Feed Ingredients - Articles - Page 4

Calf health and performance starts in the womb: Epigenetics and methylation

The latest research supports the feeding of rumen-protected choline to dams for optimizing fetal programming on the genetic level, leading to lasting health and productivity benefits for dairy herds.

September 6, 2023

Jaclyn De Candio

Some of the most crucial aspects of calf health and performance begin well before birth. One of these is the unique role of the essential nutrient choline and methyl-group donors during both pregnancy and lactation.

Supplemental choline during transition period increases milk production

Feeding supplemental choline during the transition period can improve milk production through peak production and whole lactation.

August 29, 2023

Audrey Schmitz

During the transition period, a lot goes on “under the hood” so to speak that can be a drag on a cow’s efficiency, such as inflammation and decreased feed intake.

A complete nutrition program to prevent hoof problems

Nutrition can enable or prevent lameness issues in the dairy herd. Develop a complete feeding program to improve hoof health.

July 5, 2023

Jeff Weyers

Digital dermatitis, an infectious hoof disease, and non-infectious hoof challenges, like white-line disease, thin soles and sole ulcers, are common occurrences across dairies that often go undetected until it is too late.

Weekly Digest: Congress headed home

Here is a brief look at the news affecting dairy producers for the week of June 18-24, 2023.

June 20, 2023

Dave Natzke

With a pre-hearing informational session held on June 16, the schedule for potential modernization of the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system moves forward.

Managing the transition period for maximum success

Avoiding overconditioned cows at time of dry-off and replacing inorganic trace mineral salts with organic trace minerals can help make the transition period successful.

June 16, 2023

Eduardo S. Ribeiro

The impacts of management during the transition period can make or break future lactations and overall herd health, putting at risk investments in genetics, farm profitability and welfare.

Lameness: Be proactive before heat stress

Have strategies in place to detect and prevent lameness due to heat stress.

June 14, 2023

Jeff Wheeler

With heat stress comes lameness and negative impacts on hoof health. In fact, heat stress is one of the biggest factors contributing to dairy cow lameness.

Evaluating feed additive pertinence in dairy rations

Feed additives can be divided into two categories: nutritional and non-nutritional. When deciding to implement a feed additive, consider making a complete production assessment.

June 9, 2023

Gabriela Acetoze and Brian Campbell

The use of feed additives in livestock diets is part of many nutritional strategies to help optimize performance, health and the well-being of animals.

Heat stress and essential nutrients for rumen microbes

By feeding the rumen microbiome, you can protect your herd from heat stress and maintain better body condition for a successful, more profitable lactation period.

May 31, 2023

Dana J. Tomlinson

The impact of heat stress is cumulative. One event may be easy for a cow to bounce back from, but over time, repeated bouts take longer recovery and hinder profitability. Nutrition is a valuable tool to help mitigate the effects of heat stress and maintain herd productivity.

Have you for-cotton something in your ration?

Now may be a good time for producers to take advantage of low whole cottonseed pricing and affordable transportation costs.

May 30, 2023

Audrey Schmitz

Last fall, when cottonseed prices kept shooting higher, dairy producers were pulling the ingredient out of their rations or reducing their inclusion rates. However, prices have since come back down to the same price as seen last spring in 2022.