Expert Solutions from Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC

Expert Solutions

Land O'Lakes dairy nutritionists and other experts share the latest scientific advice and studies in dairy cattle health and nutrition.
Click any article link for the complete document.

TOPICS:
Herd Health & Performance | Silage | Forage & Rations | Seasonal Issues | Miscellaneous

Herd health & performance

Is fatty liver the real problem?
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D., PAS
Fatty liver is usually just a symptom of another problem: a decrease in the cow's dry matter intake. Preventing cows going "off feed" can reduce the severity of most cases of fatty liver.

What's the cause of laminitis?
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D., PAS
Foot health is one of the most critical factors in maximizing production. This article examines the causes of laminitis, including those unrelated to nutrition.

Recommendations for footbaths and foot sprays
by Ruth Blauwiekel, Ph.D., DVM
Dairy experts recommend the correct volume for footbaths and examine the benefits of foot trimming and biotin supplementation.

Nutritional strategies to improve reproductive performance
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D., PAS
Research suggests there may be other nutritional alternatives when increased concentrations of energy, trace mineral and vitamin levels in the diet fail to improve reproductive performance.

Does feeding waste milk to young calves defeat your biosecurity plan?
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D., PAS
One of the most important steps in developing a biosecure dairy is to prevent the infection of young calves with diseases already present on the farm.

Silage

Treating silages with bacterial inoculants makes good cents
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D., PAS
The right bacteria are essential for high-quality silage. Recent research advances are improving the strains of bacteria used in the next generation of silage inoculants.

It's not too early to start thinking about corn silage
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D., and Paul Porter, Ph.D.
In an unusual growing seasons, corn silage typically by harvested in September may need to be harvested as early as August 15. Researchers examine processing issues that affect the harvest window.

Forage and Rations

Non-nutritional factors that affect dry matter intake
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D., PAS
Ration balancing doesn't always produce the desired result on the farm. An expert examines nonnutritional factors that affect dry matter intake.

Is steam-flaked corn right for your ration?
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D.
Land O'Lakes research examines which method of processing corn best maintains rumen health and optimizes milk production.

What's new with cottonseed?
by David Atwell, Ph.D., David LaCount, Ph.D., Dwight Roseler, Ph.D.
Effect of pelleting grain mixes (with and without whole cottonseed) on milk production and dry matter intake of cows in early lactation.

Does feeding a high and low group TMR make cents?
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D.
With reduced milk prices, many producers are looking at ways to reduce costs. But all decisions to reduce feed costs must be evaluated against their effect on production.

What does feed cost per hundredweight mean?
by David LaCount, Ph.D.
If you track your operation against benchmark production costs, you need to ask some questions to be sure you're comparing apples to apples.

Seasonal Issues

Don't forget the calves when weather turns cold
by David W. LaCount, Ph.D., PAS
Young calves are the animals that need the greatest attention when temperatures turn cold and the winds start to howl.

Visit our parent company sites at
www.landolakesinc.com

Privacy Statement | Web Site Legal Terms of Use