Progressive Dairy

Implementing amino acids in dairy rations: Lessons learned from the swine industry

February 3, 2011

Use of some supplemental amino acids is now becoming available for all species worldwide. In the past 20 to 30 years, adaptation of supplemental amino acid(s) in the non-ruminant diet has undergone sequential increases to where supplemental amino acids are now contributing 30 percent or more of the required lysine.

Create efficiencies with three-in-one feeding machine

February 3, 2011

Karen Lee

It is no secret that feed and labor are the two highest expenses on a dairy operation, and don’t forget fuel prices that are expected to climb through 2011. Jones Equipment Company LLC in Massey, Maryland, has an answer to reduce expenses in those categories. Developed by Lachish Industries in Israel, where feed costs are even higher than the U.S., the RMH is a self-propelled and self-loading mixer/feeder that combines a facer, payloader, mixer and tractor or truck-mounted mixer into one machine.

Off-season: Evaluate your silage quality, bunker performance

February 3, 2011

Shawn P. Ryan

Preserving silage quality is more important than ever with rising commodity costs. Feedout of last year’s crop is the best time to evaluate how your silage quality and bunker/pile storage are performing, so you can set goals and begin planning for storing next year’s crop.

Consider rumen-protected B vitamins for dairy cows

February 3, 2011

John Hibma

Until recently there has not been a significant push to supplement B vitamins in dairy cow diets since they are known to be synthesized in large amounts in a cow’s rumen. It has been recognized for many years that B vitamins are essential for various aspects of a cow’s metabolism, her overall health and milk production.

Evaluate rations to get the most IOFC with higher-priced corn

February 3, 2011

Tim Snyder

Using ration modeling programs that evaluate multiple carbohydrate fractions and their digestibility enables us to increase income over feed cost (IOFC). Corn prices are over $6 per bu and predicted to be steady to higher.

Wild yeast could be a problem at your dairy

February 3, 2011

Ilkyu Yoon

It is every dairyman’s desire to feed high-quality corn silage and/or haylage to ensure excellent animal health and production and keep feed costs in line. However, maintaining the silage in good condition throughout the feeding period is a challenge.

Are your cows ketotic?

February 3, 2011

David L. Prentice

If you answered “yes,” you should feel good about being proactive about this condition, knowing you can do something about it. If you answered “no” because you have actually tested for ketosis, you, too, can feel good about being proactive, but remember that testing should be an ongoing process. But if you answered “don’t know” or “haven’t tested,” keep reading. This article explains what ketosis is, its effects and why a dairy should be testing for it.

Improve profitability through amino acid balancing

February 3, 2011

David O. Jensen

Anyone involved in the dairy industry realizes these are difficult times. Nevertheless, there are strategies that can help improve profitability even during these hard times. One such strategy is to balance rations for amino acids. This strategy is useful when dairymen are paid based on protein or solids production.

How nutrition can affect prepartum and postpartum cows

February 3, 2011

Steve Maske

I have had the advantage of working as a practicing veterinarian in the Midwest and as a nutritionist in California, Utah, Idaho and Texas. When comparing the managerial and nutritional styles of these different areas, it is easy to see many similarities and some differences.

Formulation innovation improves dairy’s bottom line

February 3, 2011

Tom Tylutki

“Milk Class III futures prices are forecast to decline over 12 percent in the next 3 to 6 months while corn prices hover around $5.85, pointing to another tough year.” The bleak news seems like a reoccurring nightmare: Dairymen and their advisers are looking for tools to increase farm profitability.