DHI data fills the gaps, giving you a complete picture of each cow’s performance. With high-risk stakes during transition, accurate, precise data to make good management decisions is crucial. Although, many herd-wide decisions such as ration changes may be made based...
Susie Martin, CentralStar Regional Consulting Manager You inherently know who the best animals in your herd are, and you can back it up with parent...
Beta-casein makes up 30 percent of milk protein and comes in two forms; A1 and A2 beta-casein. The difference between A1 and A2 beta-casein is...
Keys, wallet, cell phone are the essentials you won’t get far without, but with them, accomplish anything. What are the equivalent essentials for managing your herd?
With USDA estimating 94% of all dairy herds in the United States are infected with BLV; chances are your herd has it! BLV is incurable, but not unmanageable.
After 40 years in the industry, Retired CentralStar Consultant, Julie Ainsworth shares a few key lessons that routinely emerge and still exist as opportunities on dairies today.
Supplies Needed: Vacutainer® Vial Double-sided needle Needle holder Be sure to check which type of vial is required for your desired test type....
There has been a long-standing definition of successful transfer of passive immunity, stated as 10 grams of IgG per liter of serum, 24-36 hours post colostrum feeding. The United States Department of Agriculture has raised the standard.
The progress made in reproductive performance on dairies is truly impressive. Today, it’s more commonplace to find herds with pregnancy rates over 30%.
What is PCR? Polymerase chain reaction is an advanced laboratory technique that amplifies DNA so it can be detected even when present in very, very...
The goal of reproduction has shifted from creating a replacement, to creating a fresh cow; the calf, or many of them, are simply the byproduct.
Whatever happens to a calf day 1, week 1 or month 1 of its life determines if it will live up to its genetic potential. This statement is true for both replacement heifers with tremendous milking…
Midwest-based CentralStar Cooperative pioneered testing of dairy herd information (DHI) milk samples for the management of cow herd health and disease…
Aside from the obvious goal of generating a pregnancy, what else do you want from the genetics you buy? Are you looking to increase milk production, improve solids, reduce mastitis, better calving ease or fertility, make smaller cows, etc?
Sample Volumes Johne’s Fecal Test: 3 grams Johne’s Bulk Tank Milk: 50 ML A1/A2 or BVD Tissue: Ear Notch All other test types: 4 mL Sample Storage...
by Todd Byrem, Ph.D. Director, AntelBio Judging by recent inquiries at NorthStar the story surrounding A2 milk must be reaching new heights....