The United States dairy industry is a major contributor to the US food and nutrient supply. Dairy products are a major source of protein, calcium, and many essential vitamins not just in the US but all over the world. The US dairy industry also accounts for 16 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions from all of US agriculture, and contributes …

The American Jersey Cattle Association’s comprehensive mating program, JerseyMate, recently had three major updates incorporated. The program now accounts for the risk of a JNS (Jersey Neuropathy and Splayed Forelimbs) mating; incorporates both genomic and pedigree inbreeding levels; and has added a minimum constraint to indicate the minimum number of units to be used from the breeder’s semen inventory when …

The first meal of their lives may well determine the fate of calves; if they don’t get what they need quickly, the newborns may not survive to weaning age, said two scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Colostrum is a vital nutrient that mothers provide in the first feedings that newborn farm animals must have within 24 hours of …

Dehydration in calves experiencing scours is often underestimated. A scouring calf can lose anywhere between 5 to 10% of its body weight in water within one day. Dr. Jennifer Trout, Western U.S. Calf and Heifer Technical Pro, offers her insight on properly diagnosing and rehydrating scouring calves. “Shortly after I finished vet school, I was talking with my father who …

There are clear signs that growth in milk production in China is leveling off and, recently, even declining, say a team of Chinese and international researchers, including from World Agroforestry (ICRAF), in a study published in the journal, Climatic Change.Heat stress is one of the main reasons for the recent reduction. In their study, the team computed the change in milk production …

An update to Jersey Performance Index that includes new Jersey-specific health traits and weights will be implemented April 7 when the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) releases the April official genetic evaluations. The new components of JPI2020 are the Jersey-specific health traits provided through the CDCB. The updates were approved by the Board of Directors of the American Jersey Cattle Association …

Roasted soybeans are a common ingredient in the diets of Pennsylvania dairy cows because they are a great source of fat and protein — including protein that escapes the rumen. Farm-grown and locally available soybeans and on-farm or local roasting make soybeans an economical ingredient in many situations.   Until recently, farmers only had to decide how to process soybeans …

Ranch owners and cattlemen recognize the need to care properly for the livestock. A primary goal includes accurately weighing the cattle and monitoring their weight gain or loss. Using livestock scales to measure animal performance is a common practice. Let us see how these scales help in maintaining healthy animals. Monitor Animal Health Maintaining healthy animals is a major challenge …

For the past two years, researchers at the University of California, Davis, have been studying six offspring of a dairy bull, genome-edited to prevent it from growing horns. This technology has been proposed as an alternative to dehorning, a common management practice performed to protect other cattle and human handlers from injuries. UC Davis scientists have just published their findings in the …