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Up your colostrum game

The importance of colostrum is no secret to dairy and livestock producers. Unlike many other species, the placenta of cattle prevents the transfer of antibodies from the dam to the calf in the uterus. Instead, calves must rely on colostrum, the cow’s first milk, to pass antibodies from dam to calf.

Evaluating the calving season

As spring calving season wraps up for some cow-calf producers throughout the state, now is the time to take a few minutes to evaluate how the calving season shook out.

Beef x Dairy Crossbreeding and calf management practices on Wisconsin dairy farms (Part 1)

A beef x dairy genetics survey was conducted in 2018, which led to additional research in 2021 when extension educators and specialists surveyed 40 Wisconsin dairy farms utilizing beef x dairy genetics. In addition to sire selection, the 2021 survey included newborn calf care and milk-feeding practices. This article highlights some of the calf management results, with greater detail available in the corresponding white paper.

Spring pasture weed management

Many beef and small ruminant producers are looking forward to pastures greening up in Wisconsin. In some pastures that will include troublesome weeds. Management timing for weed control is narrow for some species and can be the difference between success and a waste of time and money.

Beef genetics on dairy females and examining the care of newborn calves: Results from a 2021 survey

The use of beef sires on dairy females has continued to be a common and growing management practice on dairy farms.  During the summer of 2021, UW-Madison Division of Extension educators surveyed 40 dairy farms known to be using beef sires to breed dairy females to assess their beef x dairy sire selection criteria, selection of dairy females to breed to beef sires, newborn calf management, milk feeding practices, and how they market their beef x dairy cattle.

Pregnancy Toxemia and Colostrum Quality

Dr. Robert Van Saun, Penn State University Extension Veterinarian, joins the UW-Madison Division of Extension’s 2023 Small Ruminant Webinar Series. Dr. Van Saun outlines and supports with research, the nutritional needs of ewes and does in late gestation to prevent pregnancy toxemia and to support the creation of high-quality colostrum in adequate amounts.

Manage feeding to help cattle handle cold stress

Good winter management practices contribute to healthy cattle, reasonable feed costs, and long-term productivity of the beef cow herd. There will be times during the winter when it will be necessary to adjust the ration to help cows through cold conditions.

Maintain beef bulls through winter

As the cold weather sets in and winter feeding begins, many bulls have already been removed from the cows to wait for the next breeding season. During this time away from the cows, bulls may be expected to require minimal maintenance to thrive through winter, but it is important to understand the significance of meeting bulls’ needs to ensure their dependability for the next breeding season.