April 2021 Newsletter
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Water Hygiene: How often Do You Think About It?
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By Ryan Leiterman, D.V.M.
Director of Technical Services
Water is the most critical nutrient for all animals, but how often do people think about it? Would you drink out of your animal’s water trough? Research shows that poor water quality dramatically reduces water consumption, which in turn lowers production and deteriorates overall animal health. A common cause of poor water quality is biofilm formation. Preventing biofilm formation and improving water quality can be done at a low cost while providing a high return on investment for farms.
The Impact of Fly Pressure and the Importance of Fly Control
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By Alex Austin, B.S.
When winter is over and warm weather arrives, it is goodbye to plowing snow and dealing with frozen water and hello to green pasture and sunshine. The warmth of spring and summer can present new challenges with the hatching fly population. Livestock owners know flies cause pain and discomfort to animals but they can also have a negative economic impact. It is important to enter the summer season with an effective fly control plan in place to maintain animal health and minimize fly pressure effects on producer profitability.
December 2020 Newsletter
Click here to view as a pdf: 2020 December Newsletter
Inoc-U-Lock™ : Preserving Forages And Protecting Your Hard Work
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By Teresa Marker, B.S.
Feeding high-quality forage to livestock can help improve animal performance, health and producer profitability. Properly inoculating livestock feedstuffs with an inoculant that provides complete and controlled fermentation is key. The Crystal Creek® product Inoc-U-Lock™ provides many benefits such as reduced dry matter loss, improved nutrient retention (protein and energy) during storage, improved aerobic stability and a reduced risk of heating in the bunk. A properly fermented feed preserves the quality of the forage that is harvested and can ultimately result in increased milk production and improved animal health.
Four Air Exchanges Per Hour: A History Of Calf Barn Ventilation And An Industry That Is Slow To Change
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By Ryan Leiterman, D.V.M
Director of Technical Services
When discussing calf barn ventilation, invariably the topic of using four air exchanges per hour for cold weather ventilation will come up. After all, we wouldn’t want “too much” of that cold air in the barn. Or would we? Who came up with the idea to use four air exchanges per hour during cold weather and why? To understand our industry’s current ventilation recommendations, we must first understand the history of calf barn ventilation research.
Cold Weather Considerations For Calves
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When temperatures start to drop, calf raisers need to make accommodations to ensure calves have the resources necessary to maintain their body temperature, support basic bodily functions and develop into productive, profitable, young stock. Two general areas to consider when preparing your calves for winter months are diet/nutrition and housing.
The Recovery Period: Tips For A Successful Dry Off
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By Erik Brettingen, B.S.
The dry cow period is arguably the most important time in the cow’s lactation cycle as it is the time in which the cow rests her body and prepares for the next lactation. The timing and way in which a cow is dried off can greatly impact how well she will transition into the dry period and how well she will come into her next lactation. A properly managed dry off protocol should minimize the risk of mastitis, maximize cow comfort and allow for mammary tissue rest and recovery in preparation for the next lactation.
Maximizing Equine Reproductive Performance: The Impact Of Biosecurity And Disinfection
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By Alex Austin, B.S.
The goal of any biosecurity protocol should be to reduce the frequency and severity of disease. Equine infectious diseases can cause health and performance issues, increased treatment expense and potential risks to human health. Horse owners with breeding facilities are encouraged to refer to the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ guidelines for in-depth information on equine disease prevention and control. Equine reproductive infections can be costly; resulting in abortions, re-breedings and chronic reproductive issues where mares may not settle or stallions spread disease from farm to farm.