Dairy Extension
Publications
Integrating Financial and Production Records
- Are You Competitive as a Dairy Manager?
- Is Your Dairy Business a Good Investment Risk in your Banker's Eyes?
- Regular Review of Financial Records Trait of Profitable Dairy Herds
- Take Time to Review the Business Side of Your Dairy Operation
Budgeting
- The Power of Partial Budgeting in Dairy Decision Making
- Sources of Financial Information to Measure Business Performance
Cost of Production and Controlling Costs
Culling
- Are You Making “Profitable Culling” Decisions?
- Dynamics and Strategies for Culling in a Dairy Herd
- To Keep or To Cull
DHI Records
- ID-212: Using DHIA Records for Somatic Cell Count Management
- Using SCC to Evaluate Subclinical Mastitis Cows
Farm Transitions and Other Farm Enterprises
General Management
- A Business Management Look at Higher Feed Costs
- Building Resilient Dairy Farms
- Dairy Cow Grouping: Is it for Your Farm?
- Rosy-Lane Holsteins’ Goal — “Get Cows to Last”
- Setting Priorities for the Dairy Farm Business
- What Has This All Been About?
- Will This Be a Year of Mission, Goals and Tactics?
Labor Management
- Building a Dairy Farm Team
- Labor Management on Dairy Farms
- Managing and Training Labor Responsible for Milking Dairy Cows
- Managing Labor Responsible for Feeding the Lactating Dairy Herd
- Standard Operating Procedures
What to Do in Tough Times
Effectively Moving Cattle - Cow Behavior and Facility Management
- Are Your Cows Getting Enough Sleep Each Night?
- Good Dairy Stockmanship: Moving Dairy Cows the Correct Way
- The Importance of Good Handling Skills for Dairy Cows
- What Kind of Housing Should I Build for My Milking Herd?
Heat Stress Management
- Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Fans?
- Improving Ventilation in Dairy Cow Barns
- Maintenance of Fans Impact Electric Bills
Compost Bedded Pack Barns
- Cleaning Out and Restarting Your Compost Bedding Pack Barn
- When Using Green Sawdust, Use these Precautions
- Winter Management of Dairy Compost Bedded Pack Barn
- ID-178: Compost Bedded Pack Barns in Kentucky
- ID-206: Compost Bedded Pack Barn Design: Features and Management Decisions
Free Stall Management
- Controlling Nuisance Birds in Dairy Facilities
- Do's and Don'ts When Managing Freestalls for Dairy Cows
- Holding Pen Management - Improving Cow Comfort for the Dairy Herd
- ASC-178: Opportunities for Improved Cow Comfort through Freestall Barn Renovations
Stall Management
- What is the Optimum Stocking Density for Your Housing System?
- Preventing Mastitis Starts with Proper Management of Stall Bedding
Tie-Stall Management
On-Farm Management of Herd Health Programs
Foot-Related Issues
- Dynamics of Lameness in Dairy Cows
- Hoof Trimming of Dairy Cows
- Identifying and Preventing Causes of Lameness in Your Dairy Herd
- Management Protocols Important in Preventing Lameness in Dairy Cattle
- Managing and Controlling Digital Dermatitis
- Understanding Digital Dermatitis
Fresh Dairy Cow Diseases
- Causes and Prevention Strategies of Fresh Cow Diseases
- Subclinical Hypocalcemia, or Milk Fever, in Dairy Cows - Why All the Fuss?
- Subclinical Milk Fever
- Understanding Metritis in Dairy Cows
Replacement Heifers
General Herd Health
- Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV): What it is and What Does it Mean to Me?
- Harmful Algal Blooms - Are My Cattle in Danger?
