“Despite the rollercoaster when it comes to prices because of the pandemic, fewer dairy farms appear to be closing up shop, at least in a couple of states. With a focus on the bottom line, a growing trend in the dairy industry is adding beef genetics to the calf crop. That was one of the […]
“This year has been a market roller coaster for the dairy industry, and the Dairy Margin Coverage program is a valuable tool dairy producer can use to manage risk,” said Bill Northey, USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, during a roundtable at a dairy in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. “We were excited to roll […]
This virtual learning opportunity will be offered as a two-day event in English on Tuesday, November 3rd and Thursday, November 5th from 1pm – 2:30pm. The same information will be presented in Spanish on Tuesday, November 10th and Thursday, November 12th from 1pm – 2:30pm. Registration is required ahead of time by visiting https://tinyurl.com/y6bqfjyq. Thanks to generous sponsors, registration fees […]
“Preweaned calves in the first three weeks of life receive essentially all of their nutrients in liquid form. They also are the dairy animals most susceptible to cold stress because of their high surface-area-to-body-mass ratio. When the mercury drops, those calves expend more energy to maintain their body temperature. That draws nutrients away from immune […]
“Feed costs typically are the largest expense on a dairy operation and managing those costs contribute to a dairy’s ability to be profitable. These costs include purchased feed, but also the true costs to produce crops raised on the farm. Home-raised feeds vary in type, quality, and quantity, but more importantly, the cost to produce […]
“Dairy producers can count on only one thing over the next 12 months: volatility. This past spring and summer, market behavior embodied a wide range of emotions that veered from panic lows to euphoric highs. The pandemic has disrupted supply chains and upended consumer habits, which could lead to more wild swings in the milk […]
“Fertility is a multi-factorial challenge but the success of this program shows that fine-tuning existing management practices and the adoption of cutting-edge nutrition technologies can have a significant impact on farm profitability,” CopRice model farm manager Ellen Fitzgibbon said. With 5 areas of focus, this demonstration study had impressive results. “Heifers were fed CopRice calf […]
“Ensuring feed changes are made gradually especially around weaning and when starting to feed forages are beneficial for optimum rumen adaptation and proper absorption of nutrients. Measure height and weight of calves and heifers often, especially after weaning, pre-breeding, and calving time periods.” If you need help with forage and lab analysis or diet programs, […]
“The seasonal change in available natural light, from 16 to 18 hours of daylight in spring to 8 to 10 hours/day in winter, can have a 5 to 10% effect on milk production,” says Kevin Harvatine, a dairy nutrition physiologist with Pennsylvania State University. “As a result, milk production is highest in April and lowest […]
Do you have questions about feeding practices for fresh cows? Contact us for more information on the specific feeds and additives that can benefit fresh cows. “Research continues to show that management and feeding practices within the first 2 to 4 weeks after calving have a long-term positive or negative impact on not only milk […]
