December 2024 Newsletter
Click here to view as a pdf: December 2024 Newsletter
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Click here to view as a pdf: December 2024 Newsletter
Click here to view as a pdf: Helpful Benchmarks For Raising Calves
By Carley Ciolkosz, B.S.
Livestock Nutritionist
Raising healthy calves is one of the most important and hardest tasks on a dairy farm. Healthy calves turn into healthy cows and the months from birth to weaning sets up the calf for the rest of its life, as well as the longevity of being a high producing dairy cow. To ensure that the calves are getting the best care in order to thrive there are a few factors we need to look at including the mortality rates, morbidity rates, growth rates and colostrum management.
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Click here to view as a pdf: Know Where You Stand: Helpful Benchmarks To Track On Your Dairy
By Erik Brettingen, B.S.
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” An arguably overused but truly powerful statement. When evaluating dairies and looking for ways to improve on client farm successes, tracking performance over time and comparing to benchmarks can be very helpful. Tracking key metrics on your farm can help catch issues before they become big problems, identify the next steps to take toward increased profitability, and allow for successes to be celebrated when improvements are made. Crystal Creek® helps clients build reports and uses herd management software to monitor performance of key areas on farms. Lactation performance, economics, transition cow success, reproduction, and calf growth/health are the main areas that are beneficial to monitor.
Click here to view as a pdf: Understanding Milk Pricing- If That’s Even Possible: Part 2
By Ryan Leiterman, D.V.M.
In the previous article, we discussed the history of milk pricing in the United States, the equations that govern milk price and how end-product pricing works. This article will be the final part of a two-part series where we will look at the make allowance and Producer Price Differentials (commonly referred to as PPD’s); arguably two of the more controversial parts of the milk pricing process.
Click here to view as a pdf: August 2024 Newsletter
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?
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 →