A calf is like a bank account; for best results, make high-quality deposits starting at day one. On the farm, the best way to measure a calf's immune defenses is by testing for total protein (TP) in blood....
Rations don't always require a TMR Component feeding is an art form. For success, balance your rapidly degradable nutrients with feeds that break down slowly. While TMRs may dominate feeding today, some...
Additional questions from roundtable article: "Excellent cow care leads to repro success" November 2014 Issue, page 735. Breeding - Who breeds? Dutchland Dairy: Crosby Krischel and Dave Duitscher breed...
The original article (printed below) appeared in the July 2014 issue of Hoard's Dairyman. Reader responses were printed in subsequent issues and are shared below. When life turned ugly Domestic violence...
Total mixed ration (TMR) mixers are an integral part of the day-to-day operations on a dairy. These pieces of equipment are used several times a day, and selecting the proper machine can make feeding a...
Before making a purchase, evaluate these factors to ensure you will be able to feed cows efficiently. Properly sizing a TMR mixer to meet your needs and account for the ingredients in your ration can reduce...
We've had three years of farm bill debate and at least a couple of years prior to that when new dairy policy ideas were being developed by many concerned parties
Sign-up for the new safety net program enacted in the latest farm bill takes place from September 2 through November 28. Miss that deadline and your operation will forgo insurance coverage until 2016....
Enrollment for New Dairy Farm Risk Management Program to Begin Sept. 2 USDA Launches New Web Tool to Help Producers Manage Unforeseen Economic Challenges Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced...
What ration do your cows eat? The ration created on paper often differs from the one that is delivered, consumed and digested. Only when we deliver a consistent ration and cows consume it according to...
Spending a little more to design transition cow housing the right way can lead to financial and herd health successes. by Rebecca Brotzman, D.V.M., Nigel Cook, D.V.M., and Ken Nordlund, D.V.M. The authors...
What every transition cow barn needs These four features should be a part of every transition cow barn design. by Rebecca Brotzman, D.V.M., Nigel Cook, D.V.M., and Ken Nordlund, D.V.M. The authors are...
Solve your transition housing puzzle Well-designed transition barns should include space for cows to rest, eat and calve with minimal disruptions.There are four characteristics of excellent transition...
The FDA is tightening antibiotic use in food animal production with a voluntary request to pharmaceutical companies. I've received numerous questions recently from local dairy producers who have heard...
How do your hoof blocks wear? Wooden hoof blocks are commonly used in the treatment of toe, heel and sole ulcer-derived lameness. Traditionally, an epoxy glue is used to adhere a wooden block to the sound...
These four features should be a part of every transition cow barn design. Room to eat, a comfortable place to lie and a stress-free calving environment all contribute to fresh cow performance. Excellent...
The surgical correction of displaced abomasums is not only financially defensible, it's sound animal welfare. Mother Nature made two great mistakes when she designed the dairy cow. First, she placed the...
Frequent soil testing and proper fertilization will help to ensure that your crop has an adequate supply of nutrients. by John Goeser and Dustin Sawyer Goeser is director of nutritional research and innovation...
The author has a dairy nutrition consulting business, Paradox Nutrition, LLC, in West Chazy, N.Y. At one time, I was a big advocate of two dry cow groups: a far-off group (60 to 21 days before calving)...