Dairy

The use of beef sires on dairy females has continued to be a common and growing management practice on dairy farms.  During the summer of 2021, UW-Madison Division of Extension educators surveyed 40 dairy farms known to be using beef sires to breed dairy females to assess their beef x dairy sire selection criteria, selection of dairy females to breed to beef sires, newborn calf management, milk feeding practices, and how they market their beef x dairy cattle.

Ventilation is an important part of managing a dairy barn for maintaining air quality, removing heat and moisture, and providing a comfortable environment for dairy cattle. There are typically three types of ventilation systems used in dairy buildings: natural, mechanical, or a combination of the two.

Dairy cattle selection programs aim to improve the profitability and sustainability of the dairy industry, either by targeting traits that increase revenue or traits that reduce expenses. Fertility is one of several major trait categories that includes production, longevity, health, calving ability, conformation, and sustainability.

Why is it that dairy farms in my area are averaging under the Wisconsin average of 24,884 pounds of milk per cow?  This question got me asking questions to some farmers and agri-service providers.  One piece of the puzzle that emerged is that we may need to be paying closer attention to transition cows in our smaller herds.  Care of the transition cow is not a new concept, but management strategies for the smaller farm may be overlooked when recommendations are shared.