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Click here to view as a pdf: Maximizing Your Cover Crop Potential
By Alex Austin, B.S
There are many benefits of incorporating a cover crop into crop rotations. Clearly identifying crop needs and goals will aid in proper plant species selection.
This article will discuss four basic goals of cover crops; protecting soil from erosion, grazing and harvesting of forage, improving soil health and weed suppression.
Click here to view as a pdf: Rethinking Drafts And Calves
By Ryan Leiterman, D.V.M.
Drafts and pre-weaned calves: Rarely is a topic so misunderstood. Many calf raisers are uncomfortable with the topic of drafts on calves, regardless of the outside temperature. Most people believe that drafts are to be avoided at all costs. I once heard of a veterinarian who would spark a lighter in a calf pen and if the flame flickered, even the slightest bit, would declare the presence of a dangerous draft. Contrary to popular belief, however, drafts on pre-weaned calves are not always a bad thing. In fact, in certain situations, they can even be beneficial.
Crystal Creek® is pleased to announce Jessica Getschel’s most recent calf barn ventilation article published in the Progressive Dairyman Magazine. Jessica is a livestock nutritionist and ventilation specialist at Crystal Creek® and holds a bachelor of science degree from University Wisconsin Madison in Dairy Science and Microbiology.
Click here to view as a pdf: Calf-barn-ventilation–Install-new-or-make-improvements_-0519CA_NOAds
Dr. Ryan Leiterman holds degrees in both Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Medicine.
Crystal Creek® is proud to announce that Dr. Ryan Leiterman’s recent article “Calves and Bicycle Wheels-A Systematic Approach to Troubleshooting Pre-weaned Calves“, has been published in the Progressive Dairy Magazine. 
This article discusses the evaluation of overall calf health. Break one spoke on a wheel, and the whole wheel collapses. Calves are no different. Every aspect of calf care must be carefully managed to optimize calf health and growth. Read more to learn how your calves can benefit from these concepts.
Click here to view as a pdf: Calves and bicycle wheels- A systematic approach to troubleshooting pre-weaned calves
By Dr. Ryan Leiterman
On Oct. 11, 1826, Theodore Jones of London, England, received a patent for what he called “wire wheels.” Jones found if he added wires, or what we now call spokes, to a circular rim, the wheel could bear greater stress while maintaining its round shape. The addition of the spokes helped the rim distribute the stress evenly throughout the wheel. This strength is dependent on all the spokes working together; if one or more spokes are weak or broken, the
rim may collapse. In the same way spokes help keep a wheel round, calves have six main “spokes” that help keep them healthy when subject to stress, which are:
1. Colostrum 2. Calories
3. Bedding 4. Air Quality
5. Vaccination 6. Sanitation
Click here to view as a pdf: 2019 April Newsletter1
Click here to view as a pdf: Understanding Biofilms In Agriculture Customer Favorite1
Customer Favorite This article was originally published in the April 2017 Issue of the Crystal Creek® Newsletter
By: Jessica Getschel, B.S.
In agriculture today, sanitation technique and protocol implementation have become more important than ever before. An increased awareness of health benefits gained from a clean environment has stimulated a higher standard of cleaning expectations. Many producers not only strive to remove organic matter from surfaces, but also microbial buildup; more accurately, biofilms.
Click here to view as a pdf: 2018 December Newsletter
Click here to view as a pdf: Ventilating A Retrofitted Stanchion Barn For Calves
By Jessica Getschel, B.S.
There’s nothing more picturesque than a dairy farm with a big red barn on a cobblestone foundation. Many of these barns, referred to as stanchion, tiestall or bank barns, were built decades ago and tell stories of families who have been dairy farming for generations.
Over the years, many farmers have moved out of these older barns and into modern freestall barns for a variety of reasons: expanding herd size, new cow comfort recommendations or a new milking system, to name a few. This departure leaves a vacant building prized for its emotional value to the farm.
Click here to view as a pdf: Recognizing The Need For Disinfection In Your Poultry Operation
By Stephanie Hutsko, PhD
Why do we need to have a disinfection plan in place when working with livestock, especially poultry? One word: pathogens.
Pathogens are bacteria or viruses that, when exposure levels are high enough, can cause disease. When bacteria are left uncontrolled, their numbers grow quickly, wreaking havoc on the birds exposed to them. A common parasite associated with poultry, Eimeria sp, can lead to coccidiosis. Common bacteria associated with poultry include Salmonella and E. coli, both of which can lead to food safety concerns. The main poultry viruses we are concerned about are Newcastle disease, Marek’s disease and Avian Influenza.
Click here to view as a pdf: Cold Weather Poultry Considerations
With winter just around the corner, Crystal Creek® wants to make sure that you and your chickens are prepared. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure that your birds make it through the upcoming cold season with “flying colors”.
