Derek Wawack works as Alltech’s dairy forage quality expert. He has consulted on farms throughout North America, focusing on everything from feed quality’s impact on animal performance to storage forage management and mold, yeast and mycotoxin management. He regularly visits farms for routine quality monitoring and to help with troubleshooting challenges.

You may wonder what a day in the life of an on-farm forage specialist looks like, so I’m here to share my story. The late founder of Alltech, Dr. Pearse Lyons, always said everyone is in sales, and that is very true.

We come from all types of backgrounds: Some grew up on farms; some didn’t. Some live far away; some live next door. I may not be a typical salesperson, selling products as I travel from farm-to-farm, as I’m more focused on providing a service and sharing information about products that can bring value to you as the end user.

Life on the road

My day may start a little different than most corporate salespeople, but similar to them, I spend more than 100 nights a year in hotels across the country. I wake up hoping to catch the free continental breakfast if I didn’t have a 3 a.m. farm visit scheduled, as we all know when working with animals: They don’t understand clocks. My truck is my office, and it greets me each morning with a smell I can’t really put a finger on, even though it is thoroughly cleaned each week if not daily. Sometimes the hotel will even leave a hose and bucket out for me when I arrive. My driver’s seat has a perfect fit to my backside, as I crank out 50,000-plus miles per year down the highways and gravel roads meeting new people, visiting customers and seeing the country through the windshield.

A typical day for me will include multiple farm visits and many miles on the road. The first farm could be a forage audit where I’ll be checking the overall quality of the feed for the cows. This would be scheduled as a routine visit, and I’ll stop by every few months to make sure the feed going to the cows is clean and the cows are performing to the best level they can with what they have. I’ll spend some time evaluating the forages, looking and digging through feedstuffs looking for potential issues. We use correct infrared (IR) imaging for organic material to look for invisible hot spots, such as the growth of molds and yeast. I may have to shake out the forages or TMR to check processing and take manure samples to compare how the diets look to how it comes out the back end. After a brief talk with the owner of the operation about production and the upcoming harvest, samples may need to be pulled and sent off to the various labs to look deeper for any issues.

Expecting the unexpected

The next stop may be last-minute and unscheduled, as a vet or nutritionist saw my truck at the gas station and needs a second set of eyes on why a group of cows had a hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) outbreak or a butterfat crash, or maybe weights on the feedlot steers took a slump and the pens are all getting loose and they went off-feed. Troubleshooting has become a big part of my day-to-day work. Spending many years watching, learning and working with other experts and understanding why certain contaminated feeds cause specific issues, you become an expert your customers can call on and trust. Now sometimes Mother Nature can throw a curve ball into feed quality, and that’s where all the travel can come into play. I have been fortunate to see things all over the continent, even the world, and work with an extensive group of international colleagues, so when an issue arises that may not be common in your area, and suddenly it is, hopefully I can be of help.

After a busy morning and a few farm visits, it’s lunchtime. Sometimes I’ll enjoy lunch at a small-town cafe with good home-cooking instead of fast food, and sometimes I’ll be joined by a manager, vet, nutritionist and/or other experts for a working lunch to discuss challenges and issues we’ve been seeing.

Part-time pilot

After lunch, I’m off to fly a drone. I have been flying drones commercially for over three years, focused on forage inventories and crop quality checks. Working with cloud computing systems, I utilize high-end technology and bring it to the farm level to gain a better understanding of silage tons in a pile or shrinkage from harvest on. Then, while I’m at the farm, the owner might mention they are planning an expansion and are wondering if they need to build a bigger feed pad, what the layout should be and what can fit. After taking measurements, 3D modeling and elevations with the drone, I can put together a plan for future feed pad needs.

After leaving that farm, I realize I haven’t had a great cell signal all day and, as I make my way down the road to the new hotel for the night, a bunch of phone calls, voicemails and emails from multiple time zones come in, so I start returning calls. The day doesn’t end with a late arrival to the hotel because all of the work that went into today now has to be recorded and sent back in reports and follow-ups to the customers. Cows need milking, cattle need growing, and time doesn’t stop to get the needed information out to each operation.

At the end of the day, I hope the services and information I share can bring some value and support to your farm. Your livelihood is in your operation and your animals, and if it wasn’t for hard-working producers, our tables would be empty. You are the ones who grow the food to feed the world, and I can’t imagine doing anything else other than working with the greatest folks out there, you the farmer.

Originally published by Progressive Forage.

I want to learn more about nutrition for my dairy.

Yeast supplementation is a common practice to improve the efficiency of feed utilization and performance in dairy cows. It is well-known that supplements containing live yeast can improve rumen fermentation and the digestive process by stabilizing rumen pH and stimulating the growth of beneficial microbial populations. These positive changes can be attributed to growth factors, including peptides, and the effect on the rumen anaerobiosis to create optimal conditions for the rumen microflora.

Good rumen function will ensure optimal feed intake and digestive efficiency in dairy cows, while poor rumen function can negatively impact feed intake, health and overall cow performance. Formulating the ration correctly and understanding how the individual ingredients in the ration work together can help keep the dairy cow’s rumen and digestive system functioning properly.

