Posted on November 20, 2024 in Dairy Goat Performance
The dry period should be considered as the start of the next lactation for a dairy goat doe. To lay the foundation for success and minimize the roadblocks ahead, effectively managing dry does will maximize their full potential.
The key to a good kid barn ventilation audit is to evaluate the air quality in many different scenarios. Weather can change the kid’s environment quickly. Monitoring air quality should be part of your daily checklist. If problems persist, enlist a trusted consultant to assess your options.
Posted on April 17, 2024 in Dairy Goat Performance
By Michelle Chang-Der Bedrosian, Vita Plus | Baleage, or wrapped haylage, is a feed that is not only convenient but also packed with nutrients essential for dairy goats’ health and milk production. It combines the benefits of haylage and the versatility and portability of baled hay.
Posted on November 6, 2023 in Dairy Goat Performance
Attention to kid care and management can reduce immunological stress and will increase the survival rate of kids. During her Vita Plus Dairy Goat Seminar presentation, Kate Stollen, DVM, Stollen Veterinary Consulting and Holsum Dairies LLC, reviewed challenges associated with birth and youngstock care.
Posted on October 2, 2023 in Dairy Goat Performance
The transition period for dairy goats is the three weeks before kidding to three weeks after kidding. During his Vita Plus Dairy Goat Seminar presentation, Kevin Wellejus, VMD and partner at Calumet Goat Company, explained that during this transition from the dry period to milking, the doe’s physiology changes dramatically.
Posted on August 23, 2023 in Dairy Goat Performance
As a Vita Plus dairy technical specialist, Noah Litherland, Ph.D., has long been interested in rumen development and the physiology of growth in youngstock. He applies that interest to his family’s farm as they raise dairy goats. During his Vita Plus Dairy Goat Seminar presentation, Litherland focused on starter intake as a key component of youngstock nutrition and management.
With the goal of raising healthy, high-producing dairy goats, the team at Blakesville Dairy Farm in Port Washington, Wisconsin, focuses on care and management of kids to enhance lifetime health and performance while continuously being progressive in their farming practices.
Posted on October 18, 2022 in Dairy Goat Performance
Proper management of a doe’s dry period can have significant impacts on the doe’s longevity and productivity as well as kid survival. In this second article in a two-part series, experts discuss nutrition strategies that can lead to success in the dry period.
Posted on October 12, 2022 in Dairy Goat Performance
Proper management of a doe’s dry period can have significant impacts on the doe’s longevity and productivity as well as kid survival. In this first article in a two-part series, experts discuss management factors that can lead to success in the dry period.
By Dr. Danielle Mzyk, Janesville Animal Medical Center associate veterinarian | Coccidiosis is caused by microscopic protozoan parasites called coccidian (Eimeria spp.). These parasites cause severe damage to the intestinal cells of goats, leading to diarrhea, clinical disease, and reduced growth and production. Here are five key points in understanding and managing coccidiosis.
Posted on February 14, 2022 in Dairy Goat Performance
By Dr. Noah Litherland
In part 2 of our colostrum series, we look at efficient ways to heat-treat, store and warm colostrum. We also review the steps for processing newborn kids and feeding colostrum.
Posted on January 28, 2022 in Dairy Goat Performance
By Dr. Noah Litherland
We only have one opportunity per doe to harvest colostrum and to feed her kids quality colostrum, so let’s develop a plan to do it right! Do you have opportunities to manage colostrum more effectively this year?
Posted on November 18, 2021 in Dairy Goat Performance
[gallery ids="16836,16837,16838,16839,16840,16841,16842,16843,16844,16845"] Drumlin Dairy LLC focuses on kid health, year-round production Wisconsin leads the nation in dairy goat production, yet not enough goat milk is produced in-state to make all the goat cheese crafted by Wisconsin cheesemakers. A few years ago, processors approached the owners of Holsum Dairies, LLC in Hilbert, Wisconsin, to see if they
By Dr. David Carlson
Heat stress is a costly condition for many species of livestock, causing suboptimal health and productivity. Dairy goats experiencing heat stress will compensate in several ways to maintain body temperature, both by accelerating heat loss and decreasing heat production. These critical management strategies can help animals cope with heat stress.
Posted on November 30, 2020 in Dairy Goat Performance
By Sarah Adamson
Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a contagious – and potentially fatal – viral disease in goats. It can be transmitted in several ways and, without a specific treatment, it is best to follow a strict mitigation program to decrease the frequency of CAE-infected animals on your farm.
By Sarah Adamson
While any number of factors can cause diarrhea and scours, coccidia becomes the more likely cause when goat kids are between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. Since it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate coccidia form the environment, it is best to understand the impact is has on your herd and then develop a herd-specific treatment and prevention plan.