Tips for Feeding Corn Distiller's Grains to Dairy Cattle
Corn distiller's grains (CDG) can be an excellent feed for dairy cattle. However, they must be properly and consistently processed at the ethanol plant, correctly incorporated in ration formulation, and properly stored and fed at the farm to optimize productivity and avoid changes in milk composition. -Dave Beede, Marcus Hollmann, Herb Bucholtz, MSU Dept. of Animal Science. Click here for full bulletin
By: Natalie Rector and Dr. Tim Harrigan, Michigan State University Extension
Two area producers are finding new ways to capture nutrients while reducing manure rates and the potential for manure to contaminate surface waters. Land application of manure is the oldest and most sustainable method of livestock and crop farming. But land application comes with positive and negative consequences, sometimes within the same practice. Crop rotations, soil types, weather and manure systems provide unique challenges and opportunities for each producer. (Read entire article)
For details on how Swartzendruber's retrofitted their manure tank to reduce rates, Click here.
I'm Not a CAFO!
By: Dann Bolinger, MSU Extension Educator and Dr. Bill Bickert, MSU Director of ANR Manure and Nutrient Management
If you think that environmental regulation of dairy and livestock farms affects only the large farms, don’t believe it! An AFO (Animal Feeding Operation) is defined as any farm that confines animals for more than 45 days during the year for any part of the day and where the confined area has no vegetation during the normal growing season. In Michigan, that includes nearly every animal farm. (Read entire article)
How Much Land is Needed
By: Dr. Dale Rozeboom and Dr. David Beede, MSU Dept. of Animal Science
Mass balance is the balance between the inputs and outputs within a system. In manure management, phosphorus (P) mass balance is used to estimate the acres of land or the amount of “root zone” needed to use livestock manure nutrients. (read entire article)
Informed Workers are Key
By: M. Charles Gould and Dann Bolinger, MSU Extension Educators
What if your farm worker is driving a manure tanker down the road and a hose is leaking? Would that worker know why this is of concern? Do they know what routine maintenance would have prevented it from happening? And what to do when they realize the situation is occurring? When they get to the field, do they know what speed to drive for the correct application rate? (read entire article)
Monitor Tile Outlets
By: Dr. Tim Harrigan, MSU Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department
How can you be sure that your field tile drains are not carrying manure to surface waters if you don’t monitor them? If there is a problem, you need to be the first to know. The peace of mind from knowing manure is staying in the field is priceless.
By: Dann Bolinger and Natalie Rector, MSU Extension Educators
A recent field comparison of what farmers reported as their application rate and their measured rate revealed a need for improvement. Only six (25%) of the 24 applications measured in the MSU Extension study were within +/- 20% of the reported rate. The most unexpected result was that under application was equally as common as over-application. (read entire article)
Get organized with help from MSU Extension home maintenance database
Do your New Year's resolutions include taking care of some long-overdue home maintenance challenges? Would you like to make your own environmentally and economically friendly cleaning supplies? Check out these and numerous other household topics on the recently updated MSU Extension Home Maintenance and Repair Database.
This online resource features simple procedures for making home repairs and performing home maintenance tasks. Discover simple carpet stain removal strategies and other cleaning tips, and information about everything from spring cleaning to winterizing a vacation home.
Photo courtesy Kate Sumbler
Upcoming Events
Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo, July 9, 2008 at the Ohio State University Molly Careen Agricultural Complex in London, Ohio. Check later for more details.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
Do your New Year's resolutions include taking care of some long-overdue home maintenance challenges? Would you like to make your own environmentally and economically friendly cleaning supplies? Check out these and numerous other household topics on the recently updated