- Mycotoxins and their Effects on Dairy Cattle
- Parasite Carrying Tick Increases Risk of Theileria Infection in Cattle
- Preventing Summer Mastitis In Heifers Begins with Horn Fly Control
- Reducing Flies Helps Keep Herds Healthy
- Strategic Management of Anaplasmosis in Kentucky
en Español
Milking Procedure Posters
Troubleshooting Using Records
- How Well Are Your Dairy Cows Performing When It Comes to Milk Quality? Part 1: Fresh Cows
- How Well Are Your Dairy Cows Performing When It Comes to Milk Quality? - Part 2: Evaluating Cows in the Milking Herd
- Using DHIA Records for Somatic Cell Count Management
Correctly Implementing Milking Procedures On-Farm
- Explain the Why’s Along with the How’s When Training Employees and Family Members to Milk Cows
- Pre-Milking Cow Prep Influences Somatic Cell Count
- "Why, Oh Why, Do I Need To Do That?”
Mastitis Treatment
- Are You Treating Cases of Clinical Mastitis Correctly for the Best Chance of a Cure?
- Effectively Using Antibiotics To Treat Mastitis
- Extended Therapy for Mastitis
- Staphylococcus aureus Mastitis Part I - Cow Factors that Influence the Chance of Cure
- Staphylococcus aureus Mastitis Part II-Bacterial Characteristics and Treatment Choices that Influence the Chance of Cure
Prevention of Mastitis in Dry and Fresh Cows
Collecting and Culturing Milk Samples
Newborn Calf Management
- Cold Stress and Newborn Calves
- Colostrum Management for Dairy Calves
- Colostrum Replacers for Dairy and Beef Calves - Do They Work?
- Dairy Calf Survival Starts with Management Practices "Practice the Basics Daily"
- Heifer Feeding Practices the First 3 Days of Life Impact Growth and Production
Calf Feeding Practices
- Dairy Calf Management Practices Impact Future Production
- Dairy Calves are Picky Eaters
- Dairy Calves Need Water In Addition to their Milk and Starter
- Practice the 5 C's of Dairy Calf Management
- Today’s Management Practices Program Tomorrow’s Milk Production
- Winter Feeding and Management Practices for Dairy Calves
Calf Housing Options
Calf Health
- Calf Diarrhea-New Research into Oral Electrolyte Therapy
- Calf Survival and Future Milk Production Tied to Colostrum-Feeding
- Diarrhea in Dairy Calves: Role of Supportive Therapy
- Early Identification of Sick Dairy Calves Important to Their Survival and Future Milk Production
- Management Practices of the Dam Impact the Health of Dairy Calves Long Term
- Measuring the Success of a Dairy's Colostrum Management Program
- Preventing Cryptosporidiosis, Commonly Called Crypto, in Dairy Calves
- Is a Protozoan Villain (Known as Coccidiosis) Robbing Your Dairy Calves and Yearlings?
- What to Look for in an Oral Electrolyte Product
Weaned Calves
- Post-Weaning Period Critical Time for Dairy Heifers
- Use Bovatec or Rumensin in Recently Weaned Dairy Heifer Grain Mixes
- Why Do My Dairy Calves Not Grow Well After They Are Weaned?
General Heifer Management
- Cost Containment Is Important When Raising Dairy Replacements
- How Many Dairy Replacements Are Needed To Maintain Your Dairy's Herd Size?
- Preventing Summer Mastitis In Heifers Begins with Horn Fly Control
- What Is it Costing You to Raise Your Replacement Dairy Heifers?
Heifers - Feeding
Dry Cow General Management
- Dry Cows Need Different Light Cycles
- Feeding and Managing the Far-Off Dry Cow
- Quick Tips When Managing Dry Dairy Cows
- The Next Lactation Starts at the End of the Previous Lactation
- Want to Improve Your Dairy Herd’s Reproductive Program?
- Want to Improve Your Income by $450 More Per Cow
Metabolic Disorders
- Displaced abomasum (DA)- Causes and Prevention Strategies
- Early Lactation Ketosis- Causes and Prevention Strategies
- Metritis- Causes and Prevention Strategies
- Milk Fever- Causes and Prevention Strategies
- Subclinical Hypocalcemia, or Milk Fever, in Dairy Cows - Why All the Fuss?
