Heifer development, one of the most expensive enterprises on the farm, all expense with delayed return. This month, Dr. Jolet Van Niekerk summarizes a comprehensive review of heifer development in the Journal of Dairy Science, titled: New frontiers in calf and heifer nutrition—From conception to puberty.

This article in press is the ADSA Foundation Scholar award recipient for its comprehensive review. While there are many things we can manage that does have cost, surprisingly the most important message Dr. Van Niekerk wanted dairy producers to know, DOESN'T COST A THING!

We hope you'll listen in - 

#2xAg2030, #Journalofdairyscience, #MODAIRY, #dairyheiferdevelopment 

In this edition of Dairy Science digest Dr. Matt Lucy, Editor in chief of the Journal of Dairy Science Communication and Reproduction physiologist from the University of Missouri, discusses work he and team published this month about successfully synchronizing late calvers in a seasonal calving system.

Grazers represent a large portion of Missouri's dairy industry. Ensuring a tight calving window helps match cows with ideal forage growth pattern.

Tune in to learn how to effectively "reset" those late calving cows. 

Dairy Science digest covers the most current topics being published in the Journal of Dairy Science.

Designed to never exceed 20 minutes, this podcast provides the “need to know” information for dairy producers with boots on the ground.

@JournalofDairyScience

In this edition of Dairy Science digest Dr. Bill Weiss, from The Ohio State University, discusses work he and his co-author Alex Tebbes recently completed on determining the ideal amount of crude protein for your fresh cow pen. Additionally, they determined the sweet spot for forage for the recently fresh cow to ensure the highest intake  - and therefore energy corrected milk.

The INVESTMENT in the first 24 days, showed carryover effects for 11 weeks in lactation - easily supporting the elevated cost. 

Here's direct access to the journal article in press titled: "Concurrent and carryover effects of feeding blends of protein and amino acids in high-protein diets with different concentrations of forage fiber to fresh cows. 1. Production and blood metabolites"

#2xAg2030

#JournalofDairyScience

In this edition of Dairy Science digest Professor Mike Coffey, a researcher from the Scotland, describes the advancements with inline milk sampling. He explains how improvements in technology allows us to analyze subtle changes in the milk. These subtle changes occur with pregnancy, disease, metabolic disruptions and even to differentiate efficient cattle from the less efficient.

This non-invasive data collection opportunity could radically transform the information we could use to manage our herd.

Dairy Science digest covers the most current topics being published in the Journal of dairy science. Designed to never exceed :20, this podcast provides the “need to know” information for dairy producers with boots on the ground.

This episode highlights: “Predicting pregnancy status from mid-infrared spectroscopy in dairy cow milk using deep learning” is in press in the #journalofdairyscience and can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18367

#2xAg2030

This episode we learn from Dr. Bradley Heins, from the University of Minnesota, all about integrating solar into your dairy grazing operation. He has learned about construction considerations, cow cleanliness and the shading effect of solar panels added to a rotational system.

His research titled "Evaluation of solar photovoltic systems to shade cows in a pasture-based dairy herd", is in press in the Journal of Dairy Science volume 104.

@journaldairyscience  #2xAg2030

Keywords: Dairy, Solar, grazing, heat stress

On this episode of Dairy Science Digest Fayth Kumro, MS Animal Sciences from the University of Missouri discusses Flashmate. This heat detection device uses touch screen technology to determine when your cows are in heat. Her research was conducted in both grazing operations and confinement. 

Learn more about how to affordably improve heat detection in your herd to keep your cows in the most productive phase of lactation.

Dairy Science Digest's Reagan Bluel interviews Dr. Chad Dechow, Geneticist from Penn St., to discuss the sweet spot in heifer development for the 7th episode of Dairy Science Digest.

This 15 year research project supported that the biggest heifers aren't the most profitable for your operation. Heaviest heifers are 49% more likely to be culled at a given time.

Moderate sized heifers that reach between 73-77% mature rate at first calving can produce more milk WITHOUT  sacrificing long term milk yield and herd life.

#2xAg2030

Can a few bolus' of aspirin really make a difference? Listen here to hear the research of Dr. Adrian Barragan, of Penn State University, discussing how this simple therapy can have a huge impact on inflammation, and therefore productivity of your fresh cows. 

Dairy Science digest is a monthly podcast hosted by Reagan Bluel, of MU - Extension Dairy team, designed to bring the latest Dairy Science research to the ears of dairy producers. Targeted to not exceed 22 minutes, its the "need to know info" to base your management decisions on.

More information visit:

https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(20)30765-7/fulltext

https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(20)30766-9/fulltext 

and https://news.psu.edu/story/629554/2020/08/25/research/aspirin-after-calving-can-provide-relief-dairy-cows-increase-milk

Dairy science digest #5 interviews Taylor McWhorter, from Georgia, to discuss considerations when selecting beef sires for your breeding program. Specifically focusing in on sire conception rates or SCR.

Journal of Dairy Science, Sept 2020. Title: Investigating conception rate for beef service sires bred to dairy cows and heifers.

In this edition of Dairy Science Digest, Stan Moore from MI State provides us insight to what employees (both hired and family) need to feel committed to your farm. Quality relationships are easy to develop, as long as your mindful of your approach. Listen in to catch nuggets of critical information to meet your farm where you are in the stage of workforce development.