Feed & Nutrition
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Spring has sprung: Watch for changing starch digestibility

May 1, 2012

Robert Larmer

The era of higher corn prices has many nutritionists looking at feeding elevated levels of corn silage as a way to reduce starch input costs. In Eastern Canada, it is not uncommon to be working with rations in the 70 to 80 percent corn silage range as a percentage of the total forages fed – significantly more than even 10 years ago.

Consider benefits of balancing dairy rations for amino acids

April 30, 2012

Elliot Block

If you aren’t yet familiar with balancing dairy rations for amino acids, you will soon be learning quite a bit about this newer nutrition strategy.

That’s because amino acid balancing has the potential to improve milk component and milk production, improve protein utilization and lessen dairy’s environmental impact.

Watch for silage mycotoxins’ effects on herd performance

April 30, 2012

Paul Groenewegen

While enjoying the mild Canadian winter, the last thing on a producer’s mind is the threat of mycotoxins on their farms.

But an early and unseasonal increase in temperature gives mould growth and its subsequent mycotoxin formations an ideal environment in storage facilities.

Lessons learned: How environment affects corn silage quality

January 1, 2012

Robert Larmer

Every year is different. That’s what makes farming interesting and, some years, very challenging. This year across much of Canada we were blessed with reasonable conditions at the end of April and in early May.

Behaviour’s role in nutritional management of dairy heifers

November 1, 2011

Trevor DeVries

Replacement heifer feeding programs must be designed to allow heifers to be bred efficiently, calve out by 24 months old and produce to their maximum potential.

Choose a silage hybrid that fits your farm

November 1, 2011

Robert Larmer

It’s that time of year once again. The leaves have fallen, harvest is near completion and without any break in the action, decisions for 2012 are already upon producers.

Factors in high-quality hay production

September 1, 2011

Gary Bates

When pasture growth is limited, some type of stored feed must be provided to grazing animals. Since hay is such a widely used stored feed, it is important to understand the factors that influence hay quality and the criteria used to evaluate hay quality.

Make milk more valuable with components

August 31, 2011

Elliot Block

When producing more milk is not a viable option to generate greater income – a common occurrence in quota systems – dairy producers must find alternative ways to make each kilogram of milk produced more valuable.