Dairy animals

Dairy Animals

Feeding, health, manure management and dairy production practices for dairy animals.

News & articlestab

News & articles

Cornstalks can fill forage gaps during drought

Published: Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Grazing cornstalks or drought-stricken corn can fill feed gaps during drought, says University of Missouri Extension beef nutritionist Eric Bailey.There are some nutritional concerns, and producers must commit to moving cattle to ...

Native warm-season grasses help feed livestock through drought

Published: Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023

The drought in Missouri has taken a toll on cool-season grasses, diminishing forage for cattle and other livestock.“Native warm-season grasses are the ideal forage for summer during the production slump of cool-season grasses due to heat, ...

A No. 2 pencil is a beef producer's best tool

Published: Monday, Aug. 7, 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo. – One of the most important tools for livestock producers is a sharp No. 2 pencil.The pencil and some basic arithmetic can help take the emotion out of desperate measures to find feed. When you do the math, buying grain or other ...

Helping dairy cows through extreme heat

Published: Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Heat waves put extra stress on livestock. A University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist advises taking specific, ongoing steps for dairy cows throughout heat waves.Heat abatement“Dairy cows become heat-stressed starting at ...

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Publications

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Selecting a Site for Livestock and Poultry Operations

Publication date: Feb. 8, 2023

Reviewed by Teng Teeh LimDepartment of Agricultural EngineeringThe first factor to consider in selecting a site for an animal feeding operation is state and local permitting requirements and ordinances. Consult local health and regulatory ...

Dairy Grazing: Genetics of the Grazing Cow

Publication date: Feb. 9, 2023

This publication is one in a series about operating and managing a pasture-based dairy. Although these publications often refer to conditions in Missouri, many of the principles and concepts described may apply to operations throughout the United ...

A Guide to the Common Forages and Weeds of Pastures

Publication date: Jan. 27, 2023

$30.00

Greg J. Bishop-HurleyPostdoctoral research associate, AgronomyRobert L. KallenbachState Forage SpecialistForages are the foundation of a successful grazing operation. Forage selection should take into account annual forage yield, plant persistence, ...

Dairy Grazing: Growth of Pasture Plants

Publication date: Jan. 27, 2023

Dairy Heifer Planning Budget

Publication date: Sept. 16, 2022

This budget presents information useful to Missouri farmers raising dairy heifers. The production practices used to develop the cost estimates are common in Missouri. Farmers are encouraged to customize this budget to fit their operation with the aid ...

Dairy (Grazing) Planning Budget

Publication date: Sept. 16, 2022

This budget presents information useful to Missouri dairy farmers. The production practices used to develop the cost estimates are common for grazing dairies in Missouri. Farmers are encouraged to customize this budget to fit their operation with the ...

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Resourcestab

Resources

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Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PDF)

Milk Quality and Mastitis - Regulations - Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance 2015 Revision, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Forage Cost Per Ton Calculator

Calculating forages on a cost per ton of dry matter allows price comparisons between differing bale sizes and moisture levels of forage. Use this calculator to prevent confusion about bale weights and moisture and to learn the true cost of buying ...

Missouri Rainfall Data (USDA)

Weather - USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service Missouri Field Office (Part of the Heartland Regional Field Office)

Grazing Wedge: Online Tool for Pasture Management

The grazing wedge online tool enables beef and dairy producers to make forage management decisions that align to their production goals. Users can set up an account, input farm and paddock data, and track other information they can use to improve ...

Manure management

Missouri Dairy Resource Guide's (AgEBB) information to help implement the best strategy concerning on-farm manure management. This includes insights on nutrient management planning, economics of manure, regulatory issues, records and the use of ...

Byproduct feed price listing

Lists prices per ton charged by a number of companies for feed such as corn gluten meal and dried distillers grain.

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