By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday March 24, 2021

Mar 24, 2021 | 10:21 AM

MELFORT, Sask. — Providing a well-balanced ration will allow cows to make as much milk as they can.

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture livestock and feed extension specialist Dwayne Summach said the amount of milk a beef cow produces is dependent upon her genetic potential, the quality and quantity of the feed and water she is provided, and the amount of feed she consumes.

Cows experience their greatest nutrient demand for up to three months following calving.

During this time, a cow is expected to provide for a calf by initiating and reaching peak milk production, repair their reproductive tract, and successfully rebreed. If the cows are two or three years old, they will need to do all of this and continue to grow.

Summach said the addition of rolled grain to the diet is often used to minimize energy shortfall. Cereal silage may provide a higher energy density but will likely be deficient in protein. The water content of silage may limit nutrient intake and the calcium to phosphorus ratio will be imbalanced.

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Summach said the appropriate combination of ingredients is accomplished through feed testing, building balanced rations, and weighing the feeds being provided.

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Researchers hope to have the first intrauterine vaccines to protect sows, gilts, and their piglets from Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus ready to move to commercialization within the next year.

Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan have shown the delivery of vaccines into the uterus along with the semen during artificial insemination to be an effective option for protection from the disease.

Research scientist Dr. Heather Wilson said after three trials, scientists have seen a good vaccine response. It is just a matter of adjusting the adjuvants.

“Piglets are being born healthy. We don’t seem to have any negative effect on fertility, the sizes seem to be comparable to piglets born to the control gilts,” Wilson said. “We’re very excited with vaccine response so far and we just need to continue to try to make it even better.”

Wilson said the goal is to provide 100 per cent protection for the piglets.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW