Increased cost of common feedstuffs and increased availability of coproducts from plant-based biofuel manufacturing has enhanced interest in the use of these coproducts in rations for dairy cattle (Donkin and Doane, 2007). Glycerol (commonly marketed as crude glycerine with a glycerol content of approximately 80%) is a coproduct produced during biodiesel production from soybean oil and is becom...

In laboratory studies performed in the United States and Hungary, the dump fly Hydrotaea aenescens (Wiedemann) was reared successfully in manure of 1- to 8-wk-old dairy calves, and in manure from adult lactating dairy cows. Survival in manure collected from 1-wk-old calves was poor (7.2%), better in manure collected from 2- and 3-wk-old calves (53.5%), and best in manure collected from 4- to 8-...

Gossypol is a naturally occurring compound in the cotton plant (Gossypium spp .) . Because gossypol has been recognized since the turn of the century to be toxic to animals, a limiting factor o f whole cottonseed and cottonseed meal as feed sources is their gossypol content (1) . Whole cottonseed and cottonseed meal are popular by-products of the cottonseed industry . Whole cottonseed is a good...

Mastitis in dry cows has traditionally been controlled with long-acting intramammary antibiotic formulations. However, the widespread use of antibiotics, particularly for prophylactic application, is likely to be restricted in the future. As a consequence, there is now a growing requirement for effective alternatives to prevent mastitis. A bismuth-based, intramammary teat seal has recently been...

Walkway floors have a significant effect on cattle locomotion and claw health, as well as on animal behaviour and general cattle house hygiene; and affected both animals’ welfare and dairy farmers’ profit. There are several qualities floors should fulfil, which contemporary walkway floors do not completely do. From an animal point of view, the most favourable of present passageway floorings in ...

Requirements have been published for 13 different minerals in beef cattle diets. Other minerals such as chlorine, chromium, molybdenum, and nickel are known to be essential for beef cattle; however, there is currently not enough data available to accurately determine requirements. For some of the required minerals, requirements vary depending on cow size and stage of production. This variabilit...