Animal Systems News
The good news is U.S. herd SCC continues to decrease.
Dr. Larry Specht, professor emeritus of dairy science, has compiled a history of red and white Holsteins, which offers an overview of how the existence of red and white dairy cattle evolved in the United States when all of the early Holsteins imported from the Netherlands were black and white.
In the last 5 to 10 years, immigrants from Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries have discovered the great demand for farm employees in Pennsylvania.
DAS welcomes Dr. Wansheng Liu and Dr. Jon M. Oatley.
There are several hazards associated with a bunker silo, and not all are as obvious as are some other types of farm hazards. Everyone who has to work around a bunker silo should be able to recognize the risks and apply good safety habits.
Many factors have been identified for the apparent reduction in fertility and there is no doubt the current problem is multi-faceted and not easy to resolve.
Human beings are complex and motivation is a social and psychological state that does not lend itself to simple answers.
It appears that the PA dairy industry is continuing to give this technology a good hard look and several of our dairy herds are being reliably milked with milking robots.
Last year, 2006, will probably be remembered as one of the most challenging years for financial performance on dairy farms. Unfortunately, 2007 is not starting off much better.
As producers look at options for their dairy rations in light of increased feed costs, it's important to consider the relationship between changes in milk price and feed costs on dairy profitability and cash flow.
We think we have it tough finding dairy employees in Pennsylvania, but we ain't seen nothin' yet!
The age at which you decide to wean a dairy calf will have a definite impact on the cost of raising that calf.
It is critical that you know the sulfur content of the fuel that you are using in your diesel engines on the farm.
Effect of dry propylene glycol vs. drenching: a preliminary report.
An experiment currently in progress is evaluating the effects of feeding dry glycerin to early lactating Holstein dairy cows. Some of these strategies include the use of glucose precursors like glycerin and propylene glycol. Glycerin may improve energy supply in early lactation dairy cows.
About 80 percent of this loss occurs before day 17, 10-15 percent between day 17 and 42 and 5 percent after day 42.
A good housing system for calves and heifers will provide for the well-being of animals of various ages, promote safe and efficient working conditions for the caretaker, protect the environment and be cost-effective to build and maintain.
A summary of some of the new and interesting findings that affect calf health, feeding, and management.
A new book, Penn State Housing Plans for Milking and Special Needs Cows is now available.
