Dairy Science Digest: Recent Episodes
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Dairy Science digest is a new podcast developed to share current research published in the Journal of Dairy science. Designed never to exceed 20 minutes, it provides ONLY the "need to know" info.
keywords: dairy, science, extension, cattle, MIZZOU, MU, Dairy Team #2xAg2030
Arguably the most important first step in the life of any calf is successful establishment of passive immunity through colostrum management. This key touchpoint ensures easy newborn calf management for weeks in the future and improved pay price for your bull calves.
Colostrum replacers occasionally need fed, for a variety of reasons. Understanding the key details of absorption, allows colostrum replacer manufacturers to optimize their product and therefore your success.
How does dilution impact the absorption of the colostrum replacer, based on the rate of abomasal emptying? Does this impact the calf’s IgG absorption and ultimately success of passive transfer? Listen in to Dr. Alberto Lopez has he describes the results of his recently released research and observations from the field.
Topics of discussion
1:43 Introduction of Dr. Alberto Lopez
2:39 Project design/treatments
3:08 150 IgG replacer used
4:55 Different CR products on the market
5:23 Osmolarity in colostrum
6:44 Maternal colostrum enhancement – impact on osmolarity
8:17 Path of colostrum once it leaves the tube
8:33 High osmolarity takes longer to feed, and digest
9:58 Should producers measure osmolarity?
11:17 Measuring / tracking successful transfer of passive immunity (STPI)
13:29 Calf buyer pay price
15:03 How did dilution impact IgG absorption
16:06 IgG upper limit maxing out absorption
17:27 Abomasal emptying
22:23 No difference in IgG absorption in differing dilution
27:35 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
Featured Article:
The effect of dilution of colostrum replacer on IgG absorption, abomasal emptying rate, and gastrointestinal permeability in newborn Holstein calves
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #IgG; #colostrum; #colostrumreplacer; #colostrumenhancement; #calf; #STPI; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
Opportunistic Grazing is a term used to maximize forage grazed on marginal land for heifer development. Research work completed in Wisconsin nearly a decade ago and recently published defined the differences between heifers reared on pasture for 6 months annually vs those housed in confinement year-round.
Heifer development is the second most expensive portion of the dairy enterprise, and feed going into your replacements is the easiest metric to change. Simply by rotating the females between pastures every 2-4 days during optimum grazing conditions, this data suggests a return of nearly 2700 lbs milk during her first lactation when compared to the ‘couch potato’ counterpart on TMR.
Listen in today to learn about what observations to expect, how to be responsive and nimble to weather while decreasing cost of production. Additionally, researchers Ken Kalscheur and Carlos Camisa Nova provides a sneak peek at future research being conducted to better understand what is changing in the heifer to improve first lactation performance.
Topics of discussion
1:57 Introduction of Dr. Kalscheur and Carlos Camisa Nova
3:07 Project design/details/background
6:30 How was the pasture measured
7:46 Discussion of supplementation strategies
9:04 TMR composition for 1.8 ADG goal
10:03 Bodyweight difference after first grazing season
12:24 Supplementation strategy to bred heifers, during a drought year
14:59 Feed costs – pasture vs TMR, reduction of 35%
17:21 Repro effect of pasture vs confinement
18:59 First lactation performance of pasture based heifer development
20:02 Impact on Dry matter intake during first lactation
22:23 Follow up project, in progress, to assess possible metabolic differences
25:40 Impact of an activity difference in the two styles of rearing animals
27:57 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
Featured Article:
Growth and lactation performance from dairy heifers raised in confinement or on pasture
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #pasture; #replacement; #heiferdevelopment; #milk; #dmi; #active; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
The A2 protein variant was identified back in the 60s as a genetic difference among cattle. Recent consumer interest has driven a demand for A2/A2 milk, resulting in increased prevalence in the dairy industry. Acknowledging the importance of protein in cheese production, food scientists have worked with cheese makers to both identify and reduce the impact of A2 on cheese yield.
Beyond yield impacts, Dr. Ibanez and his team of researchers at the Center for Dairy Research wanted to better understand specifically how proteolysis differs when casein proteins change and if this knowledge can ultimately be used to improve the human health impacts of cheese.
Listen in to better understand how one slight change in amino acid sequence can transform the ripening process and ultimately the nutrients in your cheese.
Topics of discussion
1:26 Introduction of Dr. Rodrigo Ibanez
2:32 Different proteins present in milk, based on genetics
4:00 How A2 milk impacts cheese making efficiency
5:52 Description of 4 types of casein in milk protein
8:07 Cheese yield losses with A2 milk ameliorated with skill of cheese makers.
9:46 Art of stirring the curd
10:30 Sire selection for A2, is it moving the mark?
12:10 Experimental design
12:50 How does A2 milk impact cheese quality – gel firmness and ripening
14:14 Protein and Fatty acid impact on flavor
15:50 Description of β-casomorphin peptides
19:11 A2 tend to be a little bit firmer then A1, and slower digestion.
20:20 Opioid activity in cheese
21:00 Testing for A2 protein fractions to confirm A2 milk was used for A2 cheese
22:42 Will aging help all cheeses be easier to digest? β-casomorphin 7 concentrations.
25:04 β-casomorphin impact on human health
26:54 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
Featured Articles:
Comparison of the proteolysis and occurrence of a range of β-casomorphin peptides in commercial U.S. Cheddar cheeses manufactured from A1/A2 and A2/A2 β-casein milks
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #A2; #β-casomorphin; #casein; #A1; #ripening; #cheese; #whey; #DRMS; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
The trajectory of the success for a dairy cow begins with mammary development, long before lactation begins. Dr. Benjamin Enger, Associate Professor for The Ohio State University in Wooster, has worked with his team for years to best understand how infection can change the development and if the timing of infection impacts that response.
He was specifically interested in Staphylococcus aureus (SA), a common contagious pathogen in dairy farms. To study this, 21 bred heifers at three stages (6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 months) of pregnancy were inoculated, and tissue samples were collected 21 days later to determine the damage done.
In this edition, there is much discussion about the physiology of mammary gland development and how different stages of pregnancy impacts progress towards lactation. Understanding the development of the mammary, will likely illuminate the importance of seemingly meniscal management steps. Analyzing your farm’s data could hold the key to eliminating what might be the source of this devastating pathogen.
Listen in today to learn more!
Topics of discussion
1:40 Introduction of Dr. Ben Enger
3:08 Project set up
3:47 Knowledge gained in projects leading up to this hypothesis
6:53 What is mammary epithelial cells (MEC) and stromal cells
10:18 How did Staph Aureus (SA) impact amount of MEC and stromal cells in infected quarters
13:21 Cellular changes in heifers 6.5 vs 8.5 months pregnant
17:00 Cellular differences between the edge tissue vs the center (pic p4)
18:40 Duration of impact as the result of SA infection in pregnant heifers
20:54 How does SA get into calves prior to freshening?
22:53 Did you observe immunotolerance in the pregnant heifers?
25:53 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
27:26 Experimental increase of milk using blanket therapy to heifers precalving
28:17 Examine first test SCC in first calf heifers
27:20 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
Featured Articles:
Impact of Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infection on cellular proliferation and apoptosis on developing mammary glands of pregnant dairy heifers
Supporting article:
Impact of intramammary infections on mammary gland development in pregnant dairy heifers during late gestation
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #SA; #staphaureus ; #SA; #mammary; #mammarydevelopment; #heifer; #milk; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
Embryo transfer has become increasingly popular on US dairy farms to rapidly advance the genetic profile of the herd. This month’s feature article looks at the associations between fertility traits on the success of embryo transfer.
Fertility traits such as daughter pregnancy rate (DPR), cow conception rate (CCR) and heifer conception rate (HCR) are consistently classified with low heritability. However, this retrospective study takes a deep dive into the data stored at the Council of Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) to use the statistical power of dairy farmers data. There, the researchers were able to find a clear impact of these traits on the success of an ET program and long term impact on herd fertility.
Because ultimately … we’re just interested in more calves on the ground, so listen in to better understand how data is improving ET fertility setbacks.
Topics of discussion
1:39 Introduction of Dr. Sophia Ortega
2:18 Fertility traits discussion
3:47 How to improve these traits with low heritability
6:25 In vivo (IVD) and in vitro procedures (IVP) definition
8:11 Grade 1 embryo improvements when selecting females using fertility traits
9:27 Embryo loss discussion
10:30 Difference preg rate between cow vs. heifer
12:03 Global impact of ET improvements using fertility traits
13:45 How ET trends in the dairy industry in the past 5 years
16:02 Limitation of in-vitro procedures and expected preg rate
16:57 Blastocyst rate improvement
19:19 Impact of fertility of ET recipients
21:08 Where to find the fertility traits when selecting
27:20 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
Featured Articles:
Association of fertility traits with embryo development and pregnancy establishment
Resources:
Dairy Records Management Systems
Council of Dairy Cattle Breeding
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #embryo; #ET; #DPR; #CCR; #HCR; #embryotransfer; #CDCB; #DRMS; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
Sorghum costs less to plant and requires less water to generate productive tonnages. For years, sorghum has been ignored as a dairy forage, because the starch filled berry was nearly impossible to process, limiting the energy available to the cow. To combat this issue a male sterile bmr dwarf variety was developed with no grain head as an opportunity to harvest a nutrient dense, resilient leafy forage.
Researcher Juan Pineiro, Associate Professor & Extension Dairy Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Amarillo and his team substituted a portion of corn silage in the TMR with sorghum silage to determine the feasibility of this forage for dairy farms.
The team found an improvement in dry matter intake which resulted in a nearly 8lb increase in milk produced when substituting 25% of the corn silage with headless sorghum silage. To compensate for the decrease in dietary starch, Dr. Pineiro added ground corn into the ration to balance energy.
Additionally, Dr. Pineiro drew our attention to the recent advancements in berry processing for the non-sterile varieties.
“We were able to see 0-1% intact berries remaining with the recently patented processor,” he explained. This unlocks the starch available to the cow and should causes dairymen to consider planting once again.
He cautions hybrid selection, harvest timing and processing are all keys to making this affordable resilient forage to earn a spot in your ration. Sorghum should be given a second look, especially in water limiting – dairy dense regions. Listen-in to this episode for an update in sorghum advancements for your dairy.
Topics of discussion
2:05 Introduction of Dr. Juan Pineiro
2:48 What is male sterile sorghum
4:54 Sugar impact on fermentation profile of sorghum silage
5:50 Harvesting management for dwarf bmr sorghum
7:47 Substituting corn silage with sorghum silage
9:42 Increase of 6.6 lbs in dry matter intake
13:07 Increase of 8lbs of milk by substituting 25% corn silage with sorghum silage.
14:09 Cropping strategies
15:18 Financial and risk considerations on the forage system
16:05 Crop rotation or double crop options
17:36 Hybrid selection matters
19:13 Berry processing technology advancements
21:05 Principals of starch degradability
21:41 Results – shift in population, but same microbial efficiency
23:58 Best berry processing – headlage or whole plant
25:36 Increasing ensiling duration to increase starch digestibility
29:38 Timing of harvest - late soft dough to optimize the total tonnage, starch concentration and reduced leachate
30:41 Next research : 0, 3, 6, 9 month fermentation with 2 varieties of sorghum – yielded 80% starch digestibility
32:21 What’s the custom harvesters charging with this new berry processor
33:17 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
Featured Articles:
Effects of partially replacing corn silage with brown midrib male-sterile sorghum silage on intake, digestibility, and milk production in dairy cows
Effects of a novel onboard sorghum kernel processor and height of cut on berry processing score and ruminal in situ starch disappearance of forage sorghum ensiled for 0 and 90 days
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #starchdegradation; #sorghum; #dwarf; #bmr; #fermentation; #ruminantnutrition; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
Seventy percent of the protein your herd uses for lactation is derived from the microbial population in her rumen. Researchers from UC Davis and Feedworks USA sought to learn more about how different substrates might impact rumen microbial efficiency. They did this with the ultimate goal of increasing the flow of protein available for absorption to help offset feed costs, recognizing protein is the highest cost of the ration, and likely the largest fraction to the cost of production on most dairies.
