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Click here to view as a pdf: Evaluating Hay For Equine
By Alex Austin
Forage is a very important staple in a horse’s ration. This is usually met with either pasture or hay. Since pasture is not always available, hay is the forage that is often fed. When selecting one to feed, the different options can be confusing. This article will discuss what to look for and consider when evaluating hay for equine rations.
Click here to view as a pdf: Ask The Vet- Why Aren’t My Cows Cleaning, Doc?
By Darren Zimmerman, D.V.M.
Retained Placentas: The Basics
First, let’s define what is normal.
Expulsion of the placenta normally happens within 12 hours of the calf being born. The same uterine contractions that helped push out the calf, will also help expel the placenta. After the calf is born, the connections between the uterus and the placenta detach. With each contraction the uterus gets smaller and more of the placenta exits through the cervix.
If after 12 hours, the placenta is still in the uterus, it is considered retained. A retained placenta can happen when the uterus stops contracting, the placenta doesn’t detach properly, or a combination of the two. In the United States dairy industry, 7.8% of cows experience a retained placenta.
Click here to view as a pdf: Exploring The Development Of The Gastrointestinal Tract In Calves
By Nele Leiterman, D.V.M.
Calves are the future of the dairy industry. Central to their early development is the maturation of their gastrointestinal tract (GIT), a process that lays the foundation for their ability to digest and utilize nutrients efficiently. In this article, we delve into the stages of gastrointestinal tract development in calves, focusing on the critical role of the rumen and abomasum, to optimize calf health and performance. Read More →
Click here to view as a pdf: Understanding Milk Pricing- If That’s Even Possible: Part 1
By Ryan Leiterman, D.V.M.
There is an old saying in the dairy industry that there are two people who understand how milk is priced, and that one of them is dead and the other is retired. I’ve never understood how milk is priced. In an effort to remedy my ignorance, I started researching how the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) works. It is a complicated process but below I will explain the basic principles as I have learned them. This is part one of a two part series. Read More →
Click here to view as a pdf: How To Feed Calves? MilkBar™ Teats Can Improve Calf Gut Health
By Nele Leiterman, D.V.M.
What should I feed my replacement heifers? Whole milk or milk replacer? What fat and crude protein percentage is right for my operation? Are there additives that I should be using? These are typical questions a calf raiser will ask. Often the focus is on WHAT should be fed to the calf, but how often do people think about HOW to feed their calves?
MilkBar™ is a company founded by dairy farmers in New Zealand that looked deep into this HOW. Their innovation is a teat that mimics the natural physiology of how calves nurse from their dams. And the research shows the MilkBar™ controlled-flow teats hold many health benefits for calves and the heifers they will grow into.
This article lists some of the benefits of feeding calves with MilkBar™ teats. Read More →
Click here to view as a pdf: Ask The Vet: Get Your Spring Chicks Off To A Good Start
By Nele Leiterman, D.V.M.
Across the country, more and more people are discovering the joys of maintaining their own backyard chicken flock. For many backyard flock owners, knowing where their meat and eggs come from, coupled with the security and self-reliance of having control of their food source is important. Even in many urban settings, city residents find that local ordinances allow for a small flock of chickens. It is not uncommon, for new people being introduced to chickens, to begin their flock by purchasing peeping chicks. When it comes to chick rearing, there are four key management areas to focus on: Temperature, Water, Feed and Lighting. Read More →
Click here to view as a pdf: Ventilating Repurposed Structures For Calf Housing
By Alex Austin
Building a new calf raising facility is an expensive investment and not always an option. Converting an existing structure, whether it’s a pole shed or old stanchion barn, to house and raise calves can be a great option when done correctly. When considering repurposing an existing structure, a lot of thought goes into the logistics of everyday calf care, such as feeding and bedding, but one area that can be overlooked is proper ventilation. A poorly ventilated calf barn will quickly lead to struggles with calf health and poor performance. To avoid these and achieve proper ventilation, a system that can deliver fresh air in different penning set ups and overcome potential structural challenges is key. Read More →
Click here to view as a pdf: April 2024 Newsletter
Click here to view as a pdf: December 2023 Newsletter
Click here to view as a pdf: Stepping Back: With Reflection and Gratitude
By Dan Leiterman
This coming April I will be 72 years old and have served the agricultural industry for nearly 50 years. After much reflection and with immense gratitude, I believe it is time to step back and retire.
In reflecting back on my career, it is humbling to see how much I owe the farming community. Almost everything in my life can be somehow connected to my career in agriculture. It was 45 years ago, while working at a local feed mill in western Wisconsin that a pretty young woman came into our store looking for horse feed. I loaded the feed into her truck and asked her out on a date. Fast forward to today, Jan and I have been married for over 43 years. We have raised a family and now enjoy watching our sons grow their families.
