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The look, feel and smell test are a pretty good indicator of silage quality, but under variable growing conditions it is recommended feed be tested to determine feed value and make sure there are no harmful toxins.
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Balancing variable corn silage quality to a ration

Dairy Corner: Always recommended to start with a feed analysis to know what you have

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I am amazed on how each summer differs in Manitoba. Two summers ago, we had severe drought, last summer was extremely wet and this year started with record heat, then cooled down to night-time single digits. Luckily, temperatures picked up again, all the while with spotty thunderstorms. Such climatic difference presents a patchwork of knee-to […] Read more
If there are wet conditions during the growing season, producers should think about have alfalfa hay tested for nitrate levels.
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Include high-quality alfalfa in a balanced dairy ration

Dairy Corner: Test for nitrates if the crop was produced under high-moisture conditions

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High-quality alfalfa has not escaped the high cost of other dairy feeds, and thus significantly contributes to the record-setting cost of producing milk. And last year’s foul growing season, with wet conditions in some areas across the Prairies, was not kind to some alfalfa crops, resulting in some sprouting. This resulted in a few cases […] Read more
Under dry growing conditions dry corn - corn under 60 per cent moisture — can be a challenge to properly ensile, but it can be done.
Cattleman’s Corner, The Dairy Corner

Working dry corn silage into dairy diets

It's important to have it tested, regardless of feed moisture levels

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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
An inflamed udder affected by edema
Dairy Cattle, Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Udder edema puts dairy cows under pressure

Dairy Corner: If a chronic problem, a change in ration formulation may be needed

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Udder edema is the swelling and visible accumulation of fluid in a cow’s udder at calving, or it may appear a couple of weeks ahead of time in the close-up pen. Fortunately, most distressed cows do not need any producer or vet intervention. That’s because most of these cases disappear on their own, usually after […] Read more
Calf heat stress recommendations are similar to those used to combat heat stress in a lactation barn.
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock

‘Extra’ water key to reducing heat stress in calves

Dairy Corner: Keeping them hydrated is part of proper management when temperatures rise

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Heat stress starts to harm dairy calves even at about 22 C with a relative humidity of at least 60 per cent. At this humidex level, I have seen many calves become restless, reduce feed intake, and significantly increase water consumption. As temperatures rise (coupled with more humidity), most sooner or later breathe rapidly and […] 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
There are several factors to consider to figure out why dairy cattle can be up and down on dry matter intake.
Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Reducing variability of dry matter intake for dairy cows

Dairy Corner: Several factors, including particle size, can affect how dairy cows eat

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Optimizing dry matter intake (DMI) of a well-balanced dairy cow diet should be one of the mission statements of every dairy producer. It is the key to providing enough essential nutrients that support good milk production (and its components) in feed that cows can reasonably consume every day. Unfortunately, daily DMI among a lactating cow […] 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
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

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