Dairy

A list of meetings/events for Animal and Livestock Producers

Resources on cow comfort and a transition program.

Resources on dairy nutrition

Resources for dairy calves and heifers

The Maryland Milk Moos (June 16, 2022, Vol. 3, Issue 2) 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.

We commonly see ketosis as an energy disorder of the modern dairy cow, a telltale that things are not going well, and one that hints at poor fertility, reduced lactation performance, and an increased risk for the development of early lactation diseases. In practice, ketosis is diagnosed by the measurement of beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHB), one of two major ketones, that becomes elevated in blood, urine, and milk of fresh cows. In this way, ketosis is used as a cow-side test for identifying sick cows, and as means to direct our efforts to “problem cows” (for example with propylene glycol administration) before it is too late. Despite our efforts for ketosis prevention and treatment over the last 5-7 decades, our understanding of ketosis as a disease, as well as our ability to reverse it and to prevent the arrival of other associated disorders (for example displaced abomasum, infection, fatty liver, milk fever), remain limited.Title: Ketosis in the dairy cow: Friend or Foe?; Authors: Naghme Bagheri, Ph.D., and J. Eduardo Rico, Ph.D.

Hypocalcemia, or milk fever, occurs when there is not enough calcium in the blood to meet demand. Normal blood calcium levels are between 8.5 and 10 mg/dL and are maintained at those levels through a balance between dietary absorption, bone demineralization, and urinary excretion.

Many dairy producers grew up during a time when all heifer calves born on the farm were retained and reared as replacement candidates. However, improvements in pre-weaned calf management, heifer nutrition, and reproductive management have enabled dairy producers to maintain herd size while raising fewer replacements.

The 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.