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The increased concern of modern societies on the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has led regulatory institutions to minimize the number of antibiotics that can be used in food-producing animals for therapeutic and preventive treatment of infectious diseases.
The management of the transition dairy cow is often one of the more challenging times during the entire lactation cycle. If not properly managed, this phase can either set the cow up for success throughout the rest of the lactation cycle, or it could result in challenges in sustaining her genetic potential for production levels – especially in the latter phases of the lactation cycle.
Have you ever been drivin’ a set of pasture cattle down the lane, and then you notice them stringin’ out longer and longer, driftin’ over into the ditches along the side till pretty soon you’re a half-mile ahead of the lead steer?
All dairy producers want to reduce their operating costs, and installing energy-efficient equipment is one way to help achieve this goal. However, energy efficiency is just one area competing for attention on the farm, so dairies want to make sure any equipment upgrade provides as many benefits as possible.
Most of a young calf’s nutrition is supplied via milk or milk replacer during the first two to three weeks of life, making it the young calf’s only source of energy. Starter grain fed during this time does not supply a significant amount of additional energy, as it is primarily fed for rumen development.
Managing livestock mortality, or deadstock, can be challenging. First, there is the loss of the animal, which is an economic loss, and second, it is important that disposal be as efficient and effective as possible.
Age: 49
Location: Rickland Holsteins is located an hour north of Madison, Wisconsin.
Your agricultural background, in a nutshell: Eldor Rickert, my grandpa, purchased the farm in 1936. Later in the 1950s, my father, Don, took over the responsibilities and introduced registered Holsteins into the herd, and by 1976 the herd had increased to 100 cows.
School’s back in session, but this summer the next generation of veterinarians, nutritionists and dairy farmers honed their dairy skills through on-farm summer internships.
After taking a beginning farmers class, Rich and Carol Radtke were excited to remodel their barn and start a dairy operation with the help of their daughter, Madison. That dream was nearly plundered when the barn burnt to the ground on March 4, 2014.
Age: 55
Location: Clarksville, Iowa
Your agricultural background, in a nutshell: I have been the co-owner of Beaver Creek Farm for more than 35 years, working in the dairy business with my husband, Dave. I bought my first Holstein in fifth grade, and some of the animals in the herd yet today trace back to “Milly.”
