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Many dairy farmers have had times when the cows back off on feed consumption for no apparent reason and milk production drops. Then just as mysteriously, everything returns to normal. The conception rate may drop for a month – and it too then returns to normal.
Poor air quality, holes in the ozone layer and “the greenhouse effect” have been increasing environmental concerns for some time. Recently, this has led to greater interest in the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from dairy-related sources, especially silage. In this article, we will define VOCs and how good management may reduce the impact.
Doug and Tom Block have learned many lessons while managing their family operation, Hunter Haven Farms near Pearl City, Illinois.
Doug shared what makes their farm successful at the 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference held earlier this year in Dubuque, Iowa.
As either a dairy producer or a nutritionist, your goal is to keep the ration composition constant to maintain the rumen environment for better dairy cow health and performance.
The nightmare is over. Many U.S. dairy farms have finally run out of their 2013 corn silage and have begun to feed the 2014 corn silage, and they are seeing much better results with this new harvest.
So much so that many farms with 2013 corn silage inventory left have started blending the 2014 corn silage into their feeding programs and are seeing better production and improved components.
Grazing offers an alternative animal management and forage harvesting system that contributes to economic, environmental, lifestyle and other producer goals.
Pastures offer lower cost per pound of dry matter than harvested forages and opportunities to reduce machinery use, produce high-quality feed from some sites that are not well-suited to mechanization, build soil organic matter and meet organic production requirements.
No one really knows the origin of the term “jack of all trades.” But I am convinced that the term must have been coined to describe a farmer. Farmers, by far, have the broadest knowledge base, dabbling in almost every science from architecture to zoology.
This is why I am surprised at the aversion displayed by farmers across the country when it comes to evaluation of different strains of fermentation bacteria.
Corn silage is commonly fed in California dairy operations as it provides a source of digestible fiber and readily fermentable energy for dairy cattle. In recent years, emphasis has been placed on homegrown, high-quality silage and reducing silage losses to offset increasing commodity prices.
Corn has been a go-to crop for many dairymen when it comes to silage production, but it isn’t always the best option. Drought conditions that have spread across the country in recent years have underscored the need for productive forage crops with high water-use efficiency.
Alfalfa, the “queen of forages,” finds its way into a majority of dairy rations in the U.S. not only because of its feed attributes but also due to its adaptability for growing and broad availability for purchase. Alfalfa is adapted throughout all U.S. regions and is suited to most soils with adequate drainage.
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