GMOs have always been a controversial topic. While they have had widespread use on North American dairy farms for decades, a significant portion of the general population has been uneasy about them throughout that time period. For that reason, starting in the spring of 2016 Vermont decided to lead the nation by mandating that foods be labeled if they contained bioengineered ingredients. I remember this causing quite a stir at the time with many in the ag sector lobbying agai

White line disease (WLD) continues to be one of the more frequent and costly hoof problems on our dairy as well as many other dairies. It involves separation of the hoof wall from the sole, which can lead to a lesion, hemorrhage or abscess often in the outer rear claw. It has traditionally been viewed as a mechanical lesion caused by shearing forces when turning, poor flooring, or excessive wear or trimming. Last year, we placed heavy, grooved rubber belting on our flooring g

Here in Upstate New York the effects of mid-winter are being felt across the farm. With the holiday season behind us, the dairy team is back in full operation and focused on managing the remainder of the winter months. Short days and long nights present ongoing challenges, but we are fortunate to have a committed staff prepared to work through the season.

Subacute ruminal acidosis, often called SARA, is a common herd-level issue on commercial dairies and is most often triggered by ration changes that increase fermentability. In simple terms, SARA occurs when the rumen spends too much time being more acidic than it should be — not enough to cause obvious sickness, but enough to disrupt normal rumen function.

Choosing a milk replacer is one of the earliest and most important nutritional decisions made on a dairy farm. Because pre-weaned calves have an immature digestive system and limited immune defenses, both the type of protein and how that protein functions in the gut can influence calf health, treatment rates, and overall program success.

For three straight years we have run an experiment looking at the effect of dairy manure on a corn silage field here at Miner Institute. The study was done in collaboration with the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program and has received funding from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program. We started by applying 30 tons/acre of composted cow manure in strips slightly wider than our corn chopper head. From there, we split each strip into six different sectio

Small grains are harvested for feed on many dairy farms. These can be great additions to the forage inventory and can be incorporated into lactating dairy diets. Often the juggle of other forage inventories, crop rotation, nutrient management programs, and weather may all influence the decision of when to harvest small grains. The planning and execution of harvest timing relative to forage maturity may influence the nutritional composition and digestibility of the harvested f

A cow doesn’t need to be sick to be struggling. Often stress shows up quietly on farms through reduced intakes, reduced lying time, or a fresh cow that just never reaches her full potential. These cows may seem fine as you walk through the pen, but the little things add up quickly. Stressors will limit milk production, weaken their immune system and set the stage for the rest of their lactation.

Nutritional strategies that increase the energy content of the diet without compromising rumen function are critical during the immediate postpartum period. Supplemental fatty acids (FA) and oilseeds in diets have been used to increase postpartum energy intake. Specifically, whole cottonseed (WCS) is commonly included in dairy cow diets due to its high FA and crude protein content. However, more research is needed on how WCS and FA supplementation interact, and the effect of

Watching a cow groom herself with an automated brush is often a highlight for non-farm visitors to our farm. The skill with which a cow maneuvers the bristles around her body never ceases to amaze those in attendance. Providing access to a brush promotes natural grooming behavior in cows, improves cow hygiene, and helps visitors feel confident about the care our cows receive. Grooming brushes are not unique to our farm. They are becoming more common on farms for several good