Dairy Science Digest

DSD 3.5 | Modeling biometrics benchmarks for a successful transition cow management

The transition period has been investigated for nearly 4 decades. Over this time, much has changed in dairy industry including herd management and genetics. Dr. Kerwin, from Cornell, joins us today to discuss the robust observational project documenting the management of 72 successful herds in NY and VT. The project involved tracking the same cohort of cows on each farm for 11 weeks to capture the far off, close up, fresh and peak lactation cow over time.
Part 1 of the paper focuses on the management of the herds within the existing farm infrastructure. These topics including grouping dynamics, fresh cow checks and stocking density and how these parameters impact biomarkers (NEFA, βHB and haptoglobin).
Beginning at 20:44, she discusses how the biomarkers effect the health, production and reproductive success of the herd. Their model identified an association between the biomarkers and production, negative health disorders, and reproduction (25:13).
Don't miss this foundational herd biomarker benchmarking paper for understanding your transition pen goals - Listen in now! **apologies for the sound quality due to poor internet connectivity** Next episode will be better!
HERD ALARM LEVELS: (multi= mature cows, primi = first calf heifers, Pre=Prepartum, post=postpartum) PRE NEFA: when >30% multip cows sampled are >0.17 mmol/L = 6% increase disease               21d PR:    >15% multi – 6% decrease 21d PR                               > 40% primi – 3.9% decrease 21d PR
POST NEFA: >0.59mmol/L                         > 15% Multi: 5.8%               > 15% Primi: 4.2% increase in disorder
Post NEFA 305ME Milk –               Multi: >30% = >0.48 mmol/L decreased milk 1735lbs               Primi – Not Significant  
POST BHB: >15% @ >1.2mmol/L               8.5% increase disorder               305ME Milk: >0.9mmol/L                             Multi: >10% +229kg                             Primi: >20%  +332kg               21d PR: >15%, >0.9 mmol/L                              3.2% decrease               Prob of Preg - 5.2% decrease               PRFS – 7.0 % decrease
POST HAPLOGOBIN: >20%, >0.45g/L = 5.3% increase in disorder incidence
Two companion articles were featured. These are found at:Part 1: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00243-0/pdf Part 2: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00244-2/pdf  
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DSD 3.4 | Under the hood

The final frontier for ruminant nutritionists - understanding all the intricacies and nuances of the microorganisms in the rumen. We know the rumen is adaptable and must anticipate these changes to better manage our herd. This month we talk with Dr. Mary Beth Hall, US Dairy Forage Research center, who investigated the relationship of non-fibrous carbohydrates and rumen degradable protein in the rumen and on production.
In 2022, we anticipate nutritionists will try out a variety of different energy sources throughout 2022, due to the challenging commodity markets. The research team specifically looked at feeding different rates of molasses (sugar) or ground corn (starch) when in the presence or absence of rumen degradable protein. She describes the results when her team  ‘looked under the hood’.
Listen in for this timely understanding of what to expect when shifting from a starch to a sugar and how to best manage ‘under the hood’ to keep your herd running smoothly.
Two companion articles were featured. These are found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00187-4/fulltexthttps://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00186-2/fulltext    
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DSD 3.3 | Financial Resilience – the individual cow effect

Positive Profit. Every herd is chasing financial resilience. It is especially relevant on our minds having just completed our schedule Fs and planning for 2022 planting season.
Have you ever wondered the lifetime profit of a cow in your herd? How about the average break even for each cow in the herd? Dr. Hadrich was raised on a dairy and questioned the impact of these individual cow differences. To answer these questions, she and her team took on-farm quickbook financials and merged them with individual cattle DHIA data from 67 Minnesota herds. This information maps out the cow-level cumulative lifetime break-even impact on financial assessment.  
Individual cow lifetime profit between “resilient” and “non-resilient” herds is compared. Lifetime expenses varied substantially, between the two. These differences were found across farm sizes, heifer development costs, lifetime feed and “non-feed” expenses (which includes labor).
Listen in to hear how you can assess the financial resilience of your herd!
The full article is found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00137-0/fulltext   
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DSD 3.2 | Unleashed Energy

The hurdles of the transition period were first identified nearly 3 decades ago. Since then, researchers have been working towards improved understanding of adipose tissue metabolism to fuel the dairy cow during this window of time.
This month we interview the author of the Symposium Review titled: The role of adipose tissue in transition dairy cows: current knowledge and future opportunities, Dr. Sabine Mann, DVM from Cornell University.
We discuss the effects of and how to monitor circulating NEFAs during early lactation. Dr. Mann’s article is an extensive review of this topic and provides obtainable management practices to help your transitioning herd.
The full article is found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(21)01110-3/fulltext
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DSD 3.1 | Don’t waste your GnRH