“We know that efficency of growth in the rumen varies dramatically, nearly 2 fold. Microbes can use 1/3 of their energy for growth or as much as 2/3,” Hackmann described. His lab is using invitro cultures to attempt to determine why this variation exists. “If we can pinpoint cause then we can accomidate and make microbes grow more efficiently and deliver more protein to the ruminant at a lower cost.”
Past models, used in ration formulation software such as CNCPS, claim rumen bacteria perform digestion more efficiently when fed cellulose, over glucose. However, featured work by Dr. Tim Hackmann’s invitro lab suggests a different result. “We found there will be a larger mass of microbes that grow on glucose then cellulose but they also digest more, so the efficiency is not differnet.”
Listen-in to this episode for in interesting dive into the expected changes in the rumen under these conditions. An added bonus banter from Dr. Benjamin Wenner, ruminant nutritionist with FeedWorks USA and co-author on the featured article, about the futuristic concepts possible for ruminant nutrition with mindful investment.
Topics of discussion
1:29 Introduction of Dr. Tim Hackman and Dr. Benjamin Wenner
2:03 Key highlights of 80 years of Ruminant nutrition – role of rumen microorganisms, knows and unknowns
4:40 Description of the Invitro research system, magnetic stir syringe treatment delivery
6:41 Treatment differences – Glucose vs Cellulose
8:22 Different Carbohydrates, and concentration changes microbial population
10:04 Why did you choose to focus reporting on bacteria – Hackman
11:20 Importance of Bacteria cont’d, 60-90% of biomass of the rumen - Wenner
13:32 Biochemistry of the Rumen - Acetate:Propionate shifts as a result of the substrate
15:41 The main message of the paper
16:06 Analogy for the ease of digestion - Cellulose, Hemicellulose and Lignin
17:36 Fermentation profile
18:41 Unusual product of fermentation - Caproate
20:43 Add value by reporting all data
21:41 Results – shift in population, but same microbial efficiency
What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
23:18 The future of Ruminant Nutrition – needed investments in descriptive microbiology to feed efficient animals of the future.
26:13 Nutritionists replaced by AI?
28:29 Improving Ration formulation software from 1992
Featured Article:
Mixed rumen bacteria grow with similar efficiency on cellulose and glucose
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #CNCPS; #ruminant; #cellulose; #bacteria; #efficiency; #ruminantnutrition; #UCDavis; #feedworks; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
DSD 6.12 | Brachytic corn for increased production
The brachytic gene mutation results in corn that is shorter in stature but an improved digestibility profile. Through a reduction in intranode distance, the corn plant reduces indigestible fiber. Dr. Antonio Gallo, PhD ruminant nutritionist from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and his team in Italy recently studied the impact of this gene mutation on the productivity of the dairy herd.
High quality, home grown forages allow dairy producers to maintain the competitive edge. By limiting the purchase of off-farm nutrients, forages possess the ability to advance or hold back a herd. When brachytic corn was fed, they found a yield increase of 3.8 lbs/cow/day. However, the higher producing animals did not consume more.
“This is likely due to a chemotactic effect,” Gallo describes. The team measured changes in the intake pattern which provided insight to future research questions for data to better understand how this phenomenon could have happened.
The quality of corn silage impacts the health and productivity of the dairy cow. Additionally, her intake behavior is impacted by the ration. As more dairy farms move toward robotic systems, maximizing the energy density of the PMR will directly impact productivity, perhaps brachytic corn is most important in these systems.
Listen in to understand how the brachytic corn variety might work in your operation.
Topics of discussion
1:24 Introduction of Dr. Antonio Gallo
3:01 What is “brachytic”
5:38 Chemical analysis of Short Stature (SSC) vs Tall Stature Corn (TSC)
6:24 NDF differences (Table 2)
9:11 Dry matter differences – ‘stay green’ benefit
10:02 What about disease pressure in corn fields
12:01 SSC field observations re: lodging during derechos
12:31 Planting rate
13:37 Ration calculation – and feeding strategy
14:58 Individual intake and feeding behavior of each animal
15:59 Research herd description
16:13 Milk yield response, 3.8 lbs/cow/day
17:22 Rumen Flow Rate
18:22 Dry matter yield drag at harvest?
20:10 Feed behavior – eating less and producing more
21:04 Chemotactic effect - Apparent digestibility NDF, starch and protein
24:52 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
Featured Article:
Effect of silage from a new brachytic corn hybrid with a high harvest index on feeding behavior and performance of lactating dairy cows
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #NDFd; #cornsilage; #brachytic; #moremilk; #staygreen; #lignin; #mealsize; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
DSD 6.11 | The sweet spot - Insemination timing for peak profit
With changes in the marketplace, coupled with increased reproductive performance of your herd there is an increased opportunity to improve net return. While breeding beef and sexed semen is no longer new, our industry has experienced a miscalculation of the ideal number of replacement heifers needed to optimize this model.
To ensure you’re on the right path, Megan Lauber , Dr. Paul Fricke and Dr. Victor Cabrera from University of WI recently completed work on a model of the interaction between 21-d Preg rate, semen type, days in milk and heifer survival to find the optimum window – known as the Insemination Eligibility Period (IEP). This metric will soon to be easily monitored with a tool available online.
Their model found $51.00 / head improvements in net return when all the metrics are optimized. Listen in for a comprehensive discussion about how to model your herd’s data to customize and therefore optimize your reproductive trajectory and financial success of the future.
Topics of discussion
1:33 Introduction of Megan Lauber
2:54 Impact of strategic breeding on the beef semen industry, as of 2025
5:33 Preg Rate's impact on the insemination eligibility period (IEP) & change over time
7:49 Semen scenarios / combinations of beef and xx-semen to control inventory
9:34 Defining Insemination eligibility period (IEP)
11:21 Impact of insufficient replacements
13:03 Optimum time to inseminate a cow to maximize income
13:53 How does the shift in IEP manipulate the age of the national herd?
16:24 Figure 3: the unexpected shape of the net return
21:20 Herd turnover rate and Heifer survivability
22:48 Heifer hoarding vs just right
25:40 Figure 5: Net Return
28:57 Figure 7: Impact on Net return when Preg Rate increases across semen models
32:15 Why was 170 d used for the net return analysis?
33:21 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?
Featured Article:
An economic simulation model to assess the effect of the 21-day pregnancy rate, semen type, and heifer survival rate on the optimal insemination eligibility period for lactating dairy cows
Dr. Victor Cabrera’s TOOL website : https://dairymgt.cals.wisc.edu/tools.php
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #reproduction; #model; #pregrate; #21-dPR; #netreturn; #beefondairy; #sexedsemen; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
DSD 6.11 | The sweet spot - Insemination timing for peak profit
With changes in the marketplace, coupled with increased reproductive performance of your herd there is an increased opportunity to improve net return. While breeding beef and sexed semen is no longer new, our industry has experienced a miscalculation of the ideal number of replacement heifers needed to optimize this model.
To ensure you’re on the right path, Megan Lauber , Dr. Paul Fricke and Dr. Victor Cabrera from University of WI recently completed work on a model of the interaction between 21-d Preg rate, semen type, days in milk and heifer survival to find the optimum window – known as the Insemination Eligibility Period (IEP). This metric will soon to be easily monitored with a tool available online.
Their model found $51.00 / head improvements in net return when all the metrics are optimized. Listen in for a comprehensive discussion about how to model your herd’s data to customize and therefore optimize your reproductive trajectory and financial success of the future.
Topics of discussion
1:33 Introduction of Megan Lauber
2:54 Impact of strategic breeding on the beef semen industry, as of 2025
5:33 Preg Rate's impact on the insemination eligibility period (IEP) & change over time
7:49 Semen scenarios / combinations of beef and xx-semen to control inventory
9:34 Defining Insemination eligibility period (IEP)
11:21 Impact of insufficient replacements
13:03 Optimum time to inseminate a cow to maximize income
13:53 How does the shift in IEP manipulate the age of the national herd?
16:24 Figure 3: the unexpected shape of the net return
21:20 Herd turnover rate and Heifer survivability
22:48 Heifer hoarding vs just right
25:40 Figure 5: Net Return
28:57 Figure 7: Impact on Net return when Preg Rate increases across semen models
32:15 Why was 170 d used for the net return analysis?
33:21 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?
Featured Article:
An economic simulation model to assess the effect of the 21-day pregnancy rate, semen type, and heifer survival rate on the optimal insemination eligibility period for lactating dairy cows
Dr. Victor Cabrera’s TOOL website : https://dairymgt.cals.wisc.edu/tools.php
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #reproduction; #model; #pregrate; #21-dPR; #netreturn; #beefondairy; #sexedsemen; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
Individual housing for pre-weaned calves has long been gold standard, since it was first introduced in the 40s. However, interest has emerged around paired and group housing for this phase of production. Intermittent research on this topic has been published over the past 25 years but has never been compiled, until now.
Dr. Katarina Buckova from IA State University, and her team combed through research databases and compiled the results of several projects on paired housing, compared to individually housed calves. Research on production, health and behavior illuminated gaps in knowledge needed for producers to effectively move forward on this production practice.
If your farm is considering paired or group housing, listen in for a compelling discussion about the impacts, perceived and measured, about how this calf development concept could impact the future of your herd.
Topics of discussion
1:25 Introduction of Dr. Katarina Buckova
3:00 Why review / summarize paired housing research?
4:40 What age were calves paired
6:40 Performance & Health based observations of paired housing
7:49 Body weight gain
8:58 Table 11 – Summary of all metrics
10:04 Volume of milk fed
11:31 Feed conversion ratio
12:22 Did you see scours?
13:50 Possible negative effects of paired housing
14:49 “No effect” is still important information
16:13 Calf behavior differences, coping
18:58 Future research ideas
20:29 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?
22:48 Discussion of paired vs group housing for new build
25:20 Paired housing presence in FARM program?
Featured Article:
Invited review: A systematic review of the effects of pair housing on dairy calf welfare and productivity
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #dairycalf; #socialhousing; #pairedhousing; #hutch; #preweaning; #calfbehavior; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
DSD 6.9 | Surplus calves are a perishable commodity
This robust beef market is having a direct impact on the bottom line of dairy calf buyers and possesses the ability to radically impact dairymen’s bottom line long term through low all milk prices. This month we talk to researcher Dr. Sam Locke from The Ohio State University about a survey launched to help better understand the workings of the current calf buyers, jockeys and marketers.
All sectors of this parallel and complementary production stream must work together for the dairy industry to generate a stronger, longer - lasting foothold in the beef industry. If done well through this opportunity, the dairy surplus calf market will establish a foothold in the beef supply chain. Listen in to hear insightful quotes from these Midwest calf buyers to help maximize your operation’s innate revenue stream.
Topics of discussion
1:06 Paper Title: Understanding
1:40 Introduction of Dr. Sam Locke
2:39 Description of research participants who were being interviewed
3:42 Description of operations
5:07 What are surplus calves
6:09 Percent of Beef on Dairy vs. Holstein calves
7:10 Date of survey / market effect on responses
8:12 Themes of responses
9:36 Number one issue: Long distance transporting
11:31 Gathering calves – the route
12:42 Policies around calf transport in Canada
14:56 Premiums for ideal serum values
16:28 Expert advice needed
18:52 Opinions on vertical integration
21:33 Long term contributions to the beef industry going forward
22:39 Health challenges – consider vaccination
23:54 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?
24:52 Budget impacts
Featured Article: Understanding challenges and strengths in the post–dairy farm surplus calf value chain: An interview study
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #bullcalves; #beefondairy; #surpluscalves; #growers; #Calfjockey; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
DSD 6.8 | That is where you should put your money
For years researchers have sought out to better understand control mechanisms for a successful transition into lactation from the dry period. We’ve learned changing body condition score during the dry period is not acceptable, but what if it changes during late lactation? How does this impact energy partitioning for the next lactation?
Well managed high producing cows with high fertility might find themselves bred back in less than the “textbook ideal” condition score heading into the dry period. Can we alter the late lactation ration to successfully increase condition with little impact? Dr. Laura Hernandez from the University of Wisconsin worked with a team of researchers at the Forage Center to better understand what is happening if high energy is fed late in lactation through extensive data collection to determine the possible potential carry over effects for subsequent lactations.
Listen into this compelling discussion as we learn more about the “black box” we know as the transition dairy cow and what phase to invest in to maximize your return.
