Dairy

We commonly see ketosis as an energy disorder of the modern dairy cow, a telltale that things are not going well, and one that hints at poor fertility, reduced lactation performance, and an increased risk for the development of early lactation diseases. In practice, ketosis is diagnosed by the measurement of beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHB), one of two major ketones, that becomes elevated in blood, urine, and milk of fresh cows. In this way, ketosis is used as a cow-side test for identifying sick cows, and as means to direct our efforts to “problem cows” (for example with propylene glycol administration) before it is too late. Despite our efforts for ketosis prevention and treatment over the last 5-7 decades, our understanding of ketosis as a disease, as well as our ability to reverse it and to prevent the arrival of other associated disorders (for example displaced abomasum, infection, fatty liver, milk fever), remain limited.Title: Ketosis in the dairy cow: Friend or Foe?; Authors: Naghme Bagheri, Ph.D., and J. Eduardo Rico, Ph.D.

Hypocalcemia, or milk fever, occurs when there is not enough calcium in the blood to meet demand. Normal blood calcium levels are between 8.5 and 10 mg/dL and are maintained at those levels through a balance between dietary absorption, bone demineralization, and urinary excretion.

Many dairy producers grew up during a time when all heifer calves born on the farm were retained and reared as replacement candidates. However, improvements in pre-weaned calf management, heifer nutrition, and reproductive management have enabled dairy producers to maintain herd size while raising fewer replacements.

The Maryland Milk Moos is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that is focused on dairy topics related to Nutrition and Production, Herd Management, and Forage Production.

Although in our region we are not typically subjected to the brutally cold winters that are characteristic of the Upper Midwest, we are challenged by temperatures that fluctuate dramatically throughout the winter months. It is not uncommon for us to see temperature swings of 30 or 40°F on a given day, making management of pre-weaned calves difficult. However, reinforcing some basic housing and management concepts can help producers mitigate risks of calf illness throughout the winter.

Dairy farms in particular recognize the value of winter forages like triticale as a high-yielding and high-quality forage crop for livestock. The yield potential for winter forages is largely based on planting date and fall nitrogen availability; these two critical factors determine the number of fall tillers, which set the yield potential for the following spring. Winter forages like triticale can also serve as a good source of protein, potentially making them a more economical alternative to other feed ingredients such as soybean meal for meeting ration protein needs.

The Maryland Milk Moos is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that is focused on dairy topics related to Nutrition and Production, Herd Management, and Forage Production.

These are difficult days for dairy farmers. After the high milk prices of 2014, prices have plummeted with no significant upturn in sight. Large dairies across the country have captured economies of scale that turn a profit at these low prices. So as small dairies go out of business, the large dairies continue to expand, maintaining the supply that suppresses the prices.

There is no question that heat stress can negatively impact animal performance. Exposure to heat stress reduces daily gains, milk production, and reproductive efficiency, though specific impacts on production varies depending on the magnitude and duration of heat exposure. Prolonged exposure to heat stress is much more detrimental than short-term heat stress and its effects linger long after temperatures drop back below the heat stress threshold.

Summer is here and with that comes, what sometimes seems, a never-ending battle with flies. Flies can pose a significant problem for all animals on the farm. Following a (usually much welcomed) bout of wet summer weather, fly populations sometimes seem to explode. There are three major types of flies with economic significance to the U.S. dairy industry: horn flies, face flies, and stable flies. Control measures vary somewhat depending on which type of fly is causing issues. Below are four steps you can take to help reduce the fly load for your animals.