News + Insights
Reproductive efficiency and body condition score: Are you in the high-fertility cycle?
KEY TAKEAWAYS IN THIS ISSUE OF TECHNICAL TOPICS: Cows with higher BCS at dry-off or calving are more likely to lose BCS during transition. BCS loss during transition is associated with reduced reproductive efficiency. Attempts at altering BCS at calving to reduce…
2019 Forage may need shorter particle length to maximize production.
KEY TAKEAWAYS Poor planting and harvesting conditions, combined with alfalfa winter kill, means more high NDF and low energy forages used for feed over the next year. High fiber forages can lower dry matter intake (DMI) in dairy cows. Adjusting particle length of such...
Subclincial Hypocalcemia: Rethinking an old problem.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: A reduction of blood calcium after calving is needed to provide negative feedback for the animal and allow for the metabolic changes that will maintain blood calcium levels during lactation. Measuring blood calcium at calving or within the first 24...
Feed efficiency: Are you telling the whole story?
This year, we were fortunate enough to attend an excellent dairy conference hosted in a casino resort in the Southwest. As we walked among the ringing and flashing slots to our next meeting, smoke and the occasional outburst of a fortuitous (or not so fortuitous)...
Should you spray foliar fungicide on your silage corn this year?
KEY TAKEAWAYS: Fusarium molds are always present in soil and plant debris, putting silage corn at risk for infection every year. Wet weather combined with hot days and cool nights is optimal for mold growth, which sets the stage for the production of mycotoxins in the...
Four factors that limit cows’ time budgets
In recent years, several research groups have started to prioritize studies on cow behavior to determine the benefits herd management can have on milk production. Early studies have shown the basic needs of a cow will consume 20 to 21 hours per day, which leaves...
The most inexpensive way to optimize milk: Feedbunk management
As nutritionists and dairymen, our goal when feeding dairy cattle is to provide each group of cows with the nutrients needed to support their milk production, maintenance, growth, health and reproduction. To complement this, we manage feedbunks to get a consistent and...
Evaluate transition management details regularly for optimal production
Many of today’s dairy farms have become larger, often without increasing their labor force. The management systems successful on a smaller dairy will frequently evolve into a system no longer best for the cow. When there is procedural drift, combined with or due to a...
Quality corn silage starts now
Corn silage harvest is arguably the most critical time of the year for a dairy’s future productivity and profitability. In a period of a few weeks, nine to 14 months of feed inventory is created. Getting it right is critical to desirable feed quality for a long period...
Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome: Trust your gut instinct
One of the most frustrating situations for a dairy owner is to find a dead or dying cow and not understand the cause. In the case of sudden death, hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) should be considered, especially if you own a large, high-producing herd. HBS is still a...
