Seventy percent of the protein your herd uses for lactation is derived from the microbial population in her rumen. Researchers from UC Davis and Feedworks USA sought to learn more about how different substrates might impact rumen microbial efficiency. They did this with the ultimate goal of increasing the flow of protein available for absorption to help offset feed costs, recognizing protein is the highest cost of the ration, and likely the largest fraction to the cost of production on most dairies.

“We know that efficency of growth in the rumen varies dramatically, nearly 2 fold. Microbes can use 1/3 of their energy for growth or as much as 2/3,” Hackmann described. His lab is using invitro cultures to attempt to determine why this variation exists. “If we can pinpoint cause then we can accomidate and make microbes grow more efficiently and deliver more protein to the ruminant at a lower cost.”

Past models, used in ration formulation software such as CNCPS, claim rumen bacteria perform digestion more efficiently when fed cellulose, over glucose. However, featured work by Dr. Tim Hackmann’s invitro lab suggests a different result. “We found there will be a larger mass of microbes that grow on glucose then cellulose but they also digest more, so the efficiency is not differnet.”

Listen-in to this episode for in interesting dive into the expected changes in the rumen under these conditions. An added bonus banter from Dr. Benjamin Wenner, ruminant nutritionist with FeedWorks USA and co-author on the featured article, about the futuristic concepts possible for ruminant nutrition with mindful investment.

Topics of discussion

1:29 Introduction of Dr. Tim Hackman and Dr. Benjamin Wenner 2:03 Key highlights of 80 years of Ruminant nutrition – role of rumen microorganisms, knows and unknowns 4:40 Description of the Invitro research system, magnetic stir syringe treatment delivery 6:41 Treatment differences – Glucose vs Cellulose 8:22 Different Carbohydrates, and concentration changes microbial population 10:04 Why did you choose to focus reporting on bacteria – Hackman 11:20 Importance of Bacteria cont’d, 60-90% of biomass of the rumen - Wenner 13:32 Biochemistry of the Rumen - Acetate:Propionate shifts as a result of the substrate 15:41 The main message of the paper 16:06 Analogy for the ease of digestion - Cellulose, Hemicellulose and Lignin 17:36 Fermentation profile 18:41 Unusual product of fermentation - Caproate 20:43 Add value by reporting all data 21:41 Results – shift in population, but same microbial efficiency What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project 23:18 The future of Ruminant Nutrition – needed investments in descriptive microbiology to feed efficient animals of the future. 26:13 Nutritionists replaced by AI? 28:29 Improving Ration formulation software from 1992 Featured Article:

Mixed rumen bacteria grow with similar efficiency on cellulose and glucose

#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #CNCPS; #ruminant; #cellulose; #bacteria; #efficiency; #ruminantnutrition; #UCDavis; #feedworks; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

DSD 6.12 | Brachytic corn for increased production

The brachytic gene mutation results in corn that is shorter in stature but an improved digestibility profile. Through a reduction in intranode distance, the corn plant reduces indigestible fiber. Dr. Antonio Gallo, PhD ruminant nutritionist from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and his team in Italy recently studied the impact of this gene mutation on the productivity of the dairy herd.

High quality, home grown forages allow dairy producers to maintain the competitive edge. By limiting the purchase of off-farm nutrients, forages possess the ability to advance or hold back a herd. When brachytic corn was fed, they found a yield increase of 3.8 lbs/cow/day. However, the higher producing animals did not consume more.

“This is likely due to a chemotactic effect,” Gallo describes. The team measured changes in the intake pattern which provided insight to future research questions for data to better understand how this phenomenon could have happened.

The quality of corn silage impacts the health and productivity of the dairy cow. Additionally, her intake behavior is impacted by the ration. As more dairy farms move toward robotic systems, maximizing the energy density of the PMR will directly impact productivity, perhaps brachytic corn is most important in these systems.

Listen in to understand how the brachytic corn variety might work in your operation.

