Dairy Cows Archives - Page 2 of 12 - Cornerstone AG Management

Four Strategies to Help Cows Conquer Cold

December 27, 2023/in Dairy Cows /by info

Featuring expert advice from Dr. Jon Pretz, a dairy nutritionist, on managing cow well-being during cold weather. Despite cattle’s natural resilience to cold, he outlines four key strategies.

Maintain Dryness
Keeping cows dry is crucial, as wet coats increase energy demands in cold temperatures.

Monitor Water Intake
Ensure water is not too cold (ideally between 40 and 65°F) to maintain regular intake.

Provide Adequate Feed
Increase feed during cold periods, as cows consume more to keep warm.

Avoid Frozen Feed
Prevent feed from freezing and consider increasing energy levels in the ration during extreme cold.

These practices help ensure cows stay healthy and productive, even in sub-zero conditions.

To learn more, read the full article by Maureen Hanson on Dairy Herd Management.

The Most Overlooked Nutrient

December 19, 2023/in Beef Cows, Dairy Cows, Research /by info

We’re highlighting the often-overlooked importance of water for dairy cattle, a crucial nutrient that tends to be forgotten in daily farm management due to its widespread availability. This insight comes from a reflection on dairy quiz bowl experiences and a recent Virginia Dairy Pipeline article by dairy extension agent Jeremy Daubert.

Daubert emphasizes the vital role water plays in the biological functions of cows, noting that cows lose water through various means, including respiration, perspiration, and milk production, which is about 87% water. He also refers to the Nutrient Requirements for Dairy Cattle (NRC) for guidelines on estimating the drinking water needs of dairy cattle, which vary based on factors like age, climate, and lactation status.

A key aspect of water management on farms is ensuring the quality of the water provided. Daubert recommends periodic testing of water sources for pH, total dissolved solids, bacteria, and coliforms, as many quality issues are not visible and require lab analysis. He challenges farmers to consider if the water they provide to their cattle is clean enough for human consumption, stressing that troughs should be cleaned regularly, with frequency depending on factors like animal numbers, trough size, and season.

To learn more: Read the full article by Maggie Gilles on Hoard’s Dairyman

October 2023 USDA Milk Production Report

November 28, 2023/in Dairy Cows /by info

The October 2023 USDA Milk Production report indicated a slight overall decline in U.S. milk production, with a decrease of 0.5% to 18.7 billion lbs. compared to the previous year. Milk production per cow also saw a reduction, dropping by 3 lbs. per cow in the 24 major states. The number of milk cows in these states was down to 8.91 million head, marking a decrease from both the previous year and month, and representing the smallest herd since January 2022.

Phil Plourd, president of Ever.Ag Insights, commented on the report’s findings, noting the ongoing impact of fewer cows and weather-related issues contributing to this mediocre performance. He speculated about the potential for cow numbers to stabilize and whether milk production in the Southwest will recover following adverse weather conditions.

The report also highlighted the performance of states in the “one billion pound club” of milk production. California, Wisconsin, Idaho, Texas, New York, and Michigan all reached this milestone, though with varying degrees of increases and decreases in production and cow numbers. New Mexico experienced a significant production decline, while South Dakota saw notable increases in both milk production and cow numbers.

To learn more: Read the full article by Karen Bohnert with Dairy Herd Management

Proposal elevates USDA organic dairy programs, data collection

November 20, 2023/in Dairy Cows, News /by info

In a significant development for the U.S. dairy industry, a bill was introduced aimed at enhancing USDA organic dairy programs and data collection. Known as the Organic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act, this legislation proposes improved data collection methods, the establishment of safety net programs, and increased investment in organic dairy infrastructure. Meanwhile, September marked a 15-month low in U.S. dairy cull cow marketing, but the year-to-date numbers remain the highest nine-month total since 1986.

Fluid milk sales saw a decline of 1.8% in August 2023, although there were positive gains in whole and flavored whole milk categories. Organic milk sales also increased by 2.5% compared to the same month last year. In addition, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has stopped accepting cash payments over $100, transitioning to digital payment methods for many programs. Stay tuned for more industry updates.

To learn more: Read the full article by Dave Natzke with Progressive Dairy

U.S. Milk Production Report Illustrates Cows Continue to Move Inland

October 25, 2023/in Dairy Cows /by info

Looking to catch up on the latest in the AG industry? The September USDA Milk Production report indicates a trend of decline. Overall milk production dropped by 0.2% compared to last year, marking the third consecutive month of decreased production. The cow population also shrunk, featuring 36,000 fewer heads than last year and 6,000 fewer than the previous month.

“National All-Jersey shares that the biggest news from yesterday’s report was that the August production was revised, down by 119 million lbs., representing 0.6% from last month’s preliminary estimate.”

Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate the fluctuating landscape of milk production in the U.S.

To learn more: Read the full article by Karen Bohnert with Dairy Herd Management

What Most Affects Fiber Digestibility?

October 17, 2023/in Dairy Cows, Research /by info

Ever wondered what influences the digestibility of fiber in dairy diets? Gonzalo Ferreira from Virginia Tech dives into the factors that play a pivotal role in determining fiber quality and its digestibility.

“The concentration of neutral detergent fiber, hereafter referred to as fiber or NDF, is the major determinant of the digestibility and energy concentration of a feed. According to the Lucas test of digestibility, all non-fibrous constituents are completely and uniformly digested, whereas fiber is incompletely and variably digested. In simpler terms, the digestibility of non-fiber components leans toward 100% in most circumstances, but the digestibility of the fiber depends on multiple factors. Because of this, the digestibility of fiber, also known as NDF digestibility or NDFD, is the second major determinant of energy concentration of a feed.”

To learn more: Read the full article by Gonzalo Ferreira with Hoard’s Dairyman

Springers Strong Amidst Mixed Bag for Dairy

October 12, 2023/in Dairy Cows, News, Research /by info

Amidst a fluctuating dairy landscape, Springers appear to be holding their ground! Maureen Hanson from Dairy Herd gives us a look into how these key players are shaping the industry’s future.

“Dairy cow culling is at near-record levels and scorching August heat has docked milk production throughout most of the country. USDA estimates indicate about 21,000 head of dairy cows were culled from May to June 2023, and that pace has continued through much of the summer.

Except for data generated during the dairy buyout program in 1986, dairy slaughter rates hit record highs in four separate weeks during June and July. But the news isn’t all grim. Healthy beef slaughter prices have made those cull cows quite valuable, and feed costs have tempered a bit through the summer. Milk prices also are gaining ground since the abysmal lows of July, and springer values were stronger in most reported markets over the past month, climbing an especially impressive $200-400/head in California.”

To learn more: Read the full article by Maureen Hanson with Dairy Herd Management

Increase Early Lactation Milk Production with Short-day Lighting During the Dry Period

October 3, 2023/in Dairy Cows, Research /by info

Did you know that adjusting light exposure can affect early lactation milk yield? Mike Wolf from AgProud shines a light on how short-day lighting during the dry period could enhance milk production. 🐄💡

“Utilizing short-day lighting in barns housing dry cows for the entire 60-day dry period may positively impact milk production during the upcoming lactation.

Short-day lighting may be the next low-hanging fruit to address on your dairy. There have been many studies in the last 20-plus years that have found a positive correlation between utilizing a long-day photoperiod in barns housing lactating dairy cattle and increased marginal milk and overall milk production.”

To learn more: Read the full article by Mike Wolf with Progressive Dairy

Cows Will Tell You Whether They’re Happy With How They’re Milked

September 25, 2023/in Dairy Cows, Research /by info

Did you know cows can tell us if they’re happy with how they’re milked? A recent article from DairyHerd.com gives insight into our bovine buddies and their milking preferences. Just goes to show, when it comes to their well-being, every detail matters!

Rhonda Brooks writes, “Teat end scoring provides Paul Virkler with some valuable insights into a dairy cow’s milking experience.

“In the immediate term, it tells us whether that cow is happy with the way she was milked,” says Virkler, DVM, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Services, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

“Make sure you score a haphazard sample of the cows being milked. You want first-lactation animals, older cows, mid-lactation, etc., a good representation of the herd,” he says.

Factors such as hardness, color changes, swelling and abrasions figure into the assessment, which should be done immediately after the milking unit is removed from the animal.”

To learn more: Read the full article by Rhonda Brooks with Dairy Herd Management

Three Ways To Tackle Inaccurate Dairy Data

September 7, 2023/in Dairy Cows, Research /by info

Accurate and precise information is paramount in modern herd management. Whether it’s choosing the right tools, monitoring electrical interference, or regularly assessing identification accuracy, every detail matters:

“Does it matter if a data point is off here and there? Or a couple of cows are in the wrong pen? Or you miss a milk weight or two?

It definitely matters because everything about how you manage your cows circles back to accurate data. Herd management systems gather information from the animal and give you an active solution based on that intelligence. But, if input data are inaccurate, the action item will be too.

Here are three things you can do to increase animal identification (ID) accuracy and data precision on your dairy.

1. Know system capabilities and component placement
2. Monitor electrical interference
3. Watch, analyze and adjust

The beauty of data is you can use it to investigate deeper and see what’s happening on your dairy down to the minute. When reviewing animal performance, it’s vital to assess information accuracy and ensure IDs are read correctly at all checkpoints around the farm, from the milking parlor to the sort gate.”

To learn more: Read the full article by Nedap Livestock Management