more expensive. But they have much tighter quality control and far less variation.

A consensus on which cows will benefit is hard to come by. Some argue that lower-producing herds or groups will benefit if methionine and lysine are limiting.

“We don’t see as great a response in later lactation other than milk protein and components,” Schwab says. “But we see an increase in the efficiency of use, so the benefit is there because the amino acid limitations without supplementation are there.”

Mike Hutjens, a University of Illinois Extension dairy nutritionist, says amino acid balancing is especially important above 80 lb. of milk in Holsteins, true milk protein yield of more than 2.4 lb., and herds that are 0.1 percentage point of true protein below breed average (below 3.0% for Holsteins, for example).

“I want a 2:1 benefit-to-cost ratio,” he says. “If I add 10 grams of amino acid at 2¢/gram, I want 40¢ more milk, milk fat and/or milk protein. With milk protein prices down, this makes adding amino acids tighter.”

Another critical component is measuring dry matter intake. “Fifty percent to 60% of the metabolizable protein [amino acids absorbed in the small intestine] is from protein synthesized in the rumen by microbes,” says Bob Patton of Nittany Dairy Nutrition in Mifflinburg, Pa.

“Unless we know how much the cow is eating, we cannot predict how much microbial protein will be produced. And if we do not know how much the greatest supply is, it is impossible to balance amino acids.”

NOISY RESULTS

A recent field trial involving a 3,200-cow Midwest herd supplemented with bypass lysine and conducted by Church & Dwight showed a positive response in milk, protein and fat yield.

Supplemented cows responded with 3 lb. more milk, 0.18 lb. more butterfat and 0.8 lb. more protein per day. That resulted in 54¢/cow/day in increased income.

Cost of the Megamine-L, fed at 1⁄3 lb./cow/day, was 23¢. The net income from the exercise was 31¢/cow/day, says Gene Boomer, manager of field technical services for Church & Dwight. Over the course of a year, that’s a $75,000 bump in income.

However, such increases can be tough to measure without a control group, Boomer notes (see graph). The supplemented and control groups both showed normal day-to-day variation in milk weights over the three-month trial.

Without an unsupplemented control group, the only detectable difference would be a response to the amino acid in the first week of feeding. Even more problematic, not all herds show a milk response.

HOW MUCH DO COWS NEED?

While cows consume and utilize grams of amino acids, nutritionists often talk percentages and ratios. That’s because cows consume nutrients through total mixed rations, increasing their dry matter intake as production increases.

At last year’s Cornell Nutrition Conference, the optimal recommendation for amino acids was raised to 7.2% lysine and 2.4% methionine, a 3:1 ration. The prior recommendation had been 6.6% lysine to 2.2% methionine.

Bonus content:

Current Status of Amino Acid Requirement Models for Lactating Dairy Cows

Company contacts:

Adisseo
Balchem
Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition
Novus

Q&A with Jim Linn

Nutrition Wet, but lightweight

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

Mike Hutjens

Most of the wet corn grain has been harvested in the Midwest and Northeast and stored as dried corn, propionic acid–treated wet corn and high-moisture corn.

Now the challenge is to utilize wet corn correctly in your dairy rations. Here are some tips for optimizing performance and health.

Shelled corn should be dried below 15% moisture to minimize the risk of mold development and heating. If you have stored corn on your farm that is above 15% moisture, keep an eye on these risks. If possible, feed it before the spring.

Artificially dried corn can be brittle and grind finer. Monitor grain particle size when processing on the farm, targeting 800 to 1100 microns. Wet corn that is frozen can also powder when grinding.

High-moisture corn (more than 26%) continues to change as starch becomes more fermentable in the rumen. Rumen acidosis and laminitis can occur if starch is more rapidly fermented in the rumen because of extended corn storage time. Lower levels of wet corn may be warranted, as may replacing some wet corn with dry corn or byproduct feed, such as corn gluten feed or hominy.

Ear rot in corn can lead to lower bushel weight (less than 56 lb.). The relation of corn energy value to lower bushel weight is somewhat in dispute. One guideline is to discount the energy content by 1 total digestible nutrient (TDN) percentage point per drop in bushel weight, starting at 50 lb. But some suggest starting at 54 lb., and others do not discount it at all.

Following the first guideline, if your bushel weight is 48 lb., for example, reduce TDN from 88% (normal corn grain) to 86% on a 100% dry matter base. If you want to evaluate this relationship, measure your bushel weight and conduct a starch and neutral
detergent fiber (NDF) analysis (corn grain is 72% starch and 9% NDF).

Keep monitoring mycotoxin levels if your corn had evidence of mold damage. One Midwestern testing lab reports that mycotoxins were present in corn samples it received, but at generally low levels (see first table). If wet grain is not dried or stored properly, the levels can increase. Continue to evaluate your animals’ dry matter intake and manure scores as signs of damaged feed.

If you added propionic acid to your corn, use the second table to determine if the level added will hold corn in storage for the desired time.

Check your sources of corn byproduct feeds (such as corn gluten feed and distillers’ grains) to be sure that wholesome corn was used when making ethanol. If the corn grain had mycotoxins or mold damage, the process of removing starch will have increased those levels.

In summary, your 2010 corn crop may be out of the field, but it’s important to continue to monitor its quality and to realize that its feed value can increase (with wet corn) or decrease (with mold growth).

Bonus content:

More on feeding wet, moldy corn:

Adjusting for 2009 corn

Molds & Toxins

Wet corn webinar

Robot Mama Automated calf-feeding system shows promise

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

“Calf feeding is fun again.” So testifies Marie Pagenkopf on the merits of automatic, robotic calf feeding. Pagenkopf manages the dairy side of the 500-cow Sandy Acres Dairy operation near Elk Mound, Wis.

She had to convince her husband, Jeff, and their herd veterinarian that robot calf feeding was safe for calves, viable and cost-effective.

“I was the only one sold on it. But I used to feed free-choice acidified milk replacer, and I knew how well calves could grow on free-choice feeding in a group setting,” she says.

The concern of both Pagenkopf’s husband and their veterinarian was disease transmission in group pens from calves suckling off common nipples. “But with the feeder, we’ve seen a significant decrease in scours, and our treatment costs and injections have dropped by two-thirds,” she says.

“Calves on the feeder don’t get ill as often because they can eat when they want,” adds daughter Kayla, who manages the calves. “And I think they’re under less stress from the social aspect because they’re in the group pens.”

The smaller, more frequent meals play into calf health as well since there is less slug feeding, says Brad Peissig, a Land O’Lakes Purina Feed dairy production specialist who worked with the Pagenkopfs on their transition to robotic feeding.

Calves are bottle-fed in individual pens for the first four days of life. Then they’re introduced to a group pen, which houses up to 25 heifer calves with access to one nipple. “Usually, we don’t have to show them more than two or three times where the nipple is,” Pagenkopf says.

The calves are identified with RFID button tags so the DeLaval CF1000 feeder’s computer can track their feeder visits and amount consumed. Some calves visit the feeder as many as 20 times per day, but feed intake is regulated by the robot.

The computer has four feeding regime programs, and the Pagenkopfs can place any calf onto any of these programs to control feed intake. Calves that reach the top intake of 8 liters of milk replacer per day are consuming 3.1 lb. of the 28% protein/20% fat powder.

Alarm lists can be pulled at any time to see how much calves are eating and whether any calves have stopped visiting the machine.

Pens are sized to provide 35 sq. ft. of deep-bedded straw per calf. Calves also have access to free-choice water and calf starter. “I’m amazed at how much starter these little ones will eat,” Pagenkopf says. “But when they see the older calves eating, they’ll start nibbling, too.”

