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It’s time to get ready for harvesting 2015 corn silage, as the crop has an early start in many areas of the U.S. With current corn prices, corn silage may be the most economical forage source available to your dairy herd. The following checklist can lead to a successful harvest session.
Whether your business is raising dairy calves or milking, no one wants to lose productivity to pests. Insects such as flies, ticks and lice pose a threat to dairy producers, as they can transmit disease, lower weight gain and milk production, and even put health inspections at risk.
Mike Larson, general manager of Larson Acres, says they were surprised to learn just how many of the cows in their herd had subclinical ketosis. Since there were no symptoms, the condition went undetected and untreated.
Tony Louters invested in rumination monitoring technology because he wanted to make sure there were no gaps in his transition and close-up cows, and along the way, he made a discovery that has changed his dry cow management practices.
Cud chewing – both the sights and sounds of rumination – is a key monitor of dairy cow health and has been for years. A drop in rumination time signals something is impacting rumen function or animal well-being and puts producers on the alert for possible interventions.
It’s impossible to assess the rumen pH of a dairy cow just by looking at her. Yet, impaired rumen digestion can be silently lowering herd production and health.With careful observation, there are subtle signals normal rumen function may be disrupted.
Nutrition is always of paramount importance to dairy producers. But during the transition period, one particular nutrient becomes a central focus: calcium.
If we regulate “industries” but trust “professions” to regulate themselves, could dairy production become a profession? Some recent developments around farm-animal welfare make me think it can and should.
Crisis: A time of intense difficulty, trouble or danger; a time when a difficult or important decision must be made.
Crisis situations are not fun. No one looks forward to them or wishes they would happen, but they always do. It always seems to be at the worst possible time, too.
Dairy producers may not transport cattle as often as beef producers, but knowing how to handle cattle and being prepared for difficult situations is knowledge every dairyman should have.
“We are motivated to develop procedures that help us throughout the chain,” says Jeff Johnson, president of Out West Trucking.
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