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.
Maryland Livestock Parasite Program
Interested in improving intestinal parasite control measures in your livestock?
Consider signing up for Maryland Livestock Parasite Program! Open to farms with cattle (beef or dairy), sheep, goats, horses, or camelids. Participants will learn about integrated parasite control measures, including pasture management, targeted deworming strategies, and dewormer selection, administration, and efficiency.
Participants will receive 2 one-on-one consultations with Extension experts and 2 complimentary fecal egg count analyses for their livestock.
For additional details and to sign up, visit go.umd.edu/livestock-parasite-program
Questions: contact Dr. Sarah Potts at sbpotts@umd.edu or 301-432-2767 ext. 324
Events and Announcements
- Animal Care Workshops: PA Center for Dairy Excellence: March 23 - Huntingdon County, PA; April 12 - Westmoreland County, PA. Visit https://centerfordairyexcellence.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=80df644c5f57a4eeb8b7ba77d&id=14c61d6f35&e=ddef9b1275 for more information.
- Owning Farmland in Maryland Webinar Series: March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, and April 28 @12-1:30 pm. Visit https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcudumsrTojHNbf_fOitWCIS4Ka-wsC1roa to register.
- Diversity Your Cover Crops: On-Farm Series: March 24 and March 31 @8:30 am. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/diversity-your-cover-crops-on-farm-series-tickets-566615150167 for more information and to register.
- Mid-Atlantic Women in Agriculture Wednesday Webinar: Tools and Tips for Creating Maps of Farm Fields– April 12 @12 pm. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-wednesday-webinars-tickets-466528528387 for more information and to register.
- Pasture Walk: Incorporating Annuals into Your Grazing System. April 27th @ 6pm. UMD Clarksville Dairy, 4240 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, MD. Contact Amanda Grev (agrev@umd.edu) or Jeff Semler (jsemler@umd.edu) for more information and to register.
- Mid-Atlantic Women in Agriculture Wednesday Webinar: Farm Well and Septic Care– May 10 @12 pm. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-wednesday-webinars-tickets-466528528387 for more information and to register.
- Mid-Atlantic Women in Agriculture Wednesday Webinar: Creating a Farm Lease Agreement– June 14 @12 pm. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-wednesday-webinars-tickets-466528528387 for more information and to register.
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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