Dairy Resources - Management

March 2021

Australian researchers have developed a new technique to process raw milk that claims to deliver all the benefits of pasteurization, while leaving more nutrients and flavor intact.

October 2020

This is the first of three articles in the series "Flipping your freestalls."

In recent years, the concept of buying old houses, renovating and reselling them has been popularized by many television shows. This process is called house “flipping.” You can apply the same concept to freestall barns.

October 2020

The compost-bedded pack barn is a housing system that may reduce building costs, allow mid- and long-term manure storage, and ensure cow comfort when properly managed. As we get into the winter season, a refresher of good management practices for compost bedded-pack barns is warranted.

October 2020

Dry cows are more productive than you may think, and their level of care is reflected in the calves they deliver.

There’s almost always a shortage of time and a lack of space on dairy farms. When deciding which animals get the most attention and best resources, the answer is typically the milking herd, and understandably so. Those are the cows that contribute directly to the bulk tank. On the flip side, dry cows may get the short end of the stick, especially when resources are strained.

October 2020

This is the second of three articles in the series "Flipping your freestalls." Read the first, “Flipping your freestalls: What to watch for, how to measure.”

Tip 1: Improve the stall surface

When cows are not provided with a comfortable place to rest, they will not use or occupy the stalls well. Hock injuries are commonly observed in situations where cows are forced to lie on a hard surface or when insufficient bedding is provided.

September 2020

Drug residues in meat and milk are closely monitored by the FDA. If you have a violation, the following actions can be taken against your dairy:

August 2020

The number of daily visits a cow makes to an automated milking system has a notable impact on overall milk production. The value of frequent milkings starts right after calving.

July 2020

During the transition period cows experience a drop in dry matter intake, an increase in nutrient demands and depression of the immune system functions.

Photo Credit Penn State Extension

It is well known that the period encompassed between three weeks before and after calving, known as the transition period, is one of the most challenging times for dairy cows. During this period cows experience a drop in dry matter intake, an increase in nutrient demands and depression of the immune system functions (LeBlanc, 2010). On top of these challenges, cows suffer systemic stress and inflammation during the days before and after calving (Comline et al., 1974; Uchida et al., 1993).

July 2020

Bunching of animals is a common problem on dairy farms during summer months. Cows in freestall barns sometimes congregate together in one part of the barn, with ample free space that is not being utilized. Youngstock in group housing and cattle in lots or pastures may also exhibit this behavior. It can be a very frustrating problem as it is often difficult to determine what is causing cattle to bunch and what can be done to prevent it.

May 2020

Spring is in the air, with the tulips and daffodils starting to bloom, and alfalfa fields coming back to life. It is also the time when our barn ventilation systems roar back to life to keep our cows and calves cool. While an inefficient system may not create problems now, it is wasting energy, and by summer, it will be creating problems when your livestock are experiencing heat stress. Ventilation systems often consume between 20 to 25% of the total energy used on the farm.