Most dairy producers focus on their cows’ ability to produce milk and milk components, and become pregnant, because profitability of a dairy operation occurs here.

Nutritionists and dairy specialists at Provimi North America started using a new bulk tank test to troubleshoot herds that have low milk fat. The technology being used is the analysis of milk fatty acids in bulk tank samples and was developed in a collaborative work between Cornell University and Miner Institute. Combined with other technologies such as analysis of fatty acids in feeds, the fatty acids in milk can help suggest adjustments to the ration and herd management.

Drought stress is usually the major limitation to forage yields. When drought has compromised tonnage of corn grain, silage producers may still retain part of its feeding value.

Dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) for close-up dry cows doesn’t have to be hard. For many dairy producers looking to try DCAD for the first time, implementing a brand new nutritional practice on-farm can often seem like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. With partial DCAD, producers new to DCAD can take an easier approach to starting the journey safely.

The abundance and quality of forages for dairy cattle are impacted by weather and growing conditions. Despite our best management efforts, there is always a looming risk that adverse events will lead to a shortage of home-grown forages.

Evidence shows feeding a negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) diet of -8 to -12 meq per 100-gram ration dry matter for the last three weeks prior to calving can help prevent a rapid decline in blood calcium around calving and improve cow health and performance in the subsequent lactation.

Non-nutritive feed components have become a lightning rod topic over the past six to 12 months. A promising growing season in 2016 yielded less than desirable quality and some contaminants in many regions.

Consistently achieving high milk production requires performing a balancing act. The goal is to produce the most milk with the greatest market value possible for the least cost. The cornerstone of most rations supporting high production while maintaining excellent animal health is high-quality forage.

We are now well over halfway through 2017. This also means we are several months into the new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) and the new procedures and protocols that must be used when feeding approved antibiotics to dairy animals.

As soon as the corn silage is chopped, a race against time begins. Growers understand the value of high-quality forages. They also know it is important to protect it with a quality silage inoculant.