HERD HEALTH

As dairy farmers and hoof trimmers look to replace antibiotics in their arsenal in the battle against digital dermatitis, alternative products are emerging on the market; however, there is limited to no evidence regarding their effectiveness.

Dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) for close-up dry cows doesn’t have to be hard. For many dairy producers looking to try DCAD for the first time, implementing a brand new nutritional practice on-farm can often seem like a daunting task.

Cows are in negative energy balance (NEB) when their energy requirements (i.e., maintenance, gestation, production) are not met by their energy intake.

Today’s Holstein cow can peak at 65 kilograms of milk at 40 days post-calving and cruise along to complete her 305-day lactation, all the while producing components, cycling and getting in calf.

Chromium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity, reduces the release of stress hormones and enhances reproductive health.

Many factors can impact milk yield and milk composition. In today’s milk market, where income generated from units of milkfat and protein account for the bulk of your milk cheque, optimizing fat and protein yields and percentages is a goal for most dairy farmers.