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Updated: March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023  |  Volume 44, Issue 1

Welcome!

After a mild winter, the recent clock change reminds us that spring is finally on its way. If you are harvesting your winter cover crop for dairy forage, be sure to keep an eye on maturity. The mild temperatures combined with decent moisture the last few weeks have really increased the early growth in some of these crops. Although tonnage increases as the plant matures, maturity at harvest is key to making good quality milk cow forage. Remember to harvest at the boot stage, before seed head emergence. If harvested at a later maturity, these forages can still make decent feed for your older replacement heifers.

In this issue, we focus on antibiotic regulation changes, dietary supplements for cows, and spring weed control for pastures and hayfields. Please contact me if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions (sbpotts@umd.edu; 301-432-2767 ext. 324).

Upcoming educational opportunities that may be of interest are listed below. Additional resources can be found on our extension page: go.umd.edu/dairyextension.

Best Regards,

Sarah Potts
Extension Specialist, Dairy & Beef

What Antibiotics Will No Longer be Available OTC?

By Jeff Semler, Extension Educator, Washington County

On June 11, 2023, the FDA’s new directive, “Guidance for the Industry #263,” is slated for implementation, meaning that over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotics will no longer be available through traditional retail...Read more about What Antibiotics Will No Longer be Available OTC?

Understanding Supplements in Dairy Cow Diets

By Sarah Potts, Ph.D. Extension Specialist, Dairy & Beef

With so many options for dietary supplements and feed additives, it can be overwhelming to decide which are right for your farm. The following is an overview of...Read more about Understanding Supplements in Dairy Cow Diets.

Spring Weed Control for Pasture and Hayfields

By Amanda Grev, Ph.D. Extension Specialist, Pasture & Forages

As things are greening up this spring, you may notice a few not-so-friendly plants popping up around your fields, especially given the milder weather this past winter. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to scout your pastures and...Read more about Spring Weed Control for Pasture and Hayfields.

Events and Announcements

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Maryland Milk Moos is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that is focused on dairy topics related to Nutrition and Production, Herd Management, and Forage Production. To view previous editions click here...

Comments and suggestions regarding the newsletter are always welcome. References to commercial products or trade names are made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the University of Maryland Extension is implied. Articles and photographs may be reprinted with permission.

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