How can you ensure that good formulations will lead to the expected results?

Published research and decades of use in the field suggest that most dairy diets respond positively to Yea-Sacc^®, a yeast culture based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae that stimulates the growth of fiber-digesting and lactic acid-utilizing bacteria in the rumen. These microbial changes directly result in:

• A stable rumen pH, which is conducive to better fiber digestion and a reduced risk of rumen acidosis
• Improved feed intake
• Enhanced milk yield and components

However, not all formulation strategies react the same way. As a result, there may be instances in which supplementation with Yea-Sacc does not yield the expected results.

To quantify the efficacy of Yea-Sacc for improving rumen fermentation and nutrient utilization for specific dairy TMRs, allowing for greater precision when feeding Yea-Sacc, Alltech created the Alltech IFM™: Yea-Sacc^® Value Test (YSVT^®).

The response of dairy TMRs to Yea-Sacc supplementation may vary depending on the feedstuffs. Formulation models are limited in predicting the effects of non-nutritive feed additives on rumen fermentation, which limits the precision of ration formulation and the prediction of the efficacy of a given additive. A quick lab-based test that evaluates the potential of Yea-Sacc in a particular situation can help improve the nutritive value of a given TMR.

Building on Alltech IFM, an in vitro rumen fermentation model used to characterize feed digestion kinetics, YSVT is a unique approach to rumen fermentation analysis. Standard in vitro rumen simulation techniques are usually conducted over a shorter period spanning 48 to 72 hours of fermentation. As a result, these techniques do not allow for an accurate evaluation of the efficacy of yeast supplements, as the effects of yeast on rumen populations are not readily evident until supplements like Yea-Sacc have been included in the diet for at least 4 to 7 days.

As the animal adapts to the presence of Yea-Sacc in its diet, the rumen microbial population changes to comprise higher concentrations of fiber-digesting and lactate-utilizing bacteria. YSVT utilizes rumen fluid both from animals that have been adapted to Yea-Sacc and their counterparts that are fed the same basal ration without Yea-Sacc. This allows for the adequate adaptation of the rumen microbial populations to Yea-Sacc without the need for long-term incubation in the lab.

The YSVT test measures key fermentation indicators, including:

• Digestibility
• Lactic acid concentration
• Useful energy (i.e., energy produced from the fermentation of carbohydrates)
• Rumen energy efficiency (i.e., useful energy per pound of feed digested)

To date, more than 200 dairy TMRs have been analyzed using YSVT. More than 93% of the samples showed a positive response to Yea-Sacc supplementation in terms of useful energy and rumen energy efficiency, with an average response of +13%.

In approximately 50% of all samples, the increase in the useful energy released was not correlated with improvements in digestibility. This indicates that Yea-Sacc increases the efficiency by which feed nutrients are converted into useful energy for the animal, most likely through a more efficient and healthier microbiome. The lactic acid response was more variable, with more than 60% of the samples showing decreased concentration, indicating a reduced risk for a lower rumen pH and acidosis.

In conclusion, the YSVT helps nutritionists and producers understand the value of yeast in improving rumen fermentation. As a result, feed additive supplementation strategies can be tailored to maximize the energy produced from rumen fermentation and improve digestive efficiency in dairy cows.  future developments of this tool will focus on better understanding the interaction of ingredients, the nutrient composition of the TMR and the response to Yea-Sacc — and on developing predictive models to quantify the expected animal performance based on the outcome of a given fermentation profile.

I would like to learn more about the Yea-Sacc Value Test.

It is late winter, and the rodent problem in your barn is starting to get annoying, as the pests are breaking into feed bags and helping themselves to horse treats and cat food. You know that mice can carry diseases, some of which can be seriously harmful for humans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mice and rats can directly or indirectly transmit over 20 diseases worldwide. Several of these — such as leptospirosis and salmonellosis — are contagious to horses as well. And what about the summertime moles and gophers in your pasture, which make a mess of things with their tell-tale piles of dirt?

Rodent control is one of the toughest issues to deal with on horse properties. These animals are small and stealthy and are primarily active after dark, when we can’t see them. So, how do you go about reducing the rodent population without resorting to lethal trapping methods or using chemicals that are deadly to other animals in the ecosystem, including dogs and barn cats?

Using barn cats as the primary means of rodent control is often not effective and comes with its own set of challenges. For one, horse barns have much to offer to rodents in terms of food, water and shelter, and due to rodents’ small size and rapid cycle of reproduction, cats may not be able to control the rodent populations on their own. Additionally, while cats are worthy additions to the barn, they are at a much higher risk for developing infectious diseases or acquiring parasites and require more health and veterinary care than we often realize.

All of the reasons outlined above explain why rodent control in barns should involve more than just our feline friends.

Enter nature’s mousetrap: the barn owl!

Barn owls are perfectly suited for horse properties, as they hunt in open meadows and grasslands. These creatures of the night have excellent low-light vision; they fly silently; they are equipped with sharp beaks and powerful talons; and their hearing is extraordinary — all of which makes them death on wings for gophers, rats and mice. A family of barn owls will consume about 2,000 mice and/or other rodents in just a few months. The good news for you is that all this method of rodent control requires on your end is the installation of a simple barn owl nest box — and creating the right habitat for their prey.