Topics of discussion
1:01 Goal of this month’s research
1:40 Introduction of Dr. Laura Hernandez
2:52 Why is this topic important
5:09 Test ration design for increasing BCS in late lactation 3.25 vs 3.75
8:45 Cow responses to the ration
11:05 Figure 1a: BCS change over 12 weeks
11:45 Dry matter intake
10:27 Possible hormonal responses causing the
13:49 Energy partitioning
16:12 Genetic analysis for response and non-response
18:40 Dry cow and early ration following treatment
19:19 High energy effect on dystocia
20:50 Early lactation energy measurements
22:45 Close up - Intake differences of high and low energy
23:23 Fig 3d: Early lactation intake difference
24:44 Visceral fat changes
26:54 Denovo fatty acids in milk, 70 days post treatment
30:54 Concentration of Megalac in treatment ration
31:57 Description of animals on treatment
32:47 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?
Featured Article:
Effects of high-energy and low-energy diets during late lactation on the subsequent dry period and lactation of Holstein dairy cows
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #transition; #latelactation; #earlylactation; #dmi; #NEFA; #BHB; #drycow; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
It’s always exciting to watch a group of replacement heifers develop and anticipate their performance in the milking string as the top genetics of your herd. There is just about nothing more devastating than freshening them in to find mastitis or even worse, a blind quarter. When a first calf heifer calves in with a high somatic cell count she is more likely to maintain the high count, and more likely to be culled.
Heifer mastitis, or intramammary infection (IMI), is a common affliction yet we know very little about what stage of production it occurs and how to best diagnosis the root of the problem. Pamela Adkins, DVM at the University of Missouri worked with a team to capture culture samples from a variety of stages of heifer development to fabricate standard protocols for sample collection and help producers better understand how to circumvent this disease cycle for their herd.
Listen in to learn how to improve heifer development and limit the tragedy of damaged replacements.
Topics of discussion
1:51 Introduction of Dr. Pamela Adkins
2:26 Why is this topic important
4:17 Establishing standard sampling procedures
5:11 Cisternal puncturing
7:43 Comparison of sample collection
8:37 Grouping to determine when IMI begins in heifers
10:27 Causes and severity of infections
11:53 Feeding raw milk to hutch heifers
12:51 Normal microflora vs mastitis causing
15:36 If you have a heifer mastitis problem, what’s the next steps
17:21 What’s the best way to collect a sample?
18:44 Where to send aseptic samples
19:54 To freeze or not to freeze
21:48 Why were gestating heifers 8x as likely to have IMI?
23:05 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?
Featured Article:
Evaluation of intramammary infection status in dairy heifers using cisternal and teat end sampling techniques
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #HSCC; #heifer; #milksampling; #culture; #mastitis; #IMI; #infection; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
DSD 6.6 | How much variability is allowable?
Timing of insemination is still one of the most common question Dr. Paul Fricke, Extension faculty for the University of Wisconsin, gets from farmers. This month he and coauthors Vanda Santos and Paulo Carvalho discuss the ideal timing of insemination when using popular artificial insemination protocols and when producers use estrus detection devices.
Additionally, how does this change if you choose to use sexed semen or a straw of beef?
Listen in to learn how to improve the pregnancies / AI metric in YOUR herd.
Topics of discussion
1:36 Introduction of Dr. Paul Fricke, Vanda Santos and Paulo Carvalho
2:48 OvSync history (1995): 0, 8, 16, 24 or 32 hours - timing of insemination
6:39 Exp. 1: Study Design – 0 vs 16 hour
7:55 Conception reductions due to cosync
10:18 Exp. 2: Optimal time of sexed semen breeding
11:43 Fig. 4: CR of Beef vs sexed semen
13:24 P/AI Results, sexed semen
14:34 ReSync protocol - GGPPG
16:10 Exp. 3: Electronic estrus detection
18:00 Fig. 4: Conception, Early (0-2 hr) vs Late (20-25 hr)
19:49 Conception 13-23 hours after estrus detection
22:03 Raw data points on fig 3, Exp. 2
23:36 Fig 2: Early (0-2 hr) vs Ideal (15-16 hr)
24:27 Once a Day Breeding, killing the AM/PM rule
26:00 Expected pregnancy loss
28:49 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?
Featured Article:
Effect of timing of artificial insemination with conventional or sex-sorted semen on fertility of lactating dairy cows
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #conception; #ovsync; #doubleOvsync; #sexedsemen; #cosync; #resync; #pregnancyloss; #AM/PMrule; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
For decades, ethanol production has generated affordable biproducts to feed. A new distilling method has generated a product with ~50% protein. Dr. Billy Brown, assistant professor of dairy science at Kansas State, wanted to understand how this feed would compare to soybean meal in a starter grain.
To test this he developed rations substituting soybean meal 1:1. Graduate student Rachel Skinner measured intake, growth, effiency and metabolic and digestive parameters to best understand if this product would work in post weaning phase of production.
Topics of discussion
1:19 Introduction of Dr. Billy Brooks
3:18 Nutrient composition of high pro corn coproduct
5:14 Study Design
6:33 Limiting Amino Acids
7:53 Age of calves
8:34 Starter Digestibility
10:40 Average Daily Gain (ADG)
13:30 Insulin measurements
15:36 CP concentrations for the rations
16:25 Heat Stress
17:58 Dry matter intake and feed efficiency
19:05 Pelleting feasibility/stability
20:05 Yeast bodies – Impact, source of and future research efforts
22:53 What do you want Boots on the Ground dairy producers to gain from the project?
23:32 Breakeven analysis
Featured Article:
Effects of a high-protein corn coproduct as a replacement for soybean meal in calf starter feed in the postweaning period
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #HPCC; #dairycalves; #DDGS; # Protomax; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel; #Rachel Skinner
Most dairy farms are trying to push the envelope from the conventional 4L of milk replacer per day to a higher volume to support lean structural growth of replacement heifers. Concerns of ruminal leakage resulting in fermentation has been cited as a concern, but is that based on an incomplete picture? We know microbial protein offers a nearly perfect alignment of amino acid requirements for the bovine, however nutrition programs have discounted milk replacer to exclusively providing rumen undegradable protein (RUP) – protein that skips the rumen and is absorbed in the abomasum.
Marcos Marcondes, researcher from the Miner Institute, wanted to see if feeding higher volumes would change the flow of protein and energy to the calf and the physiology of the rumen, due to leakage. To test this question he fed a standard rate and double rate of milk replacer with colbalt to mark and track the flow of digestion through preweaned animals.
Leakage was found in the rumen on both treatments, but the results were positive. Energy, in the form of volatile fatty acids, and microbial protein added to the fuel for these growing animals. Listen in to better understand the kinetics of digestion and questions that still remain for this phase of production.
Topics of discussion
1:44 Introduction of Dr. Marcos Marcondes
2:50 Lambs as a model for bovine calves, 4 & 8L/day
4:07 Known info on the kinetics of milk protein
6:46 Relevance of microbial protein in fueling cattle
8:17 Cobalt marker used in the research model
10:51 Rumen leakage for preweaned calves
13:14 Grain feeding during trial
14:30 Milk replacer vs Whole milk
17:01 Retention rates
18:41 Colostrum protocol – no tubing
20:02 VFA and Microbial protein production
25:37 Physiology and histology
27:32 What do you want Boots on the Ground dairy producers to gain from the project?
Featured Article:
Influence of different amounts of milk replacer on esophageal leakage, rumen fermentation characteristics, gastrointestinal tract passage rate, and microbial crude protein synthesis of nursling animals
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #prewean; #dairycalves; #microbialprotein; #MinerInstitute; #kinetics; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
DSD 6.3 | Big Picture Management Decisions Matter
Timeless dairy management decisions, such as voluntary waiting period & days dry, have recently been the topic of interest across the globe. Scrutiny to illuminate the ideal to maximize productive life has left the industry questioning convention.
Michael Overton, DVM at Zoetis worked with co-author Steve Eicker to tease out the answers to these questions from a a massive dataset of 109,000 cows across 60 herds nationwide. This retrospective, observational research project was recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science titled, “Associations between days open and dry period length versus milk production, replacement, and fertility in the subsequent lactation in Holstein dairy cows”.
All dairymen should pause to determine the unintended consequences of their management decisions on optimal performance and ultimately the economic success of the herd. Listen in to learn ways to apply concepts from this project to your operation.
Topics of discussion
1:33 Introduction of Dr. Overton
2:54 Difference between association vs causation
4:28 Description of data set
4:51 Genomic testing, background
6:31 Advising herds on selection indices DWP$
10:02 Different measurements collected – carry over impact of days dry and days open
11:50 Figure 4: Impact of previous days open and previous days dry on cumulative milk
14:04 Risk of replacement and impact of mastitis
18:05 How many sins is a dairyman willing to forgive?
19:46 What does your data say for optimal VWP
22:27 Twin events or sex of calf
24:59 Figure 7: Risk of pregnancy
28:46 What do you want Boots on the Ground dairy producers to gain from the project?
Featured Article:
Associations between days open and dry period length versus milk production, replacement, and fertility in the subsequent lactation in Holstein dairy cows
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #daysdry; #milk; #previousdaysopen; #VWP; #daysdry; #DWP$; #Zoetis; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Colostrum, the life-giving liquid-gold first milk that builds the calves’ immune function. The dairy industry has made amazing strides on colostrum management, however we’ll always have a small number of cows that come in with enough colostrum, just moderate quality. What can we do to enhance the colostrum to ensure the calf’s success?
Dr. Sandra Godden, from the University of MN Vet Med, and her team of researchers sought to better understand what would happen if they directly added dry colostrum replacer to the moderate quality colostrum? Is it better to reconstitute and feed separately? Listen in to learn ways to improve your colostrum program and how to enhance that moderate quality colostrum.
Topics of discussion
1:47 Introduction of Dr. Sandra Godden
2:29 Experimental design and “why” for the project
4:23 Efficiency of absorption
4:55 Abomasal emptying relative to osmolality
7:56 4 treatments
9:52 IgG concentrations at time 0 (Table 3)
10:52 Results discussion - IgG at 24 hours
12:21 General discussion of plasma derived colostrum vs maternal derived replacer
15:05 Discussion of the actual product you used and how it is different from other products on the market
17:45 Impact on health, behavior and appetite for the first 3 days
20:46 Importance of Total Coliform Counts (TCC) in colostrum and how to test
25:26 What do you want Boots on the Ground dairy producers to gain from the project?
26:26 Goals for serum brix readings and serum total protein
Featured Article:
Controlled Field Study Investigating Two Methods of Enriching Moderate-Quality Maternal Colostrum on Transfer of Passive Immunity and Wellbeing of Neonatal Dairy Calves
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #colostrum; #colostrumreplacer; #colostrumenhancement; #premolac; #Zinpro; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
DSD 6.1 | Management to create the invisible cow
If you pause and think about a list of cows – chances are the list that pops into mind is a group of troublemakers that didn’t breed back or need another round of treatment or are on this week’s cull list. What if you could create a herd of unmemorable cows – ones who just do their job; make milk, breed back, no mastitis – the "Invisible Cow".
Dr. Krogstad’s research program’s goal is to create more invisible cows; ones you only see at calving, breeding and dry off. This month he shares with us a dataset analyzed for associations of hyperketonemia (HYK) with body condition, milk production, pregnancy loss, mastitis and ultimately culling.
It turns out that the timing of lipolysis determines if it is healthy or harmful and ultimately has a big impact on her success through transition. It all boils down to are the free fatty acids being mobilized to fuel early lactation being completely oxidized or partially oxidized?
Listen in to learn more about our featured article: Associations of Body Condition Score, Body Condition Score Change, and Hyperketonemia with Mastitis, Reproduction, and Milk Production
Topics of discussion
1:40 Introduction of Kirby Krogstad
2:39 Definition of hyperketonemia (HYK)
4:22 Frequency of HYK
5:16 Milk yield decrease due to hyperketonemia
7:36 Figure 3: Prepartum BCS by lactation
9:39 Ideal range of prepartum BCS
10:17 Impact of BCS loss on pregnancy loss
12:04 What’s the biology behind the pregnancy losses?
13:58 How does hyperketonemia impact odds risk mastitis?
14:44 Cellular rationale behind increased mastitis risk
16:36 Figure 5: Health status impact on milk yield
18:16 “Healthy” Lipolysis
18:58 Were cows with high BHB treated?
