Trace minerals are essential nutrients required for numerous functions in the body of a cow, especially during the transition period. While forages and grains contain some trace minerals, additional supplementation for cows is generally required.

This is the topic of our conversation with Dr. Craig Louder of Axiota Animal Health.

Dan Schreiner, Product Manager for Feed and Barn for Lely North America, joins us to discuss how feeding technology has evolved, what’s available on the market today and the benefits to the cows, dairy farmers and potentially the planet. Automated feeding reduces labor, feed consistency and accuracy and Dan explains how to feed more sustainably in the back of the barn.

Automated technologies have been developed and increasingly adopted within the dairy industry to not only reduce human labor requirements, but also to increase the accuracy and precision of application of various management tasks. Various forms of feeding technologies are currently available to increase our precision in feeding strategies of dairy cows. At a herd-level, this includes automated feed preparation and delivery. While, at the animal level, this includes individualized feeding opportunities, currently primarily through automated milking in lactating cows. Dr. Trevor DeVries of the University of Guelph joins us to discuss the automations  currently available to increase our precision in feeding strategies and some of the associated challenges.

Automated technologies have been developed and increasingly adopted within the dairy industry to not only reduce human labor requirements, but also to increase the accuracy and precision of application of various management tasks. Various forms of feeding technologies are currently available to increase our precision in feeding strategies of dairy cows. At a herd-level, this includes automated feed preparation and delivery. While, at the animal level, this includes individualized feeding opportunities, currently primarily through automated milking in lactating cows. While there are still many challenges associated with the successful implementation of such precision feeding strategies, on-going research would suggest that these opportunities will continue to grow.

Recommendations regarding the care and housing of dairy calves have changed dramatically over the last decade. During this presentation, Dr. von Keyserlingk will highlight the latest research undertaken on feeding and housing of the milk fed dairy calf. She will also highlight some of the areas of calf care that are likely going to receive increased attention over the next decade and areas that are in need targeted research in order to find sustainable solutions.

Feeding dairy cattle profitably in 2021 has come with challenges! High grain prices in combination with a global freight crisis have left many dairy producers looking for solutions. Sometimes these answers can be found in taking a pragmatic look at your diet and deciding what is really needed rather than chasing perfection. Time and time again, dairy diets contain an additive that no longer serves a purpose, or a lack of one nutrient, but overfeeding another. Daniel’s presentation will focus on simplifying, decluttering, and how to spend feed dollars wisely through the current commodity price circus. The presentation will lay out a concise list of tips to save money, or optimize your current feed budget.