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Articles by Bill Weiss
How to optimize mineral intake in livestock nutrition
Minerals are essential components of livestock nutrition, influencing various physiological processes crucial for animal health and performance. However, ensuring optimal mineral intake involves navigating complexities such as distinguishing between basic requirements and potential responses when consumed at rates above these requirements. This involves understanding absorption coefficients and considering factors affecting bioavailability in forages, concentrates and supplements.
Harness Nontraditional Credit Data
Conventional B2B credit analysis is leaving businesses with blind spots. Credit managers and financial executives are increasingly recognizing the limitations of conventional business credit evaluations based on consistent creditworthy performance, steady historical payment habits, and no alarming public facing information. Historical payment data alone is no longer enough to evaluate creditworthiness and can leave creditors surprised when a business fails.
Feed composition varies - does it matter?
2024-03-11 Feed composition varies – does it matter?
Feed composition varies - does it matter?
Feed composition varies – does it matter? Presented by: Bill Weiss, professor emeritus at The Ohio State University Sponsored by: Kuhn VIDEO Total mixed ration (TMR) composition will still fluctuate, but research has shown fewer negative effects of day-to-day variation when separating real variation from sampling variation, using a well-made TMR, and limiting inclusion rates of variable feeds.
The Critical Role of Cybersecurity in Trade Credit Management
August 2023 , One of the primary responsibilities of credit managers is to ensure that their firm does not engage with customers who pose a significant risk of default. Companies with a higher risk of late payments and/or default on their obligations tend to also exhibit poor cybersecurity posture. Conversely, strong cybersecurity is a positive indication of strong corporate governance and management effectiveness.
Vitamins for dairy cattle
Vitamins for dairy cattle presented by Bill Weiss, The Ohio State University VIDEO When fed correctly, vitamins improve cow health and productivity. Historically, only vitamins A, D, and E were supplemented. However, with greater production levels, certain water-soluble vitamins often have a place in dairy cow diets. This webinar will discuss current recommendations and potential responses when vitamins are properly supplemented.
Vitamins for dairy cattle
2023-07-10 Vitamins for dairy cattle
Not all nutrients have requirements
Feb. 27 2023 01:31 PM In the puzzle that makes up a dairy cattle ration, some nutrients don’t come with an official recommendation. The author is a professor emeritus in the animal science department at The Ohio State University. A required nutrient must be supplied to cells for the cow to maintain normal health, produce milk, and reproduce. Just because a nutrient is required, though, does not mean that a specific requirement can be determined.
Forage options for planting after wheat
By Mark Sulc, Bill Weiss, Ohio State University Extension Some producers may be considering planting a supplemental forage crop after winter wheat grain harvest for various reasons. Some areas of the state are becoming very dry. In many areas, the wet weather this spring resulted in ample forage supply, but good to high-quality forage is in short supply because of the wet weather that delayed harvesting until the crop was mature, or it resulted in rained-on hay that lowered quality.
What’s new with transition cow nutritional recommendations
The Eighth Revised Edition of the Dairy NRC (National Research Council), now called NASEM (National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine) was published in December 2021, replacing the previous version published in 2001. The new book has a chapter dedicated to transition cow nutrition.
Forage Quality Targets Based on Animal Class
By Mark Sulc and Bill Weiss The optimal time for making a first cutting of forages is fast approaching. But what is the optimal timing to take the first cutting (or any cutting for that matter)? Many will answer by saying it is when you have time and there is a good weather window to get the forage cut and put up! Yes indeed, that is a valid answer. Both of those factors are important and can’t be ignored. However, we know that forage quality declines as the crop moves into flowering stages.
What the new NRC means for your herd
2022-02-14 What the new NRC means for your herd
How much is a forage worth to a dairy cow?
One factor to consider when determining the price dairy farmers should pay for a forage is the ability of the forage to support milk production. That ability is based on the nutrient composition of the forage and the effect the forage has on feed intake. Two common indices of forage quality, relative feed value (RFV) and relative forage quality (RFQ), are often used to price hay (higher RFV or RFQ = higher price).
The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
Top 100 Teams See all 100 teams >> 37. 1980 Denver Bears Record: 92-44 American Association By Bill Weiss & Marshall Wright, Baseball Historians This American Association champion was led by a pair of players who combined to win the triple crown. One of the pair went on to major league stardom, while the other found glory playing across the sea.
Accounts Receivable Ready for a Digital Transformation in 2021
Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2021. Read them in this 13th annual VMblog.com series exclusive. By Bill Weiss, Vice President, Business Development - Credit & Collections, HighRadius In recent years, finance executives have consistently listed "digital transformation" among their priorities, but the pandemic of 2020 kicked all of those plans into overdrive.
Improved methods for comparing the economic value of feed
The old adage “There are no bad feeds, but there are bad diets” means nutritionists and farmers can formulate diets with vastly different feedstuffs that yield similar results. This webinar will discuss factors to consider when deciding what to include in the ration.
Local Event: NEW! ----- The Awarefulness Course
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own. Sun, Nov 1, 2020 at 2:00 PM The Farmhouse - Town and Country, 13525 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63141 More info: https://cloud9exp.com/the-awarefulness-course Meditation programs are everywhere. How do we choose the right one? Whether your involvement in meditation has been long or you are new to this, the Awarefulness Course is for you! Meditation should be a nice 'experience', and easy to learn.
