Articles
Winter Tips For Livestock
Click here to view as a pdf: Winter Tips For Livestock With winter fast approaching, it is time to prepare your livestock for the upcoming cold season. The following tips can help maximize the performance of your animals this winter: Proper Feeding The main goal of feeding in the winter is to maintain body condition and,…
Cost vs. Value: Why Cheaper Is Not Always Better
Click here to view as a pdf: Cost Vs Value Why Cheaper Is Not Always Better By Erik Brettingen, B.S. With the large selection of products available to the farming community, knowing what is needed, what isn’t, and which product to buy can be difficult to sort out. Cost often plays a role in making the…
Ask The Vet / Ask The Nutritionist
Click here to view as a pdf: Ask The Vet Ask The Nutritionist “I would like to test some feed stuffs with Dairyland Labs. Which test package do you recommend?” -Wondering in Wisconsin- Crystal Creek® recommends the Select Package. The Select Package (listed as N7 NIR Select on the Dairyland Labs Submission form) is recommended over…
Interpreting Key Values Of A Forage Test
Click here to view as a pdf: Interpreting Key Values Of A ForageTest By Alex Austin, B.S. Forage testing gives great insight into the quality and value of feedstuffs. Testing allows for a better understanding of the forage value, whether feeding it out or looking to sell. Understanding key feed test values can give a producer…
Spring Pasture: A Great Asset
Click here to view as a pdf: Spring Pasture A Great Asset By Erik Brettingen, B.S. The spring flush of pasture is a great resource for producer profitability, animal health, and productivity. While pasture can provide a great deal of opportunity as an economical feed source, it is important to ensure the proper management of this…
Forage Sampling
Click here to view as a pdf: Forage Sampling Updated 2022 By Alex Austin, B.S. It is important to sample forages before adding them to a livestock diet. Sampling allows producers to have a balanced ration for their livestock and test for mycotoxins. It also gives farmers a snapshot into their agronomy, harvesting, and storage…
Anti-Nutritional Trends And Thoughts With 2017 Feeds Across The Midwest
Click here to view as a pdf: Anti Nutritional Trends And Thoughts By Dr. John Goeser, Phd, PAS & Dipl. ACAN-Rock River Laboratory, Inc. Contributing Editor Historically, mold, yeast and mycotoxins are thought of as the primary contaminants in feed that rob high performing dairy cattle of health and nutrition. More recently, stress and pathogenic bacteria…
The Importance Of Forage Testing
Click here to view as a pdf: The Importance Of Forage Testing By Dan Leiterman The age old question of “How often should I test my forage?” has a different answer for every operation. Field sizes, crop varieties, harvest timing, and storage methods play an important role in determining forage testing needs. It is important to…
Staying On Track: Reviewing Proper Milking Procedure
Click here to view as a pdf: Reviewing Proper Milking Procedure By Kelly Hubert, B.S. There may be a time on every farm where the milking protocol is not implemented or followed properly. This could be the result of a person in a hurry to finish chores or a new employee still learning proper protocol. It…
Give Your Beef Calves A Strong Start
Click here to view as a pdf: Give Your Beef Calves A Strong Start By Erik Brettingen, B.S. The stress caused by weaning decreases a calf’s immune function and makes them more vulnerable to disease. For many years it has been common practice to give medicated feeds, pellets, or additives around the time of…