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Tag Archives dairy cattle

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
Proper ration 
helps dairy cows avoid negative energy balance.
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle

Proper feed intake keeps dairy cows milking

Dairy Corner: Good management avoids negative energy balance

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A good dry matter intake or DMI plan is really a foundation of building optimum energy intake by early-lactation dairy cows. This energy drives good milk yield (and milk fat) at peak production and over the rest of their lactation. Unfortunately, there is a natural lag time between peak milk production and subsequent peak DMI […] 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
Zinc is an important mineral for many production reasons.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Zinc is a powerful trace mineral for cattle

From breeding to good feet it plays an important role

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Recently, I was talking to a feed mill operator I occasionally do some beef nutritional work, and he told me many customers are requesting the best level of zinc added into their cattle mineral. We realize many pastures and harvested forage from this summer’s drought might likely be zinc-stressed, so we made sure to formulate […] Read more
Some farmers forced to use up winter fodder supplies. Photo: dageldog/Getty Images
Hay, Livestock

Straw prices soar, piling pressure on N.Europe livestock farmers

In some areas straw now more expensive than grains

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Hamburg | London | Reuters – Livestock and dairy farmers across northern Europe are paying soaring prices for straw used in food and bedding for cattle, as hot, dry weather across the region reduces crops. The higher bills put further pressure on farmers already facing one of their toughest summers ever; many have had to […] Read more
Cows leaving the dairy
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle

Dirty conditions can lead to uterine infections

Barn cleanliness as well as nutrition can be among the contributors

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Many dairy cows come down with a uterine infection after calving. Some are slight but some are more serious. While there are host of factors which cause them, some reasons such as a dirty calving area are obvious, other reasons such as persistent metabolic problems are not so clear. Fortunately, a good spring-cleaning and improvements […] Read more
On the hottest days cows and bulls can drink 40 to 50 litres per head. They need plenty of fresh water.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Water and shade reduce impact of heat stress on cattle

Too much heat along with pests can affect breeding success

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I am no stranger to the effects of summer heat stress in cattle. Back when I was working on my master’s thesis at the University of Manitoba (the effect of molybdenum on copper status in beef cattle nutrition, 1983), I had 35 Shorthorn/Angus crossbred yearlings on full feed. During that particular summer, after July 1 […] 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
Getting faraway dry cows prepared
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Getting faraway dry cows prepared

Ration should be about 80 per cent of the lactation nutrient package

By
As a dairy nutritionist I’ve noticed a new trend among dairy farmers in the last few years in feeding and management of their dry cows. The line between a faraway dry cow and close-up dry cow has faded and producers are feeding much more nutrient-packed rations to them than we used to. I am not […] Read more

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