Design facilities to optimize transition cow comfort Maximizing comfort and minimizing stress are the goals to keep top of mind when designing a transition cow facility
Staying ahead of the flavored milk curve Here is some additional information to compliment the March 25, 2015, article on page 202 of Hoard's Dairyman. The Dale McClellan family knows dairying from two...
Pinpoint cows with an unseen calcium challenge Diagnostic tools provide a window into cows' calcium status. Monitoring subclinical hypocalcemia at the herd and cow level allows for informed decision making....
These tables compliment the article, "Economical substitutes exist for corn grain" which was printed in the March 25, 2015 issue of Hoard's Dairyman on page 218. Tables similar to that for protein were...
With the right design, tie stalls can provide excellent cow comfort. If you're milking in an older setup, evaluate what changes could be made to foster comfort and production. by Emily Morabito and Jeffrey...
The author is a nutrition and management consultant with Progressive Dairy Solutions based out of California. Once a modernized and well-maintained forage harvester is set up and operating properly, it...
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...