Dairy - Feeding and Nutrition

On this page Ontario dairy producers will find information on feeding, nutrition, body condition scoring, corn silage, dry cow nutrition, forages and pastures, molds and mycotoxins, water quality and poisonous plants.

General

• Comparative Feed Values for Ruminants
• Definitions of Feed Manufacturing and Livestock Nutrition Terms
• Nutrient Testing
• Feed Analysis Reports Explained
• Faba Beans as Protein in Livestock Feed

Body Condition Scoring

• Body Condition Scoring of Dairy Cattle
• Body Condition Scoring - When Slimmer is Better
• Learn to Score Body Condition Step by Step

Corn Silage

• Nitrate Poisoning and Feeding Nitrate Feeds to Livestock
• Potential nitrate poisoning and silo gas when using dry weather damaged corn

Dry Cow Nutrition

• Dietary cation-anion difference and hypocalcemia (milk fever) prevention
• Dry and Close-Up Transition Cow Mineral and Vitamin Nutrition

Forages and Pastures

• Alternative Forages and Sample Wintering Rations for Beef Cows
• Conserving Pasture Production During Dry Conditions
• Don't Lose Hay to Poor Fertility
• Forages and Pastures Information
• Livestock Access to Watercourses
• Managing Dairy Rations When Feed Prices Are Volatile

Molds and Mycotoxins

• Beware of Mycotoxins in Feed
• Laboratories Offering Mycotoxin Analysis
• Molds and Mycotoxins - Sampling Feeds to Test for Mycotoxins
• Molds and Mycotoxins - Alleviating Mold and Mycotoxin Problems
• Molds and Mycotoxins - Mycotoxin Levels and Interpretation
• Molds and Mycotoxins - Effects of Moldy Feed and Mycotoxins on Cattle
• Molds and Mycotoxins - Feeding Mold and Mycotoxin Contaminated Wheat to Ruminants
• Mycotoxins Can Impair Milk Production

Nutrition and Cow Health

• Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) in Dairy Cows

Nutrition and Environment

• Dietary Phosphorous in Dairy Cattle - How to Manage Nutrients and Protect the Environment
• Feeding Dairy Cattle to Reduce Excess Nitrogen Output
• Potential Feeding Challenges that May Arise from Dry Weather Conditions

Nutrition and Management

• Using visual evaluation of dairy cow manure as a way to adjust the ration

Poisonous Plants

• Common Weeds Poisonous to Grazing Livestock
• Poisoning of Livestock Plants
• Poisonous Plants Quiz

Water Quality

• Water Quality for Dairy Cattle

External Links

• Nutritional Management of High-Producing Dairy Cows
• William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute