Ration work sheet with example

(Supplement to UMC GUIDE 3104, "Calculating Rations for Dairy Cattle")Rex E. Ricketts (Department of Dairy Husbandry, College of Agriculture)Revised 10/79/10

Minerals for dairy cattle

3/80/10MSupplying minerals for all dairy cattle is common practice. However, the kind of minerals used and the method of feeding varies from one farm to another. The purpose of this guide is to present requirements, deficiency signs, supplements and methods of feeding.Rex E. Ricketts (Department of Dairy Husbandry, College of Agriculture

Calculating rations for dairy cattle, part 1

Note: Tables 1 and 2 referred to in this guide are in Guide 3105, Calculating Rations for Dairy Cattle, Part 2.Rex Ricketts and Steve Behan (Dairy Husbandry Department, College of Agriculture)Revised 2/80/10

Dairy management challenges to genetic improvement

From University of Minnesota Extension Folder 356"Genetic progress results from the wise choice of parents for each new generation of herd replacements. Calf losses , poor reproductive performance, and herd health problems limit selection choices and profit. Dairy farmers can use management skills to reduce infertility , calf losses, and improve herd health. These traits cannot be improved rapidly through genetic selection because they are not very heritable. Dairy herds which have had wisely chosen artificial insemination (AI) sires and good management have shown genetic improvement rates of 125 to 150 pounds of milk per cow per year. With recent improvements in the quality of AI sires, dairy managers have the opportunity to accelerate this rate of genetic change up to 230 pounds of milk per cow per year-more than 12,000 pounds yearly in a 60-cow herd ."--First page.B. J. Conlin (University of Minnesota), Adapted by Rex Ricketts (Dairy Husbandry Department, College of Agriculture)New 9/79/8

Dairy herd breeding program

From University of Minnesota Extension Folder 357"The science of genetics has made rapid strides in recent years. The nature of inheritance, genes, and chromosomes are now taught even at the high school level. The dairy farmer , however, has to deal with a "package" of traits and characteristics, the dairy cow. This package contains desirable and undesirable components, many of which cannot be measured or even seen. Some are economically important and others are not. Some are transmitted to the next generation to varying degrees while others are not. Some are greatly affected by their surroundings or environment: others are not. Some components or traits often occur together, while others seem to be antagonistic toward each other. The dairy manager's dilemma is to properly evaluate the total package represented by the dairy animal as to its future in the breeding program."--First page.By Basil R. Eastwood (Iowa State University), Adapted by Rex Ricketts (Dairy Husbandry Department, College of Agriculture)New 9/79/10

Outline for dairy sire selection

From University of Minnesota Extension Folder 355Dairy managers have two alternatives when they desire and need to replace the current milking herd with cows that have more potential for profit. They may buy better cows or breed better cows, the latter being more common. To produce replacements within the herd most successfully, dairy managers must produce the maximum number of heifers, reduce involuntary cow losses, and choose parents wisely. This guide covers bull selection.Clinton E. Meadows (Michigan State University), Adapted by Rex Ricketts (Dairy Husbandry Department, College of Agriculture)New 9/79/8

Forages for cattle -- new methods of determining energy content and evaluating heat damage

Ronald L. Belyea and Rex E. Ricketts (Department of Dairy Science, College of Agriculture)New 2/82/8

Understanding and interpreting feed analysis reports (1993)

The feed analysis report may include some unfamiliar terms. This publication explains these terms and their use.Reviewed October 1, 1993

Economics of dairy breeding

From Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-1148.R. W. Everett (Cornell University), R. E. Pearson (Agricultural Research, U.S. Department of Agriculture), Adapted by Rex Ricketts (Dairy Husbandry Department, College of Agriculture)New 9/79/8

Forages for cattle : new methods of determining energy content asnd evaluating heat damage

"The crude fiber method of feed analysis has been used for more than 100 years. Although this method was an important first attempt at determining the energy content of feeds, it has a number of shortcomings."--First page.Ronald L. Belyea and Rex E. Ricketts (Department of Dairy Science College of Agriculture)Revised 11/86/8