What's new

APRIL 2001
Four new papers (sort of), and a request for your help.

The second two papers are not new. However, they may be new to you. They present an in-depth look at topics that are dealt with in this site. The two last papers have been abstracted from the Proceedings of the Western Canadian Dairy Seminars, which may be accessed on the internet through

It often happens that excellent new information is tucked away in conference proceedings that are not easily accessible to the producer, claw trimmer, veterinarian, nutritionist or animal scientist. Each visitor to this site could be a real help to the development of this particular feature if he/she could send in an abstract of papers that attracted his/her attention. Alternatively, I could be sent a photocopy of the whole paper and, if I share your enthusiasm, I can abstract the content (and credit your contribution).

Send abstracts or papers to:
Paul Greenough,
#25-330 Stodola Court,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CANADA
S7N 4N9.

FEED DELIVERY AND BUNK MANAGEMENT ASPECTS OF LAMINITIS IN DAIRY HERDS FED TOTAL MIXED RATIONS

R. D. Shaver, Ph.D. Department of Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison

This paper was presented at the XI International Symposium on Disorders of the Ruminant Digit, in Parma, Italy, September, 2000

Abstract
Formulation guidelines are available for chemical fiber (Nocek, 1997; NRC, 1989) and physically effective fiber (Mertens, 1997) minimums and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) and starch maximums (Nocek, 1997) in dairy cattle diets. The feeding of total mixed rations (TMR), which regulates dietary forage to concentrate ratio, is now common on commercial dairies. Despite these advances in diet formulation and feed delivery, Nordlund (1997) and Oetzel (1997) reported that subacute rumen acidosis is a prevalent problem for commercial dairies. The purpose of this paper is to discuss feed delivery and bunk management aspects of acidosis and laminitis in dairy herds fed TMR.

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IMPROVED CLAWS THROUGH IMPROVED TRACE MINERAL NUTRITION

Michael T. Socha, Ph.D., D. J. Tomlinson, Ph.D. and A. Bruce Johnson, Ph.D. Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

This paper was presented at the XI International Symposium on Disorders of the Ruminant Digit, in Parma, Italy, September, 2000

Abstract
Manipulation of the nutritional program of dairy cattle can have a profound effect on the prevalence of laminitis. Providing the proper amounts and forms of fiber, protein, carbohydrates and vitamins clearly affects the incidents of laminitis. Trace minerals also impact claw condition. The objective of this paper is to review the role of trace minerals in maintaining claw integrity.

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BUILDING FOR COW COMFORT

John Feddes1, Barry Robinson2 and Robert Borg3

This paper was presented at the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar held in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, March, 1996

Abstract
Many dairy cows rest in uncomfortable stalls due to incorrect design of the free-stall barn, or because the manure management systemreceives priority. Dairy cows may be housed in facilities that are not ventilated properly, especially during either cold or hot weather. Acomfortable dairy cow will result in reduced management problems and increased profits. Design features should ensure that the free-stallprovides proper access and comfort. Cows spend greater than one-half of their time lying, therefore their sleeping areas must distribute theirbody mass uniformly so that their bony protrusions are not subjected to hard surfaces with resulting stressed joints. Floor design shouldprovide good traction for the cows and facilitate effective manure removal. The ventilation system should provide fresh air to each animalspace at acceptable air speeds for both cold and warm weather. The objective of this paper is to suggest ways to improve cow comfortduring resting, and to provide an environment where the cow can maximize heat loss during hot weather and minimize heat loss during coldweather.

1Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2P5,
2Champion Feed Services Ltd., P.O. Box 2550, Westlock, AB, Canada, T0G 2L0,
3Agriculture, Food & Rural Development, Provincial Building, 4920 - 51 Street, Red Deer, AB, Canada, T4N 6K8 E-mail: jfeddes@afns.ualberta.ca

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FUEL FOR MILK: DELIVERING CARBOHYDRATE TO THE RUMEN AND INTESTINE AT THE RIGHT PRICE

James E. Nocek, Agway Research Center, Research & Development, Tully, NY 13159, E-mail: jnocek@attmail.com

This paper was presented at the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar held in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, March, 1995

Abstract
The diversity in efficiency of carbohydrate use by microorganisms can significantly influence their growth rate. Grain processing canincrease rumen availability of starch by 50% or more. Efficiency of starch utilization postruminally can be greater than ruminally. However, until certain obligate energy requirements are met(oxidative metabolism) particularly in early lactation, postruminal starch is used primarily to spare endogenous synthesis of glucose and use ofcertain amino acids for oxidative purposes. To the level that nonstructural carbohydrate can be added to the diet, increasing the rumen availability of starch is more cost effective inproviding essential amino acids (lysine and methionine) through microbial synthesis than supplementation of traditional high protein UIPsources.

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