If calves are gaining well at four weeks of age, they’re moved to an adjacent robot-feeding pen for larger calves. They’re typically weaned at eight weeks. Since the robot was installed last spring, calves on average are 25 lb. heavier at weaning.

The robot’s price tag, including programs, plumbing and wiring, came to $23,000. But the Pagenkopfs figure they’re saving the equivalent labor of 1½ employees while getting bigger, healthier calves.

Bonus content:

Arizona calf ranch robots

Robotic feeders:

DeLaval Calf Feeders

DeLaval brochure, “Get Calves Off to the Healthy Start They Need”

GEA Calf Feeders

Land O’'Lakes brochure, “Get Calves Off to the Healthy Start They Need”

Robotic calf feeding videos from DeLaval (click on “Videos” in the left-hand column)

Not Your Daddy''s Sorghum BMR rivals corn silage

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

New BMR forage sorghums compete with corn silage on digestibility, yield and growing costs.

In Florida, the old joke is that farmers measure corn silage yields in tons per acre and forage sorghum yields in board feet.

But new, highly digestible brown midrib (BMR) varieties of forage sorghum change all that. Plus, yields are starting to rival that of corn silage, water usage is much less and growing costs are just a fraction.

The crop’s one drawback is that it needs 60°F soil temperature to germinate and a 95-day window between planting and a hard frost to produce full tonnage. The cutoff point is typically the southern borders of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

But for Southern growers, BMR sorghum deserves a look-see, say Extension agronomists. In Texas, where water is a precious and expensive commodity, some 40,000 acres of corn silage have been converted to forage sorghums in the past five years.

“Sorghum silage is a viable source of high-quality silage for the dairy industry in the Texas Panhandle,” says Steve Amosson, an Extension economist with Texas A&M University. The conversion to BMR sorghum silage has increased net returns by nearly $5 million/year relative to other forages in Texas alone, he and colleagues estimate.

“BMR sorghum works quite well, and we can replace corn silage on almost a one-to-one ratio,” says Rick Lund-quist, a dairy nutritionist who consults across the South.

The crop works especially well in double-cropping situations in Arizona, where irrigation cost is always an issue. Producers there typically plant corn silage as a first crop, then come back with sorghum as a second crop in June.

“By then, we’re into the hot part of the season, so corn silage doesn’t do as well and puts on a lot of fiber. The BMR forage sorghums don’t,” Lundquist says.

The BMR sorghums also work well in grazing situations where annuals are used. Last year, Matt Clark of Blackstone, Va., planted strips of 11 forage types for his herd of 230 cows. He then fenced off grazing sections perpendicular to the strips to gauge cow preferences.

“Cows went to the BMR sorghum and sudangrass hybrids and just picked over the others,” he says. “They probably would have eaten the other forage if we’d fenced by forage type. But looking at tonnage and digestibility, the BMR sorghum was definitely better.”

Chris Teutsch, an agronomist with the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Blackstone, tested forage samples from the strips as well. “The BMR types tend to be more digestible,” he says.

But he also notes significant differences between BMR sorghum varieties. “People should ask the seed companies if they have university digestibility data,” he says.

In Texas research completed five years ago, economics slightly favored corn silage—due to higher tonnage yields. But total direct expense for the forage sorghum was two-thirds that of corn silage: $375/acre for sorghum, $560/acre for corn silage. Irrigation and seed costs were big factors. Irrigation ran $90/acre for sorghum and $150/acre for corn silage. And while BMR sorghum seed runs about $15/acre, corn seed can now exceed $100/acre.

Bonus content:

More on BMR nutrition

Brown Midrib Sorghum in Diets for Lactating Dairy Cows

Look. Think. Act. Simple prescription for what ails cows

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

Adequate bunk space is critical to ensure that all cows can eat as a group.

Dutch veterinarian Joep Driessen gives producers a pretty straightforward formula for correcting common cow management bottlenecks:

Look at cows closely to detect problems.
Think about what’s causing those problems.
Act to correct them.

“The cow is the best management adviser. Just look and listen,” he says.

“The answers are dead simple—cows need sufficient amounts of feed, water, light, air, space and rest. If you give them enough of these requirements, they no longer have a reason to be ill.

“On every dairy in the world, a lack of one of these points destroys cow health and welfare as well as farmers’ income,” he adds. “Very often, three or four of these points can be easily improved at low cost and will subsequently yield high returns.

“If you provide them, you’ll end up with healthy cows. Remember, one sick cow costs as much as 40 healthy cows,” he says.

Driessen heads up CowSignals, a dairy advisory service based in Bergharen, the Netherlands. The company employs nine veterinarians and three ag advisers with experience in 37 countries and 20 languages. Driessen recently spoke at the Minnesota Milk Producers Association annual meeting.

A lot of what Driessen preaches is common sense. But as herds become larger and more reliant on labor that has never worked with cattle, these cow basics must be taught.

Driessen focuses on three areas that are key to cows health: rumen fill, lameness and flesh wounds.

Rumen fill. One of the quickest ways to evaluate rumen fill is to look at the depth of the triangle formed on the cow’s left side from the back of the ribs to the hook bone. “If it is a deep hollow, it’s not normal and means the animal hasn’t eaten for four to six hours,” Driessen says.

First-calf heifers and the lower third of some herds might have inadequate rumen fill. Possible causes are empty bunks, lack of bunk space and overcrowding.

The fix can be as simple as feeding one more time per day or pushing up feed late at night. But if bunk space is limited, you might need to reduce stocking density.

Remember that cows are herd animals and want to eat all at the same time. Separating older cows from first-calf heifers reduces intimidation.

Lameness. “Why are 25% of all cows in Europe and North America lame?” Driessen asks. “This has a lot to do with freestall design, flooring, ventilation, long waiting times at milking and transition period management.”

The first step is to evaluate the number of lame cows—and the severity of that lameness—in the herd. The tougher part is diagnosing the problem. But if there are a large number of cows standing in aisles or perching in freestalls, it’s a good indication that stalls are improperly sized, have impediments that make lying down and standing up difficult or have uncomfortable bedding surfaces.

Deep-bedded sand or straw offers the best cushioning and traction for cows. Rubber mats and mattresses, even when they are topped with bedding, usually are not cows’ first preference because they are still too firm yet don’t provide enough cushion or traction when cows attempt to stand.

As a basic preventive measure, Driessen also recommends routine hoof trimming, preferably at 90 days in milk and again at dryoff.

Flesh wounds. Cows will quickly tell you when equipment and facilities are causing injuries. “Severe wounds vary from farm to farm, from zero to 44% of all cows in the herd,” Driessen says.

Hock injuries and swelling are the most common, indicating abrasions from poorly bedded stalls. But injuries to knees, necks and backbones also indicate poorly placed brisket boards and neck rails.

Driessen recommends closely examining 10 to 20 randomly selected cows in a group. If one or two of those cows have wounds, that suggests 10% to 20% of the herd have similar problems.

Bonus content:

Spanish translation

CowSignals

Get lame; stay lame

Are you missing lame cows?

Cow comfort makeovers

Bedded Packs

Low-cost Solutions

Oh, Say, Can You C The five C’s maximize calf-raising success

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

When it comes to the ABC’s of calf management, skip the A’s and B’s and concentrate on the C’s, advises Sheila McGuirk, University of Wisconsin veterinarian.

From birth, provide calves with a clean, comfortable environment with good colostrum management, consistent feeding and management practices and plenty of dietary calories, McGuirk says. These steps arm calves to defend themselves against the three most significant disease problems that affect dairy youngsters: diarrhea, pneumonia and septicemia.

