Category: Farm Management

Until recently, the organic grass-fed (OGF) management systems have had little research directed to identifying best practices for higher milk production. Andre Brito, a scientist with the NH Agricultural Experiment Station and associate professor in the Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Systems department, was one of several Northeast scientists to contribute to a paper in Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems journal that studied management techniques of OGF dairy farmers.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral that, if deficient in soil, will be deficient in diets fed to dairy cows. Adequate Se is important for animal health to support immune functions and efficiently fight oxidative stress and pathogens. Standard farm practice is to supplement Se in the diet either in mineral form (sodium selenite) or organic forms. This study compared the bio-efficacy of two organic Se sources in mid-lactating dairy cows based on the Se transfer into plasma and milk.

Enteric fermentation (fermentation taking place in the digestive system of animals) by ruminants is the largest source of methane emissions in the US (approximately 25% of total methane emissions). Recently, algae-based feeds have gained attention because they may be able to not only suppress methane emissions, but also to improve animal feed efficiency. Our objective was to evaluate how incremental increases of the seaweed Chondrus crispus affects milk and methane production in organic dairy cows.

Raising replacement heifers is one of the largest expenses on the farm. Thus, it is important to closely manage young-stock with adequate nutrition to ensure those animals reach developmental maturity. Performance can be affected through diet manipulation, such as changing the volatile fatty acid proportions in the rumen. Scientists found that sodium butyrate is an adequate replacement for monensin in the diets of post-weaned heifers for both growth and reduction in coccidiosis. Sodium butyrate could potentially be fed from birth to first calving for increased nutrient use, growth and improved health.

Figs can be grown commercially in mild climates, but gardeners in cold climates use various methods such as pots, greenhouses, wrapping, or burying to protect from freezing. Research conducted at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station in 2017 showed success in over-wintering figs in northern New England using row covers, low or high tunnels, improving survival rates, growth, and fruit yield.

Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera) is a popular fall crop in New England. However, rapid turnover in the commercial availability of Brussels sprout cultivars – coupled with dramatic differences in the performance and adaptability among cultivars – make it a challenging crop for growers outside of major production regions to select varieties that will consistently perform well. While a 2013–15 study of Brussels sprout varieties offered recommendations for New England producers, new varieties have since been released. This research focused on re-examining best-performing varieties for the northern New England region and updating best practice recommendations.

Having adequate numbers of heifer calves to replace cows that are culled is essential for the continual success of any dairy farm. There has been much animal research examining the likelihood of female or male offspring. Sexed-semen has resulted in many heifer calves on dairy farms. Is there a way in which dairy producers can increase the number of heifers born without using it?

Lysine (Lys) and methionine (Met) are the two most limiting amino acids (AAs) in typical North American dairy diets (NRC, 2001). Several rumen-protected Lys (RP-Lys) and rumen-protected methionine (RP-Met) feed supplements are available in the marketplace for increasing concentrations of Lys and Met in metabolizable protein. However, successful use of rumen protected AA products requires accurate and reliable estimates of AA bioavailability because RP-AA nutrients are expensive. This study refines the plasma-free dose response technique to get reliable estimates of relative bioavailability of RP-AA supplements.

According to research at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of New Hampshire, conversion to silvopasture in the northeastern U.S. reduces greenhouse gas emissions when compared with open pasture and lowers soil greenhouse gas emissions by 35-50 percent. Silvopasture practices also improves soil water dynamics and tree growth rates.