While doing some fieldwork recently, I recalled my early years on the farm. Back then I knew certain things, but I did not yet have the formal training to understand why the world worked a certain way. As I moved into my college years, these understandings became known.

Dietary potassium is a significant nutrient for good dairy cow health and nutrition.

This macromineral impacts carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid uptake and protein synthesis, all of which aid in milk production as well as reproductive performance, immune function and cow well-being.

If you had to choose just one cut of haylage to feed your milking herd for the entire year, which one would you select? I would hazard a guess that about 98 percent of producers and closer to 99.9 percent of nutritionists and veterinarians will choose the first cut.

Summer has arrived, and with it comes heat and humidity. Now is the time to prepare your heat stress and fly control measures. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether or not you are ready for this summer’s heat: Have you checked to see if your fans are clean to maximize air movement and save electricity?
Most of us get so busy this time of year that we forget this simple task. Dirty fans can use up to 70 percent more electricity to deliver 50 percent less air movement. This is important to mature animals, youngstock and calves.

In May, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) was pleased to announce the finalists for the new Dairy Farm Sustainability Award.

This award aims to recognize farms with innovative management practices that go beyond industry standards and meet several sustainability goals to improve mainly the environmental but also the social and economic impact of dairy farming in Canada.

Laura Elliott Littlestown, Pennsylvania Sales manager Northeast Feed