Heifers

The Maryland Milk Moos (March 23, 2023, Vol. 4, Issue 1) is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that is focused on dairy topics related to Nutrition and Production, Herd Management, and Forage Production. In this issue, we focus on antibiotic regulation changes, dietary supplements for cows, and spring weed control for pastures and hayfields.

Body condition scoring can be used to subjectively assess the amount of external fat that an animal carries. In short, it is a tool that can be used on-farm to help determine if there are nutritional or management issues that may need to be addressed. Ensuring proper body condition throughout lactation will help cows remain productive and healthy members of the herd.

Many producers are aware that gastrointestinal parasites can reduce cattle performance, and accordingly, take measures to protect their animals.  This article outlines several steps to follow in order to establish a judicious and effective deworming program.

The Maryland Milk Moos (October 4, 2022, Vol. 3, Issue 3) is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that is focused on dairy topics related to Nutrition and Production, Herd Management, and Forage Production.

The Maryland Milk Moos (June 16, 2022, Vol. 3, Issue 2) is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that is focused on dairy topics related to Nutrition and Production, Herd Management, and Forage Production.

This goal of this pilot study was to examine the effect of making moderate improvements to pasture management on dairy heifer performance. Producers looking to improve grazing systems on their farm should begin by exploring simple management changes such as fertilizer application and the implementation (or increased intensity) of rotational grazing practices. Incorporation of an annual forage into the grazing system may also help improve performance by offsetting the reduced summer growth (i.e. summer slump) in perennial pastures and mitigating palatability and forage intake issues associated with endophyte-infected fescue pastures during the summer.

Most dairy producers are aware that providing calves with 3-5 quarts of high quality (>50 mg IgG/L) colostrum as soon as possible after birth is critical for ensuring transfer of passive immunity to get calves off to a good start. After the first 24 hours, many producers switch their calves to either a milk replacer or whole milk feeding regime. However, recent research suggests that there may be some benefits of feeding colostrum or transition milk for a longer period of time, even after the critical 24-hour window has passed. Title: Transition Milk May Benefit Dairy Calves; Author: Sarah Potts, Ph.D.

Many dairy producers grew up during a time when all heifer calves born on the farm were retained and reared as replacement candidates. However, improvements in pre-weaned calf management, heifer nutrition, and reproductive management have enabled dairy producers to maintain herd size while raising fewer replacements.

The Maryland Milk Moos is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that is focused on dairy topics related to Nutrition and Production, Herd Management, and Forage Production.