Colostrum. Feed calves 4 qt. of good-quality colostrum within the first few hours of life, McGuirk says. “At least strive to ensure that all calves are fed colostrum within the first four hours,” she notes. “When calves are unable to drink all the colostrum, use an esophageal tube feeder and be sure to feed 4 qt.”

Cleanliness. Calves should be born in a clean, dry place. “If maternity areas are dirty, newborn calves will be exposed to a variety of disease-causing organisms, such as E. coli, Salmonella and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis [Johne’s disease],” McGuirk says. “Unless calves are removed from that area within 10 minutes, the outcome will be more sickness and a higher death loss in the herd.”

Among all of the animals present on a dairy farm, the highest morbidity and mortality rates generally occur in baby calves prior to weaning, at a rate of 7.8%, according to USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System.

Calories. After the first day of life, the milk or milk replacer feeding rate should allow calves to double their birth weight by weaning time. McGuirk recommends calf managers increase the number of feedings or enhancing the caloric intake of calves in cold weather.

Begin offering a handful of high-quality calf starter on the second day of life. “It’s important to do this because the calf starter stimulates the development of the rumen,” McGuirk explains. “Calves need to be eating at least 2 lb. of calf starter daily before they are weaned at five to eight weeks of age.” High-quality calf starter is palatable, high in protein (18% to 20%) and energy and low in fiber.

Comfort. Provide young animals with enough dry bedding so the legs of calves are completely covered when they are lying down. Shelter from drafts and wind is essential, especially during cold weather.

Consistency. Consistency of newborn protocols and daily calf management is paramount, McGuirk empha-sizes. “Calves should be fed the proper amounts of the same feeds at the same temperature every day, and they should be observed at the same times every day,” she recommends. “Calf management work should be handled by the same person or persons every day. Changes in the routine will stress calves, and animals that are stressed are more likely to get sick.”

CALF MANAGEMENT 101

Remove calves promptly from adult animal environments. (Use hutches or a separate facility.)

House calves in individual hutches, stalls or pens in small groups until after weaning. Bedding should be deep enough to cover the calf’s legs when lying down.

Provide good ventilation and a draft-free environment. Solid partitions that prevent contact between calves in individual pens prevent disease, but keep the front, back and top of individual pens as open as possible for the best air quality.

Locate calf housing upwind, uphill and upstream from adult cattle areas so any manure runoff from adult animals will not reach the calves.

Clean, wash, disinfect and dry out hutches, stalls or pens between calves.

Prevent manure contamination of feed, feed area and feeding utensils. Make sure boots, hand tools, skid steers and equipment are clean. Baby calves should never be in contact with manure from adult animals.

Work from youngest to oldest animals when doing chores.

Provide individual feed and water pails for each calf and keep them separate.

Wash and sanitize shared milk pails and bottles between feedings.

Provide fresh calf starter, milk replacer and water every day. Discard refused feed away from the calf housing area.

Source: Sheila McGuirk, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine

Bonus content:

Spanish translation - El ABC de la cría de becerras

Rasing Calves…The 5 C’'s of a Health Start

Basic Feeding Practices More Important than Balancing to Nth Decimal

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 20:11:41 GMT

Basic feeding practices, such as correct mix times, on-time feed delivery and push-ups between feeding, are far more important to dairy cattle nutrition than balancing rations to the last one-hundredth of a percent for metabolizable protein or energy.

That message was again bore out by a feeding study in Pennsylvania that measured milk production, feed intake and feed efficiency in 22 herds in 2017 and 2018.

The seven high profit herds in the study were averaging about 84 lb of fat corrected milk with intakes of 54 to 57 lb of dry matter. The seven medium profit herds had milk production in the two years averaging 78 to 80 lb, and feed intakes of 50 to 53 lb of dry matter. The eight low profit herds had milk production averaging 75 to 77 lb with intakes of 49 to 52 lb.

“All herds on the project used a nutritionist and rations formulated using current models,” says Virginia Ishler, an Extension dairy specialist with Pennsylvania State University. “The paper rations showed that the various nutrient requirements were satisfied.

“The big discrepancy was with the formulated dry matter intake compared to what the cows were consuming,” she says. “The factors influencing intake were related to the physical nature of the forages or rations.

“Since intake on many herds did not match the formulated diet, that negates the assumption that cows are receiving the ‘perfect’ amino acid profile or the correct amounts of metabolizable protein and energy,” Ishler says.

“The reality is too many dairies still need to work on the basics related to feed management and cow comfort,” she says. “Focusing on the minutia of nutrients to the nth decimal place is not going to solve major animal or financial performance problems.”

You can read more detail on the study here .

Tips to Reduce Hay-Drying Time, Produce Quality Forage

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 18:00:28 GMT

By Tracy Turner, Purdue University

CALDWELL, Ohio - While producers might find it challenging to get hay dry in early June due to changing weather conditions, there are steps they can take to get the crop up quickly and reduce the potential for rain damage, a forage expert with Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences says.

“Proper tedding, raking, and equipment care are just some of the steps producers can take to reduce drying time and produce high-quality hay,” said Clif Little, an educator with the college’s outreach arm, Ohio State University Extension.

Although drying time for hay is affected by forage species, environmental conditions, cut height and swath width, Little said a good management plan can make a big difference in hay quality.

“Cutting and drying hay quickly is always important, especially with everything being a little behind this year because of the planting season,” he said. “Feed prices are high, so anything producers can do to produce quality hay is a benefit.

“We’re fighting rain as well as other work we’ve got to do around the farm. But we still have to get hay up quickly because when we get rain on our forage it can be devastated or ruined. So using these steps may allow producers to get it up a day or two earlier.”

Little’s tips:

* Make sure hay-mowing equipment rollers are adjusted properly.

* Cut hay in the morning after the dew is off to help speed drying time and reduce the loss of carbohydrates due to respiration. Respiration is a natural process and continues until the plant dries to a moisture content of about 40 percent.

* Lay high-yielding forages in a wide swath to give better access to sun and wind.

* Use tedding to reduce drying time by spreading the hay. While tedding increases costs in terms of time and fuel, the increase is offset by a reduction in drying time.

* Ted hay shortly after cutting and when it contains no less than 50 percent moisture to reduce leaf shatter and forage loss.

* Rake hay at an optimal moisture content of 30 to 40 percent. Raking hay at the improper moisture content can contribute to loss of plant leaf material. Raking when the hay is ready to bale (very dry) can cause major leaf shatter and reduce the overall nutrient content of the forage.

* Bale hay at the proper moisture content based on the size and shape of bales to reduce harvest and storage loss. For most small rectangular and large round bales, the recommended baling moisture content is 18 percent. For high-density large rectangular bales, the range can be 12-14 percent moisture for proper storage.
* If storing hay outside, make sure you choose a location that is dry, preferably on a solid surface, such as rock, and make sure the location is high and open to wind.

For More Information

Get the latest hay and forage news .

Why Somatic Cells Counts Matter

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 19:18:36 GMT

As herds grow larger and sophisticated parlor technology becomes more widespread, there’s a belief that individual cow somatic cell count (SCC) testing isn’t worth the effort.

But new research involving 22 large herds with nearly 165,000 cows suggests otherwise. Mark Kirkpatrick, a managing veterinarian with Zoetis, compared performance of cows that freshened with cell counts above and below 200,000 somatic cells per mL at first test.

His conclusion: “A higher SCC at first test is as much a disease condition as clinical mastitis.” And the costs are multiple:

Lost milk production
Greater risk of clinical mastitis
Lower reproduction
Higher, faster culling

“Even in the face of no milk quality premiums, it remains in the producer’s best financial interest to manage SCCs,” Kirkpatrick says.

The differences are striking. Cows with cell counts above 200,000 at first test produced 1,583 lb. less milk than herd mates with SCCs below 200,000. That decreases income over feed costs by $203 when milk is $18 per cwt and feed is 13¢ per pound of dry matter.

