Dairy Performance

By Rod Martin The total mixed ration (TMR) is an efficient and effective method to feed high-producing dairy cows and has been universally adopted on today’s dairy operations. Yet, many factors can lead to significant TMR inconsistency, resulting in suboptimal milk production, components and potential herd health issues.  Potential variances at each step of the

By Chris Wacek-Driver Hopefully, the 2015 harvest season’s efforts have rewarded your farm with adequate inventory and quality feed for the year ahead and will be reflected in profitable milk production and healthy cows.  Equally as important, we hope all this was accomplished efficiently and safely. With the last tire on the bunker and the

By Augusta Hagen A hard frost and cooler temperatures mean winter will be here before we know it. The thermal-neutral zone for a calf under 3 weeks of age is 59 to 78 degrees F.  When temperatures dip below 59 degrees, the calf can start to experience cold stress and not grow as efficiently as

By Sarah Fraley The transition period for a dairy cow is often considered her most stressful time in the course of her lactation. Typically defined as the three weeks prior to the three weeks after calving, the transition period consists of rapid changes in the cow’s metabolic needs as well as many physiological changes associated

By Dr. Eric Schwab When we say “electrolytes” on a dairy farm, one of the first things that come to mind is feeding electrolytes to scouring calves.  Electrolytes play an important role in the cow’s diet as well.  When we’re talking about electrolytes for adult animals, the term we commonly use is DCAD. Electrolytes are

By Dr. Darin Bremmer What was once considered a high corn silage diet is not high compared to today’s standards.  We commonly feed diets containing at least 80 percent of the forage dry matter (DM) from corn silage. One of the biggest reasons for this change is consistency.  It is much easier to put up

By Pat Hoffman We feed lactating cows starch sources that may be ground, flaked, processed, rolled or ensiled.  In addition, we store feeds containing starch in bags, bunkers and bins at different moisture contents for different lengths of time. With all these possible combinations, figuring out starch digestibility in the feeds we put in front

By Jack Hales and Barry Visser The care and comfort of the cows is of utmost importance, but, some days, managing the cows is the easy part.  The biggest conflict from the cows’ perspective may be resolved by moving the dominant cow to another pen. It’s not so easy with people. Occasionally, “big picture” conflicts

By Jim Lewis and Andy Nytes Improving farm business performance presents an everyday challenge for employers and owners.  Continuing at the current level of performance is never really considered an option for goal-oriented people, whether they are owners or supervisors. As managers, however, we quickly learn that we cannot accomplish improved performance on our own.

By Dr. Michelle Windle Bacterial inoculants are a valuable part of your forage program, but they must be handled correctly to make the most of yoru investment.  In this video, I provide a few steps to keep inoculant bacteria alive.  These common-sense strategies can significantly protect the effectiveness of inoculants and make the most of

By Gary Sipiorski Think about your last check-up at the doctor’s office.  What questions did your doctor ask you?  How did he or she determine you’re healthy or uncover any potential risks or problems? Now it’s time for you to be the doctor for your farm’s finances.  Pull out your balance sheet and cash flow

By Gary Sipiorski Think about your last check-up at the doctor’s office.  What questions did your doctor ask you?  How did he or she determine you’re healthy or uncover any potential risks or problems? Now it’s time for you to be the doctor for your farm’s finances.  Pull out your balance sheet and cash flow

By Pat Hoffman Producers used to only plant small grains in the spring for forage when they faced alfalfa winterkill or needed a companion crop for alfalfa seedings. Times have changed and small grain forages are now commonly and diversely used to augment a wide array of forage needs.  In addition, small grain forages are

By Jon Wilcox Bobby Knight, a college basketball coach with more than 900 victories and nicknamed “The General,” was perhaps most famously remembered for his fierce, combative, expletive-laden, chair-throwing style.  Yet he’s loyally defended and fanatically revered by most of his former players. Contrast him with the quiet and calm Tony Dungy.  Dungy’s accomplishments include

More than 130 custom harvesters, Vita Plus employee owners and industry peers came together February 17 and 18 for the Vita Plus Custom Harvester Meeting in Onalaska, Wisconsin.  Follow the links below for complete event coverage, including articles, videos, photos and speaker presentations. Introduction to NIR moisture testers Dr. Michelle Windle, Vita Plus | Near

By Ann Hoskins In most respects, it's been a mild winter.  However, the recent cold and snow blasts have brought back memories of last winter's polar vortexes and that little Pennsylvanian groundhog just said we have six weeks to go. Many calf barns went up last summer in response to the previous harsh winter.  That