Progressive Dairy

Considerations when purchasing hay for a dairy milking herd

February 2, 2011

Forages are the foundation for building diets for the dairy herd. The quality of these forages greatly impacts profitability and performance, especially of the milking herd. Because of limited land base, labor or personal preference, farmers may decide to purchase part or all of their herd’s forage needs. This article deals with considerations when purchasing hay, especially alfalfa or alfalfa/grass hay, for the milking herd.

Minimize shipping stress by planning ahead

February 2, 2011

Kim Holt

Shipping day should be more than “we got them on the truck, and they’re gone.” Forward thinking and improved management practices can reduce challenges on this important payday by keeping stress and shrink to a minimum. Shrink isn’t strictly a transportation issue, but often an overlooked management factor that occurs during the transport and marketing of cattle.

Are you feeding too much vitamin E?

February 2, 2011

Heather Dann

“If some is good, then more is better” has been the accepted feeding practice for vitamin E in dairy cows, especially during the dry and early lactation periods. Only positive or “no effect” studies of high vitamin E supplementation have been reported in dairy cows.

Grouping to increase milk yield and decrease feed costs

February 2, 2011

Mike Allen

Many producers have abandoned feeding multiple totally mixed rations (TMRs) to milking cows after they leave the fresh group (or after calving), despite great differences in nutrient requirements and animal physiology between cows in early and late lactation.

Feed efficiency or maximum milk production?

February 2, 2011

Alexander N. Hristov

Manure nutrients, a valuable commodity in the past, are becoming an unwanted pollutant. Manure is a natural “byproduct” of milk and meat production from farm animals. In human history, this “byproduct” has always been regarded as a highly valuable source of nutrients and was being applied back to the soil where the nutrients to feed animals originally came from.

The View from Here: A report of a day in the field

February 2, 2011

Mike Gangwer

Reporting to you from Islamabad, Pakistan. In this, my second report from Pakistan, I report of a day in the field. I have four visits done today, all within Punjab province and near the capital city of Islamabad.

Job descriptions: The building block of organizations

February 2, 2011

Richard E. Stup

The primary objective of a job description is to help employees and supervisors reach a mutual understanding about important details of a job in order to avoid future problems. This article discusses the need for job descriptions, how to prepare them, and how to make use of them for more effective human resource management. In addition, some examples of job descriptions for positions in the milking center are included. Job descriptions should never be considered final; they should be open to changes and should be reviewed at least once per year by both employee and supervisor.

Minnesota company taking over Veblen dairies

February 2, 2011

A Minnesota company will take over two dairies in Veblen, South Dakota. Riverview LLP will assume management immediately after a bankruptcy judge approved a purchase agreement late last week, according to the company and court documents. The two dairies, known as Veblen East and Veblen West, will be renamed Marshall Dairy.

LSU AgCenter vaccine fights cattle disease

February 2, 2011

Louisiana's agriculture department says a vaccine developed by scientists at the LSU AgCenter is showing results in preventing a disease that costs U.S. cattle and dairy producers an estimated $300 million a year. The disease is "anaplasmosis," which is spread by ticks and destroys red blood cells in cattle.

Dairy farmer in running for national ‘Carhartt Tough’ contest

February 2, 2011

Dairy Farmer, Tim Zweber, is one of 12 finalists in the national “Are You Carhartt Tough?” Contest. Voting will take place through Feb. 28 at www.CarharttRental.com, and two grand prize winners will be selected based on the public’s votes. Zweber is a dairy farmer who knows what it takes to be Carhartt tough. He works every day of the year and often for 24 hours at a time. No matter what the weather, the cows still need to be taken care of, and only one brand can stand the test of such a harsh job. Carhartt is Zweber’s choice. Whether it is protecting him from sharp objects or keeping him warm in the dead of winter, Zweber and his Carhartt perform time and time again.