NDSU
Extension Service
North Dakota State University
Vol. 15, No. 1 March 2005
DAIRY COW COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS
Flax seed associated with pneumonia prevention
Scours reduced by changing sanitizer
Rumen fluid fed to calves improves immunity
To process or not to process corn silage
Grass forage can outperform alfalfa
Got good grass? Make heifer hay!
Feeding strategies support heifer growth
Other points of interest
MANAGEMENT
Cross-breeding of dairy cows _ survey shows profit
Calving at 23.8 months best!
Less than 10 percent quarantined new cows
Effectively tell the dairy story
Sample consumer-tested
messages to communicate about the dairy industry back page
Animal care
HEIFER MANAGEMENT
Steps to reduce calf scours
Interested in custom raising dairy heifers?
HERD HEALTH
Exercise caution when inoculating livestock
Orbeseal gets high marks
While I can't predict the weather, the arrival of your spring issue of this newsletter surely means the seasons are changing and spring is on the way. As caretakers of our rural environment, farmers and ranchers often are overlooked for the stewardship role you provide. I submit the following as a tribute to rural North Dakota:
One day, a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" asked the father.
"Oh, yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that stretches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have a wall around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."
Author unknown
Easter blessings to you and yours.
J.W. Schroeder
Extension Specialist-Dairy
Department of Animal and Range Sciences
The 11th annual Dairy Cow College, in collaboration with the Midwest Dairy Association, focused on dairy replacement heifer development this past month. Here are some high points:
The most common causes of death in young calves are pneumonia and scours. For the last two years, some calf raisers have been adding flax seed (a source of omega fat) to the diet with very satisfying results. Linolenic acid (an omega fat) is required by all cell membranes to maintain fluidity, which enhances their function. Since animals cannot make omega fat, it must be supplied in the diet. Oils from fish and flax are the two major sources of omega fat. Gary Lindberg's clients are adding one to two teaspoons per feeding of whole (unprocessed) flax seed to milk or milk replacer. In addition, they feed 0.1 to 0.2 pounds per head per day in the starter. The result a significant reduction in medication costs for pneumonia, and reduced calf mortality.
Sanitation is paramount for healthy calves. All utensils need to be cleaned between feedings. Conventional wisdom says hot water plus bleach should be effective. However, when combined with the protein of milk, a residue often remains in the pail or bottle. The result is probably a point of residual bacteria.
One suggested alternative is to use chlorhexidine, otherwise known as "blue" teat dip. Chlorhexidine appears to be more effective as a disinfecting rinse of pails, bottles and nipples at the end of cleanup. Best of all, it is readily available and very affordable, costing around $6 to $8 per gallon at your local farm and dairy supply store.
Research at Cornell University has shown that using rumen fluid from a mature, cannulated ruminant to inoculate calves orally works. On the farm, collecting the rumen fluid (such as a batch animal) would accomplish the same thing. I am making plans to prepare and freeze a supply. It appears that 10 to 20 cc at 1 to 10 days of age will do the trick.
Recent reports by Ohio State University researcher B. Weiss, former North Dakota State University faculty, indicates processing does not necessarily ensure advantages. Processing corn silage with dry corn (less than 60 percent moisture) continues to show advantages in the field, breaking down particle size for the cow to utilize for energy. Neutral results are apparent when silage contains corn from 62 percent to 68 percent moisture. However, when processing wet corn silage (more than 70 percent moisture), the end result is a reduction in performance or milk production.
Why? Breaking up the fiber results in a faster rate of passage of the fiber. That means less time to fully digest the nutrients, resulting in a net loss from kernel processing. Recommendation? Know the moisture content of your corn.
Relative feed value was developed for legumes. When applied to grass forages, this calculation based on fiber (ADF and NDF) discriminates against grasses. When fed to heifers, they perform very well on grass. When testing forages, use wet chemistry so you and your nutritionist can prepare your heifer diets accurately.
Managing grass stands, including early cutting for multiple harvests, has great opportunity for forage raisers. Quality grass hay is gaining in demand.
Often referred to as phase-feeding or fast-gain/slow-gain feeding, the concept of reducing heifer gains during the appropriate stages of growth followed by an accelerated gain period can reduce feed costs and improve milk potential.
The idea arose out of NDSU discussions in the early 1980s to find a way to utilize poor quality forages and support dairy producers during drought. Eventually, the concept of stair-step nutrition was developed by NDSU researcher Chung Park. He has applied it in rodents, swine, beef and dairy females. The key is avoiding overly fat heifers prior to the growth stages of puberty (breeding age) and ahead of springing. This allows the extra energy restriction periods to accelerate growth by providing extra energy when the udder is experiencing the majority of its development (prepuberty and mammogenesis).
Implementing this plan requires adjusting diet according to age and size. The research result is 6 to 8 additional pounds of daily milk during the first lactation and 2 to 4 additional pounds per day during the second lactation. Producers in several countries have adopted the stair-step nutrition plan. U.S. producers remain skeptical.