It also stands to reason that cows with high somatic cell counts early in lactation will flare with clinical mastitis more often.

About 8% of cows with cell counts below 200,000 at first test will still have a clinical case of mastitis within the first 60 days in milk. A whopping 25% of cows with SCCs above 200,000 at first test will have clinical mastitis within 60 days of calving.

Across an entire herd, the odds of high SCCs flaring with a clinical case is two and a half to four times more often. And they’ll have those cases about two months sooner than herd mates.

Numerous studies have also shown cows with high cell counts have poorer reproduction. And Kirkpatrick’s research also supports that idea: Cows with high cell counts early in lactation require an additional 17 days to become pregnant.

In addition, cows with high SCCs are also culled sooner and more frequently. In Kirkpatrick’s study, just 2% of cows with cell counts below 200,000 at first test were culled within the first 60 days in milk. But 6.5% cows with cell counts above 200,000 at first test were culled within the first 60 days.

High cell count cows typically leave the herd 98 days earlier than herdmates. That’s even faster than cows with clinical mastitis, which leave the herd 51 days earlier.

Dry Period Management Critical

The place to start managing early lactation SCCs starts with the previous dry period—well before cows calve, says Mark Kirkpatrick, a managing veterinarian for Zoetis.

Use dry cow therapy to address existing infections.
Use an internal teat sealant at dry off to prevent new dry period infections.
Ensure cows have a clean and dry environment throughout the dry period.
Use core antigen vaccines to aid in the control of clinical signs of E. coli mastitis.

Importance of Forage Quality

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:37:51 GMT

By: Karla Hernandez, forages field specialist at SDSU Extension

Livestock production depends largely on the feeding program; and what you should feed your animals will depend on an analysis of the forage quality. So, what is forage quality? It is the potential of forage to produce the desired animal response. It is measured by six main components: (1) palatability, (2) intake, (3) digestibility, (4) nutrient content, (5) anti-quality factors, and (6) animal performance. As procedures for analyzing forages have improved, knowledge of how to use test results to increase animal efficiency and performance has also improved. Despite these advances, many livestock producers do not recognize the full value of forage quality testing as a management tool.

Why should I test forages for quality? Many scientific studies have shown that the quality of forages fed can have a significant impact on net profit. For example, dairy producers who estimate the crude protein content of their haylage to be 3 percent units lower than it is, and the crude protein content of their corn silage 2 percent units lower than it is, end up feeding more supplemental protein than necessary. Knowing the quality of the forages you are selling or buying is economically wise as well and should been taken in consideration.

How do I collect a forage sample for quality testing?
Samples of Baled Hay:

Take a separate sample from each field and cutting.
Always sample with a bale core, otherwise, it is impossible to get representative samples.
Insert the sampler full depth into the end of each bale. This will insure an accurate sample.
Take at least 20 samples cored from each lot.
Mix the 20 cores in a clean bucket and place in a plastic bag.
Label each bag with your name, location, date, address, forage mixture, stage of maturity and date harvested.
Send your samples to a laboratory that analyses forage quality.

Samples of Haylage and Silage at Harvest:

Take a sample of the silage, collecting from three to five handfuls of silage or haylage from the first load of the day in a plastic bag, and place in refrigerator or freezer immediately.
Follow the same procedure for several loads of forage throughout the day and proceed to combine samples by mixing well, until you obtain a representative sample.
Repeat this process for each field if more than one field is harvested in one day.
Label the plastic bag with your name, address, sample number, forage mixture, stage of maturity, and date of harvested.
Send your samples to a laboratory that analyses forage quality.

Preparing and Storing Collected Samples:

Keep hay samples in a cool place, and keep the haylage and silage samples frozen. Then proceed to mail them or bring them to a laboratory early in the week, to prevent bacterial decay that might alter the final results.
The results will depend on the amount of sample taken as well as if it was collected randomly but with a good representation.

Summary: Proper sampling ensures that the forage analyses accurately reflect the hay, silage, or pasture being sampled. Generally, the better the growing conditions, the higher the forage quality. It is important to follow the steps to obtain a sample of forage in hay or silage, or else inadequate sampling will result in less accurate forage quality data analysis.

View the related publication below for a list of certified laboratories where samples can be sent for forage quality testing.

Related Publication
Feed Testing Laboratories by SDSU Extension

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

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:37:36 GMT

Source: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC

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.

“To keep calves growing all year long, regardless of the temperature outside, it is important that calf feeders pay attention to the details and closely monitor their feeding practices,” says Christie Underwood, a calf and heifer specialist with Purina Animal Nutrition in the southwest.

Underwood offers some simple tips to help calf feeders make sure that the details of feeding calves don’t fall through the cracks.

Know how much calf starter is actually needed
Measuring calf starter is the best way to ensure that the correct amount is being fed. Calf managers should provide employees with guidelines on how much calf starter is appropriate for a given age. “A simple trick that I’ve used on-farm is marking a feed scoop or other sanitized container with the desired amount,” says Underwood.

Training employees how to read buckets is another critical step in maintaining adequate feed intake. Underwood reminds employees to provide just enough calf starter so that there are no empty buckets prior to the next feeding. “It’s a balancing act between providing the right amount of calf starter and not providing too much,” says Underwood. “As calf feeders develop an eye for how much calf starter is enough and how much is too much, they will be able to help save your operation from costs associated with wasted feed.”

Paying close attention to how much calves are eating allows calf feeders to notice when a calf’s intake is off. This allows for more immediate action to be taken if the calf is sick, notes Underwood.

Calf feeding needs are not universal across all operations. Breed, weather and season, and the amount of milk or milk replacer fed can all affect the amount of calf starter needed to achieve optimal growth. As a result it is important that calf feeders learn and apply what works best on each operation, says Underwood.

Freshness is a must
Simply topping off calf starter buckets without routinely discarding leftover feed is a practice Underwood strongly discourages, as this may lead to moldy feed on the bottom of buckets. Mold can result from moisture in the air, precipitation or even the calf’s muzzle.

If mold is present, calf starter consumption may be decreased and may even result in digestive upsets. “Adding more calf starter on top of already wet or moldy feed can negatively affect calf health,” stresses Underwood.

Don’t forget about water
Water plays an important role in calf starter consumption. When discussing the importance of water consumption to calf feeders, Underwood uses the analogy of eating a peanut butter sandwich without a beverage. If calves don’t have enough water to help them consume calf starter, this may hinder their appetite. “Keeping fresh water in front of calves at all times is essential to achieve optimal calf starter intake,” she says.

Calf feeders should be aware that as calves get older, water consumption increases. Lack of adequate water for older calves may lead to slug feeding of grain and subsequent digestive issues. When a calf does not have water or feed, and suddenly is offered either there may be a chance for the calf to consume a large amount of grain at once which may lead to digestive bloat. Free-choice starter and water availability can help minimize the risk of digestive upsets in calves, Underwood notes.

It is no secret that calves are amongst the choosiest eaters on most dairies and they thrive on consistent routines. To keep calves growing and developing to become profitable members of the lactating herd, consider routinely evaluating the operation’s feeding practices and make sure that all employees are on the same page.

For more information, contact Christie Underwood at (806) 640-8045, email CMUnderwood@landolakes.com or visit www.amplicalf.com .

Purina Animal Nutrition LLC is a national organization serving producers, animal owners and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers across the United States. Driven by an uncompromising commitment to animal excellence, Purina Animal Nutrition is an industry innovator, offering America’s leading brands of complete feeds, supplements, premixes, ingredients and specialty technologies for the livestock and lifestyle animal markets. Headquartered in Shoreview, Minn., Purina Animal Nutrition LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, Inc.