Topics of discussion

1:24 Introduction of Dr. Antonio Gallo 3:01 What is “brachytic” 5:38 Chemical analysis of Short Stature (SSC) vs Tall Stature Corn (TSC) 6:24 NDF differences (Table 2) 9:11 Dry matter differences – ‘stay green’ benefit 10:02 What about disease pressure in corn fields 12:01 SSC field observations re: lodging during derechos 12:31 Planting rate 13:37 Ration calculation – and feeding strategy 14:58 Individual intake and feeding behavior of each animal 15:59 Research herd description 16:13 Milk yield response, 3.8 lbs/cow/day 17:22 Rumen Flow Rate 18:22 Dry matter yield drag at harvest? 20:10 Feed behavior – eating less and producing more 21:04 Chemotactic effect - Apparent digestibility NDF, starch and protein 24:52 What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project Featured Article:

Effect of silage from a new brachytic corn hybrid with a high harvest index on feeding behavior and performance of lactating dairy cows

#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #NDFd; #cornsilage; #brachytic; #moremilk; #staygreen; #lignin; #mealsize; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

DSD 6.11 | The sweet spot - Insemination timing for peak profit

With changes in the marketplace, coupled with increased reproductive performance of your herd there is an increased opportunity to improve net return. While breeding beef and sexed semen is no longer new, our industry has experienced a miscalculation of the ideal number of replacement heifers needed to optimize this model.

To ensure you’re on the right path, Megan Lauber , Dr. Paul Fricke and Dr. Victor Cabrera from University of WI recently completed work on a model of the interaction between 21-d Preg rate, semen type, days in milk and heifer survival to find the optimum window – known as the Insemination Eligibility Period (IEP). This metric will soon to be easily monitored with a tool available online.

Their model found $51.00 / head improvements in net return when all the metrics are optimized. Listen in for a comprehensive discussion about how to model your herd’s data to customize and therefore optimize your reproductive trajectory and financial success of the future.

Topics of discussion

1:33 Introduction of Megan Lauber 2:54 Impact of strategic breeding on the beef semen industry, as of 2025 5:33 Preg Rate's impact on the insemination eligibility period (IEP) & change over time 7:49 Semen scenarios / combinations of beef and xx-semen to control inventory 9:34 Defining Insemination eligibility period (IEP) 11:21 Impact of insufficient replacements 13:03 Optimum time to inseminate a cow to maximize income 13:53 How does the shift in IEP manipulate the age of the national herd? 16:24 Figure 3: the unexpected shape of the net return 21:20 Herd turnover rate and Heifer survivability 22:48 Heifer hoarding vs just right 25:40 Figure 5: Net Return 28:57 Figure 7: Impact on Net return when Preg Rate increases across semen models 32:15 Why was 170 d used for the net return analysis? 33:21 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?

Featured Article:

An economic simulation model to assess the effect of the 21-day pregnancy rate, semen type, and heifer survival rate on the optimal insemination eligibility period for lactating dairy cows

Dr. Victor Cabrera’s TOOL website : https://dairymgt.cals.wisc.edu/tools.php

#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #reproduction; #model; #pregrate; #21-dPR; #netreturn; #beefondairy; #sexedsemen; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

DSD 6.11 | The sweet spot - Insemination timing for peak profit

With changes in the marketplace, coupled with increased reproductive performance of your herd there is an increased opportunity to improve net return. While breeding beef and sexed semen is no longer new, our industry has experienced a miscalculation of the ideal number of replacement heifers needed to optimize this model.

To ensure you’re on the right path, Megan Lauber , Dr. Paul Fricke and Dr. Victor Cabrera from University of WI recently completed work on a model of the interaction between 21-d Preg rate, semen type, days in milk and heifer survival to find the optimum window – known as the Insemination Eligibility Period (IEP). This metric will soon to be easily monitored with a tool available online.

Their model found $51.00 / head improvements in net return when all the metrics are optimized. Listen in for a comprehensive discussion about how to model your herd’s data to customize and therefore optimize your reproductive trajectory and financial success of the future.

