Education Commons^™

G12-2175 Animal Care Resource Guide For 4-H And Ffa Members: Knowing The Livestock Lingo, Lindsay M. Chichester, Karna J. Dam, Dennis E. Bauer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

There are many terms associated with livestock production that may be unfamiliar to youth. This 2012 NebGuide lists and defines terms common between species and specific to certain species.

G09-1975 Nebraska - An Opportunity For Dairy Expansion And Relocation, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This 2009 NebGuide discusses why dairy producers might choose Nebraska in order to expand and/or relocate their dairy. It looks at several areas important to dairy producers, and emphasizes the availability of feed and other natural resources of utmost importance to the dairy industry. While this NebGuide is not expansive and does not list feed prices, utility rates, etc., it does list the reasons why Nebraska is a good place to look at for a dairy operation.

G06-1033 It's Snack Time, Linda S. Boeckner, Karen Schledewitz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Snacks are the foods we eat outside of a more structured meal setting. Snacking can be a part of a healthy eating plan or it can be a harmful habit. The difference between harmful and healthy snacking is up to you. Think about what, when, how often and how much you eat snacks.

In this NebGuide, learn how snacks affect your overall diet and how to select healthful snacks that meet your dietary needs.

G05-1587 Understandng Effective Fiber In Rations For Dairy Cattle, Paul J. Kononoff

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Fiber type, quality and length are key to herd health and production.

Fiber is a key component in dairy rations. When nutritionists are faced with herd challenges such as low milkfat tests, foot problems, or low feed conversions, ration fiber often is evaluated. Effective fiber depends on the type and amount of forages and nonforage fiber sources being fed, the particle size of those forages and the amount of available nonfiberous carbohydrates included in the diet.

G05-1583 How To Body Condition Score Dairy Animals, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Routinely scoring the body condition of dairy animals can help detect potential problems that might cause a decrease in milk production.

As the production level of a herd increases, body condition scoring becomes more important. A routine program for body condition scoring can help detect potential health problems before they significantly reduce milk production. A herd of cattle in good body condition will produce more, and will be less susceptible to metabolic disorders, disease, mastitis and reproductive problems. Underconditioned cows are subject to health problems, and overconditioned cows are subject to calving difficulties, fatty liver syndrome and possible death.

G05-1582 How To Reduce Heat Stress In Dairy Cattle, Jeffrey F. Keown, Paul J. Kononoff, Richard J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Four ways to reduce heat stress and maintain production and fertility in dairy cattle.

Heat stress is one of the leading causes of decreased production and fertility in Nebrasks dairy cattle during summer months. These losses are apparent in the decreased amount of milk shipped, increased days open and decreased breedings per conception. Some heat stress is unavoidable, but effects can be minimized if certain management practices are followed.

Ec00-280 Hiring Dairy Personnel: Making The Process Easier, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Position descriptions are essential. A detailed position, or job, description can help you as an employer identify and eliminate applicants who will not perform well on the job and gives you justifiable grounds for terminating an employee who does not perform the job satisfactorily.

On most dairy farms, employees can be grouped into three categories: herd managers, feeders or outdoor workers, and milkers. This extension circular discusses the description for each category, how to start the hiring process, and questions that may be asked during interviewing and after hiring for a position on the dairy farm.

Mp78 2001-2002 Nebraska Dairy Report

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Annual Report of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dairy Research for 2001-2002. Topics include:

Optimal Replacement of Forage and Concentrate with a New Wet Corn Milling Product for Lactating Dairy Cows

Evaluation of Alternative Sources of Rumen Undegradable Protein with Wet Corn Milling Products for Dairy Cattle

Effect of Wet Corn Gluten Feed on Growth and Nutrient Digestibility of Dairy Heifers

Quality of Corn Silage and Wet Corn Gluten Feed Ensiled Together in Mini Silos

Use of Bt Corn Silage and Grain by Lactating Dairy Cattle

Effect of Nonenzymatically Browned Sunflower Seeds on Ruminal Fermentation and Milk Composition

Carbohydrate Composition of Commonly …

G99-1393 Grazing Alfalfa, Jerry D. Volesky, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Grazing alfalfa may be a cost efficient means of harvest for some producers. This NebGuide explores alfalfa and alfalfa/grass options, varieties and stand establishment, and grazing and bloat management.

Alfalfa is the most productive and versatile forage legume grown in Nebraska. Cutting for hay or silage has been the traditional method of harvest, but many opportunities and options exist for grazing. With current technology and proper management, beef gain can exceed 1,000 pounds per acre with acceptable stand persistence.