19:43 Week one vs week two – Timing of Lipolysis
20:40 Healthy Lipolysis generates the invisible cow
22:11 Can you suppress inflammation to improve transition?
23:08 Lipolysis in week one
25:24 Culling association to hyperketonemia
26:15 BCS association to culling
27:27 Impact of stable BCS
28:14 Prevalence and goals for HYK
29:07 Rumen protected niacin for the transition herd
31:01 Transition BCS recommendations
32:05 Take away for boots on the ground dairy producers
Featured Article:
Associations of Body Condition Score, Body Condition Score Change, and Hyperketonemia with Mastitis, Reproduction, and Milk Production
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #InvisibleCow; #BCS; #ketosis; #pregnancyloss; #Maturecow; #transitiondairy; #HYK; #lipolysis; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Ever heard the adage, “It takes money to make money”? Well, the research highlighted this month shows that it also takes time, to make time. Dr. Zelmar Rodriguez discusses the importance of parlor training and how to make your on farm training as effective as possible. The featured article summarizes results of pre- and post-training assessments he and his team at MI State Vet Med recently completed.
Listen in to be motivated, a small effort can ultimately create a large impact in parlor performance and BTSCC.
Topics of discussion
1:49 Introduction of Dr. Zelmar Rodriguez
2:45 What was the aim of the training project?
3:30 How to integrate photographs into training
4:08 The difference in employees’ learning process.
5:13 The two curriculum sections, pathogens and milking processes
6:04 Where did you find the resources to use to make the training exams?
7:09 Specifics about the workers being trained and farms.
8:32 Results discussion
10:02 Should the manager/owner be present?
10:44 What question came up at every farm?
11:35 Cross Training
12:24 Pre-test knowledge level
13:05 Typical turnover rates
13:49 Average prep lag time, adequate prep
14:15 Time reduction in milking
15:36 BTSCC prior vs after intervention (April-Sept)
16:46 Clinical Mastitis identification
18:21 What is DeLaval PASS?
19:47 What is Cattle Care
20:55 What do you want Boots on the Ground dairy producers to gain from the project?
Featured Article:
Impact of training dairy farm personnel on milking routine compliance, udder health, and milk quality
Recommended Resources – National Mastitis Council
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #Training; #parlor; #dairylabor; #nmc; #DeLaval; #parlorturn; #milking; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Reproductive physiologists are always trying to improve conception rates for the dairy herd. Double ovsync is one of the best tools in our toolbox to submit cows to first insemination. However, as estrus detection technology becomes more affordable and we learn more about physiology, perhaps combining the expression of estrus at insemination may improve fertility through optimizing ovulation timing.
Dr. Julio Giordano and Ana Laplacette worked with their Cornell reproduction team to investigate this theory on over 4600 cows in 2 commercial herds. “We are trying to take advantage of the power of sync of ovulation and the power of estrus” Giordano explains. “To get the best of both, synergize the two.”
The only change to the well-known Double ovsync protocol includes a delay in the final administration of GnRh before breeding. The goal, allowing the cows more time to show estrus. Take a moment to listen in to better understand the physiology of this synchronization program and how to improve your herd’s reproductive management.
Topics of discussion
2:03 Introduction of Dr. Julio Giordano & Ana Laplacette
3:37 Why introduce Estrus detection to double ovsync?
6:25 Treatment description, Double ovsync
9:12 Did you cherry pick?
10:04 What metrics do you focus in on to determine the success of synchronization protocol
11:36 Considerations to grouping animals to best understand the data
13:57 How did you determine “heat”
15:23 Specific difference between G56 and G80 treatments
16:38 Increase in Estrus observed 2.2% vs 29.9%
17:09 Three types of cows –
(1) Show estrus without GnRh, 1/3
(2) Show estrus after GnRh, 1/3
(3) Never show estrus, 1/3
20:01 Anestrus cows – table 5
22:16 Follicle size differences between treatment
26:12 Did it work? Take home message for boots on the ground dairy producers
30:41 What is the difference between the estrus and non-estrus cows?
32:16 Follow up project: Give cows 1 week to show estrus after PGH of breeding OvSync
Featured Article:
Delaying induction of ovulation and timed AI in a Double-Ovsynch protocol increased expression of estrus and altered first service reproductive outcomes of lactating dairy cows
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #DoubleOvSync; #G56; #G80; #cherrypick; #sync; #estrus; #dairy; #Lut; #GnRH; #conceptionrate; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
DSD 5.10 | Rumen friendly fatty acids in High Oleic Beans
Soybeans and dairy cows have walked hand for decades. These oil beans are known specifically for the amino acid sequence in their high-quality protein and energy to support lactation. Recent developments in plant breeding has shifted the fat profile of the bean contain a higher amount of Oleic fat, which is easier for the rumen to digest, in certain varieties.
Substituting linoleic acid for higher concentrations of oleic allows nutritionists to increase the inclusion rate in the diet and therefore support the herd during times of high production. This month we feature an article from Dr. Adam Lock and his team at Michigan State University as highlighting research generated from on-farm questions.
Ensuring producers know how much to feed, and how to feed high oleic soybeans to the herd was the objective of a series of research projects in the pipeline of publications due to come from MSU in the coming months and years.
Listen in to here if growing this new variety of bean makes sense for your operation.
Topics of discussion
1:56 Introduction of Adam Lock
3:37 What’s the difference between conventional beans and HOSB?
7:41 Raw vs Roasted
10:38 Research Treatments, 4 rations
12:28 Table 2 – Statistical Contrasts
13:24 ECM impacts
16:48 Sourcing HOSB
18:45 Future research questions
19:34 Palmitic acid for milk fat improvements
21:03 Upcoming transition cow research
22:43 HOSB impacts on metabolism – research in works
24:10 DMI/ECM
25:03 Take home message for boots on the ground dairy producers
27:28 On-Farm Roasting
Featured Article:
Effects of raw and roasted high oleic soybeans on milk production of high-producing dairy cows
Supporting Article:
Effects of increasing dietary inclusion of high oleic acid soybeans on milk production of high-producing dairy cows
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #HighOleic ; #soybean; #Plenish; #soyleic; #HOSB; #ration; #dairy; #rumen; #FA; #oleic; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Despite decades of dedicated research, the rumen still remains a bit of a ‘black box’. This month we feature an article from Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira and his team at Virginia Tech as they try further define how undegradable fiber impacts the rumen's flow rate, and therefore productivity.
Comprehending the kinetics of degradation will assist in identifying the ideal combination of ingredients to create a profitable ration for your herd.
Could this help you make future planting decisions, as the nation is repairing from several rounds of drought? Does the ‘queen of forages’ belong in your cropping program?
Listen in to learn more!
Topics of discussion
1:48 Introduction of Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira
3:33 Impact of Fiber in the ration
4:15 Compare Alfalfa to temperate grasses
5:16 Segregating Fiber, pdNDF vs uNDF
8:04 Design of research rations
9:23 Feeding grasses to lactating dairy cows
12:40 Main variable of interest, ruminal passage rate
13:34 Dry matter intake
16:03 Ration strategy around flow rates and rumen pool size
19:08 Forage sample analysis selection
21:21 Cost of the rations
23:32 Plant more Alfalfa or Orchard Grass?
26:36 Take home message for boots on the ground dairy producers
Featured Article:
Ruminal passage rate and digestibility of fiber from dairy cows consuming diets containing alfalfa and orchardgrass hays with different concentrations of undegradable neutral detergent fiber (uNDF)
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #queenofforages; #Alfalfa; #NDF; #uNDF; #pdNDF; #orchardgrass; #ration; #kinetics; #dairy; #rumen; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Seems like calcium and phosphorus gather up all the attention, but there is growing awareness of the importance of magnesium – the “runner up mineral” in the dairy cow diet. Some sources of magnesium are simply more available than others. This fact has the ignited the interest of ruminant nutritionists looking to focus their research efforts on determining the most available Mg source so you can get the biggest bang for your buck.
This month we featured an article from Dr. Noelia Silva Del Rio, from UC Davis. She describes her research on the rumen availability of different popular magnesium sources and explains the importance of magnesium and how to improve the mineral status of your herd. Listen in to learn more!
Topics of discussion
1:32 Introduction of Dr. Noelia Silva
3:28 How does vitamin D impact mineral absorption?
3:42 Regulation of bone mineral mobilization
3:55 relationship of Mg normalizing blood vitamin D
4:53 Human mineral deficiencies
6:21 5 forms of Mg researched:
Most soluble, most common and a proprietary blend
7:57 Bolus vs pre-mix
8:51 How magnesium is absorbed in the cow
9:42 Solubility trial: popular is not the same as available
12:18 Why were open, non-lactating dairy cows tested?
13:11 Urine results over 24 hour
15:22 MgS most available (Figure 2)
16:27 Adjust for pre-treatment Mg excretion (Figure 3)
18:09 Recommendations for Nutritionists
20:17 Quick field test for Mg availability
20:57 Take home message for boots on the ground dairy producers
Featured Article:
Relative availability of 5 inorganic magnesium sources in non-pregnant, non-lactating Holstein cows.
Additional Information:
Dr. Goff’s field test - https://www.dairyherd.com/news-news-news/magnesium-most-critical-mineral
Recommended mineral paper for producers: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/222/11/javma.2003.222.1518.xml
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #Magnesium; #Mg; #Ca; #P; #mineral; #dairy; #hypocalcemia; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Subacute Ruminal acidosis, commonly referred to as SARA, could be robbing your herd of production. When pH dips too low for too long the biology of the rumen shifts, butterfat slides and overall health of the herd is negatively impacted.
But how can you tell if your herd has SARA?
This month we invite Dr. Eric Paquet and Felix Huot, from Université Laval in Quebec Canada to explain the method of using DHI milk samples to map the prevalence of SARA in the dairy herd of Quebec.
Listen in to learn more -
Topics of discussion
1:48 Introduction of Dr. Eric Paquet and Felix Huot
2:55 What is SARA – how is it defined what are the symptoms?
4:42 Pair Feeding – Intake experimental design
5:10 Rumen Bolus for research monitoring for calibration
6:57 Rumen pH for definition of SARA
7:40 7 commercial herds for phase 1 calibration
10:35 Ruminal Biochemistry changed by SARA
13:08 Ruminal variability among cows within the same herd
14:54 Phase 2: applied statistical model to a dataset of 3000 farms in Quebec to predict prevalence
17:24 Mean, range (min-max) prevalence of SARA
18:35 Factors associated with an increase prevalence of SARA
19:27 Robotic herds
20:50 Seasonal effect
21:40 Higher milk yield
22:05 Take home message for boots on the ground dairy producers
Featured Article:
Featured Article:
Predicting subacute ruminal acidosis from milk mid-infrared estimated fatty acids and machine learning on Canadian commercial dairy herds
Background Information:
Relationship between farm management strategies, reticuloruminal pH variations, and risks of subacute ruminal acidosis
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #SARA; #machinelearning; #VFA; #milk; #fattyacid; #acidosis; #FA; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
When your bulk tank volume takes a plunge through the last bout of heat, do you ever wonder exactly WHY?
What is it in the udder that changes to cause the decline? Why do we also commonly see elevated SCC in our tanks too?
To best understand the why, the Virgina Tech dairy team collected tissue samples from the mammary gland of cows in controlled environmental chambers. This month we invite Dr. Ben Corl to explain the cellular changes observed in the alveoli, epithelial and even immune cells of the mammary gland of cows undergoing a controlled heat stress challenge.
Additionally, he’ll describe the changes in gene expression in those same tissue samples that controls protein production and mammary health.
This continuation of our heat stress series features two papers titled:
(1) Cyclical heat stress during lactation influences the microstructure of the bovine mammary gland
(2) 2022: Heat stress increases mammary epithelial cells and reduces viable immune cells in milk of dairy cows
Topics of discussion
1:28 Introduction of Dr. Ben Corl
2:36 Describe the experimental design
3:58 Pair Feeding – Intake experimental design
7:14 Could the cows cool during the evening ?