Topics of discussion

1:33 Introduction of Megan Lauber 2:54 Impact of strategic breeding on the beef semen industry, as of 2025 5:33 Preg Rate's impact on the insemination eligibility period (IEP) & change over time 7:49 Semen scenarios / combinations of beef and xx-semen to control inventory 9:34 Defining Insemination eligibility period (IEP) 11:21 Impact of insufficient replacements 13:03 Optimum time to inseminate a cow to maximize income 13:53 How does the shift in IEP manipulate the age of the national herd? 16:24 Figure 3: the unexpected shape of the net return 21:20 Herd turnover rate and Heifer survivability 22:48 Heifer hoarding vs just right 25:40 Figure 5: Net Return 28:57 Figure 7: Impact on Net return when Preg Rate increases across semen models 32:15 Why was 170 d used for the net return analysis? 33:21 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?

Featured Article:

An economic simulation model to assess the effect of the 21-day pregnancy rate, semen type, and heifer survival rate on the optimal insemination eligibility period for lactating dairy cows

Dr. Victor Cabrera’s TOOL website : https://dairymgt.cals.wisc.edu/tools.php

#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #reproduction; #model; #pregrate; #21-dPR; #netreturn; #beefondairy; #sexedsemen; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

Individual housing for pre-weaned calves has long been gold standard, since it was first introduced in the 40s. However, interest has emerged around paired and group housing for this phase of production. Intermittent research on this topic has been published over the past 25 years but has never been compiled, until now. Dr. Katarina Buckova from IA State University, and her team combed through research databases and compiled the results of several projects on paired housing, compared to individually housed calves. Research on production, health and behavior illuminated gaps in knowledge needed for producers to effectively move forward on this production practice.

If your farm is considering paired or group housing, listen in for a compelling discussion about the impacts, perceived and measured, about how this calf development concept could impact the future of your herd.

Topics of discussion

1:25 Introduction of Dr. Katarina Buckova 3:00 Why review / summarize paired housing research? 4:40 What age were calves paired 6:40 Performance & Health based observations of paired housing 7:49 Body weight gain 8:58 Table 11 – Summary of all metrics 10:04 Volume of milk fed 11:31 Feed conversion ratio 12:22 Did you see scours? 13:50 Possible negative effects of paired housing 14:49 “No effect” is still important information 16:13 Calf behavior differences, coping 18:58 Future research ideas 20:29 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project? 22:48 Discussion of paired vs group housing for new build 25:20 Paired housing presence in FARM program?

Featured Article:

Invited review: A systematic review of the effects of pair housing on dairy calf welfare and productivity

#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #dairycalf; #socialhousing; #pairedhousing; #hutch; #preweaning; #calfbehavior; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

DSD 6.9 | Surplus calves are a perishable commodity

This robust beef market is having a direct impact on the bottom line of dairy calf buyers and possesses the ability to radically impact dairymen’s bottom line long term through low all milk prices. This month we talk to researcher Dr. Sam Locke from The Ohio State University about a survey launched to help better understand the workings of the current calf buyers, jockeys and marketers.

All sectors of this parallel and complementary production stream must work together for the dairy industry to generate a stronger, longer - lasting foothold in the beef industry. If done well through this opportunity, the dairy surplus calf market will establish a foothold in the beef supply chain. Listen in to hear insightful quotes from these Midwest calf buyers to help maximize your operation’s innate revenue stream.

Topics of discussion

1:06 Paper Title: Understanding 1:40 Introduction of Dr. Sam Locke 2:39 Description of research participants who were being interviewed 3:42 Description of operations 5:07 What are surplus calves 6:09 Percent of Beef on Dairy vs. Holstein calves 7:10 Date of survey / market effect on responses 8:12 Themes of responses 9:36 Number one issue: Long distance transporting 11:31 Gathering calves – the route 12:42 Policies around calf transport in Canada 14:56 Premiums for ideal serum values 16:28 Expert advice needed 18:52 Opinions on vertical integration 21:33 Long term contributions to the beef industry going forward 22:39 Health challenges – consider vaccination 23:54 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project? 24:52 Budget impacts Featured Article: Understanding challenges and strengths in the post–dairy farm surplus calf value chain: An interview study

#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #bullcalves; #beefondairy; #surpluscalves; #growers; #Calfjockey; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

DSD 6.8 | That is where you should put your money

For years researchers have sought out to better understand control mechanisms for a successful transition into lactation from the dry period. We’ve learned changing body condition score during the dry period is not acceptable, but what if it changes during late lactation? How does this impact energy partitioning for the next lactation?