Gary Lindberg made these field notes:
• Reducing molasses in calf starters from 8 percent to 4 percent was associated with improved calfhood health, apparently related to excess sugar.
• Roasting corn may reduce mycotoxin levels for young calves.
Reproductive failure costs an average of $385 per cow per lactation. Producer practices obtained from a survey supported that cross-breeding dairy cows can improve reproductive performance without reducing milk production. In addition, the survey supports previous literature that demonstrated cross-breeding gains were small, but important, according to the producers. Cow survival and longevity in the herd appeared to increase the most from cross-breeding. This would indicate that cross-bred dairy cattle are more likely to become pregnant after the first and subsequent lactations. As a result, cows remain in the herd longer. Most producers responding indicated that they would continue the practice of cross-breeding.
Source: Graduate Thesis, K. Kieler, UW-Platteville
According to a 2004 study by Tulare Medicine Teaching and Research Center, University of California-Davis, age at first calving affects performance at commercial dairies. A review by Al Kertz can be found on page 9 of the Jan. 10, 2005, Feedstuffs.
The highest adjusted 310-day income ($3,224) was from heifers calving at 23.8 months. The next highest income ($3,125) was at a 26-month calving age, and the lowest return was for calving at 22.4 months of age ($3,085). Part of this return was the number of live calves born. Their study had stillbirths from 10 percent to 20 percent of all calf births.
Source: Feedstuffs, Bottom Line of Nutrition, 12400 Whitewater Drive, South Minnetonka, MN 55343
A USDA NAHMS study of biosecurity practices on U.S. dairy farms showed that only 20 percent of operations that added any beef or dairy cattle quarantined them. Only 9.5 percent of operations quarantined lactating dairy cows that were brought into the operation.
Consumers constantly bombard people in a dairy leadership position about our practices. Why the interest? Glen Schroeder, Midwest Dairy Association chairman and Minnesota dairy producer, says that first, most people no longer have a connection to a farm, and second, certain groups and individuals are opposed to animal agriculture and work to paint our farms in a negative light.
The dairy industry needs spokesmen to step up to the plate to tell dairy's story. And this is not just through radio, TV and newspaper interviews. The story needs to be told at the local bank, school board or PTA meetings, and the grocery store. And the story needs to be told by you as dairy producers.
According to the survey funded by your national dairy check-off, here's what people think about dairy farmers:
• The public believes dairy farmers are honest, hard-working and very credible.
• More people now think about on-farm animal care and environmental practices as they make their decisions about purchasing dairy products for their family. Some consumers worry about the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, and the use of bovine somatotropin and antibiotics.
• When it comes to on-farm animal care and environmental issues, people want to hear from dairy farmers. They trust producers to give them the "straight scoop."
Many dairy farmers are afraid of telling their story, or hesitant about saying the wrong thing to the public. Some think they will be misquoted in the media, so why bother?
If we don't answer the public's questions about animal care or environmental issues on our farm, other people — animal rights and environmental activists — will. Chances are we won't like what they have to say about us or our industry. Your Midwest Dairy associate does a nice job of training producers for reputable management. If you or a group are interested, contact Char Heer.
Don't assume that the public already knows these points, or that we need to say them only once. Make these points at every opportunity.
• Producer animal care is important because cows must be healthy and cared for well to produce pure, wholesome milk.
• Farmers have an economic incentive to take care of their cows because healthy cows produce more milk, contributing to the farm's livelihood.
• To keep our cows healthy, dairy farmers build housing facilities that provide sanitary milking areas and adequate protection from weather.
• Cows are fed a nutritious diet and provided with regular veterinary care and protective housing facilities to ensure their health and well-being.
• Antibiotics are administered under the close supervision of a veterinarian to help treat animal illnesses. No milk from a cow being treated can be used for human consumption.
• Every tank load of milk is strictly tested for antibiotics. No milk that tests positive ever reaches consumers.
Prevention plays a huge role in the abatement of scours among newborn calves. In addition to good cow nutrition, proper colostrum feeding and an up-to-date vaccination program, implementing sound sanitation and management practices is imperative in reducing calf exposure to scour-causing organisms.
• Don't let calves come into contact with fecal matter at birth. Keep cows as clean as possible during delivery, and thoroughly clean teats before nursing and milking.
• Maintain clean, dry maternity pens.
• If the dam is positive for Johne's disease, use pooled colostrum instead.
• Move calves out of maternity pens as quickly as possible.
• Isolate scouring calves from nonscouring calves.
• Treat scouring calves immediately.
• Don't co-mingle calves.
• Don't put calves in muddy, wet pens.
• Feed a good quality milk replacer or pasteurized waste milk.
• Give calves access to fresh water and good calf starter.
• Tighten your management of these areas during cold or inclement weather.