8:47 Microscopic changes to the mammary
10:31 Cellular turnover in the alveoli
13:20 Increased losses of epithelial cells, a portion of the somatic cell population
16:39 Decline in viable Immune cell population in the mammary
19:38 Body temperature before and after milking
20:16 Number of alveoli
24:07 Gene & protein expression changes
24:56 Gene expression pathway for cellular health in the mammary
26:25 What do you want Boots on the ground dairyman to know
Background Information:
Temperature Humidity Index (THI)
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #heatstress; #alveoli; #milk; #mammarydevelopment; #mammary; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Florida researchers began a generational study in 2007 that is still years in the making. It all began with the investigation of the impact of heat stress on dry cows to measure changes that might occur to the calf incubating inside the hot dam, like a crock pot.
In addition to seeing negative production impacts on mama, the researchers began to measure numerous changes in the damaged calf coming out of the heat stressed dry cow. This month’s edition, we’ll be interviewing Dr. Jimena Laporta, of the University of Wisconsin, to better understand the physiological changes of the calf that results in lost production for her entire life. She and her team measured changes in mammary and adrenal gland development.
Several separate papers have been peer reviewed over the 17 years of research. Many are linked at the bottom of the show notes for additional reference.
Listen in to understand how heat stressed dry cows can destroy your favorite cow families’ production records.
This month features two released paper titled:
(1) Carry-over effects of maternal late-gestation heat stress on granddaughter’s growth and mammary gland development (ck out histology – Fig 1&2)
(2) Programming effects of intrauterine hyperthermia on adrenal gland development
Topics of discussion
1:58 Introduction of Dr. Jimena Laporta
4:17 Describe the experimental design
6:19 Description of the generations impacted through in utero heat stress
7:29 The biological link between the grand dam and the grand daughter (F2)
9:16 Eight years of research to collect multigenerational data
10:39 F1 management in WI beginning at 8 weeks
12:00 F1 mammary implications following heat stress while developing in utero
13:32 F2 calves – changes as a result of dam’s exposure to heat stress while developing in utero
15:01 Early mammary growth
15:32 What is causing these differences in F2
17:35 Lumen space and estrogen receptors
19:06 Summary of 3 generations of damage
20:34 Should I build a lactating barn or dry cow barn?
22:39 The Adrenal Gland
27:38 Adrenal effect on inflammation
28:56 What do you want Boots on the ground dairyman to know
Background Information:
Temperature Humidity Index (THI)
2020 Dairy Science Digest Podcast interview
2020: Late-gestation heat stress impairs daughter and granddaughter lifetime performance (economic impact)
2016: In utero heat stress decreases calf survival and performance through the first lactation
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #heatstress; #fetalprogramming; #F1; #milk; #adrenal; #mammarydevelopment; #mammary; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Choline, a pseudovitamin, is required by all mammals including the dairy cow for many essential functions. Research in supplementing rumen protected choline really took off about twenty years ago, however continues today to best understand how this feed through additive can positively influence profitability.
Dr. Usman Arshad joins the conversation for this episode to highlight his comprehensive summary of all the peer reviewed, published research completed on Choline. Listen in to best understand the assumed mode of action choline uses to help provide an improved efficiency in milk production for the majority of the lactation, even when only fed during the 42-day transition period.
The findings we discuss are published in the recently released paper titled: Exploring choline's important roles as a nutrient for transition dairy cows
Topics of discussion
1:19 Introduction of Dr. Usman Arshad
2:17 What is Choline?
3:45 Phospholipid production – choline’s role
6:15 How does choline impacts the transition Cow
7:46 Fatty acid impact on the Liver
8:39 Major factor choline plays on fatty acid transport
13:16 Twenty year average Milk Response when feeding choline for 42 days (-21 to 21 dim)
15:47 Milk Response when feeding choline – more current average from 2020-2024
17:18 Mode of action, intestinal lining?
20:02 Additional possible modes of action
21:47 Choline as a treatment for fatty liver
23:24 Choline results in elevated milk yield, regardless of body condition score
26:16 Inflammation through in early lactation
27:29 Energy cost of bacterial infection
30:30 What’s the one take home message for boots on the ground dairymen
31:35 Return on investment calculations
Featured article: Exploring choline's important roles as a nutrient for transition dairy cows
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #Choline; #transition; #transitiondairy; #vitamin; #fattyacid; #negativeenergybalance; #TMR; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
DSD 5.3 | Slight modifications of CIDR Sync - help or hinder?
In this time of heifer inventory shortage – getting heifers pregnant (in a timely fashion) is even more important than ever.
Contract heifer growers in California sought the help of Dr. Fabio Lima and his team at UC Davis to best understand the use of a 6-day CIDR sync with variable rates of GnRH could increase pregnancies when bred to sexed semen.
The findings we discuss are published in the recently released Journal of Dairy Science article titled: Effect of 200 μg of gonadorelin hydrochloride at the first GnRH of a CIDR Synch program on ovulation rate and pregnancies per AI in Holstein heifers.
Listen in to hear the results and nuanced details of controlling reproductive structures using timed AI protocols.
Topics of discussion
1:03 Production costs of heifer rearing - survey results
2:09 Introduction of Dr. Fabio Lima
3:46 Description of the project
4:20 TAI protocol description
5:31 Varying GnRH dose
6:34 What is the function of GnRH in the heifer?
7:51 Hallmark of a successful synchronization
8:24 Results of ultrasound (ovulation) and P4 blood sample analysis
10:04 Did increased ovulation translate into improved pregnancy outcome?
10:44 Pregnancy at d47, 100% sex semen discussion
13:41 Relationship of Luteinizing hormone and progesterone
15:16 What causes elevated circulating progesterone
16:30 How did we land on 2cc of GnRH to begin with?
18:34 Does increased GnRH cause increased twinning?
21:02 What do you want boots on the ground dairymen to know
23:01 What if you cherry picked?
23:32 Sometimes the plan doesn’t work – but that’s why we do research!
Featured article: Effect of 200 μg of gonadorelin hydrochloride at the first GnRH of a CIDR Synch program on ovulation rate and pregnancies per AI in Holstein heifers
Articles also discussed in the podcast:
Heifer study using 100 and 200 ug in 5-d CIDR Synch protocol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.026
Studies showing the implication of progesterone for double ovulation (a proxy for twining) and progesterone. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14410
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #gnrh; #CIDRsync; #twinning; #pregnancy; #heiferdevelopment; #TAI; #lutenizing; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Getting the fresh cow off to a strong start has ripple effects for her entire lactation. Subclinical mastitis rarely gets treated due to an unawareness or a lack of interest in pulling her from the tank. Nisin is a naturally occurring antimicrobial that’s been used widely as a food preservative. Dr. Zelmar Rodriguez and his team from Michigan State University looked at using this familiar antimicrobial to treat subclinical mastitis. The result, reduced clinical cases of mastitis.
Listen in to learn more about the return on investment of using Nisin on subclinical mastitis found in the first week of milk using CMT.
These findings are published in the recently released paper titled: Economic impact of treatment of subclinical mastitis in early lactation using intramammary nisin
Topics of discussion
1:20 Introduction of Dr. Zelmar Rodriguez
2:20 What is nisin
3:42 No dump milk
4:10 Subclinical mastitis assessment
5:00 CMT discussion
6:00 What day should we sample
7:00 Subclinical mastitis prevention
7:39 How does CMT work?
8:46 Factors that impact effectiveness
9:18 What will nisin not work on – gram negative discussion
12:36 ROI/cow
13:23 Treatment regimen
13:42 Assessment to begin protocol
15:36 Effect of employee training
17:16 Model at herd level – ROI
19:33 FDA status
20:22 Limitations of using DHIA hot sheet
22:13 What do you want boots on the ground dairymen to know
Featured article: Economic impact of treatment of subclinical mastitis in early lactation using intramammary nisin
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #nisin; #earlylactation; #subclinical; #mastitis; #treatment; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Efficient production is the name of the game, and the key to an efficient cow is her rumen microbiome. The highlighted research this month focuses in on the intersection of Genome of the host cow, Microbiome within the rumen and the Intersection of the two.
To best understand the rumen efficiency story we talk this month with Dr. Guillermo Martinez Boggio from University of Wisconsin, about his recently released paper titled: Host and rumen microbiome contributions to feed efficiency traits in Holstein cows. Here they studied how the rumen and the host interact and if that interaction can become a selection trait in the future.
Much of the discussion today is focused around Carbon chasing. Just like “a penny saved is a penny earned,” whenever carbon is conserved by the rumen microorganism, energy is conserved. This carbon unit of energy can then be used to produce more milk when conserved. Listen in to learn more about the interconnected web between the cow and her microbiome.
Topics of discussion
1:52 Introduction of Dr. Guillermo Martinez Boggio
3:15 Description of project
3:41 Dry matter intake vs Residual feed intake
5:09 Efficient use of Carbon
7:04 Saved energy yields more
8:25 Community of rumen organisms
10:29 What model best served to identify the most efficient digestion
11:35 Using microbiome as another source of information used genomic equation
12:02 Genome | Microbiome | Interaction of MicrobiomeXGenome
12:17 The cow controls the rumen microbiome
12:51 Sire selection traits
14:08 How to obtain the most reliable breeding values
15:35 Using the rumen microorganisms for prediction and selection
16:45 Future research What do you want dairy producers to know from your research
17:21 Identify the “extreme” cows
18:12 Proxy traits
Featured article: Host and rumen microbiome contributions to feed efficiency traits in Holstein cows.
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #microbiome; #methanereduction; #sustainabledairy; #rumen; #stillbirth; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Beef on dairy is here to stay. These cross animals generate a revenue stream for dairies as it lubricates the parallel industry of beef production. Much research is being poured into this topic to ensure producers can make wise breeding choices going forward. This month we talk with Bailey Basiel from Penn State University, about their recently released paper titled: The impact of beef sire breed on dystocia, still birth, gestation length, health, and lactation performance of cows that carry beef x dairy calves.
While we all know how desirable this cross calf is to the market, there’s very little knowledge about how these breedings impact the dam, until now. Listen in to how this research team sought to determine if there were any negative production implications to your dairy herd when you breed to beef.
Topics of discussion
1:27 Introduction of Bailey Basiel
2:26 Objectives of the trial – Impact carrying beef on dairy calf might have on the dairy cow
3:24 Board invited review of Beef on Dairy
4:05 Historical background of Beef on Dairy
5:15 Calf fed Holstein model
7:54 Data set description
10:05 Beef semen description
10:47 Gestation length
13:00 Management changes based on gestation length
14:00 Wagyu crosses
15:00 Long gestation, does that equal stillbirth?
17:10 Health impacts for dams bred to beef semen
20:35 Next research / records needed for genetic assessment -
23:23 What do you want dairy producers to know from your research
Featured article: The impact of beef sire breed on dystocia, still birth, gestation length, health, and lactation performance of cows that carry beef x dairy calves.
Also mentioned in the discussion:
Translational Animal Science Article - Beef on Dairy Review
DSD 1.5 | Beef on Dairy – sire conception rate, Taylor McWhorter
DSD 4.6 | Accounting for Accelerated genetic improvement, Dr. Asha Miles
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #beefondairy; #sexedsemen; #calffedmodel; #gestation; #stillbirth; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel;
Over the past 30 years the reproduction status of dairy has improved substantially, largely due to research around reproduction synchronization. This month we talk to Dr. Paul Fricke and Megan Lauber from the University of Wisconsin, about their recently released paper titled: Effect of postpartum body condition score change on the pregnancy outcomes of lactating Jersey cows inseminated at first service with sexed Jersey or conventional beef semen after a synchronized estrus versus a synchronized ovulation.
We discuss the how to maximize the equation of fertility, through management. Once optimized, you’ll find your herd entering the “high fertility cycle”. When all the stars align, production is high – disease is low and you are able to begin to stack reproductive technologies – such as genomically determined breedings using sexed and beef semen use following the ideal synchronization.
Listen in to learn how to get your herd there and the physiology behind it.
Topics of discussion
1:54 Introduction of Dr. Paul Fricke & Megan Lauber
4:23 Objectives of the trial – stacking reproductive strategies
3:34 On farm monitoring – data collected
6:10 Getting all the cows on day 7 – the key to unlocking fertility
7:44 The history of Luteolysis – why is it so critical?
9:57 Rate limiting step of pregnancy
12:03 2019-2021 xx and beef semen usage
13:54 Research protocols and design
16:20 Equation of reproduction; comparing double ovsync vs estrus
17:50 Estrus or Double ovsync for Sexed semen
16:14 Day 19 – 40 pregnancy loss
17:30 What’s happening when the GnRH shot is given?
