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We’ve all seen them, and most of us are probably guilty of ignoring them at one point or another. I’m referring to fans so coated in dust and other organic material you wonder how they still spin and, if they are off, you can only imagine the cloud that will be blown into the air when they do eventually start up.
A successful breeding program starts with good, early lactation nutritional management. Getting cows off to the best possible start in early lactation is critical on every dairy farm. It is essential to ensure the nutrient intake of the cow is adequate to meet its needs.
With a growing dairy industry comes the need for individual dairies to closely monitor their feed inventories to ensure enough feed is available. This can be a bit of a guessing game, and intakes will greatly influence the rate of consumption.
Some dairy farms in British Columbia produce more manure phosphorus than is required by their crops, resulting in the gradual buildup of surplus phosphorus in their soils.
A recent study demonstrated approximately 23 percent of calves were treated for diarrhea during the pre-weaning period. Calves that have a case of diarrhea during the pre-weaning period are not only at a higher risk of death; they also have reduced growth and milk production.
As we move past tail docking, down cows and the handling of dairy cattle on our farms, there are a number of other welfare concerns emerging for us to address in the near future. These issues are voiced by consumers through social media, open discussion with food marketers and are often amplified by animal activism groups.
The ideal dairy stall is clean, dry and comfortable. Yet when it comes to keeping moisture and pathogens at bay, many stalls fall short. Whether you’re bedding on organic or inorganic material, optimizing stalls for maximum cow health and comfort is critical for producing quality milk.
Scientists at the College of William and Mary are using sound waves to interfere with birds’ ability to communicate about food sources and predators, resulting in flocks leaving the premises.
California’s third annual Rethink Methane Symposium was recently held to showcase the state’s efforts to use renewable natural gas to help meet ambitious air quality, climate and economic goals. More than 300 attendees were anxious to hear an update on the progress the dairy industry is making.
The nutrient density of manure is one of the most important factors influencing transportation costs. As the largest part of the manure slurry is water, it is natural to consider separation and partitioning strategies that divide the slurry into different fractions.