Dealing with Prussic Acid in Sorghum and Sorghum-sudangrass

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:37:17 GMT

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. This risk is most evident when the plant is at a young, dark green growth or regrowth (less than 18 to 24 inches) and the danger increases just after a frost.

“However, they can be safely grazed a few weeks after freezing if there is no substantial regrowth,” says Dan Undersander, professor of agronomy with the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Regular sudangrass contains the least amount of prussic acid, while sorghum-sundangrass is more acidic and sorghum has the most risk of poisoning.

Undersander recommends mixing sorghum or sorghum-sudangrass with other feeds to reduce the danger of prussic acid poisoning. Here are the other recommendations Undersander lists when feeding these forage types:

· Silage. “Sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass silage is generally safe for feeding. Although it may have contained toxic levels of prussic acid when harvested, while in storage much of the poison escapes as a gas during fermentation and when being fed. However, as a precaution, do not feed new silage for at least three weeks after harvesting and storing.”

· Hay. “The prussic acid content of sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass hay decreases as much as 75 percent while curing and is rarely hazardous when fed to livestock. Hay stored for two or more months gradually losses all its cyanide potential.”

· Greenchop or grazing. “Do not graze sorghum or sorghum-sudangrass hybrids following a series of light frosts, as the potential for poisoning increases for a period of time after frosts. Allow seven to 10 days after a light frost before feeding greenchop or grazing. Do not green-chop graze sorghum or sorghum-sudangrass hybrids following a killing frost until the plant has dried, approximately seven days. Do not graze hungry livestock on sorghum or sorghum-sudangrass hybrids. Poisoning potential increases with the amount of high-risk forage consumed.”

For more information on feeding sorghum or sorghum-sudangrass click here .

Bill Would Block Rule on Meatpackers' Deals With Livestock Producers

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:33:33 GMT

The Agriculture Department would be barred, under language in a House appropriations bill, from proceeding with proposed marketing regulations opposed by major meatpackers and livestock trade groups.

The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved the draft fiscal 2012 spending bill, including the provision, by voice vote on Tuesday. The bill would provide $17.3 billion in discretionary funds to the Agriculture Department, Food and Drug Administration and related agencies, a $2.6 billion cut from fiscal 2011. The measure also includes $108 billion in mandatory funding, almost 3 percent more than in fiscal 2011.

The policy rider would bar the Agriculture Department’s Grain Inspection Stockyard and Packers Administration (GIPSA) from producing a regulation requiring meatpackers to report and justify pricing agreements with livestock producers. The proposed rule, unveiled last year, was written in response to a 2008 farm law (PL 110-246) directive to review marketing and competition issues in the livestock industry.

Supporters say the regulation is needed because competitive pricing no longer exists in an industry where four major meatpackers control 85 percent of the market.

But meatpacking companies say the agency went beyond the mandate of the farm law and produced a regulation that could make them targets of unjustified lawsuits. Major livestock groups warn that their members could receive less for their cattle, hogs and poultry if slaughter operations abandon premiums to avoid charges of discriminatory pricing.

Lawmakers from both parties have lined up against the new pricing rules. In a May 18 letter, 147 House members urged Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to withdraw the preliminary rule, analyze the impact of proposed changes on the industry, then propose a revised rule. Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Jack Kingston, R-Ga., was among those signing the letter.

At the subcommittee markup on Tuesday, Ohio Democrat Marcy Kaptur said the policy rider would prevent the department from getting tough on “monopolistic companies.” She accuses meatpackers of using private agreements with cattle, pork and poultry producers to control prices.

“Smaller farmers and slaughterhouses are being squeezed out of the market,” said Kaptur, the only subcommittee member to speak on the issue at the markup.

Bill Bullard, chief executive officer of R-Calf USA, a group that represents live cattle producers and supports the Agriculture Department rule, said opponents “literally have a stranglehold on the House.”

Bullard has said he is counting on a handful of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to keep the policy rider out of fiscal 2012 spending legislation. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, has expressed concern about the concentration of power among the meatpackers, Bullard said.

Cuts to Nutrition Programs

Democrats focused their criticism at the markup on proposed cuts in nutrition programs. Norm Dicks of Washington, the full Appropriations Committee’s top Democrat, said the proposal to cut discretionary spending on the Women, Infants and children program by $832 million, to $5.9 billion, could shut out as many as 475,000 eligible participants.

“This breaks a 15-year bipartisan commitment to what we do about women, infants and children,” added Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the subcommittee’s former chairwoman. “It is just unconscionable and morally wrong that we are going to watch women and children go hungry.”

Kingston responded that the draft bill would provide $125 million in contingency funds to prevent large numbers of qualified recipients from being driven out of the programs. He also said the measure would allow the Agriculture secretary to roll over unspent funds in the account from fiscal 2011. “We’re going to watch these numbers closely,” Kingston promised.

The bill includes $71.2 billion in mandatory spending for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. That represents a 9.2 percent increase from fiscal 2011, though it is $2 billion less than President Obama requested. An additional $18.8 billion in mandatory spending would go to child nutrition programs, 8.4 percent more than in fiscal 2011.

The only amendment offered at the markup, by Cynthia M. Lummis, R-Wyo., was rejected by voice vote. Her proposal would have eliminated the Self-Help Housing program, which helps individuals build their own homes in rural areas, and directed the $22 million in savings to fund rural broadband loans. But some of her Republican colleagues argued that there are already programs to streamline broadband access in rural communities, and they said many operate with questionable effectiveness.

Source: CQ TodayRound-the-clock coverage of news from Capitol Hill.©2011 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Vomitoxin Guidelines Revised

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:31:52 GMT

Because of issues in 2009 and 2010 wheat, FDA has revised standards regarding Vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol or DON) for the first time since 1993.

FDA has added gluten feeds and meals to the list of grains and grain byproducts subject to the 30-ppm DON advisory limit when fed to dairy, beef and feedlot cattle more than four months old. Looking at the total ration fed, the limit is 10 ppm for beef cattle and 5 ppm for dairy cattle.

Follow this link for FDA’s full advisory .

R2-D2 feeds calves

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:31:29 GMT

For now, the Vanderwey brothers’ Grand View Dairy has the nation’s—and perhaps the world’s—largest automated calf-feeding operation at a dairy.

But their Arizona operation may not hold that claim forever, Larry Vanderwey says.

“Automated calf feeding is the future,” he says. “It’s where calf feeding is going to be.”

Like the resourceful R2-D2 robot in the Star Wars movies, the automated system is proving to be an invaluable asset for Grand View Dairy.

Feeding flexibility, reduced labor and calves’ increased weight gain are among the benefits Vanderwey has seen by bringing automated calf feeders on board.

“The automated feeders are superior for maximum consumption,” he says. “We also see minimal stress, good socialization and good activity levels in the calves.”

Two years ago, the dairy wasn’t even raising calves. But after seeing automated calf feeders during a trip to Sweden, where the feeders have been used for years, Vanderwey was inspired to begin calf-raising with the help of robotics.

Vanderwey and his three brothers operate a dry-lot dairy in Buckeye, west of Phoenix. The dairy houses two milk barns, each milking 2,350 Holsteins 3X.

Today, because of the Vanderweys’ faith in automated calf-feeding, there are also plenty of calves on site. The dairy counts 175 newborns in hutches, 600 older calves in 20 pens inside the “auto” barn, and 2,000 heifers outside in corrals.

The Vanderweys use 10 DeLaval Calf Feeder 300A milk systems in the 20 pens of their calf barn. Each automated system serves two pens, which hold 25 to 35 calves each. When the calves want to eat, they make their way to the pen’s milk station.

