Missouri Holstein cow produces nearly 24 gallons of milk per day
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Missouri Holstein Dezi is a moo-ver and a milker.The Lawrence County cow outperforms most of her regional counterparts, producing just short of three times as much milk per day, says University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Reagan Bluel.Dezi, owned by farmer Karl Wilke, churns out 201 pounds of milk per day. That’s the equivalent of about 24 gallons—15 gallons more than the average Holstein.
April rains affect May forages; alfalfa turns yellow in wet fields
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Alfalfa fields fading from green to yellow may mean too much water. Farmers see the change after record-setting rains.Waterlogged soil kills nitrogen-fixing bacteria on roots, says Craig Roberts. The University of Missouri Extension specialist alerted area specialists of the problems. There are fixes.
Cold snap brings fescue foot to cows on toxic fescue grass
Cold snaps can trigger fescue foot in cattle grazing toxic fescue, leading to lameness and hoof loss. Early detection helps prevent losses.
Study shows danger of short grazing toxic-fescue pastures by cattle herds
COLUMBIA, Mo. – New forage research gives reason to not graze toxic fescue grass too short. The bottom 2 inches of infected grass holds highest levels of the alkaloid causing problems for grazing livestock. The findings guide ways to manage fescue’s toxic impact, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist. The message for herd owners: Don’t allow cows to grub fescue pastures into the ground.