It’s long been recognized that lactating dairy cows have a specific requirement for biotin which may not be met by natural synthesis in the rumen. Much research in the early 2000s demonstrated biotin supplements to lactating dairy diets yields respectable improvements in hoof health and better milk production. With the advent of many available feed […] Read more
There’s value in adding biotin to dairy diets
Important to milk production and hoof health, biotin can get lost in the nutrient shuffle
Cull beef cows are pure economics
One producer finds there is no good reason to keep an open cow
In the fall, when the spring calves are weaned and removed from the cow herd, most producers walk through their herd on pasture or at home and think about which cows they should cull. Once candidates are picked, another decision is made as to whether to sell them immediately or feed them for the next […] Read more
Pencil out the economics of backgrounding
Working through a "what-if" scenario helps in deciding whether to feed
As most of the leaves have fallen, many spring calves are being weaned. It’s also when many beef producers determine whether their weaned calves are immediately sold or held for further feeding. Regardless of the final choice, backgrounding calves takes a bit of homework and should pay off with increased revenue if the goals, the […] Read more
Keeping replacement heifers in ideal body condition
You don't want them too thin or too fat — aim for somewhere in between
When weaned dairy calves are released from the calf barn and put into replacement heifer pens, there are different ways of feeding them. Some post-weaned heifers are not well fed and poor nutrition is almost guaranteed to make them struggle throughout their first lactation. Other replacement heifers are fed too well. As a result, they […] Read more
Cow nutrition now has huge impact on 2023 calves
Keeping animals properly fed this fall will lead to high-performing calves next year
Many beef producers I’ve talked to over the years have improved cow nutrition after their cows are confirmed pregnant, but there still are the diehards that don’t believe they need much nutrition. That’s too bad, because sound research has proven that poor nutrition during the early/mid-gestation months can sharply reduce newborn calf survival and long-term […] Read more
Several symptoms relate to copper deficiency
Poor pregnancy rates and lots of foot rot are common indicators of insufficient amounts
As a beef nutritionist, I have formulated hundreds of cattle minerals. Some are very simple and basic formulas while others are customized to take care of a specific cattle need. Still a few others may contain non-mineral feed additives. Regardless of their final mineral choice, beef producers often request that it be fortified with a […] Read more
Working dry corn silage into dairy diets
It's important to have it tested, regardless of feed moisture levels
I live in Manitoba and continuous flooding rains since our heavy snows melted have delayed corn planting to the point that much of our corn silage this fall will be wet and immature. However, I travel to other parts of the Prairies and many dairy farms need rain. I suspect that much of these corn […] Read more
Revisiting hairy heel warts in dairy cows
Proper nutrition and good sanitation in the barn help to reduce disease risk
About five years ago I worked with a 350-dairy cow operation with a significant hairy heel wart (HHW) problem. At the time, this dairy manager often had a series of lame lactating dairy cows at different stages of this disease. The foot problem was affecting feed consumption, milk production, reproduction and the general well-being of […] Read more
Beware of liver fluke invasion on wet pastures
Parasite infection can result in animal weight loss and reduced body condition
Most of the high water across the eastern Prairies will recede in the upcoming weeks, if they haven’t already. When cattle can be returned to these once-flooded pastures, the ground will probably be soaked, which will likely expand the territories of many cattle parasites such as the common deer liver fluke. To combat this invasive […] Read more
How does creep feeding pencil out for 2022?
There may be a profit, but producer needs to decide if it is enough
Spring calves can be creep-fed in several ways, from home-made grain rations to well-balanced commercial feed pellets. All can be directed into a traditional creep feeding program, which can add extra saleable weaning weight by fall. Unfortunately, this premium growth may not always be nutritionally necessary or profitable. A little homework is necessary to calculate […] Read more
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