I used to think that when a dairy cow gave birth to a set of twins, it was a time to celebrate. However, when I talk dairy producers, most frown at the thought. That’s because twin calvings are not only hard on the freshening cow, but can also lead to many of her post-partum problems. […] Read more
An approach to managing twin dairy calves
A multiple birth isn’t necessarily a cause for celebration
Prep heifers for breeding and calving
Bred or unbred, these animals need energy to grow
Many producers are retaining more replacement heifers than in previous years. There are many good reasons to do so, but if so they should assure that unbred replacements are receiving adequate midwinter nutrition in order to be ready for breeding in the spring and ready to give birth to their first healthy calf. Given that […] Read more
Be careful not to step in it
Watching cows’ poop helps you learn about what they’re eating
Anytime that I walk through a dairy barn, I walk in front of the feed bunk and usually watch the cows defecate. Their fresh cow pies reflect on how well their milking diet is being consumed and digested. If something is out of line, manure consistency and content warn me almost immediately. So then I […] Read more
Proper rations for winter cattle feeding and calving
Cows need to maintain body condition and feed a fetus
There are several kilometres of Highway 59 in southern Manitoba which provide a snapshot of winter-feeding programs. Despite several feet of snow in the winter, I often see many cow herds being overwintered along this stretch of road, since in each one of the adjoining yards are rows of hay bales that I can see […] Read more
Serious consequences for cows with a vitamin A deficiency
Treat with an injection, or top up the vitamin/mineral mix
Early winter is the best time for many beef producers to switch their cow herds to a specialized “winter” vitamin-mineral premix. Gestating cows need more dietary vitamin A as they move throughout the winter and onto the last few months before calving. In this way, nobody gets caught short on providing such an essential nutrient […] Read more
Cornstalk bales can have a fit in beef diets
It’s not amazing feed, but with proper testing it can work in winter rations
A few years ago I was visiting a small cow-calf operation and as I approached the house I noticed that there were rows of snow-covered round bales that literarily looked like baled alligators. The producer told me he baled left-over cornstalks within days of harvesting grain corn, and said that it took a couple of […] Read more
Prevent abomasal bloat in young dairy calves
Several factors related to feeding may cause the disorder
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
Backgrounding calves is an option
Important to look at the economics to make sure
Recently, I asked a local beef producer of a 200-head cow herd what she planned to do with her spring calves after they were weaned. She said that in late October, her son brings all cows and calves home from pasture, weans them, retains two dozen replacement heifers and trucks the rest to a feedlot […] Read more
Do you know what’s swimming in your livestock water?
Good clean water is the most important nutrient
A university professor once told our beef science class that many things that aren’t fish are swimming in most beef cows’ drinking water. As an undergraduate, I envisioned snails and frogs being sucked up by thirsty cows, but soon realized that he was talking about the many undesirable things not visible to the naked eye. […] Read more
Signs of acidosis aren’t always clear
Dairy Corner: Correcting fibre in the diet can get milk production back on track
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
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