Transition Dairy Cows
Articles regarding feeding and management of close-up dry cows through 3 weeks after calving
- Develop a Forward-Thinking Management Plan for Your Fresh Dairy Cows
- Management of Fresh Dairy Cows Critical for a Dairy's Profitability
- Management Practices before Calving Help Prevent Fresh Dairy Cows from Becoming "Losers"
- Review Your Management Practices for Your Fresh and Dry Cows
- Sound Fresh Dairy Cow Nutrition Practices Necessary to Get Cows Off To A Good Start
- Summertime Dry Cow Management
- Training Self-Motivated, Independent "Cow" Employees
en Español
Balancing Rations
Impact on Profitability
- Profitable Dairy Diets Start and End with Dairy Managers
- Profitable Feeding Programs for Dairy Cattle
- "The Little Things" Can Greatly Impact Your Profitability
- Top Ways to Tweak Dairy Nutritional Management to Improve Profitability: Part 1
- Top Ways to Tweak Dairy Nutritional Management to Improve Profitability: Part 2
- What Does it Cost You to Feed Your Cows?
Nutrients
- Are Your Dairy Cows Getting the Protein They Need?
- Minerals and Vitamins are Important or Healthy and Profitable Dairy Cows
- Phosphorus Is Important for Optimum Milk Production and Reproduction in Dairy Cattle
- Water—the Nutrient We Often Take for Granted
- What Factors have the Greatest Impact on Your Dairy Cows' Nutrient Requirements?
Nutrition's Effects on Health and Reproduction
- Does Nutrition Impact Reproductive Performance?
- Nutrition, Especially Trace Minerals, Impacts a Dairy Cow's Health
Supplements (Grains and Byproducts)
- Comparing Prices for Wet to Dry Byproducts
- Evaluating Feed Additives for Your Dairy Herd
- Negotiate Price Contracts for Dairy Cattle Concentrate or Grain Mixes
- Pros and Cons of Feeding Corn Gluten Feed and Distillers Grains
- Using Byproducts to Feed Dairy Cattle
Facilities and Nutrition
Cow Comfort
- Allocating Time to Observe Your Dairy Cows Pays Dividends
- Are Your Cows Getting Enough Sleep Each Night?
- Comfortable, Content Cows Give More Milk
- Comfortable Dairy Cows Are More Profitable for Their Owners
- Do's and Don'ts When Managing Freestalls for Dairy Cows
- Improving and Maintaining Cow Comfort
- Overcrowding May Decrease Cud Chewing
Heat Stress
- Dairy Feeding and Management Considerations during Heat Stress
- Decreases in Milk Production Seen 1 to 2 Days after Heat Stress Event
- Six Key Critical Management Summertime Practices
en Español
Feeding and Management Practices
Feed Management
- Are You Controlling the Controllables In Your Dairy Business?
- Checklist for the Top 5 Priorities for Fall/Winter Dairy Feeding Programs
- Manage the 3 F Components of Your Nutrition Program
- Targeting Dairy Feeding Programs for Less Feed Waste or Shrink
Skills of Dairy Managers
- Be Persnickety When Managing Your Dairy Herd!
- Don’t Fall for the Dairy Robo-Call Storyline
- How Do You Define the Role of Your Nutritional Consultant?
- Management Important for Achieving a 45,000 lbs. Average Herd Production
- Should You Consider Using The Newest Product?
- Successful Dairy Managers-- What Does It Take to Be One?
- Wisely Invest in Your Most Precious Commodity - Your Time
Feed Intake and Feeding Behavior
- Are Your Feeding Practices on Target?
- Importance of Feeding Behavior on Milk Production
- How Do You Decide If You Should Have 1 or 2 Feeding (High and Low) Groups for the Milking Dairy Herd?
