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Fat in dairy diets, corn silage breeding, noncoding DNA, and more dairy science news.
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March 4, 2024

Dairy Science Weekly
A close-up picture of cow silage.

 

Corn silage has long been known as the cornerstone of the dairy ration, providing a valuable fibrous energy that is difficult to replace in the diet. In , Jose Varela and his team explored how kernel type impacted starch availability when ensiled. Corn kernel traits and how they impact starch availability could open a window of understanding, allowing dairy producers to make more informed decisions on variety selection, silage pile management, and nutrient analysis.

 

A picture of Holstein cows eating in a barn.

 

 

Fat continues to be an important consideration in the nutrition of dairy cows, with the recognition of its role as a key macronutrient and requirements to meet animal needs for optimal milk production long established. However, with amino acids being the key element of protein nutrition, fatty acids are the key element within “fat” nutrition, and the industry continues to be informed by published research data as to the specific effects of individual fatty acids when supplemented in dairy cow diets and how to implement these findings at farm level.

 

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Regulatory genes—genes that control how other genes are used—are responsible for 69% of the heritability of dairy cattle traits such as milk production and fertility, according to a . This contribution is 44% more than expected and much higher than previous studies of regulatory genes in humans. The findings, reported by a team of animal and human geneticists, could improve the efficiency of agricultural breeding programs. The study also helps solve the longstanding mystery of why mammalian genomes contain so much noncoding DNA.

 


A photo of a veterinarian in a consult with a dairy farmer.

 

 

Effective communication is an essential skill for dairy veterinarians, helping them translate clinical recommendations to their farmers, strengthen the farmer-veterinary relationship, and ultimately, benefit the herd. However, less is known about the role of nonverbal communication—eye contact, body orientation, gestures, and more—for veterinarians working in dairy. In a recent , researchers provide an essential first step toward measuring and understanding unspoken communication between dairy veterinarians and their farmers, paving the way for more effective on-farm conversations and improved outcomes.

 

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The Latest @ ADSA
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Join us to attend “Boundless Potential: The Newest Generation of Dairy Researchers,” a special pre-summit session hosted by ADSA and the United States National Committee of the International Dairy Federation on Sunday, October 15, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Five assistant professors from universities across the US will share bold ideas on dairy’s outlook and highlight the diversity and potential of the new generation of dairy researchers in the IDF World Dairy Summit 2023 host country.

 

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Provided by the American Dairy Science Association® (ADSA®). Content included in Dairy Science Weekly represents the views of the authors. Publication does not represent endorsement of any position by the ADSA.