Constant improvement is the key to success in today’s dairy industry. Regardless of farm size or location, successful dairy producers are always evaluating new practices, technologies, facilities and equipment choices that will improve efficiency, productivity, animal health and many more aspects of their operation.

Dr. Sara Place of Colorado State University joins host Matti McBride in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. An associate professor of feedlot systems and researcher with CSU’s AgNext, Place has been working with enteric emissions in cattle for the past decade. Learn about CSU’s feed additive calculator tool, how the beef and dairy industries are approaching the sustainability conversation and if the cattle industries can really have zero emissions by 2050 in this episode.

Until recently, raising all heifer calves to breeding age or calving and selling them was not profitable. Using the concept of genomics, lower-ranking females in the herd have been bred to beef sires, resulting in a new profit center for many farms. Finally, we are learning to appreciate that the better we raise our heifer calves, the healthier they are, and they produce more milk during their first and later lactations.

The welfare of a lame cow is affected in at least three ways: 1) it interferes with natural behaviors such as walking, lying down and interacting with herdmates; 2) it impairs normal function by reducing milk production and reproductive efficiency; and 3) the pain impacts the cow’s affective states of physical and mental well-being. What can we do to manage lameness more effectively and improve the welfare of cows that develop lameness?

There are many things to consider when you start evaluating what kind of beds and bedding you will use in your stalls, and everyone has a different opinion about what’s the best option.

Dr. Joe Mancino, reproductive services veterinarian at Vytelle, has been specializing in ovum pickup (OPU) for six years. Throughout his career, Mancino has experienced a wide array of working conditions across the country that have shaped his perspective and enabled him to identify the four key components that lead to a successful OPU.

The mornings are getting crisp, the leaves are holding onto their last bit of summer life, and it is Mrs. Faber’s favorite time of year. The kids are going back to school.