University of Arkansas researchers have found that a slow-growth sow diet results in more piglets and healthier and longer-lived females. Slower weight gain for female pigs before breeding led to improvements in performance throughout four breeding cycles, according to Charles Maxwell, professor of animal science. It’s common practice to feed female breeding pigs the same […] Read more
Tag Archives livestock feeding
Slow-growth diet before breeding offers better long-range health in pigs
Science Notes: Researchers looking for more ways to improve sow longevity
Dry hay can help with dairy transition
Research finds hay can help in some conditions where cows already have acidosis or inflammation
Hay fed to dairy cows for a couple of days after calving can help those that have health issues. Cows are fed high starch diets at calving as they ramp up milk production, which helps manage ketosis and fatty liver, but it also increases risk of acidosis and inflammation. Why it matters: Providing hay post-calving […] Read more
Livestock pitched as a great food waste upcycler
New Canadian Cattle Association film highlights feedlots and their diverse feeds
Canada wastes about half the food it produces, but cattle can convert that waste into protein production. To highlight that ability, the next documentary in a four-part series from the Canadian Cattle Association focuses on feedlots and their role in recycling food waste. Why it matters: Food waste takes up space in landfills and its […] Read more
Lactanet embarks on LPI modernization process
Predictive production index has become cumbersome, complicated
A long-standing tool for predicting the milk production performance of dairy cattle daughters will be “modernized” to make it more user-friendly and reflective of contemporary knowledge about feed efficiency. During Lactanet’s recent open industry session, Chief Services Office Brian Van Doormaal gave a presentation entitled “Modernizing LPI (Lifetime Performance Index)” and later said he had […] Read more
Research shows controlled bunk feeding improves feed-to-gain ratio
Ontario study shows consistency in feed delivery, feed mix order and mix time improves feed efficiency
Monitoring the behaviour of cattle at the feed bunk can help maintain rumen health and improve efficiencies in feedlots. Given crop production costs, feed inputs and time invested in nutritional inputs and ration formulation, producers want to maximize return wherever possible. Why it matters: Bunk management can help cattle feeders improve delivery efficiencies and maximize […] Read more
Methane breeding tool’s developers look to long-term adoption
Uptake has been slow among producers, but the discussion on methane efficiency has begun
Uptake by Canadian dairy producers of a new breeding tool aimed at decreasing their herd’s methane emissions hasn’t been overwhelming, representatives of Semex Alliance admitted recently. However, given the potential long-term interest, neither Semex nor the organization with which it partnered on developing the tool is concerned. Why it matters: The Canadian dairy sector’s commitments […] Read more
Tech simplifies hog feed monitoring to reduce down time
FeedFlo system monitors feed pipes to ensure feed is flowing
Glacier FarmMedia – Successful technology often arises from figuring out how to simplify something that’s exceedingly complex. That’s what Casey Forsyth and his team at FeedFlo think they’ve managed to do with their feed pipe monitoring system. Their model is working in scores of barns in the U.S. hog belt, where it accurately measures whether […] Read more
Monitoring enteric methane emissions on pasture
University of Guelph investigating link between feed efficiency and enteric methane
Feeding canola oil to beef cows could be one way to reduce their enteric methane emissions and increase feed efficiency. University of Guelph researchers adopted unique technology to investigate the link between feed efficiency and enteric methane emissions. Feed-efficient cattle reduce farmer costs, and lower enteric methane can help with greenhouse gas emission issues, creating […] Read more
New additive touted for feed efficiency, solids-not-fat control
Strong results seen in Mexico trial for biocatalyst
Calgary-based feed additive innovator CBS Bio Platforms is trumpeting the feed efficiency benefits of its newly released Optimax E enzyme-based bio-catalyst, as it appeals to dairy farmers’ goals of achieving carbon-neutral status. Given recent implementation by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario of a revised formula to pay for solids-not-fat (SNF), producers may also be interested […] Read more
Tackling feed requirements through breeding
Lactanet publishes new body maintenance index for bulls
Lactanet is introducing its Body Maintenance Requirements (BMR) evaluations for bulls this month as part of its ongoing work to help dairy producers maximize production per kilogram of dry matter intake. Speaking at Lactanet’s recent Open Industry session, geneticist Dr. Allison Fleming said the BMR is not directly related to feed costs per litre of […] Read more
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