22:13 The impact of Body Condition Score (BCS) change on fertility | >0.5
24:53 High fertility cycle
25:52 Not all cows loose condition through transition, those that did were impacted
26:38 Results: Double ovsync helps mitigate poor transition (Figure 4)
29:09 Why does it work? What physiology controls it?
30:15 Fat regulates GnRH?!
32:30 What do you want dairy producers to know from your research
Featured article: Effect of postpartum body condition score c hange on the pregnancy outcomes of lactating Jersey cows inseminated at first service with sexed Jersey or conventional beef semen after a synchronized estrus versus a synchronized ovulation.
Also mentioned in the discussion: Characterization of semen type prevalence and allocation in Holstein and Jersey females in the United States
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #reproductionrevolution; #highfertilitycycle; #Ovsync; #DoubleOvSync; #transition; #transitiondairy; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
Pregnancy is the key to profitability, ensuring your herd remains in the most profitable phase of production. However, these early embryos are delicate and often are not carried out through the entire 283 days of gestation. This month we talk with Dr. Stephen LaBlanc, from the University of Guelph about quantifying the frequency of early pregnancy loss in healthy animal and his team’s quest to determine the impact of a failed transition on the cow’s ability to carry the pregnancy to term.
Through management, a producer can prevent the spiral of negative events that result in increased odds of pregnancy loss. The research team determined day 19 pregnancy and tracked the success, or failure, through day 63. Listen in to hear what different parameters they found to have an increased probability of early pregnancy loss.
These findings were published in the Journal of Dairy Science article titled, “The associations of inflammatory and reproductive tract disorders postpartum and early pregnancy loss in dairy cows” This open access article, is available for download to view while you listen in!
Topics of discussion
1:32 Introduction of Dr. LaBlanc
2:15 Description of Research Herds
3:34 On farm monitoring – data collected
5:55 Uterine sampling
7:32 Uterine cytology at 5 weeks postpartum
8:53 Blood progesterone
9:53 Common cycling rate in early lactation
10:52 Day 19 pregnancy analysis
14:03 Figure 1: Predicted probably of pregnancy – Healthy vs diseased transition
15:19 Conception frequency
16:14 Day 19 – 40 pregnancy loss
17:30 Metritis hangover
18:34 Figure 2: Predicted probably of pregnancy – number of clinical disease
20:00 Single disease vs multiple clinical diseases impact on pregnancy loss
22:31 Driving force to what predicts pregnancy loss in a dairy herd
24:13 One in Five cows
24:49 One two punch of failure
25:05 Inflammation effect on the ovary
27:53 What do you want dairy producers to know from your research
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #earlyembryonicloss; #pregloss, #Ploss; #transition; #transitiondairy; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(23)00726-9/fulltext
Corn silage is such piece in your ration. Much work has been done by corn breeders to create the most ideal plant with high yields, digestible forage AND starch to support lactation. This month we talk with Dr. José Varela and feature a foundational silage project he and his team worked on at the University of Wisconsin to better understand specifically how zein proteins around corn starch particles change overtime when fermented.
Corn breeders throughout the Land Grant University system collaborate and work hard to ensure the next line of genetically superior forage will perform on your operation - but genetics can only go so far. Silage inventory management ensures that the perfect alignment of fully fermented feed for your herd.
This project studied the differences in nutrient availability between 0, 1, 2, 4 & 8 months of fermentation. Listen in to best understand the risks of feeding green chop.
This timely topic is released while many dairies are in the field, or having just finished up with harvest. Take a listen in to best understand the value gained towards improving starch availability for your herd.
These findings were published in the Journal of Dairy Science featured article titled, “Effect of Endosperm Type and Storage Length of Whole Plant Corn Silage on Nitrogen Fraction, Fermentation Products, Zein Profile and Starch Digestibility” Open access, available for download.
Topics of discussion
1:51 Introduction of Dr. Varela
4:00 Kernel Research – Starch matrix
4:54 Description of the corn anatomy
5:30 Three major structures of the kernel
7:11 Vitreousness of the corn kernel
7:45 Role of land grants in research
8:41 Improving the kernel endosperm could also have agronomic flaws
9:58 The process of plot research – self vs cross fertilization to study kernel change
12:19 Chopping silage
12:33 Fermentation over time
13:17 How did the silage change over time
14:08 Results
15:28 α-zeins break down during fermentation
16:03 Figure 2
16:30 Feeding Green Chop
18:42 Drought and high temperatures
21:05 Silage analysis
22:17 Invitro starch digestibility: vitreousness or α-zeins?
23:53 What would you like boots on the ground to know about your research project?
25:17 Forage inventory – make a plan
26:26 Inoculate with protease?
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #protease; #landgrantresearch; #cornsilage, #starch; #milkyieldperacre; #agronomics, #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(23)00558-1/pdf
Research in Ireland is focused around better understanding the intersection of management and cattle nutrition on the quality of the milk produced within a system. This month we talk specifically about three different feeding strategies – TMR, PMR or grass based investigated for an entire lactation.
The vast majority of Irish dairymen attempt to maximize use of grass as the primary feed source for their nation’s dairy herd. Therefore food scientists Dr. André Brodkorb and Mark Timlin and team at Teagasc in Ireland set out to capture quantifiable differences in the milk between systems.
Listen in this month to learn more about the changes in milk quality that could have marketing implications. In addition to shifts in fatty acid profile they also captured milk processing parameter changes. We discuss the possible role that might have on preparing milk for their export markets.
These findings were published in the Journal of Dairy Science featured article titled, Impact of varying levels of pasture allowance on the nutritional quality and functionality of milk throughout lactation” Open access, available for download.
Topics of discussion
2:23 Introduction of researchers 7:11 Describe the Research Herd 8:27 Fatty Acid Analysis 11:00 Biologically relevant CLAs 11:26 Description of 2 types of trans-fatty acids 11:58 CLA concentration differences 12:25 Omega 3 Fatty Acid concentrations 12:44 Increase of ‘good fats’ 13:39 Decreased total fat production 15:16 Somatic Cell count differences – Figure 1 17:38 Figure 3 – separate feeding systems visually by FA 17:56 Figure 4 – visual heat map distinguishing dietary trt 18:42 Biomarkers to determine the difference between grass and TMR 21:36 Expect a production volume decrease 22:43 Grass fed dairy standards 24:21 Pilot scale test products for human intervention trial 27:49 Changes in milk and the impact on processing 30:52 UHT pasteurization and impact on nutrition, AA & FA 34:32 What would you like boots on the ground to know about your research project.
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #grassbasedmilk; #CLA, #grazing; #seasonaldairy; #fattyacid, #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(23)00433-2/fulltext
DSD 4.7 | Is there a relationship between Ketosis and antioxidant ability
For years, dairy producers have worked towards best understanding all the challenges a cow experiences as she transitions from dry into lactation. If we can best identify the animals who take this transition in stride, we can work towards improving the single most challenging part of dairy production. This month, we are joined by two Belgium researchers looking to examine the relationship between antioxidant activity and ketotis, specifically BHBA.
Dr. Fievez, ruminant nutritionist at Ghent University - in Belgium, worked with PhD candidate MQ Zhang to study the metabolic and antioxidant parameters of 110 animals through transition. Listen in to hear what you can learn about the complex transition dairy cow!
These findings were published in the Journal of Dairy Science article titled, “Transition cow clusters with distinctive antioxidant ability and their relation to performance and metabolic status in early lactation.” Open access, available for download. Topics of discussion
3:17 Importance of determining Antioxidative Ability 4:44 Hypothesis – structure of the project 5:16 Metabolic parameters studied and their relationship to oxidation 5:31 Background of BHBA 6:02 Negative energy balance - 6:27 NEFA and Low or High antioxidant activity 6:58 Cows with Lower Antioxidant activity have lower milk yield 7:46 Oxidative Stress and damage – what does it look like? 9:29 How the cow Balances – monitor enzyme profile 10:19 Description of the research herd 11:07 Results – Figure 6; cows with HAA in early lactation, rarely develop metabolic disease 12:33 How NEFA add to oxidative status 12:49 Oxidative action and immune function 16:09 LAA – Higher BHBA – tended to be higher NEFA 18:01 What do you want boots on the ground dairymen to know? 18:49 Dietary inclusion 19:20 Closure
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #antioxidant; #earlylactation, #transition; #transitiondairy; #ketosis, #BHBA; #ReaganBluel
https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(23)00351-X/fulltext
Producers are becoming increasingly willing to make strides in the herd’s genetic progress through using embryo transfer (ET). We’ve seen a 12% increase in this management practice. Dr. Asha Miles, a Research Geneticist from USDA, talks with us about the sire evaluation program and specifically about the impact of on farm reporting of embryo transfer on the data set.
Dr. Miles describes a dataset, updated 3x/year, available to all - accessible through the US Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding portal. This dataset can help producers unlock answers to questions about ideal sires for the herd. She recommends (1) the queries tab if you’re looking for a specific animal who has been genotyped and (2) Top Animal Listing where you can identify the ideal sire on specific indexes or traits.
These findings were published in the Journal of Dairy Science article titled, “Improving national fertility evaluations by accounting for the rapid rise of embryo transfer in US dairy cattle.” Open access, available for download.
Topics of discussion
2:34 Greater than 90 million data points, verification of reproductive performance and collection of data 3:43 Overview of trends in the industry 4:04 Figure 1: Embryo Transfer – recent changes (Figure available on page 5) 6:09 Why has ET increased so much over the past 2 years? 8:14 Sire conception data – identifying / addressing unreported ET implant in dataset to improve genetic evaluations through an edit, to limit bias. 10:28 Talk about Young sires – how can producers be sure that they are using reliable sires 11:55 Some of the bulls with the biggest change in PTAs with our edits were Young Bulls 14:37 How can dairy producers better report data to ensure they are captured 16:44 Transfer of data from herd software 17:44 Sires of the next generation (Figure 6 available on page 10) 18:38 US Council of Dairy Cattle Breeding (USCDCB)– where can they find and what should producers be looking for? 20:10 Net Merit – economic index – Lifetime profit potential 21:11 Personalizing matings 22:44 Reach out – ask for help if you want to advance your herd 24:13 If you have research ideas for USDA reach out
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #sireconception; #SCR, #ET; #embryotransfer; #youngsires, #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(23)00286-2/pdf
Protein is expensive. Farms decreasing protein to save cost or save the environment creates a need to tweak a few things to keep your herd’s rumen running smooth. A rumen starved of protein will result in less branch chained volatile fatty acids (BCVFA) production in the rumen. These BCVFAs help fuel fiber degrading bacteria, and when concentrations are right, digestive efficiency improves – unlocking home-grown, fibrous energy for your herd.
This month we talk with Ohio State’s Dr. Jeffrey Firkins about the work he’s done with Zinpro to find the ideal concentration and combinations of isoacids in your ration. A discussion about how isoacids will change efficiency through improved milk fat production in your multiparous cows and even how this could impact the overall quality of your milk for the consumer.
These are all part of this month’s discussion featuring the Journal of Dairy Science article: “Assessing milk response to different combinations of branched-chain volatile fatty acids and valerate in Jersey cows”
Unlock nitrogen efficiency through improved fiber digestion and see how it impacts your farm's bottom line. Listen in to learn more today!
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #fiberdigestability; #Zinpro; #isoacid; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
What if you were able to tell within the first 10-14 days of lactation, if a cow would settle to first service – two months later? What tools are being developed to help answer that question?
This month we talk with Dr. Stefan Borchardt about work his research team recently completed using AMS (activity monitoring systems) to track the impact of transition, on estrus expression and corelate that to reproductive success or failure.
Understanding the correlations described in this month’s feature article: “Effect of transition cow health and estrous expression detected by an automated activity monitoring system within 60 days in milk on reproductive performance of lactating Holstein cows” will help managers link physiological changes to an AMS data set and make tangible changes to improve their reproduction program.
Early estrous sets the cow up for success, and AMS will become a data driven way to assess this. Listen in today!
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #AMS; #estrous; #VWP; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel
The dairy industry is capital intensive. Maintaining strong relationships with your lender, based on YOUR farm’s financial data, will help navigate through all the different market conditions. Specifically, using financial thresholds and benchmarking against similar farms will help your farm’s financial resiliency over time.
