Checking the animals’ condition, and a quick look at the ration, can tell the story of the dry matter intake (DMI) of dairy cows.
The five-minute tricks to identify good dry matter intake in dairy cows
Checking the condition of cows, and a quick look at the ration, can tell the story
Watch dairy heifers grow on well-balanced diets
There are numerous different ways to get a quality mix to a farm’s heifers
I have balanced many dairy heifer replacement diets in the last few months. It’s a pretty easy exercise, once I put it down on a pdf spreadsheet and then email it to the dairy producer. I am confidence that all heifer nutrient requirements are met, given how heifers consume it. Plus, I want to make […] Read more
Dear Dairy Diary – SARA in lactating dairy cows
Changes in effective fibre result in subtle, but important alterations to the diet
Dear Dairy Diary – June 24, 2024.I received a call from dairy producer that milks about 200 dairy cows. Several of his lactating cows were lethargic, quit eating and milking as well as had severe diarrhea.The producer moved a bubbly loose pile with his boot, and noticed a lot of undigested corn and what seemed […] Read more
Strategic use of chelated trace minerals in dairy rations makes sense
There are specific cases where chelated trace minerals should be used in dairy diets
In the last couple of years I have noticed that most dairy lactation diets contain a fortified level of chelated trace minerals. When I ask dairy producers why they feed them over conventional ones, they often say they don’t know or their nutritionist thinks it is a good idea. There is nothing technically wrong with […] Read more
Good early-lactation nutrition cuts risk of cystic ovaries
A drop in proper metabolic function will pose reproductive challenges in cows
Glacier FarmMedia – Most producers usually wait until estrus appears in a dairy cow at 60-70 days postpartum, then place an emphasis on getting her pregnant by 90 days. This practice maintains a 13-month calving interval. Unfortunately, the onslaught of cystic ovaries in 30 per cent of all breeding cows makes it a challenge. Yet, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