Barn owls need rough grassland to thrive, because that’s where voles, shews, field mice and other small rodents live. An overgrazed pasture, a lawn or even monoculture croplands won’t provide the diverse habitat that rodents like. Rodents — and, therefore, barn owls — favor well-established, tall grasslands (think prairies or meadows), perhaps with brush piles or hedgerows nearby.

Barn owls are secondary cavity dwellers, which means they live in holes that somebody else has already created — for example, a hole pecked by a woodpecker in an old tree or the dark rafters inside a quiet barn. We can take advantage of this habitat preference, as it means that these creatures will adapt well to barn owl nest boxes, which can be purchased or made.

Place your barn owl nest box in a quiet location, preferably 10 to 20 feet off the ground. Position the opening away from direct sunlight and prevailing winds. Nest boxes can be hung inside unused barns, on the outside of farm buildings or in trees. If the boxes are mounted on a wooden pole, consider utilizing a baffle, which will help keep cats, raccoons or other predators from reaching it. Many barn owls will reuse the same nest box year after year. It is best to hang nest boxes by January or February, as barn owls begin nesting in late February.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find an easier rodent control method than the nest box. Once you install your barn owl nest box, nature will do the rest. Additionally, barn owls are not likely to be aggressive toward people, nor will they attack pets or livestock.

Barn owls are common on every continent in the world (except for Antarctica), so no matter where you are, your horse property can benefit from having a barn owl working to your advantage. And not only will the presence of barn owls make a dent in your rodent population, but their tawny colors are beautiful to see at dusk, and their bone-chilling, screechy cry is thrilling to hear at night.

In addition to setting up barn owl habitats, consider implementing these other natural rodent control methods:

• Keep your barn clean, well-lit and dry.
• Store feed in tightly sealed metal trash bins.
• Store blankets, wraps and saddle pads in completely sealed rooms to minimize access to nesting materials.

Remember: Rodent control is a year-long management practice. Follow these steps to help ensure that your barn remains rodent-free through every season.  

I want to learn more about nutrition for my horses.

In the dairy industry, successfully implementing solutions that “kill two birds with one stone” requires innovation and usable data. Finding ways to reduce the carbon footprint on dairy cattle operations while also maintaining high milk production is just that kind of situation.

It is important to understand that dairy production is on a continuous path of growth. Some insightful data provided by the IFCN shows that global milk production is projected to increase by 35% between 2017 and 2030. This level of growth is promising for the industry but will also present many challenges and raise questions about our ability to provide more with fewer resources while adopting practices that are environmentally sound. To top everything off, all of this must be achieved while also continuing to increase transparency for consumers about how their milk is produced.

The main question is: Can we reduce the carbon footprint of milk while also improving our production and profitability?

Greenhouse gases have been a trending topic among consumers for several years, and this topic is now resonating more with dairy farmers across the world, as new regulations and initiatives are being presented. To achieve reduced emissions, we must look at ways to optimize production — including via nutritional solutions, which will play a very big role as we go forward.

Dairy producers can utilize nutritional solutions as tools for reducing methane emissions from dairy cows, but technologies that offer environmental benefits cannot compromise on animal performance, as doing so would mean requiring more animals to meet the growing demand for food. However, before looking to implement any of these solutions, dairy producers will need to measure their carbon footprint.

TOOL ONE: Alltech E-CO₂

To successfully reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, we must first know where these emissions come from. Analytical services, such as Alltech E-CO₂, identify and quantify these hotspots through accredited environmental assessments. Over the past 10 years and more than 10,000 assessments, Alltech E-CO₂ has found that the two largest sources of emissions on dairy farms are enteric emissions (i.e., methane from the rumen) and feed use. Together, these two sources contribute more than 60% of all emissions on dairy operations. These sources relate to rumen health and an animal’s ability to best maximize the feed it is being fed. By ensuring the production of a healthy and productive cow, we are helping operations improve their production efficiency while also enabling energy to be utilized for milk production and regular body maintenance, rather than being wasted by fighting health challenges. This type of information is critical for identifying targeted solutions that will enhance our methane mitigation strategies.

To successfully reduce a farm’s carbon footprint, we must look beyond one gas in one area and consider the balance of emissions across the entire farm. A lifecycle observation is one way of doing that, and it’s all about identifying opportunities to reduce waste and improve farm efficiency, which will translate to more money for the producer.

Learn more about Alltech E-CO₂ here.

Read on to learn more about two nutritional solutions that work to target the areas where there is room for improvement, as identified by Alltech E-CO₂.

TOOL TWO: Optigen^®

Optigen is a feed ingredient backed by years of robust research data that works to support production efficiency and sustainability. Optigen, a concentrated source of non-protein nitrogen, releases nitrogen into the rumen in a slow-release form. This provides a sustained release of ammonia in the rumen in sync with fermented carbohydrate digestion, thus allowing for efficient microbial protein synthesis in the rumen.  

