Posted on December 31st, 2020 in Dairy Performance
Many different species of birds make a dairy farm “home” in the cooler months, posing a risk to the health of livestock and people as well as the farm’s bottom line. Birds are drawn to farms because of the continuous supply of fresh feed and seek the energy-dense components of the feedstuffs or ration. This loss of nutrients consumed by birds can greatly impact the nutrients that cattle are able to eat, thus directly impacting a producer’s bottom line. In addition, birds are associated with the spread and amplification of microbiological hazards, including E. coli , Salmonella , and many others that can have lasting impacts in dairy herds.
Posted on December 17th, 2020 in Dairy Performance
By Nathan Hrnicek If you are deciding to build a new forage storage site, such as a pile or bunker, it is important to consider the space required for these structures, the amount of forage you need at the present time and in the future, and your desired feedout rate. Additionally, adding adequate apron space is another component often overlooked.
Posted on September 24th, 2020 in Dairy Performance
The owners of Hilltop Dairy LLC in Markesan, Wisconsin, have had a passion for registered Holstein cattle and “good-looking, good-producing cows” for decades. That tradition continues to be front-and-center on the 1,400-cow dairy today.
By Dr. Andy Kniesly After just a few hot days, it is not uncommon to see milk production losses of 5 to 15 pounds of milk per cow day. That might be just the tip of the iceberg as heat stress can lead to a long list of other animal health and performance consequences. A lot of factors go into designing heat abatement systems for dairies, which require a solid understanding of your facilities and environment. Here are some very common areas that we can focus on to help us prioritize where to start.
In the most recent edition of Starting Strong Calf Chat, Dr. Noah Litherland reminds calf raisers of three goals of ventilation: (1) provide adequate amounts of clean air to the calf, (2) prevent drafts on the calf, and (3) manage the temperature and humidity in the barn.
Watch the video for tips to optimize the calf environment during spring's fluctuating temperatures and damp weather.
By Eliza Ruzic and Pat Hoffman As robotic milking systems continue to gain interest and adoption, dairy producers are looking at the economics associated with the technology. Producers often ask us, “What truly influences milk production on a robotic dairy? Do pellet characteristics influence visits and milk production? Does the energy density of the partially mixed ration (PMR) affect milk production?”
During Vita Plus Dairy Summit in December, attendees explored many “waves of change” in the dairy industry. If you did not attend the event – or did attend and are looking for a refresher – browse the topics in this post to access the full event e-news.
By Ann Hoskins If you haven't already, now is the time for routine maintenance on your calf facility ventilation system. Good air quality goes a long way in promoting calf health. Plus, an efficiently working ventilation system saves dollars on your bottom line.
By Dr. Noah Litherland Every one of us in the dairy industry has an inborn fondness for cattle, and value newborn calves and the promise they bring. Let’s get wise about thermal support for our calves in the first 24 hours of their lives during cold weather.
By Barry Visser Dairy cattle behavior and appearance often make it easy to detect external parasites like flies, mange and lice. Severe internal parasite infiltrations can result in roughness of hair coat, anemia, edema and diarrhea. However, the subclinical impact of internal parasites is largely hidden, yet costly. According to a recent study at Iowa State University , undetected subclinical disease caused by internal parasites can cost $190 per animal.
More than 175 calf raisers, Vita Plus consultants and industry peers came together June 20 and 21 for Vita Plus Calf Summit 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Follow the links in this post to access full event coverage, including speakers' PowerPoint presentations, articles and more.
By Ann Hoskins The best way to save on calf starter without sacrificing growth and performance is to limit waste. These seven steps can help you save money on calf starter.
Posted on February 15th, 2018 in Dairy Performance
By Dr. Michelle Windle Many farms have a limited amount of space on the feed pad to store their homegrown forages. This leads some producers to store multiple crops in close proximity. January and February mark the time of year when many producers move from one crop to another. Although avalanches can occur in a wide array of situations, it is especially common to see an avalanche at the interface between two crops. This creates a dangerous situation.
More than 330 dairy producers, Vita Plus consultants and industry peers came together December 6 and 7 for Vita Plus Dairy Summit 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. Follow the links in this post to access full event coverage, including speakers' PowerPoint presentations, articles, videos and more.
By Ann Hoskins, Vita Plus calf products coordinator Before you decide to turn that old dairy barn into a calf barn, you should do some research. An old barn may provide more warmth and protection from the elements for calves and caretakers. But consider calf flow, ventilation, sanitation, ease of feeding, and the overall health benefits and risks before you begin renovations.
By Stacy Nichols A fresh cow pen should provide cows with a clean, comfortable environment to recover from calving and minimize the social stress they experience when being moved into new groups. The primary goal of a fresh group must be to minimize health events to allow cows to reach their production potential.
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