This month Dr. Chris Wolf joins us from Cornell to discuss the article is titled, “Financial risk and resiliency on US dairy farms: Measures, thresholds, and management implications”. Listen in to this deep dive into the metrics the Cornell dairy team used to benchmark over a 10-year period.
Additionally, we discuss the recent Silicon Valley bale out and if we should expect it to have any impact on Ag Lending. Understanding these key financial thresholds is an effective management tool for successful herds throughout New York, listen in to see what they can do for your farm!
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #benchmark; #FINBIN; #CornellBusinessSummary; #financialresiliency
Colostrum: the liquid gold of life for newborn dairy calves. While it’s fairly universally understood how important colostrum is, we occasionally encounter the bizarre situation when a cow comes in with very little or no colostrum. Then, shortly later another cow comes in and nearly overflows the bucket. This situation intrigued researchers out of New York to closely study 19 Holstein herds in attempt to find associations of management to colostrum yield and quantity.
Listen in to Trent Westhoff from Cornell as he discusses the recently published article titled, "Epidemiology of bovine colostrum production in New York Holsteinherds: Cow, management, and environmental factors". You'll learn about the all the associations that can impact colostrum quantity and quality such as barn lighting, dry period management, parity and more.
By anticipating these colostrum inventories you'll ultimately become a better manager of your newborn calves - Listen in!
To read the full Open access JDS article: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00750-0/pdf
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY
A good rule of thumb many nutritionists work by; when the cow increases intake - every 1 pound of feed increase will result in 2.5 additional pounds of milk. Capturing this “marginal milk” helps increase profits for dairy producers who are already covering all the fixed costs of the herd. For years, Dr. Mike Allen and others have studied the mechanisms that control intake so we can learn how to tweak our diet to maximize intake.
This month Dr. Barry Bradford joins us from Michigan State University to discuss the article is titled, “Fueling Appetite: Nutrient metabolism and the control of feed intake”. Listen in to this symposium review on this important topic to learn how we can manipulate the ration ingredients, or fuel source, to help increase her drive to eat and prevent negative feedback.
Understanding these mechanisms can help us better read and manage the herd’s needs through all phases of production and capture these profit margin opportunities.
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY
On-farm data mining from your parlor equipment could help you identify bimodality in your herd. Bimodality refers to delayed milk ejection during the early phase of the milking. Previous research and repeated work by M. Wieland’s team has shown that a delay in milk let down can result in a significant loss of milk. Equipped with this information our guest this month, Dr. Matthias Wieland, would take a sophisticated tool on farms to test parlor efficiency and effectiveness in milkout.
One trip he wondered – Could we reliability use parlor equipment to make similar assessments? This month we learn the answer to that question highlighted in the featured article, “Comparison of 2 types of milk flow meters for detecting bimodality in dairy cows”.
Listen in to learn more about the negative impacts of bimodality in your herd, what parlor equipment can do to help and ultimately how to motivate the parlor staff to break the cycle of bimodality. A little attention on this low hanging fruit could make a big impact in your bottomline - your software may be collecting all the information needed to manage through bimodality.
For more information visit:
Quality milk production services (QMPS)https://www.vet.cornell.edu/animal-health-diagnostic-center/programs/quality-milk-production
Other Recently published, relevant articles from Wieland Risk factors for delayed milk ejection in Holstein dairy cows milked 3 times per day, Wieland et al. Journal of Dairy Science June 27, 2022
The effect of 2 different premilking stimulation regimens, with and without manual forestripping, on teat tissue condition and milking performance in Holstein dairy cows milked 3 times daily J. Dairy Sci. 2020
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a costly concern primarily during the calf phase production. This is especially relevant to veal production, when young and venerable calves are commingled from many farms. However, BVD breakouts can also occur on calf ranches raising dairy x beef calves or even individual dairy farms.
This month Dr. Stan Jourquin joins us from Ghent University in Belgium to discuss his article is titled, “Dynamics of subclinical pneumonia in male dairy calves in relation to antimicrobial therapy and production outcomes”. Listen in to learn how pneumonia might be lurking in your herd without your knowledge.
Consider ways to use ultrasound as a tool to quickly and reliability assess animals upon receipt to allow for differential management. Overall losses, from chronically ill animals, could be decreased by warding off the spread of infection and promoting early cure. Once lungs are severely consolidated, these animals are 4.2x more likely to become chronic and experience -0.25 lbs average daily gain over this phase of production.
For more information visit: Open access Journal article: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00644-0/fulltext UC Davis BRD Clinical symptom scoring system: https://www.vmtrc.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk5141/files/local_resources/pdfs/BRD_ANR_Brochure_Nov%202016%20FINAL.PDF
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY
Fetal programming is an emerging topic. This month listen in to learn more about how feeding Choline to your transition pen could transform the metabolism and next generation of the herd. Researcher Dr. Tucker Swartz at the Michigan State University and his team in Bradford’s lab fed choline 24 days prior to freshening and measured the impact on the calf's success through the preweaning phase. These results are in press in the Journal of Dairy Science titled, “Effects of prenatal dietary rumen-protected choline supplementation during late gestation on calf growth, metabolism, and vaccine response.”
They found impacts in the energy metabolism and immune function. Listen in for more information on how this affordable addition holds a large ROI on this phase of production and more.
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY
While it is a fairly unpopular topic among most dairymen, the carbon neutrality goal for 2050 has been declared by leaders of the dairy industry to ensure we are meeting the desires of consumers. This month Dr. Frank Mitloehner joins us from UC Davis to discuss his article is titled, “Defining a pathway to climate neutrality for US dairy cattle production”. Listen in to learn how this goal can become an asset to your balance sheet, through carbon credits on the open market.
We discuss the State of California and their relationship with their dairy industry as a case study. The ultimate result of an investment of public money has propelled CA dairy producers toward the goal of a 40% decrease in dairy methane by 2030.
Revenues generated from the methane digesters result following the conversion of gas into a useable fuel for vehicles and the sale of carbon credits on the open market. Listen in to better understand the ideal size of operation, costs of install, annual assets and how to be part of the climate solution while cashflowing.
Dr. Mitloehner can be found on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/GHGGuru and https://twitter.com/UCDavisCLEAR.
For more information visit:
https://clear.ucdavis.edu/news/climate-neutrality https://youtu.be/UOPrF8oyDYw and
2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; @jdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY
This month Drs. Keith E. Latham and J. Richard Pursley join us from Michigan State University to discuss their research comparing cows that maintained body condition versus those who lost during the first month of lactation, and the impact that has on reproductive success.
Dairy producers are familiar with the struggles cows have when the transition period fails and cows thin down. Turns out these researchers identified part of the reproductive puzzle, a molecular change on the oocyte which potentially explains poor fertility for those who loose condition.
Listen in as Dr. Pursley describes the “High fertility cycle” your herd can experience when all the puzzle pieces fall in place. He’ll provide reproductive benchmarks to assess to ensure your herd avoids over conditioning and therefore improve reproductive performance in the following lactation.
This month’s feature article “Effects of early lactation body condition loss in dairy cows on serum lipid profiles and on oocyte and cumulus cell transcriptomes” is found here in the Journal of Dairy Science. For more information about Bovine Reproduction, visit the MSU Bovine Reproductive management website at: https://dairycattlereproduction.com/
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Figure 6 - Referenced in the DSD 3.8
How much would you value knowing that she’s bred earlier than convention? Canadian researcher Dr. Jean Durocher and his team at DHI was approached by dairy producers to determine the feasibility of weekly milk PAG testing all the way down to 23 days post insemination, potentially helping resync and rebreed her a week earlier.
The cost of days open can range from $3.00-$5.50/cow/day. Knowing her status sooner will assist in decreasing these costs.
This month’s feature article “Bayesian estimation of sensitivity and specificity of a milk pregnancy-associated glycoprotein ELISA test for pregnancy diagnosis between 23 and 27 days after insemination in Holstein dairy cows” found here.
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This timely edition addresses questions about the feasibility of Forage Sorghum and Sorghum Sudangrass for your lactating herd. There have been numerous advances to these forages over time resulting in hybrids. Dr. Luis Ferraretto, from the University of Wisconsin, is featured for this June addition to discuss a retroactive study predicting dry matter intake, milk production, and production’s impact on intake using 11 years of sorghum plot data from Central FL.
Listen in to better understand the effect of planting season and ways to navigate using these "improved” forages in your dairy’s program.
Could this forage fit and fill an opportunity to improve tonnage of home grown forage and in your operation? A carefully crafted TMR including forage sorghum could result to be a decreased reliance on purchased nutrients while maintaining your typical milk production levels.
The featured Journal of Dairy Science article titled: “Effects of season, variety type, and trait on dry matter yield, nutrient composition, and predicted intake and milk yield of whole-plant sorghum forage” is found at https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00293-4/fulltext
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The transition period has been investigated for nearly 4 decades. Over this time, much has changed in dairy industry including herd management and genetics. Dr. Kerwin, from Cornell, joins us today to discuss the robust observational project documenting the management of 72 successful herds in NY and VT. The project involved tracking the same cohort of cows on each farm for 11 weeks to capture the far off, close up, fresh and peak lactation cow over time.
Part 1 of the paper focuses on the management of the herds within the existing farm infrastructure. These topics including grouping dynamics, fresh cow checks and stocking density and how these parameters impact biomarkers (NEFA, βHB and haptoglobin).
Beginning at 20:44, she discusses how the biomarkers effect the health, production and reproductive success of the herd. Their model identified an association between the biomarkers and production, negative health disorders, and reproduction (25:13).
Don't miss this foundational herd biomarker benchmarking paper for understanding your transition pen goals - Listen in now! apologies for the sound quality due to poor internet connectivity Next episode will be better!
HERD ALARM LEVELS: (multi= mature cows, primi = first calf heifers, Pre=Prepartum, post=postpartum)
PRE NEFA: when >30% multip cows sampled are >0.17 mmol/L = 6% increase disease 21d PR: >15% multi – 6% decrease 21d PR > 40% primi – 3.9% decrease 21d PR
POST NEFA: >0.59mmol/L > 15% Multi: 5.8% > 15% Primi: 4.2% increase in disorder
Post NEFA 305ME Milk – Multi: >30% = >0.48 mmol/L decreased milk 1735lbs Primi – Not Significant
POST BHB: >15% @ >1.2mmol/L 8.5% increase disorder 305ME Milk: >0.9mmol/L Multi: >10% +229kg Primi: >20% +332kg 21d PR: >15%, >0.9 mmol/L 3.2% decrease Prob of Preg - 5.2% decrease PRFS – 7.0 % decrease
POST HAPLOGOBIN: >20%, >0.45g/L = 5.3% increase in disorder incidence
Two companion articles were featured. These are found at: Part 1: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00243-0/pdf Part 2: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00244-2/pdf
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The final frontier for ruminant nutritionists - understanding all the intricacies and nuances of the microorganisms in the rumen. We know the rumen is adaptable and must anticipate these changes to better manage our herd. This month we talk with Dr. Mary Beth Hall, US Dairy Forage Research center, who investigated the relationship of non-fibrous carbohydrates and rumen degradable protein in the rumen and on production.
In 2022, we anticipate nutritionists will try out a variety of different energy sources throughout 2022, due to the challenging commodity markets. The research team specifically looked at feeding different rates of molasses (sugar) or ground corn (starch) when in the presence or absence of rumen degradable protein. She describes the results when her team ‘looked under the hood’.
Listen in for this timely understanding of what to expect when shifting from a starch to a sugar and how to best manage ‘under the hood’ to keep your herd running smoothly.
Two companion articles were featured. These are found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00187-4/fulltext https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00186-2/fulltext
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Positive Profit. Every herd is chasing financial resilience. It is especially relevant on our minds having just completed our schedule Fs and planning for 2022 planting season.
Have you ever wondered the lifetime profit of a cow in your herd? How about the average break even for each cow in the herd? Dr. Hadrich was raised on a dairy and questioned the impact of these individual cow differences. To answer these questions, she and her team took on-farm quickbook financials and merged them with individual cattle DHIA data from 67 Minnesota herds. This information maps out the cow-level cumulative lifetime break-even impact on financial assessment.
