Calcium – if you are a dairy farmer, there is no other mineral you spend as much time thinking about or stressing over. When the effects of low blood calcium can lead to down cows, dystocia, uterine prolapse, retained placenta, mastitis, displaced abomasum, lower milk production, higher ketosis risk and decreased reproductive performance, there is …
Calcium Supplementation: Four Producers’ Perspectives Read More »
At GENEX, we are committed to equipping you – our members – with the best tools for success in this generation and the next. In today’s rapidly evolving world, one of the most important tools to lay the foundation for a successful tomorrow is education. Through the GENEX Collegiate Scholarship Program, our goal is to …
As we face the biting cold of winter, it is a good time to remind ourselves how best to fight back against the cold and protect our calves. Calves experience cold stress when the ambient temperature drops below their thermoneutral zone, generally between 55⁰F – 70⁰F. For each 1⁰F drop below the thermoneutral zone, a …
From the moment each calf is born, you work tirelessly to ensure they remain healthy, productive and growing. In fact, their wellbeing is your top priority because you know they are the foundation of the future. Calving season is just around the corner, now is the time to make sure you have everything on hand …
Colostrum is important on day one, but not any colostrum will do. It needs to be high quality and full of the nutrients needed to give your calves the best start possible. With all of the colostrum choices, how can you be sure you are providing the best start for your calves? Today we will …
Oftentimes the release of new herd care line products means a reliance on GENEX employees to get early photographs of the product in use. When Push™ calf nutritional paste came out, Director of Beef Genetics Brad Johnson was up for the task. Here is his account of how picture-taking went and, more importantly, how he …
The single, most important meal a calf will consume in its lifetime is the first feeding of colostrum.Knowing when and how to intervene are the first steps for ensuring a productive calf. How does good colostrum feeding practices impact long-term productivity? The impact of good colostrum feeding practices is often overlooked. Good colostrum feeding practicesand …
Your livelihood is your cows and the milk they produce. It’s our duty as farmers to care for that livelihood; to protect our animals as well as our bottom line. Caring for a cow is important in all stages – pregnancy, lactation and even the dry period. Protecting cows after lactation is crucial, as 50-60% …
Calves have an increased susceptibility to illness. Heifers and cows must maintain proper gut health to achieve feed efficiency and a productive lactation. Cue direct-fed microbials (DFMs). It’s long been proven that particular strains of bacteria support a healthy gut in cattle. Studies of Lactobacillus acidophilus (aka lactic acid bacteria) started in the 1920s, but …
Giving birth is no simple task. This is true for nearly all species, including cattle. Bringing new life into this world is a miracle, but behind the awe and beauty is a mother who struggled for hours, giving her all. While it is important to properly care for a newborn calf, it is also important …
