Dairy

The Maryland Milk Moos (July 28, 2023, Vol. 4, 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. In this issue, we focus on Heat Stress Mitigation in important for Dry Cows, Organic Dairy Production Standards: Educating the Consumer, Summer Grazing Management Tips, and upcoming events.

There are a lot of questions and misconceptions when it comes to conventional versus organic milk. The USDA has five main points for milk to be certified as organic.

The Maryland Milk Moos (March 23, 2023, Vol. 4, Issue 1) 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. In this issue, we focus on antibiotic regulation changes, dietary supplements for cows, and spring weed control for pastures and hayfields.

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 some of the common supplements that are commonly integrated into dairy cow diets.

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 channels. Instead, these antibiotics will now require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian.

The Maryland Milk Moos (December 21, 2022, Vol. 3, Issue 4) 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.

Body condition scoring can be used to subjectively assess the amount of external fat that an animal carries. In short, it is a tool that can be used on-farm to help determine if there are nutritional or management issues that may need to be addressed. Ensuring proper body condition throughout lactation will help cows remain productive and healthy members of the herd.

The Maryland Milk Moos (October 4, 2022, Vol. 3, Issue 3) 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.

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.