In order to gather clear evidence that shows how we can use feed strategies to reduce our carbon footprint, the FAO developed a standard guideline for the environmental performance of feed additives in the livestock supply chain. These standards recommend the use of data from meta-analyses and life cycle analyses. Meta-analyses make it possible to combine data from years of multiple studies to arrive at an evidence-based conclusion by using comprehensive statistical procedures. Life-cycle analyses allow us to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions along the entire supply chain or in the production cycle of a particular product. Combining these two approaches demonstrates how feeding technologies can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and/or better sustainability credentials.

Included here is an example of a meta-analysis of Optigen. The data from this meta-analysis indicate that, over the course of around two decades, research has shown that using Optigen is associated with a 23% reduction, on average, of plant protein sources in the diet. Soybean meal, specifically, can be reduced by about 21%, and an increase in feed efficiency of around 3% has also been documented. Additionally, diets that include Optigen and use reduced amounts of plant protein sources have been shown to improve nitrogen utilization efficiency by 4%, leading to a 14% reduction in the total carbon footprint of the diets of animals used in milk production.

 Read the full meta-analysis here.

TOOL 3: Yea-Sacc^®

There are some products on the market — like yeast cultures — that can help improve production efficiency while also reducing the carbon footprint of an operation. Yea-Sacc is a yeast culture based on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain of yeast. Yea-Sacc modifies rumen activity by supporting a consistent improvement in the growth and activity of lactic acid-utilizing bacteria, which helps stabilize the rumen pH. At the same time, it also works to improve the digestion and utilization of nutrients. Thanks to these types of improvements, cows can absorb more nutrients for higher milk production.

Utilizing a meta-analysis approach once again, a collection of 31 studies has shown that feeding Yea-Sacc to dairy cows can lead to an increased milk yield of 1 kg/head/day, on average, and can reduce the carbon footprint and nitrogen emission intensity by around 3% and 5.4%, respectively. These numbers demonstrate that it is possible for milk production efficiency to increase and for the carbon footprint and nitrogen excretion intensity to decrease simultaneously.

Explore the additional benefits of Yea-Sacc here.

At the beginning of this blog, we posed a question: Can we reduce the carbon footprint of milk while also improving our production and profitability? With proven tools like the ones outlined here, the answer to that question is yes: It is possible to reduce the carbon footprint of dairy production and to improve our economic returns and performance at the same time. Based on the data compiled in various meta-analyses, it is clear that there are feeding solutions on the market that farmers can use to reduce their emissions and increase their productivity and profitability in conjunction with nutritional strategies that will help improve production efficiency in dairy systems.

I want to learn more about nutrition for my dairy.

People interpret sustainability in different ways. Hence the uncertainty and divisiveness the topic can create in discussions. In contrast with other industries, the agri-food sector has the unique position of being a solution provider when it comes to mitigating emissions and supporting biodiversity in our local environments. Animal feed is integral to profitable and efficient dairy and beef farming. Therefore, feed production has a crucial role in how we lower the environmental impact associated with the food system.

Strengthening the links in our chain

COVID-19 has emphasized the need for such resilient food systems. Feed production capacity is directly correlated to the amount of food available for human consumption and, indeed, general food security. Alltech’s experience across 128 countries finds that sustainable and efficient feed supply chains are relevant to small-scale livestock production all the way up to some of the world’s largest integrators. A growing challenge for the feed industry is competition with humans for similar feed sources. This challenges the feed additive inclusion to improve rumen efficiency and exploration of bespoke feed ingredients that only ruminants can utilize. Sustainable animal feeding has and is being practiced. Through Alltech’s unique network of eight Alltech IFM™ (in vitro fermentation model) labs around the world, we can verify in greater detail diet efficiency and where scope exists to lower emissions and improve producer profitability. 

Can you verify that?

It is no longer sufficient to simply claim a low carbon footprint for your livestock production system or animal feed. This needs to be supported by repeatable, measurable and verifiable evidence. Alltech E-CO₂ has developed the Feeds EA™ model to help feed manufacturers and producers globally measure and lower the carbon footprint of their feed. Feeds EA measures the environmental impact of feed production at the feed mill level by assessing the effects of existing compounds or blends. This is determined by calculating greenhouse gas emissions from production, cultivation, processing, energy utilization and transportation in feed manufacturing. Feeds EA™ can calculate emissions from a database of more than 300 ingredients, including raw materials, soya products, byproducts and additives.  

In reducing food waste through circular agriculture-type initiatives, we can be confident about the resilience of our food production systems to embrace more efficient resource utilization. This is exemplified in initiatives such as supplementation of byproducts to ruminants and closing nutrient loops. By lowering food loss and waste in our livestock production systems in a verifiable way, we can continue to make a strong case for the sustainable solutions our industry offers in slowing the pace of climate change.

Mitigating waste

Precision agriculture and the application to animal nutrition has been proven in recent Alltech meta-analyses on dairy (Salami et al., 2021) and beef research (Salami et al., 2020) to lower environmental impact through improved nitrogen utilization in ruminant systems. Optigen® supplementation through dairy diets was shown to:

• Improve nitrogen utilization efficiency in dairy cattle by 4%, thanks to better nitrogen capture in the rumen.
• Reduce manure nitrogen excretion by 12–13 g of nitrogen/cow/day.