Nf99-405 Processing Corn Grain For Dairy Cows, Rick Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact offers suggestions for processing forn for lactating cows.

G99-1394 Feeding Program: Quality Control Checklist, Rick J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Use this check list to ensure that your feeding program is effective and profitable.

The following guidelines will help assure that your herd's feeding environment is optimal for maximum feed intake, milk production and cow comfort.

Ec98-755 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Fact Sheet 13: Improving Milking Center Effluent Treatment, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Effluent from the dairy milking center, including discharges from the milking parlor (manure, feed solids, hoof dirt) and milkhouse (bulk tank and pipeline rinse water and detergent used in cleaning), is commonly disposed of in a variety of ways. Milking center effluent offers several unique challenges due to the presence of: 1. Large volumes of contaminated water which can overwhelm soil absorption systems. 2. Milk solids and fats and manure solids which plug many systems. 3. Cleaning sanitizers which reduce bacterial breakdown of solids. When these systems fail, effluent will become a risk to surface and groundwater quality.

Ec98-758 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Worksheet 11: Land Application Of Manure, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Why should I be concerned? Stewardship of soil and water resources should be a goal of every livestock producer. Management decisions made relative to land application of livestock manure will influence the ability to attain that goal.

Ec98-757 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Fact Sheet 11: Improving Land Application Of Manure, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Resource or waste? Stewardship of soil and water resources should be a goal of every livestock producer. Management decisions made relative to land application of livestock manure will influence the ability to attain that goal. An evaluation of your land application practices should focus on the following question: Is manure a waste or are source?

Ec98-756 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Worksheet 13: Milking Center Effluent Treatment, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Why should I be concerned? Milking center effluent is usually considered a dairy sanitation problem. If not properly managed, however, the effluent can contaminate both groundwater and surface water.

Ec98-761 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Worksheet 10: Livestock Yards Management, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Why should I be concerned? Livestock yards, such as barnyards, holding areas and feedlots, are areas of concentrated livestock wastes and a potential source of nutrient, solids, and bacteria contamination of surface and groundwater. Yards that are abandoned permanently or are inactive temporarily also represent a potential risk.

Ec98-759 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Fact Sheet 10: Improving Livestock Yards Management, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Besides addressing the potential of livestock yards to pollute surface and groundwater, other good reasons for improving management practices include ease of maintenance, improved herd health, and quality milk or meat production. This fact sheet discusses six issues critical to minimizing the impact of livestock yards on water quality.

G98-1358 Feeding To Maximize Protein And Fat, Rick J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes feeding guidelines to increase milk fat and protein production.

Proper feeding management of dairy herds can both improve the economy of production and provide a healthier cow. To achieve these goals, producers must feed to increase production of milk with maximum levels of milk fat and protein.

Milk solids components include fat, protein, lactose and minerals. Normal values for milk fat range from 3.7 percent (Holstein) to 4.9 percent (Jersey); milk protein ranges from 3.1 percent (Holstein) to 3.8 percent (Jersey). Lactose is usually 4.6–4.8 percent for all breeds; minerals (ash) average .74 percent. Because current milk …

G97-1342 Feeding Value Of Alfalfa Hay And Alfalfa Silage, Terry L. Mader, Todd Milton, Ivan G. Rush, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the feeding value of alfalfa under different harvesting, storage and feeding methods, as compared to other protein sources.

In Nebraska, alfalfa is used primarily as a protein source. However, for cow-calf producers it can sometimes be an economical energy source, depending on the prevailing price of feed grains and other sources of energy.

Alfalfa is generally harvested as dry hay or as silage (65 percent moisture). Ensiling at 45 to 55 percent moisture is also common, particularly if the alfalfa is stored in an upright oxygen-limiting structure. Regardless of harvesting and storage methods, some dry matter and …

G97-1315 Composting Manure And Other Organic Residues, Bahman Eghball

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Composting is becoming more common in Nebraska because of the many advantages it offers. This NebGuide provides information on the composting process and its management and related issues.

The Composting Process

Composting is the aerobic decomposition of manure or other organic materials in the thermophilic temperature range (104-149°F). The composted material is odorless, fine-textured, and low-moisture and can be bagged and sold for use in gardens, or nurseries or used as fertilizer on cropland with little odor or fly breeding potential. Composting improves the handling characteristics of any organic residue by reducing its volume and weight. Composting can kill pathogens …

Nf97-317 Managing Dairy Cows To Avoid Abomasal Displacement, Rick Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses feeding strategies to reduce the incidence of displaced abomasum in your dairy herd.

