New genetic sequencing research shows that stable flies carry pathogenic bacteria associated with mastitis. Petri dish research is now supplemented with gene sequencing in the bacteriology lab so a team […] Read more
Dairy
Genetic analysis confirms stable flies as mastitis vector
Research shows flies can carry the bacteria from manure breeding sites
How dairy testing for avian influenza works in the U.S.
States are taking varied approaches that range from animal testing, to recording who enters a farm
States in the U.S. are playing a key role in the nation’s response to a growing outbreak of avian flu among dairy cattle that has also infected a small number […] Read more
Canadian genomic option coming for non-herdbook dairy breeders
Testing will still be done in the United States
Canadian dairy breeders may be able to acquire genomic evaluations within Canada later this year for domestically bred cows not registered in national breed association herdbooks. Why it matters: The […] Read more
Owner-sampled dairy cattle herds will see earlier genetic evaluations
Lactanet proposes move to monthly official evaluations for Canadian cows in early 2025
More dairy cows in Canada may have the potential to achieve top-rated status in publicly released genetic rankings, thanks to a change being introduced by the Lactanet organization in early […] Read more
Cattle Scan’s bolus system wins pitch competition
It took five minutes for ag-tech startup founder Denis Tokarev to secure a $10,000 prize at a recent “pitch competition” in Calgary, but he hopes the buzz generated by the […] Read more
Dutch farmer separates nitrogen from manure to fertilize crops
Process reduces manure hauling, produces usable heat and electricity for Dutch farm
Ton Groot Roessink milks about 200 cows near Baak, using robots, automated feeding and automated manure cleaning. Manure from the farm is put through a biogas digester. The methane is burned to produce electricity and heat for the farm.
Europe’s manure mathematics frustrate farmers
Strict rules limit nitrogen application depending on the form it takes when applied
Trucking manure is part of the strange nitrogen mathematics used in Europe as it attempts to balance nutrient use and penalizes manure based only on its nitrogen effect, without considering other nutrients, soil organic matter and biological benefits.
Lameness stagnation: Why hoof health issues persist in dairy cattle
Despite years of identifying causes and new approaches hoof health is still a problem
Lameness is a complex condition influenced by a diverse array of intertwined factors, from cow-level elements to environmental conditions and management practices. It is often the cumulative impact of several […] Read more
Strategically feed the robot
Feeding more in the milking robot doesn’t mean more visits by cows
Feeding cows that are milked with a robot is more complicated than you think. It is not enough to add feed to the robot. It is necessary to ensure that […] Read more
Top genetics shouldn’t change much under modernized LPI
Lactanet to update its benchmark Lifetime Performance Index by early next year
The emphasis given to production and health characteristics will change in a proposed new Lifetime Performance Index (LPI) for Canadian dairy cows – with new weighting for reducing greenhouse gas […] Read more