This data suggests, for example, that the use of Optigen could reduce the annual manure nitrogen excretion from the U.S. dairy sector by an average of 51,509 metric tons of nitrogen based on the annual milk output.

Simply put, this approach is trying to provide ‘the right amount of nitrogen, at the right time, in the right place’ to help in reducing waste on farms. Results from the meta-analysis also showed that the use of Optigen in dairy diets resulted in a carbon saving of around 54 g of CO₂e per kg of milk. When extrapolated to the annual milk output of the German dairy sector, for example, this would be equivalent to a carbon emission reduction of 1.8 million metric tons of CO₂e. Such a carbon saving represents 16% of the entire reduction target for German agriculture by 2030.

A simulation analysis based on the results of the meta-analysis indicated that feeding Optigen to 1,000 dairy cows would:

• Increase income over feed costs by $18,000.
• Reduce the carbon footprint of the herd by 647 metric tons of CO2e. That carbon reduction is the same as taking 424 cars off the road or 436 houses’ use of electricity.

The meta-analysis on beef research highlighted how the partial replacement of vegetable protein with Optigen exhibited a consistent improvement in the liveweight gain and feed efficiency of beef cattle. The many positive effects included an average higher liveweight gain (by 8%) and better feed efficiency (by 8%), with the inclusion of corn silage enhancing the effects of Optigen.

A simulation analysis based on these benefits indicated that feeding Optigen to gain 440 lbs. in 1,000 cattle would:

• Reduce the time to slaughter by 9 days.
• Reduce feed costs by $18,000.
• Support a reduction in the carbon footprint of the beef unit by 111 tons of CO₂e. That carbon saving is the same as taking 73 cars off the road or 75 houses’ use of electricity.

Sustainability does not have to come at a cost

Lowering the environmental impact from animal feed does not imply lowering revenues for food system stakeholders. From large dairy farms in the U.S. to the 300 million dairy cows predominantly spread across small farms in India, Alltech has firsthand experience of how sustainable solutions have become the non-negotiable in animal nutrition. Profitable farming understandably leads this agenda. With animal feed typically representing the most significant variable cost in producing animal products, there is a business responsibility to ensure we minimize food loss and waste.

Animal feed production has humbly underpinned the food system that has enabled global population growth over the last 150 years. It is now time to recognize this unique contribution and how it also serves in discovering and implementing technologies that lower the environmental impact of animal products and support the circular economy.

Considering sustainability efforts need to make both environmental and economic sense, don’t miss our related blog 6 tips to stretch protein supplies and lower your feed costs.

I want to learn more about ruminant production.

In this seven-part series, Alltech Crop Science looks at esca and natural-based solutions for the disease.

Esca, a wood disease affecting grapes all over the world, is one of the biggest modern threats to grape production. Esca is a complex disease involving several different fungi. It attacks the main vine of the plant and can destroy it within a few days; there is no questioning the unstoppable pace at which this disease progresses.

Esca is one of the oldest-known diseases to afflict grape vines, having been noted by the Greeks and Romans and damaging vineyards quite heavily in the early 1900s. In twentieth-century France, more than 5% of vines were killed by esca each year. Because the disease grows at a slow but progressive pace, even the larger, well-established vineyards could be totally destroyed by esca in 15 to 20 years.

Esca was first successfully controlled in 1903, when sodium arsenite was used as an insecticide on grapes and quickly proved its ability to limit esca and other wood diseases. In fact, thanks to the use of sodium arsenite, research on the disease effectively stopped in 1920 — only to begin again in 1980, when a potential ban on the product was discussed.

Sodium arsenite, which was noted as being highly toxic and carcinogenic in 1987, was banned in France in 2001 and by the rest of Europe in 2003. Subsequently, grape growers have seen a re-emergence of esca, and, since 2001, 6–7% of vines must be replaced annually. Additionally, along with the traditional form of esca, a new form appeared — an “apoplectic” form that can cause the vine to dry up entirely within the first few hours of showing symptoms.

Today, there are no registered chemical or biological solutions for mitigating this disease. Studying and developing traditional solutions for combatting esca are difficult because of its complexity.

Esca impacts producers economically on multiple levels: the use of prophylactic measures (of debatable efficacy) can increase costs, while pulled-out vines, reduced yields and money spent on replantation can reduce income.

France, for example, estimates that 11% of the nation’s total number of grape vines are non-productive as a result of esca. Between 2003 (when sodium arsenate was prohibited there) and 2007, Spain saw the number of affected vineyards grow from 1.8% to 10.5%. This rate continues its upward trend — and epidemiological studies carried out in Tuscany, Marche, Abruzzi, Apulia and Sicily showed that, in regions like central and southern Italy, among others, the incidence of esca has reached an extreme 60–80% in older vineyards.

Alltech Crop Science explores natural-based solutions for esca

Alltech Crop Science, a global leader in natural-based, innovative solutions, is exploring alternative programs to help farmers protect their vines. Our global research centers and alliances, particularly in Spain, are leading the charge to solve this problem — and have already seen promising initial results.

Click here for more information.

I want to learn more about natural crop solutions.

Article reposted with permission from CRYSTALYX^®.

