Feed efficiency can be calculated as the amount of milk produced per hectare of land. While increasing and optimizing the amount of crops harvested per hectare of land is an obvious way to improve this parameter, optimizing silage management can also contribute significantly to feed efficiency.

First of all, the transition from the dry cow period to lactation should be smooth, to ensure that dry matter intake after calving increases as rapidly as possible. Secondly, the Body Condition Score (BCS) should be managed correctly throughout lactation. BCS should be measured regularly during lactation. This Body Condition Score chart can help you to monitor the BCS in each cow.

Since the launch of the 2021 NASEM Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, which took place last September 2021, many questions related to “what has changed?” and “what has not changed?” have been asked by professionals in the ruminant nutrition and health industry. For your convience this document contains the exact comparison of trace mineral and vitamin requirements.

The moulds that produce mycotoxins are sometimes visible when crops are harvested, but the mycotoxins themselves are invisible. Thus, mycotoxins will only be found in animal feed if it is being analysed. Yet, even if the feed is being analysed, there is still the risk of sampling error and “masked” mycotoxins, conjugates of mycotoxins that are formed by plant metabolism and cannot be detected with standard methods.

The negative effects of immune system activation and inflammation in dairy cows. Immune system activation increases glucose utilization by immune cells which results in decreased dry matter intake1. This causes an increase in NEFA and ketones as the cow turns to other energy sources, and a related increased severity of hypocalcemia, resulting in poor health, poor lactational performance and poor reproduction.

Trace mineral management has changed significantly over the last 20 years. Independent research has shown superiority of new trace minerals, such as proteinates, complexes and chelates, and now hydroxy trace minerals over more traditional sources such as sulphates. Modern sources of trace minerals such as hydroxy forms can have a positive impact on cow productivity, health and fertility while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

Heat stress in dairy cows can result in systemic immune activation. It is a misconception to think heat stress with dairy cows only occurs in arid or tropical regions of the world. Dairy cows in areas with more temperate climates can also experience heat stress during the hottest and most humid times of the year. Heat stress can have several consequences that create a substantial loss of production.

Hindgut acidosis can be reduced by providing rumen protected calcium gluconate. Gut barrier function can be improved by providing the hydroxy form of trace minerals, thus avoiding the negative effects of sulfates on hindgut health.

The brochure: “Background to the Selko programme” presents the Selko programme including some of the scientific information that forms the basis for the programme. The brochure “The Selko offering” is more action oriented and presents an overview of the support available to implement a Selko programme. Download our brochures and learn more about the Selko programme for dairy cows

Calving is a risky period, bot for the cow and the calf. There are however a number of things that can be done to ensure a smooth calving process, preparing the calf for a good start of the rearing period and the cow for a successful lactation.

Fertility can have a big impact on farm profitability. Poor fertility will lead to a reduction of Lifetime Daily Yield.

Farm income is often dependent on the production of milk fat and milk protein. Optimal rumen fermentation is crucial for dairy cows to produce an optimal volume of milk with optimal percentage of fat. There are several ways to improve rumen fermentation and next to this, there are other factors that can be modified to increase milk fat production. There are no miracle products or formulations, the problem requires a holistic approach.

Cows with blood calcium levels below 2.0 mmol/l with clinical signs are classified as suffering from clinical milk fever. Cows with clinical signs do however often have blood calcium levels below 1.5 mmol/l.

The transition to lactation has an enormous impact on performance of dairy cows. The stress and hormonal changes associated with calving and the dramatic increase in demand for energy and calcium can result in serious metabolic stress.

During the last two weeks of gestation, the dry matter intake of cows goes down while their energy requirements go up, as a result of growth of the calf and the start of colostrum production. In the first few weeks after calving, milk production increases faster as dry matter intake does. As a result, dairy cows will be in negative energy balance (NEB).