They approach the feeder through two side rails that are about the same length as their bodies. Standing between the rails, the calf feeds from a nipple at the end of a polyurethane tube, which is connected to the nearby automated unit.

Each calf wears a collar with a transponder. The transponder transmits a signal, which is picked up by a reader bar on the front of the station. The system immediately identifies the calf and its feeding requirements. Within seconds, the milk feeder is delivering breakfast, lunch or dinner rations to the animal.

Programmed by computer, the system delivers the precise amount of heated water and powdered milk replacer. The two ingredients have been mixed in a blender-like device inside the automated milk machine.

A nearby computer processor not only controls the actions of the feeding station but is connected to a personal computer in Vanderwey’s office.

Using the same software that drives Vanderwey’s automated equipment in his milking parlor, the system is programmed to tell when, how much and what to feed each individual calf over a 24-hour period. It can track and control for group level, barn level, individual level, age, weight and more. It tells who’s eating and who’s not.

“We check the report twice a day,” Vanderwey says.

“There are unlimited possibilities to do what you want to do,” he adds. “It offers great flexibility.”

Calves are moved to the auto barn from the hutches when they’re seven to 10 days old. It takes just one day to train them to eat from the automated feeders.

They’ll stay there until they’re up to 45 days old, although Vanderwey may hold a calf another five to 10 days if necessary.

Initially, each calf on the automated feeder gets about 6 qt. of milk. That’s increased to 9½ qt. by 38 days. The feedings are spread out over the course of a day, so calves consume what they need without gorging themselves.

“If the calf has just eaten an hour before, the feeder won’t let them eat,” Vanderwey says.

The system typically allows the calf to eat four to five times over a 24-hour period. Over time, the automated feeders gradually reduce the calves’ milk intake. At about one month, the feeders begin transitioning the calves to a grain diet.

As part of the automated calf-feeding system, the dairy has 20 galvanized-steel grain feeders for its transitioning calves. Each is located a short distance from the milk-feeding stations in the same pen.

Vanderwey starts the calves at 1.1 lb. to 1.65 lb. of grain per day and slowly increases their grain diet to 4.4 lb. to 5.5 lb./day. By 45 days, they’re no longer consuming any milk. The calves are then ready to move to the heifer corrals outside.

“The gradual progression eases the stress of transitioning them from milk to grain,” Vanderwey says. “You can wean the calves as conservatively or aggressively as you want.”

Among the other benefits of using the automated feeders is the calves’ impressive weight gain by the time they are weaned, he says. “We double their weight in 45 days,” he says. “We’re realizing a wean weight 15 to 30 days faster.”

The calves are in great shape, he adds. Without the automated feeders, the dairy would have had to build three to five more calf barns and an additional 600 hutches, he says. “We’ve kept higher efficiencies and a 90% occupancy rate without increasing structural costs,” Vanderwey says.

Designed for the hot Arizona climate, the calf-feeding facilities are not completely enclosed—screens shield the calves from the desert’s fierce summer sun. “We built [the system] to fit our needs and to keep the calves at comfortable levels,” Vanderwey says.

Vanderwey would not reveal the cost of his automated calf feeders, citing a working relationship with DeLaval. But he says what the dairy has saved in outlays and expenses makes the automated system well worth the cost.

“We’ve seen savings on equipment, facilities and labor,” he says. “We have five people managing up to 750 calves, versus probably needing one person for every 50 to 75 calves. The automated feeders cut our labor in half.”

Because the calves aren’t housed in individual hutches, they can move freely in the auto-barn pens and socialize with each other. That allows them to build appetites, leading to reduced stress and better overall animal health, Vanderwey says.

Furthermore, there are no bottles, buckets or wagons, or worries about temperatures cooling as milk deliveries are made.

Although the calves in the auto barn feed from the same nipple and grain feeder and live in close contact in the pens, Vanderwey says illness or disease transmission hasn’t been a problem. In the first place, only healthy calves are allowed into the auto barn to feed from the robotic system. What’s more, the stations are equipped for automatic cleaning.

“They self-clean three times a day,” he says. “We also do supplemental cleaning every other day.”

Some learning curve was involved in the feeders’ installation and use, Vanderwey says. Also, the automated units still involve calf-feeding, which requires good management, he adds. But overall, his faith in the robotic feeders has been justified.

“We haven’t run into any drawbacks that have made us wish these units were gone,” Vanderwey says. “They’re very good and we’re pleased where we are today. There are more pros than there will ever be cons.

Robot surrogate

• Grand View Dairy feeds 600 calves milk replacer through the system.

• Feeding flexibility, reduced labor costs and impressive weight gain are among the robotic units’ benefits.

• For more information, click here .

Rip, mix and feed

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:31:29 GMT

It sure beats milking a fresh heifer for the first time at 2 a.m. Colostrum replacer , though pricey at $20 to $25 or more for 2 qt., offers convenience and, more importantly, passive immunity for newborn calves.

“It’s so easy and simple. You grab a package, mix it up and feed it,” says Mark Brown, who milks 60 cows near Dodgeville, Wis. “We don’t have to fire up the parlor for one cow if she calves in the middle of the night, and we don’t have to thaw frozen colostrum if we don’t get enough colostrum from a fresh heifer.”

Brown milks 30 Holsteins and 30 Jerseys, all of which are registered. After reading about colostrum replacers two years ago, he decided to give them a try. “Our Jersey calves would often scour seven to 10 days after birth,” he says.

The colostrum replacer has almost eliminated the scours in these calves, Brown says. “So if you subtract the $6 or more we were spending on scour treatments, it doesn’t make the price of the colostrum replacer look so bad,” he says.

Brown sells all his Holstein bulls to a neighbor, who says he also noticed a difference. “He offered to pay me $20 more per bull calf if we used the colostrum replacer because he noticed a difference [in the calves] right away,” Brown says.

Cal Greenfield, who milks more than 500 cows with his brother Rick and nephew Loren near Markesan, Wis., has been using colostrum replacer on a more limited basis. Because of the cost, he only uses the replacer on calves that are born to Johne’s-positive cows.

The ease of use often tempts him to use more. “My brother takes care of the calves at his place, and we have to walk the fresh cows up to the parlor for milking,” he says. Then they have to bring the colostrum back down to where the calves are.

Using colostrum replacer would be a lot more convenient, he says. “You mix it up, give it to the calf and you’re done,” he says.

Sandra Godden, a University of Minnesota veterinarian, has conducted research on several of the colostrum replacer products and agrees that they have their place. “But if I have enough volume of high-quality, clean maternal colostrum available, it would still be my first choice,” she says.

If you don’t have a back-up supply of fresh or frozen colostrum, there are a number of reasons to use colostrum replacers, including:

• When the fresh heifer or cow doesn’t produce 4 qt. of colostrum.

• When you can’t milk the cow until six to eight hours after calving, since calves need to receive colostrum within an hour or two of birth.

• If the cow has tested positive for Johne’s disease.

The goal of feeding colostrum, whether it’s from the calf’s dam or from a replacer, is to ensure the calf receives enough passive immunity to ward off infections until her own immune system kicks in. To achieve that, the calf needs to have a serum immunoglobulin (IgG) concentration of more than 10 mg/ml.

“Most commercial colostrum replacers contain 100 to 125 g. IgG per dose,” she says. Godden’s research and other publications suggest that feeding one dose of replacer will be roughly equal to feeding 2 qt. of high-quality colostrum.

But that assumes the calf will have minimal stress, excellent nutrition and low pathogen exposure. “For producers who want to further improve the calf’s immune status, I would recommend feeding two doses of the colostrum replacer,” she says.