Fetal programming, also known as “developmental programming,” has been a hot topic for a number of years now. When we consider fetal programming from a nutritional perspective, we think of the lasting impacts gestational maternal nutrition can have on calves. I have often heard farmers and ranchers say, “If you take care of your cows, they will take care of you,” and this certainly rings true in this instance.

We often think about fetal programming during late gestation. Naturally, we begin thinking about the upcoming calving season after last year’s calves are weaned. We know that nearly 70% of fetal growth occurs during the last trimester — but for a calf to be able to grow at an exponential rate during that time and remain healthy during its postnatal life (which will correlate to increased performance and profitability), giving it a prenatal head start during early gestation will be most beneficial.

Unfortunately, however, maintaining a focus on nutrition often gets put on the back burner during early pregnancy. After all, there’s a lot to keep up with in the summer! Cows and bulls are turned out on grass, we’re busy with breeding, and we get caught up baling forages to feed cows with in the winter. You may think that the cows are doing just fine nutritionally, but they — and their developing calves — might be missing out on more than you realize.

Get with the (fetal) program

Although fetal nutrient requirements are minimal during early and mid-gestation (making up less than 12 percent of the cow’s total requirements), from a production standpoint, gestation begins exactly when the cow’s nutrient requirements are greatest, due to the increased demands of lactation.

The placenta and many vital fetal organs develop during early gestation, which continues up to approximately day 90 in cattle. The placenta is responsible for conveying all of the nutrients and oxygen to the growing and developing calf; it also removes waste products. The placental formation in early gestation is crucial for optimizing vascularity and nutrient transfer to maximize blood flow, which is important for the calf’s overall growth. Research measuring the placenta and studying its effects on gestation has shown that nutrient restriction during early gestation can continue to negatively impact the animal throughout the entirety of gestation, even if the cow is provided with their nutritional requirements during late gestation. The impact of restricting nutrients early on includes smaller placenta sizes and decreased blood flow to the calf (Vonnahme et al., 2007, 2013).

Along with the placenta, the calf’s organs also develop during early pregnancy. Cells are dividing at this time, and this early formation of the organ system is crucial for the calf once it is born. These developing organs — such as the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract — are necessary not only for survival, but also for reproduction and the growth of muscle cells. Studies show that nutrient restriction to the cow during this phase can negatively impact organ development and productivity later in the calf’s life; in other words, restricting the cow also restricts the calf’s genetic potential. Genetic selection happens when the producer is making mating decisions, but you can program the calf during gestation to help increase the profitability of your genetics by providing ideal growing conditions. You have worked too hard with too many generations of your herd to take a step back in calf performance potential by not providing the necessary nutrients during gestation.

In order for these vital organs to develop properly — and to maximize your calves’ genetic potential — make sure your gestating cows don’t run short of critical nutrients, like macro and trace minerals, vitamins and protein. These nutrients generally must be delivered to the cow in forms that go beyond simple pasture forages. An easy way to ensure that these nutrients are provided is through a self-fed supplement, such as CRYSTALYX^® Brand Supplements, which are formulated with Alltech’s organic Bioplex^®  trace minerals.

A simple way to provide supplementation

As we wrap up the breeding season and get closer to the fall season, pasture conditions and forage quality often begin to decline. We should keep in mind that this can be a stressful time of year not only for us, but also for our animals. Consider what your cows are consuming and think about whether they might benefit from supplementation, beginning now and continuing through early gestation and beyond. CRYSTALYX Brand Supplements are a simple solution to make sure that your cows are consuming the nutrients that both they and the calves by their side and in utero need. 

Let’s face it: the summer months are a busy time for us all. Whether you are getting things done around the farm or ranch, catching up with friends and family, or just trying to stay cool, your cows out on pasture may not be getting as much attention as they need. After all, they can’t take any time off during the critical period of early gestation. Fortunately, you can minimize time and labor — and give yourself peace of mind — by putting out a self-fed CRYSTALYX barrel, which will be available to your cows around the clock. Your cows will essentially be taking care of themselves, and by raising better-performing, more profitable calves, ultimately, they will also be taking care of you.

_{Fowden, A. L., D. A. Giussani, and A. J. Forhead. 2006. Intrauterine programming of physiological systems: causes and consequences. Physiology (Bethesda) 21: 29-37.}

_{Vonnahme, K. A., M. J. Zhu, P. P. Borowicz, T. W. Geary, B. W. Hess, L. P. Reynolds, J. S. Caton, J. W. Means, and S. P. Ford. 2007. Effect of early gestational undernutrition on angiogenic factor expression and vascularity in the bovine placentome. J. Anim. Sci. 85: 2464-2472.}

_{Vonnahme, K., C. Lemley, P. Shukla, and S. O’Rourke. 2013. 2011 and 2012. Early Careers Achievement Awards: Placental programming: How the maternal environment can impact placental function. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 2467-2480.}

I want to learn more about nutrition for my beef cattle.

Dairy producers cannot control the effect of low milk prices on the dairy economy, but they can control how farm resources are utilized to make their dairies more efficient. Properly managing these resources can help reduce the struggle brought on by the current markets.

