Cold working environments on dairy farms in Finland

An Update on Hypocalcemia on Dairy Farms

The start of each new lactation challenges a dairy cow’s ability to maintain normal blood calcium concentrations. Milk (including colostrum) is very rich in calcium, and cows must quickly shift their priorities to adjust for this sudden calcium outflow. Average blood calcium concentrations noticeably decline in second or greater lactation cows around calving, with the lowest concentrations occu...

Factors Affecting Manure Output on Dairy Farms

The amount of manure produced on dairy farms can affect the financial bottom line. Labor, equipment, and facilities are needed to move and store manure, all of which have a cost. Increased output of manure can represent losses in potentially digestible nutrients (increased feed costs). Lastly, the environmental impact of dairy farming is strongly related with the quantity and composition of man...

Nutrient Management Behavior on Wisconsin Dairy Farms

Nutrient management plans for livestock operations should account for rates and timing of manure application to cropland, as well as how manure is integrated with other nutrient sources. Little is known, however, about actual nutrient management behavior of farmers, and what changes may be needed for farmers to adhere to nutrient management regulations. Detailed records were kept on fertilizer,...

Whole-farm Phosphorus Management on Dairy Farms

Most dairy farms in Wisconsin continue to follow a fairly generalized formula of how to produce milk. Cows and replacement heifers are fed primarily homegrown feed from crop rotations comprising alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.), oats (Avena spp.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.). Protein and mineral supplements are purchased to compliment dairy diets. However, the dairy indust...

Forage, Phosphorus and Soil on Dairy Farms