Animal Systems News
Designed and managed properly freestall shelters can be a good fit on productive dairy farms.
Since we cannot predict prices of energy in the future, we need to prepare for fluctuations in prices of the various energy sources.
Labor and cost spent getting water into each paddock may pay for itself quicker than almost any other management practice on the farm.
Some characteristics of unprofitable dairies.
Key factors can be better managed to improve milk production.
The neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) was confirmed in a North Carolina mare on Jan. 5.
Proper pasture management leads to high quality, productive pastures that can supply excellent nutrition for horses. Pasture management can be a challenge because of continually changing environmental conditions and fluctuations in horse populations on farms.
The mild winter and recent warm weather have many folks wondering if pest problems are bound to be worse this growing season. The mild winter will certainly allow a few pest species to survive better because their populations are knocked back by cold winters—bean leaf beetle and slugs are two that jump to mind, so we will need to watch those populations.
Anyone who has ever loved a horse (or pet) understands the feelings of guilt and helplessness following injury or illness of an animal. You helplessly try everything, calling your vet, admitting them to a clinic, treating them yourself at home. You try not to give up; you do everything you possibly can.
Every Spring I go through a ritual to prepare my pastures, horses and equipment for the prospect of riding and enjoying my horses during warmer weather. The first job to tackle is checking the perimeter fence-line of the pastures. Every fall my horses are confined to a smaller paddock or what horsemen call, a sacrifice area, and are kept off of my three electrified fenced pastures.
March 23, two California horses tested positive for Non-Neurologic, respiratory EHV-1. Grazing mares and fescue toxicosis.
Depending on how you plan to use your trucks, the PA Vehicle Code provides you and other farmers with several alternative options to regular truck registration at significantly lower fees. One of these options is the “farm vehicle exemption” for trucks that are only used in areas near the farm.
I’m not sure how far ahead of normal temperatures we are as of March 20, but certainly the forsythia blooming and many of the winter annual weeds in bloom is an indication that we are ahead for this first day of spring. In Lancaster County on March 19 we observed common chickweed, corn speedwell, and dead nettle all in bloom.
Milk production, somatic cell counts, pregnancy rate, culling rate, income over feed cost, are just a few of the metrics available for monitoring among dairy advisory teams.
Be careful to avoid the “Twinkies Effect” on your farm and in your home.
Many times the difference between success and failure is a matter of inches and seconds! Profitability of your dairy is no different.
Every state has different options for handling on-farm mortality. It is important to check with your state Department of Agriculture or Department of Environmental Protection regarding your options. In Pennsylvania, state law says that any animal mortality needs to be properly disposed of in 48 hours.
The following are some a collection of the common questions asked during the "Managing your Farm Business with Quickbooks" Workshops and how to address them to help simplify your financial records process.
Dairy PROS meetings will focus on "Dairy Markets & Risk Management"
