Progressive Dairy

Instantaneous feeding decisions make dairies more productive

July 19, 2013

This article was #14 of the Top 25 most well-read articles on www.progressivedairy.com in 2013. It was published in the July 21, 2013 print issue. Click here for the full list of the Top 25. This article explored a sampling of mobile-friendly feed rationing software. Several nutritionists and company representatives shared how the software has changed how they do business. We asked those interviewed, Q. If you could snap your fingers and make it happen, what is a feature you would add to feed rationing software?

The ABCs of forage analysis: Fiber and digestibility

July 19, 2013

Ed DePeters

High-quality forages in dairy cow diets provide energy and nutrients that support milk yield. However, forages are typically variable in chemical composition.

Getting more ration value from commodity, byproduct feeds

July 19, 2013

John Goeser

What if there is more protein in your canola meal or soybean meal than you think? An average high-cow ration is around 50 percent forage and 50 percent commodity feed. As nutritionists, we tend to focus on regularly measuring and understanding forage feed value (nutrient content and digestibility).

Getting started: Forage yield vs. forage usage

July 19, 2013

Sarah Daugherty

The 2012 growing season was rightly declared a disaster, creating extremely tight forage inventories for many dairies. We spent last winter monitoring the piles, bunkers and bags of feed in hopes of an early spring. Unfortunately, in many areas, a wet spring has caused delays both in harvesting first-crop haylage and in getting corn planted.

Save the planet: Pack and cover

July 19, 2013

Chris Wacek-Driver

Global population is increasing exponentially. There will be billions of new mouths to feed. And the world’s natural resources, including soil and water, just won’t be able to keep up with this new demand.

Making milk with a quality hay crop

July 19, 2013

John Hibma

It’s well known that dairy cow diets require forages in order for the rumen to function properly. Rumen microbial fermentation must occur, for the most part, in the presence of complex carbohydrates such as cellulose, hemicellulose and pectins.

Solving hoof care problems: Consultant shares footbath tips

July 19, 2013

Ken Vos

Lameness and hoof care issues on a dairy farm drastically impact day-to-day cow comfort and can, therefore, cause significant losses in a herd’s productivity and profitability.

Trimmer finds passion for hooves, building own equipment

July 19, 2013

Sara Kitchen

After many years farming with his brothers, raising hogs, cattle and crops, Victor Larson and his family found themselves at a crossroads. Interest rates were skyrocketing, and the St. Cloud, Minnesota, family decided to pursue another business: hoof trimming.

North American Manure Expo to broaden its reach

July 19, 2013

Karen Lee

For its 11th year, the North American Manure Expo will live up to its name and, for the first time, take place outside of the U.S. The 2013 event will be held Aug. 20-21 at the University of Guelph Arkell Research Station in Arkell, Ontario.

Sand-manure separation through closed-loop water recovery

July 19, 2013

Andrew Wedel

Question: What are the two biggest factors affecting quality of recycled sand, regardless of the separation method? Answer: Sand type and water quality.