KY Dairy Notes (October '22)
Tip of the Month
Practice the 3 S’s when managing springers
Softness- providing a comfortable place to lie down which is stocked at < 100% of capacity.
Space—providing adequate bunk space (at least 30 inches/cow) to maximize intake.
Screen- to identify cows, which are failing. Protocols utilizing technology definitely have a place in the management of transition cows. However, they cannot replace the need for a “cow person” to walk around, observe cows, and implement protocols. This serves as a reminder that people with good cow sense and who pay attention to details are invaluable in avoiding potential disasters.
— Dr. Nigel Cook, UW Madison
Butterfat Percentage or Milk Yield: Which is More Important for a Dairy Farm’s Income?
With increasing wholesale prices for butter and cream, prices received on-farm for butterfat have increased over historic levels, making one rethink if additional income can come from improvements in butterfat. Which is more important in today’s markets? To Learn More
How Can You Get More Pounds of Milkfat From Your Dairy Herd?
Controlling Nuisance Birds in Dairy Facilities
Foot care needs to include preemptive practices to reduce incidence of lame cows