Mp68 1996-98 Dairy Report

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Annual Report of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dairy Research for 1997-1998. Topics include:

Time of Initiating Dietary Fat Supplementaion on Lactation and Reproduction

A Soyhull:Soy Lecithin Soapstock Mixture for Early Lactation Dairy Cows

Nonenzymatically Browned Soybeans for Dairy Cattle

Feather and Blood Meal Combination for Lactating Dairy Cows

Impact of Nonfiber Carbohydrate Concentration on Forage Fiber Digestion

Sulfite Liquor-Treated Meat and Bone Meal for Dairy Cows

The OTHER Causes of Infectious Diseases

Test Day Genetic Evaluations

Income and Herdlife

Maternal Genetic and Cytoplasmic Effects in Dairy Cattle

Financial and Management Survey of Nebraska Dairy Producers

Free-Stall Design and Maintenance

Horizontal Silos …

G96-1285 Dairy Health Management For Optimum Production And Reproductive Performance, Duane N. Rice, Rick J. Grant, Larry L. Larson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Maintaining a healthy herd is a constant challenge to today's dairy producer. This NebGuide suggests ways to increase and maintain the quality of your dairy herd. Maintaining a healthy herd is a constant challenge to today's dairy producer. Each year an average of 20 to 25 percent of dairy cows are culled due to poor reproductive performance or other health problems. Many factors influence the health and performance of a dairy herd. These include the entire scope of management factors from "on farm" activity to the associated business and financial interactions. All of these are controllable but require knowledge and …

Nf96-270 Handling Feed Moisture In Ration Formulation And Inventory Control, Richard J. Rasby, Rick Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact has information on livestock feed moisture.

Nf96-252 Controlling Feed Costs On Your Dairy Farm, Rick Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses ways to control feed costs on dairy farms.

G96-1298 Milk Urea Nitrogen Testing, Rick J. Grant, Dennis Drudik, Jeffrey F. Keown

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide explains how to properly test for MUN and interpret the results.

Milk urea nitrogen (MUN) analyses can be used as a signal, or "red flag", to point out potential problems in your feeding program. In particular, high MUN values reflect excessive dietary crude protein or low rumen degradable nonfiber carbohydrates (NFC). The NFC fraction, usually composed of starch and other sugars, can be low when insufficient grain is fed, or grain is improperly processed. Appropriate MUN testing over a period of several months to fine tune a feeding management program can result in:

1. precisely meeting nutritional requirements, …

Ec96-824 Dairy Economics In Nebraska: An Analysis Of Costs And Returns And Comparisons With Other States, H. Douglas Jose, Richard J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Dairy Economics in Nebraska

The dairy sector is undergoing major structural changes and economic adjustments. The industry is also becoming more market oriented as government price supports decline. Increased competitiveness has kept milk prices relatively stable, but increased grain and other input costs in 1995-96 have put increased pressure on profit margins which were already narrow.

This publication is a compilation of data related to the current economics of dairy farming. The objective is to provide data to help dairy farmers make adjustments in their operations, such as expanding their herds, and to provide basic data for operators setting up …

G1253 Basic Principles Of Mastitis Control, Jeffrey F. Keown, Paul J. Kononoff

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Mastitis is a frustrating, costly, and complex infection. A good, workable, effective preventive control program is presented in this NebGuide.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland usually caused by bacterial infection of udder tissues. Except for rare injuries, infectious bacteria or other pathogens, e.g. yeast, fungi, etc., enter the udder through the teat end. Mastitis in both clinical (obvious abnormality, visible to naked eye) and subclinical stages (unseen signs of abnormality, invisible to naked eye) is a frustrating, costly and complex disease that reduces the quality and quantity of milk.

Mastitis results from a complex interrelationship between the …

Nf95-215 How's Your Nutritional Health?, Darlene Martin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses the warning signs of poor nutritional health. Use this list to find out if you are selecting the minimum number of servings from each food group.

G95-1265 Guidelines For Using Computerized Concentrate Feeders For Dairy Herds, Rick J. Grant, Gerald R. Bodman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how computerized feeders work, the advantages of using them, and provides general guidelines on their installation, maintenance, and economical operation.

A computerized grain feeding system consists of an identification tag -- carried around the neck of the cow -- a computer, power source, feeding station(s), and grain bin(s). Although each manufacturer uses slightly different hardware, all systems function similarly.