That more closely approximates the IgGs in 4 qt. of colostrum that is currently recommended for Holstein calves. “Given the value of a calf, if they were my calves, I’d feed two doses,” Godden says.

Also be sure to follow label directions when mixing the colostrum replacer as they differ by brand. The replacers can be fed with a nipple bottle or through a feeding tube, if the latter is required.

Godden also cautions against confusing colostrum replacers with colostrum supplements. “The supplements typically contain less than 50 g. of IgG per dose and no nutrient pack, and are only meant to extend or supplement existing maternal colostrum,” she says.

If not cared for, calves have little chance to become productive. “If a producer feeds only a colostrum supplement with no maternal colostrum, then that calf is almost guaranteed to have failure of passive transfer of immunity and will be at significantly higher risk for disease events,” she says.

To properly evaluate colostrum replacers, calves should be compared on pre-weaning health such as treatments used and mortality risk. “Most studies enroll too few calves to properly evaluate health outcomes,” Godden says.

No studies have been published on the long-term health, productivity or cost-benefit of using these products. “This will require following animals into adulthood to measure risk for Johne’s disease infection, longevity and lifetime milk production in the herd,” she says.

“We are one year away from completing such a study—fed either a commercial colostrum replacer or maternal colostrum—from birth to five years of age.”

Easy does it

• One package of colostrum replacer provides 100 to 125 g. IgG, equivalent to 2 qt. of high-quality colostrum.
• For Holstein calves, two packets in the first 12 hours are recommended.
• Each packet costs $20 to $25 or more.

Lighting Can Have Major Impact on Milk Production

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 03:07:31 GMT

Like all mammals, dairy cows are affected by the amount of light they receive each day. Seasonal changes in day length also can have a huge impact in milk production, ranging from 5 lb/cow/day in the northern United States to 8 to 9 lb/day in the south.

Changes in hours of light and day length allow the animal to anticipate changes in her environment before they actually occur, says Kevin Harvatine, a dairy nutrition physiologist with Pennsylvania State University. He spoke this summer at the virtual 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference .

The seasonal change in available natural light, from 16 to 18 hours of daylight in spring to 8 to 10 hours/day in winter, can have a 5 to 10% effect on milk production, he says. As a result, milk production is highest in April and lowest in September. And if cows are dry in winter, the affect of the shortened days can lead to an increase in mammary tissue growth during the dry period, he says.

“There is no data on how to manage out of this,” Harvatine says. “Managing the photoperiod is probably the best choice.”

As important, cows need a period of darkness as part of their normal, daily, circadian rhythm. Constant light pollution, particularly in large dairies operating around the clock, can be a problem. Even though freestall barns might be dark at night, light pollution from the milking parlor/holding area or lights on skid steers cleaning alleys or pushing up feed can disrupt cows internal clocks.

“I know we are trying to maximize parlor efficiency, but what is 5 to 10% more milk worth?” he asks. “Maybe we can afford to shut down our parlor a couple of hours during the night to get that increase in yield.”

The timing of feed delivery is also critical. Delivering fresh feed stimulates the greatest dry matter intake. But it also can cause slug feeding which in turn may induce rumen upset.

“Make sure feed is available when the cows return from the parlor, but delivering [fresh] feed 2 to 3 hours before or after milking may spread feed intake more across the day,” Harvatine says.

Also be careful with late afternoon and evening feedings. “Night feeding really scares me. It causes slug feeding with huge intake of feed at night and then lower intakes through the rest of the day,” he says. “Early morning feeding may be safer.”

You can view a video of Harvatine’s presentation here or his Powerpoint presentation here .

Nutrition: High Forage Diets

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:59:48 GMT

The dairy cow, as a ruminant, has a huge capacity to convert large amounts of forages to high-quality protein and energy as people food. The benefits to the dairy producers are more basic.

The production of higher amounts of milk components, improved farm incomes, lower purchased feed cost, better rumen health, fewer foot problems, lower veterinary bills, increased cow longevity and better reproductive performance are some of the benefits.

In regions where dairy farms can produce abundant amounts of forages, there is an economic advantage to align the resources of cropping programs, recycling manure nutrients and the ability to produce lots of quality forages to meet the quality and quantity of feeds needed for high forage diets. It is an opportunity to leverage multiple aspects of dairy farming for a powerful economic model.

How much forage can a cow eat? Dairy farmers who focus on high forage diets and high milk
production regularly feed diets as high as 70% forages. More importantly, it calculates out to be in the range of 0.9% to 1.1% of body weight as neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake from forages. Simply stated, in terms of both amounts and quality, more is better.

Bonus Content

Extended column, more on high forage diets

Revisiting Forage
Extended comments are highlighted in blue.

It requires the coordination of feed professionals who understand how the high-performance dairy cow functions to utilize large amounts of high-quality forages. It also requires a dairy farm management system that produces and has available an abundant supply of consistently high-quality forages, mostly corn silage and hay crops. However, all this just does not happen overnight.

Simply making the decision to feed more forages usually does not work very well. It takes a deliberate plan by the farm’s management to focus on a system that emphasizes the production, harvesting, storage, ration programming and feeding of an abundant and consistent supply of quality forages to work.

A lot of things need to work together.

It starts in the field with crop programs and rotations that produce enough high-quality hay crop forages and the right varieties of corn silage to have year-round supplies of consistent quality to meet the herd’s needs.
There has to be enough capacity to harvest at the peak of quality—even under some adverse harvesting conditions. Good inventory management should be in place to track individual lots of feeds. It allows for the allocation of feeds to the appropriate groups of cattle. Mower, merger and chopper capacity; hauling capacity; bunk packing capacity need to match the size of the crop; and being ready to roll when conditions are right. Good unloading and packing management at the bunk is needed to preserve a high-quality crop and segregate any material that is not up to high standards.
Good inventory management should be in place to track individual lots of feeds. Keeping track of the locations and feed amounts is important for the best feeds and feeds of lesser quality. It allows for the allocation of feeds to the appropriate groups of cattle. High forage diets also apply to groups that can utilize forages of lower quality.
Have enough inventory. Many of the best forage feeding operations will have 18 months of inventory on hand at peak times. This allows for sufficient fermentation time and feed reserves for a difficult year. It is also important to be sure to have enough feed supply to be able to feed consistently high rates at all times to maintain a consistent level of production. Running out of critical feeds is expensive.
Dairies must do lots of forage analysis. Checking forage when it is harvested and checking it again, even multiple times as it is fed out, will establish a database on a continuum of feeds. Having a good catalog of feed analysis is helpful in making feed allocation decisions for the appropriate groups of cattle.
It is also essential to keep close track of the dry matter of the feeds as they come out of storage. In some cases, almost daily changes can affect ration inclusion rates. That becomes more critical as forages account for greater portions of the diets.
Feeding management becomes more important. Intake is encouraged by having constant rations and a constant supply of fresh feeds in the bunk. Practices such as bunk pushups, having some overage in the feed bunk and regular on-time feedings become more important. The shelf life of high forage mixtures can be more limiting and might require an additional mixer batch to keep fresh feed in front of the cows. Sometimes the capacity of the mixer becomes a limiting factor; extra batches or a larger mixer might be needed.

Finally, feeding high levels of forage requires a positive mindset of the entire farm team. The field crop team, the harvesting crews, the bunk packers, the feeding team and the person who determines the mixer batch size all need to be on the same page. The bottom line is high production, healthy cows and high profitability.

Jim Peck is an independent nutrition consultant based in Newark, N.Y. You can contact him at jpeck@consulagr.com .

Alltech’s IFM Analyzes Dairy Rations to Cut Costs, Reduce Carbon Footprint

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:58:07 GMT

New support tool for nutritionists simulates rumen fermentation and evaluates the nutritive value of total mixed rations.

