Dairy Digest, December 2006

In this Issue: Dairy Digest to be Published BiMonthly; Become an Employer of Choice; Age at Weaning and the Cost of Raising the Milk Fed Dairy Calf; Ethanol Plants + Distillers Grains – How Will This Impact Nutrient Management?; Know the Sulfur Content of Your Diesel Fuel; New Advanced Reproduction Workshop For PA Dairy Producers, Employees; Update on Current Research at the Penn State Dairy Center; Effect of Feeding Dry Glycerin to Dairy Cows; Calf and Heifer Workshops to be Held in February

Dairy Digest to be Published BiMonthly

As of December, 2006, the Dairy Digest will be published bimonthly.

Become an Employer of Choice

We think we have it tough finding dairy employees in Pennsylvania, but we ain't seen nothin' yet!

Age at Weaning and the Cost of Raising the Milk Fed Dairy Calf

The age at which you decide to wean a dairy calf will have a definite impact on the cost of raising that calf.

Ethanol Plants and Distillers Grains: How Will This Impact Nutrient Management?

Feeding distiller's grains to dairy cattle is nothing new. This ingredient has been included at levels of 25-35 percent in grain mixes and up to 10 percent of the total ration dry matter for as long as rations have been formulated. So why is there renewed interest in distiller's grains?

New Advanced Reproduction Workshop For PA Dairy Producers, Employees

Pennsylvania dairy producers and employees can attend a new training program in advanced dairy reproductive management for free.

Know the Sulfur Content of Your Diesel Fuel

It is critical that you know the sulfur content of the fuel that you are using in your diesel engines on the farm.

Update on Current Research at the Penn State Dairy Center

Effect of dry propylene glycol vs. drenching: a preliminary report.

Effect of Feeding Dry Glycerin to Dairy Cows

An experiment currently in progress is evaluating the effects of feeding dry glycerin to early lactating Holstein dairy cows. Over the years, different nutritional strategies have been evaluated in order to overcome the negative energy balance during early lactation. Some of these strategies include the use of glucose precursors like glycerin and propylene glycol. Glycerin may improve energy supply in early lactation dairy cows. As shown by a few European studies, glycerin might increase energy balance and thus lower the incidence of ketosis resulting in higher dry matter intake and milk yield.

Calf and Heifer Workshops to be Held in February

A calf and heifer workshop will be offered at three locations this winter: Feb. 12 at Clarion Inn, Lewistown; Feb. 13 at Holiday Inn, Grantville, PA; Feb. 14 at Morrisons Cove Memorial Park, Martinsburg. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the program will last until 3:30 p.m.