Diet Modification

Managing Nutrients in Dairy Cattle Diets
By Faith Culluns

Managing Nutrients in Poultry Diets
By Darrin Karcher

Feeding strategies - pamphlet (download here)

Changing Animal Diets Can Help Control Air Emissions
By Wendy Powers
Odor is among t he top complaints from neighbors of livestock and dairy farms. Modifying animals’ diets can cut down odor and complaints. Read entire article

Tips for Feeding Corn Distiller’s Grain to Dairy Cattle
Corn distiller’s grains (CDG) can be an excellent feed for dairy cattle. However, they must be properly and consistently processed at the ethanol plant, correctly incorporated in ration formulation, and properly stored and fed at the farm to optimize productivity and avoid changes in milk composition. Read article. 

Also check out the new Michigan Agricultural Co-Products Web site for specific details on feeding distiller’s grain and other information.

  

What are the Real Costs of Byproduct Feeds? 
The dairy industry has long been a primary user of byproduct feeds resulting from wet and dry milling processes, corn syrup production, and distillery and brewery fermentations. Increases in ethanol production in Michigan and the Midwest from corn and other fermentable substrates doubtless will make even more distiller’s byproduct feed available. Distiller’s grain has few other uses except as livestock feed. Traditionally, byproduct feeds have been considered somewhat of a windfall as valuable sources of protein and energy in relation to their market price. Ration formulation programs (least-cost or best-cost formulations) often call for byproducts to be used in rations. However, it is time to re-think how some byproduct feeds are used in dairy rations.  Read more

Visit the Michigan Agricultural Co-products Web site to learn more about ethanol plants, distillers grain, and other information pertinent to the agriculture industry and producers.

Optimal Dietary Phosphorus for Close-up Cows
Accurate and precise provision of phosphorus (P) in dairy rations is required both to meet cows’ requirements and to achieve effective on-farm nutrient management and environmental sustainability.  Learn more

Ration Phosphorus Management:  Requirements and Excretion

This article focuses on management of feed P inputs and the effects of ration P on excretion of P by dairy cattle.

How Much Root Zone is Needed for Animal Nutrients  
By: Dr. Dale Rozeboom and Dr. David Beede
Mass balance is the balance between the inputs and outputs within a system. In manure management, phosphorus mass balance is used to estimate the acres of land or the amount of “root zone” needed to use livestock manure nutrients. Read entire article