Individual cow lifetime profit between “resilient” and “non-resilient” herds is compared. Lifetime expenses varied substantially, between the two. These differences were found across farm sizes, heifer development costs, lifetime feed and “non-feed” expenses (which includes labor).
Listen in to hear how you can assess the financial resilience of your herd!
The full article is found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00137-0/fulltext
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The hurdles of the transition period were first identified nearly 3 decades ago. Since then, researchers have been working towards improved understanding of adipose tissue metabolism to fuel the dairy cow during this window of time.
This month we interview the author of the Symposium Review titled: The role of adipose tissue in transition dairy cows: current knowledge and future opportunities, Dr. Sabine Mann, DVM from Cornell University.
We discuss the effects of and how to monitor circulating NEFAs during early lactation. Dr. Mann’s article is an extensive review of this topic and provides obtainable management practices to help your transitioning herd.
The full article is found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(21)01110-3/fulltext
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Settling the problem breeder is an achievement every dairy manager wants to better understand. This month’s topic focuses in on the role of GnRH injections and the relationship with the cow’s activity. Listen in as Dr. Tracy Burnett, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver Canada, studied this topic and has added to our conventional wisdom about GnRH’s role.
Her work was recently published @JournalofDairyScience is titled: Impact of GnRH administration at the time of Artificial insemination on Conception risk and its association with estrus expression.
This article is found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(21)01028-6/fulltext
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Dehorning, the task no one loves. This month pain expert Dr. Michael D. Kleinhenz, from Kansas State, describes research his team conducted to test the effectiveness of long-acting bupivacaine for pain relief during and following disbudding. Listen in to learn about a novel approach to measure pain levels, to determine the effectiveness of Bupivacaine for FDA approval.
The article highlighted from the @JournalofDairyScience is titled: Effect of bupivacaine liposome suspension administered as a cornual nerve block on indicators of pain and distress during and after cautery dehorning in dairy calves Found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(21)01042-0/fulltext
For more information about how to conduct a cornual nerve block on indicators of https://aabp.org/committees/resources/Pain_Brochure_8-15.pdf or https://www.appliedanimalscience.org/action/showPdf?pii=S2590-2865%2821%2900010-0
If you would like to sponsor a future podcast, please reach out at: reagan@modairy.org
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As the dairy cow transitions from dry to lactating, she experiences numerous changes. This month we learn more about the biological details of fat metabolism. Dr. Contreras, from Michigan State University, guides us through a discussion around the project specifically focusing in on what occurs to the fat, at a cellular level, of a cow challenged by disease – specifically ketosis.
Listen in to better understand the 3 major mechanisms to control fat mobilization in your fresh cow pen. This “benchtop” laboratory work has paved the way to brainstorm supportive solutions.
The article highlighted from the @JournalOfDairyScience is titled: Lipopolysaccharide induces lipolysis and insulin resistance in adipose tissue from dairy cows. Found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(21)00970-X/fulltext
If you would like to sponsor a future podcast, please reach out at: reagan@modairy.org.
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To help save feed costs, many producers have turned to on farm feed as a resource. However, what is not well understood is the impact of this choice for dairies using automatic milking systems (AMS), or robots.
Dr. Greg Penner and his team at the University of Saskatchewan researched the feasibility of using home grown, steam-flaked barley versus pelleted barley for guided-flow AMS barns.
Listen in this month to learn what the potential impact of this management choice on your lactating herd. The title of the @JournalofDairyScience article in press is: Comparing steam-flaked and pelleted barley grain in a feed-first guided-flow automated milking system for Holstein cows. In press in volume 104.
The improved audio on this recording is thanks to a generous supporter of the Dairy Science Digest podcast. If you would like to sponsor a future podcast, please reach out at: reagan@modairy.org.
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This month we’re going to navigate a bit away from production practices and talk about consumers understanding of our products. By better understanding HOW consumers view the image of our industry, we can become better advocates and perhaps sell more products. Dr. Laurel Redding joins us today from the University of Pennsylvania, school of Veterinary medicine. Her Journal of dairy Science article, currently in press, is titled: Educational interventions to address misconceptions about antibiotic residues in milk can alter consumer perceptions and may affect purchasing habits.
She studied the effect of 3 different educational materials on consumer's opinion of dairy. The three used are: 1. Control - https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/dairy 2. Brochure: https://figshare.com/articles/figure/Untitled_item/15166713 3. Video: https://vimeo.com/518895384
Listen in to see how just 3 minutes change change the minds of your future dairy consumers!
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Essential trace elements are “essential” because the diet is the only source. However, sometimes because they are trace, we tend to forget about the importance.
Listen in this month to learn from Dr. David Casper about the importance of cobalt in energy metabolism of your lactating herd. This specific research project is discussing the difference between sources of cobalt, carbonate vs lactate.
The title of the @JournalofDairyScience: Supplementing additional cobalt as cobalt lactate in a high forage total mixed ration fed to late lactation dairy cows, is currently in press in volume 104.
The improved audio on this recording is thanks to a generous supporter of the Dairy Science Digest podcast. If you would like to donate, please reach out at: reagan@modairy.org.
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Timing is everything - by shifting your prepartum vaccination program by one week, can make big difference in the success of your transition program. Dr. Schuenemann, Ohio State’s Extension state dairy veterinarian, investigated the difference between giving prepartum vaccines at day -28 vs -21. Listen in to hear why the industry should consider the shift to 4 weeks out to improve uptake of IgG in the mammary, the site we need it.
This continues our theme of: “Doesn’t cost a thing” – management changes we can make that make a difference. This podcast highlights the two part papers in press in the Journal of Dairy Science titled:
Effects of prepartum vaccination timing relative to pen change with an acidogenic diet on serum and colostrum immunoglobulins in Holstein dairy cows and The effect of Prepartum Vaccination relative to pen change with an acidogenic diet on lying time and metabolic profile in Holstein dairy cows.
Both are currently in press at the @JournalofDairyScience, 104.
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Heifer development, one of the most expensive enterprises on the farm, all expense with delayed return. This month, Dr. Jolet Van Niekerk summarizes a comprehensive review of heifer development in the Journal of Dairy Science, titled: New frontiers in calf and heifer nutrition—From conception to puberty.
This article in press is the ADSA Foundation Scholar award recipient for its comprehensive review. While there are many things we can manage that does have cost, surprisingly the most important message Dr. Van Niekerk wanted dairy producers to know, DOESN'T COST A THING!
We hope you'll listen in -
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In this edition of Dairy Science digest Dr. Matt Lucy, Editor in chief of the Journal of Dairy Science Communication and Reproduction physiologist from the University of Missouri, discusses work he and team published this month about successfully synchronizing late calvers in a seasonal calving system.
Grazers represent a large portion of Missouri's dairy industry. Ensuring a tight calving window helps match cows with ideal forage growth pattern.
Tune in to learn how to effectively "reset" those late calving cows.
Dairy Science digest covers the most current topics being published in the Journal of Dairy Science.
Designed to never exceed 20 minutes, this podcast provides the “need to know” information for dairy producers with boots on the ground.
Here's direct (open) access to the journal article in press titled:"Reproductive performance of early- and late-calving dairy cows artificially inseminated after ovulation synchronization and estrous resynchronization orartificially inseminated after observed estrus"
@JournalofDairyScience
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In this edition of Dairy Science digest Dr. Bill Weiss, from The Ohio State University, discusses work he and his co-author Alex Tebbes recently completed on determining the ideal amount of crude protein for your fresh cow pen. Additionally, they determined the sweet spot for forage for the recently fresh cow to ensure the highest intake - and therefore energy corrected milk.
The INVESTMENT in the first 24 days, showed carryover effects for 11 weeks in lactation - easily supporting the elevated cost.
Here's direct access to the journal article in press titled: "Concurrent and carryover effects of feeding blends of protein and amino acids in high-protein diets with different concentrations of forage fiber to fresh cows. 1. Production and blood metabolites"
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JournalofDairyScience
In this edition of Dairy Science digest Professor Mike Coffey, a researcher from the Scotland, describes the advancements with inline milk sampling. He explains how improvements in technology allows us to analyze subtle changes in the milk. These subtle changes occur with pregnancy, disease, metabolic disruptions and even to differentiate efficient cattle from the less efficient.
This non-invasive data collection opportunity could radically transform the information we could use to manage our herd.
Dairy Science digest covers the most current topics being published in the Journal of dairy science. Designed to never exceed :20, this podcast provides the “need to know” information for dairy producers with boots on the ground.
This episode highlights: “Predicting pregnancy status from mid-infrared spectroscopy in dairy cow milk using deep learning” is in press in the #journalofdairyscience and can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18367
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This episode we learn from Dr. Bradley Heins, from the University of Minnesota, all about integrating solar into your dairy grazing operation. He has learned about construction considerations, cow cleanliness and the shading effect of solar panels added to a rotational system.
His research titled "Evaluation of solar photovoltic systems to shade cows in a pasture-based dairy herd", is in press in the Journal of Dairy Science volume 104.
@journaldairyscience #2xAg2030
Keywords: Dairy, Solar, grazing, heat stress
On this episode of Dairy Science Digest Fayth Kumro, MS Animal Sciences from the University of Missouri discusses Flashmate. This heat detection device uses touch screen technology to determine when your cows are in heat. Her research was conducted in both grazing operations and confinement.
Learn more about how to affordably improve heat detection in your herd to keep your cows in the most productive phase of lactation.
Read the abstract or request the article at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(20)30975-9/fulltext
Journal of Dairy Science & JDS Communications
Dairy Science Digest's Reagan Bluel interviews Dr. Chad Dechow, Geneticist from Penn St., to discuss the sweet spot in heifer development for the 7th episode of Dairy Science Digest.
This 15 year research project supported that the biggest heifers aren't the most profitable for your operation. Heaviest heifers are 49% more likely to be culled at a given time.
Moderate sized heifers that reach between 73-77% mature rate at first calving can produce more milk WITHOUT sacrificing long term milk yield and herd life.
Dechow's Journal of Dairy Science article is in press and found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(20)30916-4/fulltext
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Can a few bolus' of aspirin really make a difference? Listen here to hear the research of Dr. Adrian Barragan, of Penn State University, discussing how this simple therapy can have a huge impact on inflammation, and therefore productivity of your fresh cows.
Dairy Science digest is a monthly podcast hosted by Reagan Bluel, of MU - Extension Dairy team, designed to bring the latest Dairy Science research to the ears of dairy producers. Targeted to not exceed 22 minutes, its the "need to know info" to base your management decisions on.
More information visit:
https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(20)30765-7/fulltext
https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(20)30766-9/fulltext
and https://news.psu.edu/story/629554/2020/08/25/research/aspirin-after-calving-can-provide-relief-dairy-cows-increase-milk
Dairy science digest #5 interviews Taylor McWhorter, from Georgia, to discuss considerations when selecting beef sires for your breeding program. Specifically focusing in on sire conception rates or SCR.
Journal of Dairy Science, Sept 2020. Title: Investigating conception rate for beef service sires bred to dairy cows and heifers.
In this edition of Dairy Science Digest, Stan Moore from MI State provides us insight to what employees (both hired and family) need to feel committed to your farm. Quality relationships are easy to develop, as long as your mindful of your approach. Listen in to catch nuggets of critical information to meet your farm where you are in the stage of workforce development.
In this edition Reagan Bluel interviews Dr. Jimena Laporta, from the University of Florida, about heat stress in your dry cow herd.
We've learned, from a decade of data, that heat stress on a dam during the dry period causes a change to her calf that last a lifetime and is passed down to her offspring. This change causes decreased milk production, productive life and profitability. Listen in to learn how a small investment in prevention can have a huge return.
Dairy Science digest is a monthly podcast developed to share current research in Dairy Science. The "need to know" info to help manage your herd. This month, Dr. Richard Chebel, from the University of FL discusses the effect of bringing SCR collars into a high producing Holstein herd in FL.This research looked at using the activity collars for conventional AI, TAI and to better refine the window for your ET program. See https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17892.
Dairy Science digest is a new podcast developed to share current research published in the Journal of Dairy science. Only the "need to know" info to help you manage your herd.
This edition features an interview with author, Casey Havekes, discussing the how to perfect your transition cow "Goldilocks" diet. To see the full article visit: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/current