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Summary: This timeless Feed and Nutrition article details four steps for developing a sound nutritional program:
1. Testing forages to determine their nutrient content
2. Balancing rations for heifers, dry cows and milking cows
3. Implementing the balanced ration
4. Evaluating how well the feeding program has worked and implement changes to improve the program, if necessary.
Because this article was so popular, we asked Donna Amaral-Phillips a follow-up question:
Q: Which of these four steps slips up the most producers?
A: Over my career, I have seen farmers, their employees and/or the nutritional consultant slip up on any or all of these critical steps. However, I must say the most common error I observe is related to implementation of step 4 – evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the feeding program.
Dairy science students from five universities recently attended the inaugural Western regional meeting of the American Dairy Science Association-Student Affiliate Division in Fresno, California. The meeting was held March 5-6 and attracted 44 students and advisers, in addition to several industry professionals.
The newly-established Western Region focuses on providing educational, leadership and networking opportunities to students in the West.
The Cornell Dairy Executive Program opened its eighth class December 5, 2010, at the Statler Hotel on the Cornell University campus. Thirty-one participants from seven states and Lima, Peru, were brought together for this year-long program, held over three separate sessions.
Participants heard from speakers on topics including dairy operations management, business financial assessment, marketing, and personal growth and motivation.
For the third year, the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) is once again looking to recognize dairy producers through their Reproduction Award Program for accomplishing reproductive efficiency with well-implemented management procedures.
The Pfizer Animal Genetics laboratory in Kalamazoo, Michigan, received Ilumina CSPro 50K certification. The certification reaffirms Pfizer Animal Genetics’ commitment and investment in cutting-edge genomic technology to support livestock producers.
American AgCredit, the nation’s seventh largest Farm Credit Association, announced financial results for 2010. Full-year earnings and net interest income reached record highs, and loan quality remained stable throughout the year. The Association’s overall levels of capital and liquidity remained strong. Dividends paid out to American AgCredit customers in the Southern California region totals $4.57 million.
The latest research and educational information on ticks and how they affect cattle and wildlife production will be presented at a two-day conference March 23-24 at the Embassy Suites in Laredo, Texas.
More than 350 producers and industry representatives braved one of the worst blizzards in history to hit the Midwest to attend the 2011 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference Feb. 3–5.
Greg Hooker of Diamond H Dairy in Chowchilla, California, served as the host producer for the 2011 Western Regional Dairy Challenge. Fifty-six students from six different universities evaluated Hooker's operation and presented their findings to him and a panel of judges. Here was Hooker's feedback on his Dairy Challenge experience.
Q. What suggestion from the students are you most likely to implement?
HOOKER: The biggest suggestion the students mentioned was mastitis, and that's definitely something I'm going to look at. We'll reevaluate the milking protocol and look at dipping.
