Tag Archives: Dairy
100 Years Progress in Dairy Cow Production and Feeding
There has been considerable change and progress in cow production and feeding over the last 100 years from 1915, which was also when The Danish Mineral Company formed (now Nutritech International Ltd). There were about 1.1 million people, 634,000 milking or dry dairy cows, 270 butter and 355 cheese factories, producing 31,330 t butter and [...]
Strategies for a Lower Payout
Financial cycles are a normal part of agriculture, subject to international factors beyond farmers’ control. Farmers need sound business strategies to deal with these fluctuations, to ensure their long term future. Large companies used to such cycles, tend to build up equity during positive cycles, and reduce it during negative ones. Released equity is used [...]
Types of Protected Fats
High energy levels in fats make them useful for boosting energy intakes of cows, to increase production, improve fertility or condition at key times during the year. Unsaturated fats can be toxic to rumen microbes at high concentrations, so may adversely affect fibre degradation. Therefore, supplementary fats must be “protected” from rumen activity if they [...]
Coccidiosis Control in Milk Fed Calves
Clinical and subclinical coccidiosis in calves can result in significant financial losses, as a result of poor health, ill thrift, lost condition and weight, and severe cases death. Even under rigorous hygiene regimes, calves may be exposed to the coccidiosis causing protozoan parasites soon after birth. This is because the coccidia oocytes shed by infected [...]Benefits of Good Transition
Some of the biggest opportunities to increase production efficiency and reproductive health come from supporting dairy cows as they “transition” from late pregnancy to early lactation. Whilst many traditional systems have taken a “hands off” approach to the transition period it is now generally considered to be the most critical time of the year, with [...]
Feeding Fodder Beet
Fodder beet is becoming a major wintering crop for dairy cows, particularly in southern regions of the country. This seems to have been driven by the potentially high yields achievable (20-30 t DM/ha) and its high energy content (bulbs 12 -13 MJ/kg DM; leaves 10-11 MJ/kg DM). However, some farmers have had issues when grazing [...]
Nutritional strategies to help maintain production and body condition in late lactation
Although we’re aware of the importance good management over the next three to four months has on next season’s production, working out the optimal time to dry off can be far more challenging. This month’s article discusses some practical considerations to consider when deciding on when to dry off. Assessing condition scores (CS) of your [...]- 1
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