Looking at return over feed numbers is an excellent way to get a quick snapshot of how a dairy farm is performing from a production and cost standpoint, however it doesn’t account for and is not impacted by duration of cows in the herd.

By optimizing nutrition, maintaining optimal rumen health, utilizing genetics and breeding strategies, and focusing on good cow comfort and management practices, producers can significantly improve milkfat production.

The year is 2015, and the philosophy for feeding a robotic milking herd is to feed limited energy at the bunks so the cows go to the robots for the remainder of their nutrient requirements; more energy available in the robot means more visits and ultimately more milk.

The use of feed additives in livestock diets is part of many nutritional strategies to help optimize performance, health and the well-being of animals.

A close examination of the feed ration reveals that the garden salad-looking bovine meal may contain corn silage, hay and flaked corn.

We’ve learned a lot about how essential fatty acids (EFAs) work since they were first introduced to the dairy market more than 20 years ago.

We’ve all heard the proverb “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” implying that once we become accustomed to doing something one way we are hesitant to change. However, when evaluating corn silage processing score (CSPS) or kernel processing score (KPS), this may not apply.