Settling the problem breeder is an achievement every dairy manager wants to better understand. This month’s topic focuses in on the role of GnRH injections and the relationship with the cow’s activity. Listen in as Dr. Tracy Burnett, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver Canada, studied this topic and has added to our conventional wisdom about GnRH’s role.  
Her work was recently published @JournalofDairyScience is titled: Impact of GnRH administration at the time of Artificial insemination on Conception risk and its association with estrus expression.
This article is found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(21)01028-6/fulltext
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DSD 2.12 | New Rx for Dehorning?

Dehorning, the task no one loves. This month pain expert Dr. Michael D. Kleinhenz, from Kansas State, describes research his team conducted to test the effectiveness of long-acting bupivacaine for pain relief during and following disbudding. Listen in to learn about a novel approach to measure pain levels, to determine the effectiveness of Bupivacaine for FDA approval.
The article highlighted from the @JournalofDairyScience is titled: Effect of bupivacaine liposome suspension administered as a cornual nerve block on indicators of pain and distress during and after cautery dehorning in dairy calves Found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(21)01042-0/fulltext
For more information about how to conduct a cornual nerve block on indicators ofhttps://aabp.org/committees/resources/Pain_Brochure_8-15.pdf or https://www.appliedanimalscience.org/action/showPdf?pii=S2590-2865%2821%2900010-0
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2.11 | Measuring Fat During the Transition Period

As the dairy cow transitions from dry to lactating, she experiences numerous changes. This month we learn more about the biological details of fat metabolism. Dr. Contreras, from Michigan State University, guides us through a discussion around the project specifically focusing in on what occurs to the fat, at a cellular level, of a cow challenged by disease – specifically ketosis.
Listen in to better understand the 3 major mechanisms to control fat mobilization in your fresh cow pen. This “benchtop” laboratory work has paved the way to brainstorm supportive solutions.
The article highlighted from the @JournalOfDairyScience is titled: Lipopolysaccharide induces lipolysis and insulin resistance in adipose tissue from dairy cows. Found at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(21)00970-X/fulltext
If you would like to sponsor a future podcast, please reach out at: reagan@modairy.org.
 
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DSD 2.10 | Impact of on farm feed in your AMS

To help save feed costs, many producers have turned to on farm feed as a resource. However, what is not well understood is the impact of this choice for dairies using automatic milking systems (AMS), or robots.Dr. Greg Penner and his team at the University of Saskatchewan researched the feasibility of using home grown, steam-flaked barley versus pelleted barley for guided-flow AMS barns.
Listen in this month to learn what the potential impact of this management choice on your lactating herd. The title of the @JournalofDairyScience article in press is: Comparing steam-flaked and pelleted barley grain in a feed-first guided-flow automated milking system for Holstein cows. In press in volume 104.
The improved audio on this recording is thanks to a generous supporter of the Dairy Science Digest podcast. If you would like to sponsor a future podcast, please reach out at: reagan@modairy.org.
 
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DSD 2.9 | Educating Consumers

This month we’re going to navigate a bit away from production practices and talk about consumers understanding of our products. By better understanding HOW consumers view the image of our industry, we can become better advocates and perhaps sell more products. Dr. Laurel Redding joins us today from the University of Pennsylvania, school of Veterinary medicine. Her Journal of dairy Science article, currently in press, is titled: Educational interventions to address misconceptions about antibiotic residues in milk can alter consumer perceptions and may affect purchasing habits.
She studied the effect of 3 different educational materials on consumer's opinion of dairy. The three used are: 1. Control - https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/dairy2. Brochure: https://figshare.com/articles/figure/Untitled_item/151667133. Video: https://vimeo.com/518895384 
Listen in to see how just 3 minutes change change the minds of your future dairy consumers!
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DSD 2.8 | Consider Cobalt

Essential trace elements are “essential” because the diet is the only source. However, sometimes because they are trace, we tend to forget about the importance.
Listen in this month to learn from Dr. David Casper about the importance of cobalt in energy metabolism of your lactating herd. This specific research project is discussing the difference between sources of cobalt, carbonate vs lactate.  
The title of the @JournalofDairyScience: Supplementing additional cobalt as cobalt lactate in a high forage total mixed ration fed to late lactation dairy cows, is currently in press in volume 104.
The improved audio on this recording is thanks to a generous supporter of the Dairy Science Digest podcast. If you would like to donate, please reach out at: reagan@modairy.org.
 
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