Well managed high producing cows with high fertility might find themselves bred back in less than the “textbook ideal” condition score heading into the dry period. Can we alter the late lactation ration to successfully increase condition with little impact? Dr. Laura Hernandez from the University of Wisconsin worked with a team of researchers at the Forage Center to better understand what is happening if high energy is fed late in lactation through extensive data collection to determine the possible potential carry over effects for subsequent lactations.

Listen into this compelling discussion as we learn more about the “black box” we know as the transition dairy cow and what phase to invest in to maximize your return.

Topics of discussion

1:01 Goal of this month’s research 1:40 Introduction of Dr. Laura Hernandez 2:52 Why is this topic important 5:09 Test ration design for increasing BCS in late lactation 3.25 vs 3.75 8:45 Cow responses to the ration 11:05 Figure 1a: BCS change over 12 weeks 11:45 Dry matter intake 10:27 Possible hormonal responses causing the 13:49 Energy partitioning 16:12 Genetic analysis for response and non-response 18:40 Dry cow and early ration following treatment 19:19 High energy effect on dystocia 20:50 Early lactation energy measurements 22:45 Close up - Intake differences of high and low energy 23:23 Fig 3d: Early lactation intake difference 24:44 Visceral fat changes 26:54 Denovo fatty acids in milk, 70 days post treatment 30:54 Concentration of Megalac in treatment ration 31:57 Description of animals on treatment 32:47 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?

Featured Article:

Effects of high-energy and low-energy diets during late lactation on the subsequent dry period and lactation of Holstein dairy cows

#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #transition; #latelactation; #earlylactation; #dmi; #NEFA; #BHB; #drycow; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel

It’s always exciting to watch a group of replacement heifers develop and anticipate their performance in the milking string as the top genetics of your herd. There is just about nothing more devastating than freshening them in to find mastitis or even worse, a blind quarter. When a first calf heifer calves in with a high somatic cell count she is more likely to maintain the high count, and more likely to be culled.

Heifer mastitis, or intramammary infection (IMI), is a common affliction yet we know very little about what stage of production it occurs and how to best diagnosis the root of the problem. Pamela Adkins, DVM at the University of Missouri worked with a team to capture culture samples from a variety of stages of heifer development to fabricate standard protocols for sample collection and help producers better understand how to circumvent this disease cycle for their herd.

Listen in to learn how to improve heifer development and limit the tragedy of damaged replacements.

Topics of discussion

1:51 Introduction of Dr. Pamela Adkins 2:26 Why is this topic important 4:17 Establishing standard sampling procedures 5:11 Cisternal puncturing 7:43 Comparison of sample collection 8:37 Grouping to determine when IMI begins in heifers 10:27 Causes and severity of infections 11:53 Feeding raw milk to hutch heifers 12:51 Normal microflora vs mastitis causing 15:36 If you have a heifer mastitis problem, what’s the next steps 17:21 What’s the best way to collect a sample? 18:44 Where to send aseptic samples 19:54 To freeze or not to freeze 21:48 Why were gestating heifers 8x as likely to have IMI? 23:05 What do you want “boots on the ground” dairymen to learn from this project?

Featured Article:

Evaluation of intramammary infection status in dairy heifers using cisternal and teat end sampling techniques

#2xAg2030; #journalofdairyscience; #openaccess; #MODAIRY; #HSCC; #heifer; #milksampling; #culture; #mastitis; #IMI; #infection; #dairysciencedigest; #ReaganBluel