For all producers, one of the most important resources is farm labor. While it may not be easy to find people willing to work long hours — especially long hours of performing the physically demanding task of milking cows — we should make every effort to attract and retain people to work on our dairies. Although this is not an easy task, with the right conditions and the right tools, employees will see the dairy industry as a unique place that supports and cares about them.

First, dairy producers and industry supporters must change their mindset about human resources and start dedicating time and effort to this area, regardless of the size of their dairies. This does not require a big investment, but it does require time and securing the right information about how to reduce the challenges around labor and the workforce. Attracting and retaining employees is not a new problem, but the current circumstances are different than before, mainly driven by immigration challenges and competition for labor with other industries.

The ability to attract and retain employees is not complex, but to be successful, one must take into consideration and embrace the basics of working with people. The following formula is a concept that empowers a good work environment and creates good company culture:

• R = Recruit using a structured system
• T = Train to educate and motivate
• R2 = Reinforce and review, investing in the future
• B = (Offer) benefits that are inclusive and beneficial for both parties

To create a positive culture on a dairy, the organizational basics must be in place, and there should also be a reset in the way employees are managed. R.E.S.E.T¹ the business to create the right organizational structure for reducing turnover and minimizing employee management frustrations.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK is the first and most important part of any hiring process. Don’t think of this as just another piece of paper for new employees to read and sign; instead, think of the handbook as an opportunity to share some of the most important information with a new employee, including the history of the farm and the farm culture and expectations. The handbook is also a way to show new employees how the dairy cares for the individuals who are part of making an operation successful. This is an opportunity for new employees and dairies to get to know one another — and also to realize that both the dairy owner and their employees share something in common: the desire to work to support a family.

EDUCATE AND INFORM

Now that the individual has been hired and knows his or her expectations, take this opportunity to train him or her correctly, and make sure that he or she understands the protocols and procedures in place. The best way to train new employees is by explaining the “why’s” and “how’s” behind any procedure, because they value this information. Take the time to invest in training and utilize the proper communication channels, such as training videos, educational posters, internal meetings, hands-on demonstrations or external training resources from individuals with experience in teaching and motivation.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT

Individuals like being part of a society that provides a culture of inclusion, and they also enjoy feeling and knowing that they are integral to that society. A culture can be defined in so many ways, and every business should define their own. Creating and maintaining a culture of respect, communication, safety and security, among other traits, should be important to each dairy in order to attract and retain employees. By not providing a clean environment for employees to eat in, for instance, or bathrooms that represent a culture of caring, the dairy may send a discouraging message to individuals looking for a place where they intend to remain employed long-term. In the same way that dairies invest in animal comfort and environment, it is also important to provide a safe, clean, inclusive and respectful environment for employees.

ECONOMIC INCENTIVES

Economic incentives are important, but they should be tailored based on clear goals and the reality of the economy of each dairy operation. Incentives, such as bonuses based on SCC, must be clear and clearly understood by employees, and every incentive should be given with meaningful intentions. Don’t just give a bonus; rather, explain the reason behind the bonus and make sure employees understand those goals. Celebrate success with them. Incentives need to be visible, accessible and achievable.

TOOLS PROVIDED

Always provide the right tools to achieve the assigned jobs. A common example of this guideline not being met is when employees are asked to perform a consistent milking routine in the parlor, although some of the milking units are not properly working — and perhaps haven’t been for some time. How can stalls be properly cleaned and groomed if barn technicians don’t have the right tools to perform this job? Always provide the necessary tools, not only for the purpose of getting the job done but also to earn respect from employees.

Finally, view your dairy as any other strategic business, for which human resources are highly important. Sell the dairy’s image to attract new employees and maintain a reliable workforce. Remember to INNOVATE, INCLUDE, INVEST and IMPLEMENT programs with employees in mind.

Click here to learn more about how the Alltech On-Farm Dairy Support team can support your dairy farm needs. 

A recent foreign animal disease (FAD) publication by the National Pork Board reported that African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread through parts of Asia and Europe, increasingly disrupting the world’s pork production. China has garnered much attention due to its position as the top global producer of pork. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) stated that nearly all of China’s provincial-level administrative units have reported at least one ASF break, which means that all but the far west of China — including Hong Kong and Macau — has now been exposed to ASF on some level. The presence of the ASF virus has also been confirmed in Vietnam. Adding to those concerns is the fact that Japan is battling classical swine fever (CSF), another reportable FAD.

The threat of a FAD in the United States has heightened the need for increased protection for the swine industry at U.S. borders. It has also provoked further discussions on biosecurity and the on-farm steps that must be taken to reduce the risk of disease.

On-farm biosecurity

At a recent swine production meeting, I discussed on-farm biosecurity and advised taking a strategic approach to prevent both the introduction of new biological agents onto your farm and the uncontrolled movement of pathogens around your farm.