Source: Ann Wilkinson, veterinarian with Pfizer Animal Health
In conjunction with the Central Plains Dairy Expo, the upcoming National Dairy Calf and Heifer Conference may be for you. Scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, through Friday, April 1, the PDHGA (Professional Dairy Heifers Growers Association) Annual Conference never will be closer than Sioux Falls, S.D. Headquarters is the Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel, 1211 North West Ave. For a brochure, call or go to the association's Web site, www.pdhga.org Some topics include:
• Managing preweaned calves for optimum health
Jim Quigley, Ph.D., Diamond V Mills
• Where dairy is headed
Roger Cady, Ph.D., Monsanto
• Cut costs with improved bunk management
Robbi Pritchard, Ph.D., South Dakota State University
• Integrating dairy cow, calf and heifer behavior into facility design and handling methods
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., Colorado State University
• New technology for reproductive and genetic solutions
John Metzger, B.S., M.S., Trans Ova Genetics
• Starting from birth: Developing a more
systematic approach to calf nutrition and management
Mike Van Amburgh, Ph.D., Cornell University
The Dairy Expo also has a full program and trade show. For more information, see
www.centralplainsdairyexpo.com
Four tours also are scheduled:
• Broadwine Dairy, Baltic, S.D.
• Trans Ova Genetics, Sioux Center, Iowa
• Dykstra Dairy, Struble, Iowa
• Wielinga Farm, Orange City, Iowa
Medicating livestock is a common practice on farms and ranches. Accidental injection to you, a family member or co-worker can occur while performing this task. Most vaccinations and medications given to livestock are not potentially harmful, but some are toxic to humans. Other potential health effects resulting from a needle stick include a localized infection caused by bacteria or other foreign material, or a reaction to a vaccine, active ingredient or carrier material.
Everyone must be knowledgeable about the substances being used and exercise caution during the inoculation process. Use precautions and common sense to minimize the potential for accidental injection. Take the following precautions:
• Always read the enclosed label instructions, Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or original label that comes with any medication before using it. If the medication does not have enclosed label instructions or an MSDS, call the company and ask for a copy of the enclosed label instructions, MSDS or original label. The enclosed label instructions, MSDS and/or the original label will have warning information to advise you on what precautions you need to take. Managers should supply the information contained in the label or MSDS to their workers in the appropriate language.
• Properly restrain livestock in a chute before vaccinating or injecting medications.
• Do not use automatic-powered syringes when injecting "human toxic" medications.
• Do not carry "loaded" syringes in your pants or coat pockets.
• Do not leave "loaded" syringes on the seat of a vehicle.
• Always load the syringe in the work area.
• Cap the syringe if it is not going to be used immediately.
• Be aware of your surroundings; look for slip, trip and fall hazards.
• Watch your livestock for signs of being "spooked" and never carry a "loaded" syringe around unrestrained livestock.
• Dispose of syringes or needles in a hard plastic container that has a tight lid and label the container "Sharps." This will warn everyone what is in the container and help prevent children from accidentally handling the used syringes.
• If re-using needles and syringes, disinfect both the syringe and needles after each use.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling any medication/vaccine.
• Post the number to your local poison center by the house and barn telephone.
• If you do inject yourself accidentally, wash the affected area well with clean water and soap, inform your supervisor or co-worker, and call your local poison center immediately.
• If you are using a medication that has a potential for "human toxicity" or does not have an antidote, talk with your veterinarian to see if you can use a different medication. If not, ask your veterinarian for tips on how to handle the medication.
• If using a medication with known "human toxicity," do not tent the skin with one hand while injecting with the other hand. Sudden animal movements easily can lead to accidental self-injection.
Source: Helen Schledewitz, Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University
Udder health management is a daily challenge for all dairies. So when something comes along that really works, it's worth noting. Although "Orbeseal" just recently was made available in the United States, the product has been in use in Europe since 1978. The original purpose for its development and use was the reduction of antibiotic use at dry-off. English workers tested the effectiveness of this internal teat sealant at dry-off as an alternative to dry cow treatment with antibiotics. All cows in each of four herds and only low somatic cell count (SCC) in three herds were utilized to compare infusion with the internal sealant with no treatment at dry-off.
No clinical cases of mastitis were found in cows treated with the sealant during the dry period. Six of 204 untreated cows experienced clinical mastitis. Infections detected at calving were significantly higher for the untreated group. Workers concluded that infusion at dry-off with an internal teat sealant significantly reduced the new infection rate in dry cows. They also cautioned producers against drying off cows without antibiotic treatment.
North Dakota dairies have reported similar results when correctly applied.
Reference: Journal of Dairy Science. 85:2512-2520
NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Duane Hauck, Director, Fargo, North Dakota. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. We offer our programs and facilities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, Vietnam era veterans status, or sexual orientation; and are an equal opportunity employer. This publication will be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities upon request, 701/231-7881.