Source: Alltech

Global animal health leader Alltech is launching a new support tool for nutritionists that not only evaluates and troubleshoots dairy rations to maximize feed efficiency and combat ever-rising feed costs, but also estimates the amount of energy lost as methane and methane emissions per animal.

The In Vitro Fermentation Model (IFM) is a diagnostic tool that simulates rumen fermentation and evaluates the nutritive value of total mixed rations (TMR) in terms of digestibility and end-products formation.

“Available nutrition services traditionally provide measurements of chemical composition and digestibility, however this information is static and does not provide complete evaluation of nutrient availability,” said Dr. Kamal Mjoun, research scientist at the Alltech IFM Lab in Brookings, SD. “IFM is a more dynamic diagnostic tool that describes the chemical process of feed digestion rather than final measurement of digestibility.”

Using IFM technology, feed samples are incubated within a standardized rumen fluid and a buffer system to mimic natural rumen fermentation in an oxygen-free environment. IFM then measures gas production, identifies TMR inefficiencies and provides additional information on the nutritive value of the feed.

“This single test provides more accurate, informed recommendations to optimize feed in a relatively short period of time and at a lower cost compared with in vivo evaluations,” said Dr. Amanda Gehman, dairy research scientist at Alltech.

As digestion progresses, volumes of fermentation gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are also continuously monitored using an automated system.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the rumen, primarily methane and carbon dioxide, contribute up to 45 percent of the total carbon footprint associated with the production of a pound of milk or beef, according to a recent article published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Moreover Alltech’s researchers are now finding that ration composition and forage quality can significantly impact the volume of methane emitted as well as production efficiency.

The Carbon Trust, an organization that measures and certifies the environmental footprint of organizations, supply chains and products, recently verified that IFM is an effective tool for estimating farm-specific enteric methane emission from specific feeds.

“This new analytical approach demonstrates Alltech’s continued commitment to providing solutions and services to the dairy industry,” said Dr. Karl Dawson, chief scientific officer at Alltech. “With IFM we can troubleshoot potential problems and develop supplementation strategies, which are tailored to the customer’s feeding programs, ultimately to optimize dairy efficiency and profitability while minimizing the effects on the environment.”

For more information on how to submit a TMR sample to the IFM Lab, please contact BrookingsIFM@alltech.com .

The 365 Day Forage Ration

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:57:10 GMT

Cows perform best when they can be kept on a consistent ration and forage quality is excellent.
By: Virginia Ishler, Extension Dairy Specialist, Penn State Extension

Is it an achievable goal to maintain lactating cows on the same forage ration for 12 months? Most people would automatically respond no to this question. Based on my experience as a dairy producer, dairy manager and nutritionist it can be a realistic goal; however it requires a very committed and focused approach to achieve that end result.

Production Perspective

In my role as dairy producer and manager cows could remain on the same forage ration. This means that the amount of dry matter pounds fed remained the same but quality could change over time, especially when feeding hay crop forage. Producers who are excellent managers tend to be very consistent with the quality and amounts produced in spite of weather conditions. Finding the cropping strategy that works best is the key.

Hay-crop forages are challenging due to the multiple cuttings that occur. Pure stands of legumes and/or grasses are much easier to manage throughout the season compared to mixtures. There is no such thing as a normal growing season. The tendency is for excess moisture when you don’t need it and not enough when it is needed. When legume/grass mixtures are grown, then the plant best suited to wet or dry conditions will prevail and over the course of several months the blend of forages in the mix can drastically change. Legumes can be forgiving in quality and quantity during drought conditions. When hay-crop forage does not make up the majority of the forage dry matter intake, a strategy would be to ensile all the first cutting. This could meet the herd’s requirement for the lactating cows from harvest to harvest. There are operations that excel in maintaining similar quality material regardless of the cutting. These producers pay close attention to cutting dates, impending weather conditions, and labor management to quickly harvest and ensile material.

The positive results from feeding fermented corn silage have been demonstrated over and over again. Good managers plan out inventories to ensure the current harvest ferments for several months before feeding. There are producers who select hybrids that can be fed right after harvest when carry over is not an option. The hybrids are selected to have similar starch and fiber digestibility as fermented silage. These hybrids do not result in a milk production drop during fall and early winter months. Good management and a willingness to make adjustments quickly enable these producers to maintain consistent quality and quantity most of the time. There is always going to be a growing season that is extreme related to moisture and temperature where the 365 day forage ration may not be feasible, but it’s still worth the effort to pursue this goal.

From a nutritionist’s perspective, the easiest herds to work with are the ones feeding a consistent forage ration. There were some years as manager of the Penn State Dairy Herd that I formulated the ration one time in a 12 month period and the only adjustments made were to the weekly dry matter percents of the forages. This approach avoided a lot of headaches related to animal performance, required less time to reformulate diets, and the feeder didn’t need to make major adjustments to the recipes. To achieve this goal, a lot of thought went into forage inventory, the storage structure appropriate for the particular forage, and the commodities that best complimented the forage ration. The objective was to provide the best ration at the best cost that resulted in the best animal performance. Even with price fluctuations of commodities, income over feed costs consistently showed that regardless of the milk price/cwt, maintaining milk income was the most important fundamental principle. By maintaining a high quality, consistent forage based ration (>55% forage dry matter), there was less reliance on purchased feeds. The commodities utilized were typically very consistent, which added to the precision of the ration being fed. A 365 day forage ration is achievable if one is willing to make it happen. Accomplishing the goal means producers must coordinate the crop production system with the feeding program and the storage resources on the farm.

Action plan for sustaining the dairy operation during times of market price volatility

Goal: Implement cropping practices to harvest and store consistent high quality hay-crop forage and corn silage so the lactating herd can receive the same dry matter pounds of forage for 12 months.

Steps

Step 1: Consult the nutritionist to develop the ideal forage ration along with the feeds best suited to compliment them for the lactating herd. Include purchased feed costs and the anticipated income over feed costs.
Step 2: Consult with the appropriate advisers to evaluate forage inventory and storage structures to develop a plan for harvesting consistent quality forages in ample amounts.
Step 3: Develop a cash flow plan evaluating the new rations fed for a 12 month period and the costs to produce home raised feeds to accurately assess the impact on cash surplus.
Step 4: Maintain a routine dialogue with both the crop adviser and nutritionist to evaluate the implementation of the cropping and feeding management practices.

Economic perspective

Monitoring must include an economic component to determine if a management strategy is working or not. For the lactating cows income over feed costs is a good way to check that feed costs are in line for the level of milk production. Starting with July’s milk price, income over feed costs was calculated using average intake and production for the last six years from the Penn State dairy herd. The ration contained 63% forage consisting of corn silage, haylage and hay. The concentrate portion included corn grain, candy meal, sugar, canola meal, roasted soybeans, Optigen (Alltech product) and a mineral vitamin mix. All market prices were used.

Also included are the feed costs for dry cows, springing heifers, pregnant heifers and growing heifers. The rations reflect what has been fed to these animal groups at the Penn State dairy herd. All market prices were used.

Income over feed cost using standardized rations and production data from the Penn State dairy herd

Note: October’s PSU milk price: $18.51/cwt; feed cost/cow: $6.60; average milk production: 81 lbs.

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Alltech’s IFM Analyzes Dairy Rations to Cut Costs, Reduce Carbon Footprint

New support tool for nutritionists simulates rumen fermentation and evaluates the nutritive value of total mixed rations.

The 365 Day Forage Ration

Production Perspective

Action plan for sustaining the dairy operation during times of market price volatility

Steps

Economic perspective

Income over feed cost using standardized rations and production data from the Penn State dairy herd

Feed cost/non-lactating animal/day