Milk production can be increased by managing dairy cows’ exposure to light. Photo period is defined as the duration of light exposure within a 24-hour period. A long-day photo period (LDPP) means exposure to 16–18 hours of continuous light followed by 6–8 hours of continuous darkness. A short-day photoperiod (SDPP)...
A field study was conducted to assess phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations of both lactating and dry cow diets on Oregon's dairies. Thirty-seven dairy farms, located in western Oregon, were grouped according to geographic region, valley (V) or coast (C), and herd size, small (S) or large (L). Farms...
Ruminal microorganisms require nitrogen and energy for microbial crude protein
(MCP) synthesis. High-quality grass provides an excess of readily available proteins
relative to available carbohydrates which reduces the conversion efficiency of grass
protein to MCP. Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) are the primary source of readily
available energy. Objectives of trial 1...
Our objectives were to determine if dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) and source of anions influence periparturient feed intake and milk production, and to characterize feeding behavior of dairy cattle during the transition period. Diets differed in DCAD (cationic or anionic) and anionic supplement (BioChlor®, Fermenten®, or anionic salts), and were...
Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) is a devastating disorder affecting high producing dairy cattle. As an important emerging disease (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 2003), HBS is now estimated to account for > 2% of the deaths of dairy cattle (Kirkpatrick et al, 2001). However, little is known about the...
When you want to talk about dairy cattle with someone, you need accurate, meaningful vocabulary words (terminology or terms) in order to understand each other. When you give a set of reasons, an accurate set of terms is just as important as it is in conversation. Also, to compare one...
Reprinted November 2005. Reviewed 07/07/14. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog
Twenty-six Holstein and 18 Jersey multiparous cows in a randomized block design were assigned by calving date and breed to a non-anionic prepartum diet (CTRL) or a treatment diet containing a commercial anionic salt supplement (Animate®). Control and treatment diets were formulated to a dietary anion-cation difference (DCAD) of 21.3...
Many studies have shown that dairies consistently overfeed nutrients such as phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). This practice is expensive and potentially damaging to the environment and to animal health. This publication suggests ways to improve feed management and thus avoid overfeeding P and K. Proper ration balancing is good...