Diamond V articles
Measuring Dry Matter Accurately On-Farm With an Affordable Consumer Appliance
When assessing the health and productivity of your dairy herd, dry matter intake (DMI) is one of the key data points to consider. If DMI is low, productivity suffers no matter the quality of the ration. Moreover, with low DMI, maintaining cow health becomes that much more challenging.
Rise and Shine
You rise at 5:00am. The alarm clock goes off on the cherry-stained nightstand. Instinctively, you shut it off and step out of bed. You quickly get dressed and shuffle downstairs. Entering the kitchen, you start the coffee pot. Your favorite white ceramic cup, with a chip on the handle, hangs above the kitchen sink. Pulling it from the hook, you fill it to the brim, taking a second to smell the fresh grounds. Nothing better than a cup of coffee in the morni
If there’s one thing we know about pigs, it’s their love for food. A lot of food. We even use the terms such as “eat like a pig” or “pigging out.” Since swine are always on the lookout for their next meal, make sure the feed you’re putting in front of them will have a positive impact on their health and life-stage needs.
Today, pork producers face many challenges, with gut health being at the top of their list. Research has shown
The full swing of summer will bring high temperatures, high humidity, and high chances of heat stress. Heat stress is a major concern in the beef industry, causing countless problems in cattle, such as a decrease in feed intake, diminished digestibility, and a significant negative impact on performance.
High temperatures can cause cattle to reduce feed intake, which can negatively affect production. Cattle have greater energy needs and less energy available, which adds u
Summer is here and with it comes high temperatures, high humidity, and increased chances of heat stress. According to a 2019 Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research study, the US dairy industry experiences $1.5 billion in losses to heat stress annually. With afternoon humidities of 60-70%, and temperatures at 75-77°F, cows may already begin to experience the effects of heat stress – that’s a temperature humidity index (THI) of 74. Higher temperatures can impact herds, pot