Dairy Article Archive

Se espera que en las próximas semanas haya temperaturas y humedad más altas de lo normal, lo que puede producir un golpe de calor. Esta situación, típica de los meses de verano, es especialmente crítica para todos aquellos que trabajan bajo el sol o están expuestos a condiciones menos favorables en el ambiente de trabajo.

For those whose livelihood depends upon working outdoors or in less than favorable conditions, the coming weeks look to be quite difficult with higher than normal temperatures and humidity predicted. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness."

Successful hay storage is essential to preserving high quality forage, while ensuring desired performance from livestock and deterring economic losses from unwanted hay storage fires.  The predominant reason that fires occur in hay is because of excessive moisture in the plant residue that results in heating when it is baled or stacked for long term storage.

Dry conditions this year have reminded many how quickly fires can ignite causing damage, destroying equipment, future feedstuffs and hopefully NOT injuring you in the process. We need to be cognizant at all times of the potential for fires to start while baling hay or straw and take measures to minimize the potential of a fire occurring.

When producers decide to purchase feedstuffs to balance diets, the first question often asked is, “Do I need a source of energy or protein or both to economically balance the ration?” Next is evaluating what is on-hand for feedstuffs compared to what might need to be purchased

Starch is an important nutrient in corn, which is highly coveted by livestock nutritionists, wet millers and dry-grind ethanol manufacturers. High starch concentration is usually indicative of good kernel maturation and/or filling conditions, and often results in high kernel densities.

SDSU Extension has developed the Feed Cost Comparison to help evaluate the relative costs of two different feedstuffs. This interactive tool will run through the iGrow Livestock Decision Aid webpage on your mobile or desktop device.

Often times we get into the mindset that the only time we need to provide feedback to employees is when we do a formal evaluation. Not true. Providing feedback, whether it is on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis is extremely important as we develop great employees. Unfortunately, formal evaluations are viewed like a visit to the doctor for our annual check-up.

Fly Control in concentrated animal feeding operations such as dairies is a challenge, especially as the weather heats up and there is abundant moisture and organic matter available. Flies not only are a pest, but they also decrease production efficiency. Flies cause livestock to expend extra energy fending them off instead of resting, feeding and milking. Other issues directly associated with fly pest problems on dairies include increased medication costs, veterinary costs, increased potential for disease spreading, and possible increased public complaints. For example it is estimated that Stable flies (biting, blood-feeding fly) can lower milk production by 15 to 30 percent (Westbroek, 2002). Additionally, contagious mastitis is also spread by high fly populations. Flies also can hinder worker productivity along with spreading disease to humans.

Emergency preparedness is something we all know we should do, but unfortunately it often ends up on the “to do list” never getting checked off as completed. We know emergencies happen, we just don’t know to whom, when, or what type of emergency. Being prepared for an emergency on your dairy can significantly improve recovery time from an unexpected incident.