Many calves are “truck weaned” as a low-cost and low-management weaning option, but it is a wasteful practice. It often costs the seller and/or the buyer a lot of money. Fortunately, better weaning alternatives are available compared to such abrupt removal of calves from their mothers, and transporting them bawling to another yard. These better […] Read more
Proactive calf weaning programs save money
More lameness forecast for the rest of the pasture season
Excessively wet weather followed by hot dry days is the norm during this year’s grazing season, at least in some parts of the Prairies, and will likely continue until weaning time. That means many cow herds are often forced to stand on soggy ground, in puddles or in mud for days and as the ground […] Read more
Pencil out creep feeding economics
There's a lot more to gain than just cost benefits
Record-high prices for feeder cattle and modest grain costs make creep feeding spring calves this year a very attractive option. However, before putting creep feeders on pasture, each operator should pencil out the economic return of creep feeding and take note of any relevant side benefits. It’s also important to know the main objective of […] Read more
Mineral bioavailability is key
Absorption, retention of minerals and a good metabolism make for successful dairy cattle
Although trace minerals make up a very small portion of the diets of high-producing dairy cows, they have a tremendous impact upon each animal’s health, reproduction and milk production status. Minerals play vital roles in the activation of enzyme systems that drive almost every biochemical reaction in the cow’s body. Of particular importance are trace […] Read more
Copper deficiency can hide in your herd
Before the 1980s, copper deficiencies were a real problem for just about anybody raising cattle from Western Canada to Cape Canaveral. Extensive copper research in beef cattle undertaken by Canadian and a host of international universities and governments, followed up by practical copper supplementation programs used by many producers has made severe copper deficiencies on […] Read more
Proper mineral supplement can prevent grass tetany
Follow these management tips to help protect against deficiencies
Many parts of western Canada suffered through one of its longest and coldest winters in decades. It’s anybody’s guess that arctic temperatures and belly-high snows predispose beef cows to grass tetany when green lush grass sprout across pastures. However, proper nutrient supplementation to the cows’ early spring diet eliminates risk of this highly preventable magnesium-deficiency […] Read more
Proper diet minimizes risk of negative energy balance
Meeting the energy requirement of transition dairy cows is particularly important when fresh cows are coming into lactation and several weeks after calving. Unfortunately, not all energy requirements can be met only from feeding a well-balanced diet. Most cows at this time are drawn into a state of “negative energy balance” (NEB) for several weeks […] Read more
Phosphorus can be too much of a good thing
The Dairy Corner: Following recommendations can save $3,700 a year in feed costs for a 100-head dairy herd
Maybe it started when an infertile cow was seen licking and then eating dirt in a field? Eating dirt was often associated with a phosphorus deficiency in cattle and somewhere along the line, phosphorus became associated as “a health and breeder mineral.” Consequently, feeding phosphorus to dairy cows, over and above their essential phosphorus requirement […] Read more
Protein and energy demands jump after calving
While some cows are fortunate to freshen in a draft-free barn, others drop their calves outside on straw pack, in a pole barn or open drylot. Regardless of where they calve, most cows return or remain outside to not only brave the arctic cold, but must meet the challenges of nursing a new calf and […] Read more
Cold temps no guard against dairy mastitis
Mastitis flareups occur any time mastitis organisms are given the chance to enter the teat canal. While many dairy herds have had outbreaks during hot weather, a serious mastitis problem can occur any time, including during the coldest winter months of the year. Whether dairy cows from the milkline spend their off-milking hours in an […] Read more
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