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Posts Categorized: Dairy Nutrition

cow feeding

What is Milk Urea Nitrogen and What Does It Say About The Cow?

By: Grace Thomas, M.Agr.Sc. P.A.S. In order to understand the importance of milk urea nitrogen, we first need to understand how it is formed. When the cow consumes protein, it is broken down in the rumen by the rumen microbes to ammonia. This ammonia is then converted to microbial protein by the rumen microbes. The […]

cattle feeding

Hypocalcemia and Steps to Reduce It

By:  Dr. James C. Coomer, Ph.D., P.A.S Hypocalcemia, or “milk fever” as it is commonly called, is the result of low blood calcium (Ca). Severe milk fever impairs muscle and nerve function to such a degree that the cow is unable to rise. Hypocalcemia also increases the chances of cows experiencing other disorders such as […]

feed efficiency corn kernel

How Can We Stomach Feed $7.00 (or $8.00) Corn?

By:  Dr. Gene P. Gengelbach, Ph.D., P.A.S Commodity prices have been on a wild ride so far in 2021. Besides all of the chaos that COVID-19 has thrown at us, other factors such as record grain exports, uncertain ethanol markets, and serious weather events (both drought and flooding) have led to dramatic increases in grain […]

chart with nutritional value

Transition Cows: Nutrition and Inflammation

By Dr. Dave Jones, Ph.D., P.A.S There are two sides to transition cows, the pre-fresh and post-fresh periods.  Leading up to, and during, the pre-fresh period many things need to be accomplished by those who manage the cows and the cows themselves.  This would include: Period Before Calving Crucial As cows approach their calving date, […]

Image of increasing DM density

Forage Dry Matter Density Has Come a Long Way in 20 Years

By Kelly Foerder, Research & Development Coordinator and Dr. Dan Schauff, Ph.D., P.A.S.c Feed costs, especially with higher commodity prices, can be 50% or more of the total cost to produce milk. According to a 21-farm survey conducted in 2018, forage dry matter (DM) loss ranged from 7 to 18%, dry ingredient DM loss ranged […]

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Are You Achieving Optimum DMI Levels for Production?

By Dr. Louisa Koch, Ph.D., P.A.S. DMI Levels Any nutritionist will tell you that optimizing dry matter intake (DMI) is one of the most important factors in achieving target milk production. Dry matter intake is a measure of moisture corrected pounds of nutrients consumed by the cow. One pound of DMI can support two pounds […]

up close image of black and white cow

Heifer Rearing

By Grace Thomas, M.Agr.Sc. P.A.S. Heifers are the future herd. Despite this, they are often the group of animals that are overlooked by producers until it is time for breeding. Any mismanagement before breeding can result in delayed breeding and lower the heifer’s future yield. The cost of heifer rearing is the second largest cost […]

Cattle grazing

Maximiser-Understanding Fecal Starch

By Dr. Aimee Hafla, Ph.D., P.A.S. Are you missing out on energy? In the United States, the grain component of feedlot rations accounts for 50 to 90% of the diet dry matter and is typically comprised of starchy cereal grains like corn, barley, or wheat. (Samuelson et al., 2016). Starch is a nutrient that packs […]

rows of stressed corn

Are You Short on Forages?

Avoiding Forage Disasters By Dr. James Coomer, Ph.D., P.A.S Most of the United States dealt with some type of forage disaster in 2019 and some in the eastern US and the western US have dealt with drought this year.  The drought this year has negatively affected alfalfa yields and may have negatively affected corn silage […]

Stacks of rounded white baleage containers

Making Balage: Can Good Silage Come in Small Packages?

By Dr. Gene P. Gengelbach, Ph.D., P.A.S. Making balage is becoming an increasingly popular form for making and storing high-quality forage. Once thought of as a “rescue” for hay that wouldn’t dry, now it is becoming an integral part of many forage operations. In fact, Kendall Guither, a six-time balage division champion at the World […]