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The Dairy Corner

dairy cows eating TMR
Columns, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Dairy Corner: Forage fibre the big driver in milk fat production

Put your TMR to the test to determine if it's the proper particle size


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Maintaining good milk production with adequate milk fat is always the main source of good revenue on most dairy farms. Regardless of the actual feed ingredient formulation, it must work in tandem with the natural body functions of healthy cows. This is something we should keep in mind when reformulating current rations if restrictions are […] Read more
Feeding milk replacer can be part of a well-balanced calf-feeding program.
Dairy Cattle, Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Prevent abomasal bloat in young dairy calves

Several factors related to feeding may cause the disorder

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Once the dairy calf hits the straw of the maternal pen, it is removed from its mother and shuttled away to an individual pen or hutch where abomasal bloat is often waiting. Although not fully understood by dairy veterinarians and specialists, the relatively high incidence of abomasal bloat in young dairy calves can be significantly […] Read more
The proper forage fibre is an important factor in minimizing effects of acidosis.
Dairy Cattle, Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Signs of acidosis aren’t always clear

Dairy Corner: Correcting fibre in the diet can get milk production back on track

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In my experience, only a handful of producers fail to notice the few cases of mild sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) which pop up on occasion. In most barn walks that I have conducted, producers accept SARA as routine, yet know it can adversely affect cows’ health, reproduction and milk/milkfat yield. In some of these cases, […] Read more
Calves in outdoor hutches will need extra feed, particularly during the coldest days of winter.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Hutch-housed calves need extra milk replacer in winter

There is a limit to how much cold that calves can handle

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Despite the trend to build heated barns to raise young stock, there are still lots of outside hutches and cold barns to feed pre-weaned dairy calves. Many of these calves are raised solely on commercial milk replacer. As a dairy nutritionist, I review many of these milk replacer-feeding programs and make the necessary changes to […] Read more
Many dairy producers wonder how to save on feed costs without sacrificing milk and milkfat production.
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

A cost-effective diet for dairy cows

Dairy Corner: Feed and yardage costs add up, but production is optimized

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Most dairy producers want to feed cost-effective diets to their high milk- (milkfat) producing cows. That’s a tall order, which is most often achieved by obtaining the best lactation diets, first as a formula on paper and blended into a TMR, then put in front of the cows. Finally, it’s up to them to eat […] Read more
Newborn dairy calves need proper clean and dry shelters and proper feed to get them off to the best start.
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Dairy calves need proper feed and winter housing

Whether in a straw house or plastic hutch, keep them clean, keep them fed

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Whenever I see dairy calves raised outside in the winter, it often reminds me of a producer I met several years ago. At the time, he told me that years before, he raised pre-weaned dairy calves in the most dismal ways. He used to house about 15 outside in several lean-tos, which were a sheet […] Read more
Electrolyte products can help calves get through stress periods by maintaining fluid balance, stimulating appetite, and maintaining immune function.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Replenish vital fluid loss in dairy calves

Dairy Corner: Not only disease, but even heat stress can quickly take its toll

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It might be a scouring sick dairy calf or an otherwise healthy one suffering from stress, but death can be minutes away if either calf loses more than 10 per cent of its bodyweight in fluids (water and electrolytes). Fortunately, we can save many of these dairy calves by recognizing the symptoms of dehydration and […] Read more
Dairy Corner: Vitamin A expensive, but necessary
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Dairy Corner: Vitamin A expensive, but necessary

Although the price has shot up, it is important to keep the nutrient in dairy rations

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Prices of vitamin A (along with vitamins D and E) have increased to 10 times their former costs from just a few months ago. This skyrocketing price is due to a recent fire at a new manufacturing facility in Germany as well as several vitamin ADE plants that are down for maintenance in China. Together, these events have caused a worldwide shortage […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Feeding yeast is a good investment

These single-cell organisms can hit on many cylinders to help optimize milk performance

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For many years, I have formulated dairy diets with yeast for both dry and lactating dairy cows. It has been my professional intention to promote good dairy nutrition, or solve a particular problem that limits good dairy performance. On occasion, I have seen direct benefits within a couple of days by adding yeast, while other […] Read more

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