- Managing Your Dairy Cows Feed Intake is Under Your Control
- More Feed = More Milk
- Observation is the Key to Being a Cow Whisperer
Managing Labor
- Managing Labor Responsible for Feeding the Lactating Dairy Herd
- Using Your Feed, Labor, and Financial Resources Wisely
General
en Español
- Lista de Chequeo de las 5 Prioridades más Importantes del Programa de Alimentación de Otoño/Invierno en un Hato Lechero
- Manejo de Mano de Obra Responsable de la Alimentación de las Vacas Lecheras Lactantes
Forages for Dairy Cattle
Corn Silage
Practical Corn Silage Harvest and Storage Guide for Cattle Producers (UK Factsheet ID-275):
- Estimating Silage Yield and Standing Corn Value (see page 2)
- Sizing Silo Storage Structures (see page 7)
- Determining When to Harvest Corn Silage (see page 3)
- Chop length and Kernel Processor Settings (see page 9)
- Managing Storage Structures at Harvest Time (see page 9)
- Are Oxygen Barrier Films for Covering Silage Worth (see page 10)
- Important Steps during the Silage Fermentation Process (see page 12)
- Fermentation Analysis of Silages (see page 13)
- Use of Silage Inoculants – Are They Worth the Money? (see page 14)
- Managing Silage Storage at Time of Feeding (see page 15)
Additional articles related to Corn Silage:
- Bunker Silo and Drive-Over Silage Pile Management
- Increase Milk Production with Appropriate Kernel Processor Settings
- Reminders for Corn Silage Chopping Time
- Tips for Harvesting and Storing High Quality Corn Silage
- Common Questions Regarding Aflatoxin in Corn Grain and Silage
- Drought Impact on Corn Yields
Dealing with Forage Shortages
- Dealing with the Drought- Considerations for Extending Forage Supplies for the Dairy Herd
- Developing Plans to Deal with Late Harvested Forages
- Forage Considerations when Lack of Rainfall Has Resulted in a Forage Shortfall or Corn Silage Needs to Be Chopped Early
- Higher Commodity Prices, Forage Shortages, Lower Energy Corn Silage —Now What Do We Do?
Determining Forage Needs
- Forage Acreage Needed to Support a Dairy Operation Determined by Yield and Quality of the Forages Harvested
- Planning the Yearly Forage and Commodity Needs for a Dairy Herd
Grazing Management
- Manage Your Grazing System for Optimum Dairy Cow Performance
- Pasture for Dairy Cattle: Challenges and Opportunities
Importance of Forage Quality
- Decisions Related to Your Forage Program Impact Profit on a Dairy
- Reading a Forage Analysis Report
- Spring Forage Decisions Affect Dairy Profits for the Upcoming Year
Manure Management
Purchasing Hay
- Considerations When Purchasing Hay for the Dairy Milking Herd
- Forage Myths Are Costly: Forage Quality Impacts Your Bottom Line
Sampling Forages
- Correctly Collect Silage/Forage Samples for Nutrient Analysis
- Which Numbers on a Forage Analysis Are the Most Important To Manage Your Dairy Cows’ Feeding Program?
Spreadsheets
- Calculating Feeding Rates Based on Varying Amounts of Dry Matter in Wet Forages and By-Products
- TMR Loading Sheet - Takes into account current dry matter content of wet feeds
- Calculating Feed Efficiency - Spreadsheet to calculate feed efficiency for a herd or group of cows
Surviving High Feed/Low Milk Prices
- Corn Prices are High. . . Now What Do I Do?
- Dairy Feeding Programs for Lean Economic Times
- Price Volatility - What to Do About It?
- Squeezing More Net Income from Your Dairy
- Ways to Meet Newly Imposed or Potential Milk Quotas
Improving Butterfat
- Butterfat Percentage or Milk Yield: Which Is More Important for a Dairy Farm’s Milk Income?
- How Can You Get More Pounds of Milkfat From Your Dairy Herd?
Troubleshooting Nutrition Problems
DHI Data for Evaluating Your Feeding Program
- Can Rolling Herd Averages Help You Manage Your Dairy Operation?
