Today`s Nutrition Update tackles the idea of avoiding mistakes when it comes to feeding your herd. Especially these days while feed prices are so high, mistakes can result in significant loss of income. There are two phases - the immediate loss of income due to cow response and the long term actions due to stress factors of a feeding mistake. Keep in mind that if its worth feeding, its worth testing. The type of test performed depends on the component of feed. It helps to have multiple nutrient suppliers in a ration so that if an ingredient does not perform how it should, other ingredients will be present to provide the necessary nutritional value.

To hear Dr. Chandler`s full visit on DairyLine Radio, click the play button below:

For all dairy producers the current high feed costs are almost behind comprehension. With no forseeable help in sight, its important to closely look at your herd’’s feed program.

Dr. Paul Chandler shared a couple points of advice in DairyLine Radio`s Nutrition Update on Friday. First and foremost, Dr. Chandler recommends grouping and managing cows based on their nutritional needs. This ensures that the proper nutrients are given to the cows who need them the most - early vs. late lactation cows. Also, step back and take a look at where your wasted feed goes. Manure, feed storage and errors in mixing can all result in loss of valuable feed.

To hear the full Nutrition Update, click the play button below.

Last week Dr. Paul Chandler began a DairyLine Radio segment dedicated to re-evaluating the vitamin needs of our cows. Today`s radio segement, which can be heard by clicking the play button below, talks about fat-soluble vitamins…

Significant requirements of vitamins A, D & E are needed in a dairy cow`s ration. However, bigger doesn`t always equal better. Often times the levels of A & D are much higher than what is needed, while E is below the recommended amounts. Work closely with a professional nutritionist to arrive at the right levels for your herd. Other tidbits of vitamin information Dr. Chandler shares are:

1. Consistent feeding of vitamin E & selenium has shown to improve herd health and reproduction.
2. Niacin can have a large positive impact on early lactation cows but not as great of an impact later in lactation.
3. Choline is key in mobilizing fat.

Keeping these things in mind, providing group rations for cows at a certain point in their lactation or at a certain level of body condition would be ideal.

The Nutrition Update for this Friday comes to us from Dr. Paul Chandler of Chandler & Assoc. in Dresden, TN. Dr. Chandlers message on DairyLine Radio talks about the evolution of vitamin needs for the dairy cow. Click the play button below to hear the full segment.

Dr. Chandler encourages dairy producers to re-evaluate the vitamin needs of high producing cows. The diets and demands of the cows we are working with have changed over the years and vitamin supplements are one area of nutrition that could be beneficial. Effective use of B vitamin supplements in moderate amounts can be achieved without large increases in daily feed costs. In addition to the three fat-soluble vitamins (A, D & E), the following supplements should be considered:

1. Niacin
2. Choline & Folic Acid
3. Biotin