Name: Crystal Creek
Address: 1600 Roundhouse Road, Spooner, WI, 54801, US
Telephone: 1-888-376-6777
Price range: $

Shop online or call 1-888-376-6777 to place an order.

The Case Of The Costly Calves

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By Julie Wadzinski, B.S.

Production agriculture can be a costly venture, but there are methods and strategies that can be implemented to help assure profitability. For the dairy farmer, having a barn full of healthy and efficient cows is one of the best assurances for a positive economic outcome. The making of those profitable and healthy cows starts with 1) good colostrum management and 2) using a cost effective feeding strategy that will promote rumen development and proper frame growth.

Ask The Vet & Ask The Nutritionist

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By Julie Wadzinski, B.S.

“Avian Influenza has been in the news lately. I only have a few laying hens. How can I protect my hens from getting sick? What are the symptoms of Avian Influenza?”

~Homesteading Hobby Hens ~

Bavarian Fleckvieh Genetics – How Dual Purpose Cattle Impact Your Farm

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By John Popp, PhD.

In March, Big Bear Genetics hosted a trip for a group of dairy farmers to tour different areas of Germany to observe purebred and crossbred herds using Fleckvieh genetics. The question on everyone’s mind was: What will these animals do for us and the future of our farm? Are they efficient? Can they produce milk to the level that we need in order for us to have financial success?

To answer these questions we scheduled tours at several different types of dairies. We visited larger dairies with 600 plus milking cows, a few organic herds and a high producing, purebred herd in Bavaria.

Calf Barn Ventilation Services

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By Ryan Leiterman, D.V.M.

Come Meet Dr. Leiterman

Discuss your calf barn ventilation needs at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days August 25-27, 2015 in Sun Prairie and at World Dairy Expo Sept 29-Oct 3, 2015 in Madison, WI.

Dr. Leiterman is a dairy veterinarian experienced in calf barn ventilation design and analysis. He holds degrees in both Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Medicine.

During his time in practice, Dr. Leiterman has experienced first-hand how a properly designed ventilation system can improve calf health and calf raising profitability. Producers are encouraged to consider all factors that will improve the quality of the air the calves will breathe. As a calf barn ventilation engineer and a veterinarian, Dr. Leiterman has designed over 100 calf barns across the United States. Seeing different types of operations has given him the opportunity to learn various calf barn construction techniques that can improve air quality and reduce construction costs.

April 2015 Newsletter

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Introducing Crystal Creek®’s Inoc-U-Lock™ Buchneri

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By Dan Leiterman

The very foundation of profitable livestock production relies on feeding high quality feedstuffs. Also, the need to feed high quality forages which are critical to a healthy bottom line for any dairy or beef producer, is a well understood principle in the industry. Over the years research has shown that applying a good inoculant to feedstuffs at the time of ensiling can provide a significant return on investment for the producer. A well designed inoculant program will help speed fermentation to reduce dry matter loss, reduce protein degradation, reduce lost energy (sugars), stabilize the face quality and improve bunk shelf life. Additional benefits include enhanced dry matter intake, improved feedstuff digestibility, improved milk and meat production and ultimately improved profits for the producer. Using a good inoculant like Inoc-U-Lock™ is a smart business decision. The focus of this article is to explain the Inoc-U-Lock™ controlled fermentation process and to describe where the L. buchneri bacteria may fit into your program.

Get Your Spring Chicks Off To A Good Start

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By Julie Wadzinski, B.S.

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.

Are You and Your Cows Ready for Summer

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By Teresa Marker, B.S.

It is hard to believe summer is just around the corner. Spring is a great time to prepare your animals for the challenges of summer. Below are some tips and strategies that will help your herd maintain its production and keep components up in the heat of the summer.

Ask the Vet and Ask the Nutritionist

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By Lorrie Meister, CVT

“Sometimes our calves break out with scours for what appears to be no reason. Our Vet has ruled out pathogens and viruses. What could be causing this?”

~A concerned calf raiser in Minnesota~

While pathogens are some of the most common causes of calf scours, there are other factors that are often overlooked. Simple changes in management can many times correct these types of scours once the source of stress is found. Two common causes of digestive stress are feeding milk at an incorrect temperature or concentration.

Managing Dairy Cow Foot Health With Nutrition

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By Dr. John Popp, PhD.

A cow with poor foot health eats less, produces less milk and is less profitable. Throughout the course of the year, as many as half of the cows on a farm can experience some form of lameness, be it mild or severe. While not all forms of lameness can be prevented, it is important to realize that causes can be multiple and sometimes cumulative. What starts as a simple ‘ouch’ on a foot…perhaps even a slight aggravation, which could take little recovery, may be exacerbated by stress, low immune function, poor cow comfort, lack of proper supportive management or nutrition. Regular foot care and good footing are also important to the formula for good foot health. The intent of this article is to discuss how specific nutrients and ration strategies can best support good foot health.