- Early Detection of Potential Nutrition and Management Problems in Dairy Herds Using DHI-Monthly Milk Production and Composition Data
- Interpreting Standardized 150 Day Milk
- Using Peak and Summit Milk to Evaluate Your Dairy's Management Programs
General Troubleshooting
- Areas to Evaluate when Troubleshooting and Resolving Nutritional Problems in Dairy Herds
- Critical Dairy Nutrition Areas Which Can Dramatically Affect Your Bottom Line
- Dynamics of Lameness in Dairy Cows
- Healthy, Productive Cows Need Healthy Rumens
- Improving Your Relationship with Your Dairy's Consultants
- Monitor Open Dairy Cows
- Practical Application of Balanced Diets - Where Rations do not Result in Expected Dairy Herd Performance
- Rate Your Dairy Feeding and Management Practices
- Rumen Bacteria Determine Outcome of Dairy Cattle Feeding Programs
- Tools for Diagnosing Nutritional Problems in Dairy Herds
- Using MUN to Monitor your Dairy Feeding and Management Program
- Want to Improve Your Dairy Herd’s Reproductive Program?
- What are Your Dairy Cows Telling You about Their Nutrition Program?
- Why Are My Dairy Cows Not Milking as Well This Year?
- Why Do Cattle Chew Their Cud?
- Why Cattle, Sheep, and Goats Can Eat Forages
Milk Fat Depression/Improving Milkfat
- Butterfat Percentage or Milk Yield: Which Is More Important for a Dairy Farm’s Milk Income?
- Day-to-Day Chores Impact Pounds of Milkfat and thus Milk Income
- How Can You Get More Pounds of Milkfat From Your Dairy Herd?
- “Tis the Season” for Improving Butterfat Content of Milk
en Español
Evaluate Your Reproductive Program
- Getting High Producing Dairy Cows Pregnant
- Monitor Open Dairy Cows
- Proactive Dairy Reproductive Programs Pay
- Want to Improve Your Dairy Herd’s Reproductive Program?
- Ways to Measure Dairy Reproductive Performance
Artificial Insemination
- A.I. at Estrus and Timed A.I. - a comparison of the timing of events
- My Three Favorite Synchronization Protocols
Heat Detection
- Good Footing Improves Estrous Detection
- Heat Detection - Influence of Herdmates
- Heat Detection is Part of Your Life...Deal With It
Keys to Getting Cows Pregnant
- Artificial Insemination in Cold Weather
- Bull Breeding Soundness
- Proper Timing of Insemination is Important
- Semen Storage
- Use an AI Sire as the Cleanup Bull
Heat Stress and Reproductive Performance
Good Reproductive Performance is Important
- Continuing the Discussion on Negative Energy Balance and Fertility
- Dairy Cattle Reproductive Reality Check #1: We Have Tried to Fool Mother Nature
- Dairy Cattle Reproductive Reality Check #2: Reasonable Fertility
- Diagnose Freemartins Early
- Neospora caninum Abortion in Cattle
Natural Service Versus AI
Heat Stress and Reproductive Performance
Training
Articles
- Determination of Dry Matter of Silages Using a Microwave
- ID-264: Feeding Corn Silage to Beef Cattle
- Important Steps during the Silage Fermentation Process
- Silage Inoculants - Are They Worth the Money?
- Take Time to Protect Your Golden Crop - Corn Silage
- Valuing Corn Silage
Spreadsheets by Dr. Brian Holmes (emeritus), University of Wisconsin
- Calculating tonnage in bunker/trench silo
- Calculating tonnage in silo bag
- Planning length of silo bag needed for set amount of feed
- Calculating number and size of bunkers needed
UK Corn Silage Variety Trials
Dairy Tip: First-Calf Heifers Behave Differently than Mature Cows
First-calf heifers should be housed separately from the mature cows, if at all possible. Heifers take smaller bites of feed and spend more time eating than mature cows. Studies have shown feeding times increased by 11% and milk production increased by 9% when heifers are housed separately from mature cows.
Separation of first-calf heifers from mature cows is even more critical when freestalls are overcrowded and/or feedbunk space is limited, i.e. with 6-row barns. Heifers are more submissive than mature cows and do not compete as well for stall and bunk space when challenged . Resting time, a critical need for cows, is reduced more for heifers than cows when overcrowded. Cows prioritize resting time over feeding times.