Below are critical control points to include in the evaluation of a biosecurity program:

• Animal entry
  • When are replacement animals brought in?
  • Are transport trailers being washed and disinfected?
  • Are feral swine a concern?
• Personnel entry
  • Shower-in/shower-out facilities
  • Obeying the lines of separation between clean and dirty zones
• Product and equipment entry
  • How are deliveries to the farm handled?
  • Are special precautions taken when outside services (e.g., electricians) are used?
• Pest control
  • Keep premises clean and picked up
  • Regularly check and refill bait stations
• Mortality management
  • Ensure that mortalities are regularly picked up
• Feed biosecurity
  • Stage deliveries to clean sites first
  • Disinfect truck wheels and undercarriages, as well as driver equipment
  • Utilize feed intervention technologies to support feed integrity and feed hygiene. Products such as Guardian have been shown to be effective in optimizing feed safety.
• Outside traffic
  • Limit traffic on your farm
  • Plan an offsite delivery area, if possible
• Aerosol transmission
  • Isolate infected animals
  • Wear personal protective equipment

Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plan

A Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plan is being developed through the National Pork Board and the USDA to enhance communication and coordination, accelerate a successful FAD response and support continuity of operations for pork producers. Having an SPS plan in place before the potential outbreak of a FAD in the U.S. is critical for food security, as well as animal health and well-being.

The SPS plan addresses the following FADs:

• Foot and mouth disease (FMD)
• Classical swine fever (CSF)
• African swine fever (ASF)

You can find more information about the SPS plan at www.securepork.org or through the National Pork Board.

The Swine Health Information Center coordinates a global disease-monitoring program and conducts targeted research about reducing the impact of future disease threats. Biosecurity, whether at our borders or on-farm, continues to remain a critical factor in reducing the transport and transmission of disease.

I want to learn more about swine health and management recommendations.

Raising healthy heifers is a key component to making sure that future herds are high-production. Poor growth in young calves strongly impacts subsequent milk production. As such, even during a busy calving period, calves should not be forgotten. There are four crucial areas to look at when rearing healthy heifers:

• Colostrum
• Early nutrition
• Rumen development
• Environment

Colostrum

Colostrum is the first source of nutrients, vitamins and antibodies (immunoglobulins) the calf will ingest. The colostrum immunoglobulins protect the calf against pathogens and disease during the critical time when the young ruminant’s own immune system is evolving. The ability to absorb colostrum is at its highest in the first hour after birth, after which, it begins to decline and continues to do so through the calf’s first 24 hours.

A rule of thumb is to feed 10 percent of body weight (i.e., 3-4 litres) of good-quality colostrum within the first two hours, as a delay in the first feeding will reduce the absorption rate — and a failure to absorb enough immunoglobulins from colostrum leaves a calf susceptible to disease. A second feed should be given eight hours later, before transitioning to milk or calf milk replacer.

Early nutrition

Early nutrition is important for the pre-ruminant calf to successfully transform into a ruminating, high-producing cow, as well as for providing the calf with the energy and nutrients its immune system needs in order to develop.

The golden rule is to double birth weight before weaning (at 8-10 weeks), and this is best done during the few months when feed efficiency is at its greatest. Therefore, a 40-kilogram calf should gain 0.6 kilograms per day. To achieve this, aim to feed 15 percent of body weight (i.e., 6 litres for a 40-kilogram animal). Keep in mind that, at this stage, the calf abomasum is not large enough to deal with 6 litres of milk at once.

Calves require around 325 grams of milk solids for maintenance. Milk powder contains 12.5 percent DM, which translates to 2.6 litres. Calves weighing 40 kilograms being fed four litres per day (i.e., 10 percent of their body weight) can achieve 200 grams of growth per day. However, calves weighing more than 40 kilograms will struggle to maintain on this level. Milk replacer has a lower fat and energy content than whole milk, and as such, a higher rate is necessary.

When mixing milk powder, always remember that 125 grams of milk powder makes up to one litre — not 125 grams added to one litre of water. Milk replacer should match growth targets.

Rumen development

The rumen needs to be fully functioning to successfully perform later in life. The development of the rumen is aided by the starch content in concentrate feeds, which should be made available within 2–3 weeks of birth.

To strengthen the rumen wall, calves should have access to straw. However, avoid feeding a diet with a high hay content; there is a greater risk of overeating hay, which can lead to pot belly — that is, filling the rumen with hay that cannot be properly digested. This can lower concentrate intake.

Environment

After birth, a calf should be dried off as quickly as possible and placed in a clean, dry, draught-free environment. Alternative bedding, such as wood chip and peat, is adequate but may need to be topped up regularly to ensure it stays consistently dry.

Cleaning all feeding equipment is necessary for maintaining healthy animals, and prioritizing younger animals first, along with rinsing before feeding the other batches, will help mitigate the spread of disease. Clean, fresh water should always be available, as consumed milk goes into the abomasum, leaving no liquid in the rumen to digest the concentrates.

Changes within groups should be kept to a minimum, and calves of similar sizes or ages should be kept together.

Conclusion

Along with good management practices, you can build a healthy herd with a strong rumen and robust immunity by focusing on:

• Colostrum — quality and quantity are both important, and there is only one chance to get it right.
• Early nutrition — monitor body condition and weight gain during this period to ensure that feed is meeting the calves’ needs.
• Rumen development — use starch and fiber to grow a healthy rumen.
• Environment — keep their living quarters clean, dry and stress-free.

I want more information on nutrition for my calves.