How much is a forage worth to a dairy cow?
One factor to consider when determining the price dairy farmers should pay for a forage is the ability of the forage to support milk production. That ability is based on the nutrient composition of the forage and the effect the forage has on feed intake. Two common indices of forage quality, relative feed value (RFV) and relative forage quality (RFQ), are often used to price hay (higher RFV or RFQ = higher price).
Markets still value protein over fat
Farm and Dairy file photo. By Dianne Shoemaker and Bill Weiss A year ago, milk protein prices and milk fat prices crossed paths. Prior to that, milk fat had an extended run where it had a higher value per pound than milk protein. After protein peaked at $3.91 per pound in November 2019, both protein and fat prices trended down with protein retaining the price advantage. In May 2020, both fat and protein prices increased, fat increasing modestly while protein skyrocketed to $5.63 per pound in July.
Ohio: Making Corn Silage in Dry Conditions
The primary goal of making corn silage is to preserve as many nutrients in the corn plant as possible, to produce a feed that is acceptable to cows, and to minimize any risks associated with feeding the silage. The following are important considerations for making corn silage when growing conditions have been dry. Chop at the correct dry matter concentration (Editor’s note: see accompanying article “Corn Silage Harvest Timing”).
Ohio: Corn Silage Harvest Timing
Silage harvest has begun in some parts of Ohio. Proper harvest timing is critical because it ensures the proper dry matter (DM) concentration required for high quality preservation, which in turn results in good animal performance and lower feed costs. The proper DM concentration is the same whether it is a beautiful, record breaking corn crop or a severely drought stressed field with short plants containing no ears.
RFA Makes Plea for Action
August 26, 2020 National Headlines OMAHA (DTN) — EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler gave no timeline for releasing 2021 renewable volume obligations in the Renewable Fuel Standard or for deciding on pending small-refinery exemptions, during a teleconference with reporters on Wednesday, as pressure mounts on the Trump administration to act. With just 69 days before the presidential election Wheeler said the agency continues “working through” both issues.
Ag, Biofuel Groups Defend E15 in Court
August 26, 2020 National Headlines OMAHA (DTN) — Agriculture and biofuel groups are mounting a defense of EPA’s year-round E15 approval, arguing in a court brief filed in a federal appeals court that the agency was within its legal parameters with its action. Back in May, the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers challenged EPA’s action.
Making corn silage in dry conditions
August 26, 2020 Crops, Top Headlines By Bill Weiss, Ohio State University Extension The primary goal of making corn silage is to preserve as many nutrients in the corn plant as possible, to produce a feed that is acceptable to cows, and to minimize any risks associated with feeding the silage. The following are important considerations for making corn silage when growing conditions have been dry. Chop at the correct dry matter concentration.
Pasture management in dry weather
July 9, 2020 Livestock, Top Headlines By David Barker, Ohio State University Dry weather in recent weeks throughout Ohio has raised several questions about how pastures should be managed during drought. Although the experts don’t all agree if this period of dry weather meets the definition of a drought (yet), there is no doubt that pasture growth will slow to zero. How should we be grazing our pastures in mid-summer?
Determining forage moisture content
By Wayne County Extension Forage maturity/stage of development is often cited as the number one factor that determines forage quality, but for any stored forage, moisture content at harvest is a close second. Moisture content drives what happens to that forage after it is removed from the field, whether quality is maintained or degraded. Improper moisture content can reduce storage life.
Adjust diet to capitalize on milk component price changes
In Ohio milk markets, milk is priced mostly on its fat and protein contents. In most of 2019, a pound of milk fat was worth about $2.50 in Federal Order 33, but monthly protein price ranged from $1.18 to 3.91 per pound (see graphic). Although yield of milk fat is more responsive to diet changes, nutrition can also influence milk protein yield. Unfortunately, nutritional modifications that increase milk protein yield often decrease fat yield, and vice versa.
Dimming LEDs, Without the Flicker
By Bill Weiss, Power Integrations, San Jose, CA Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is a mainstream technology now. LED flashlights, traffic signals, and vehicle lights are commonplace, and the push is on to replace incandescent and fluorescent lamps in mains-powered residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The energy savings to be earned by moving to energy-efficient LED lighting is simply staggering.
Appraising forages with dollars and sense
Tebbe is a graduate research assistant and Weiss is a professor of dairy nutrition with The Ohio State University, The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio Whether you are in the business of growing and selling forages or feeding cattle, correctly assigning the economic value of forages can impact profitability.
Appraising forages with dollars and sense
Tebbe is a graduate research assistant and Weiss is a professor of dairy nutrition with The Ohio State University, The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio Whether you are in the business of growing and selling forages or feeding cattle, correctly assigning the economic value of forages can impact profitability.
Consider dietary changes to capitalize on milk protein price - Farm and Dairy
Over the past several months, the value of milk protein has more than doubled while the value of milk fat is down about 10%. For a few years, up until August of 2019, milk fat was more valuable per pound than milk protein. Since September, milk protein has become substantially more valuable than milk fat. In November, milk protein was worth $3.91 per pound compared to milk fat at $2.32 per pound. The highest value for milk protein occurred in June of 2008 when it hit $4.72 per pound.
Feeding cows to reach their peak
2019-12-09 Feeding cows to reach their peak
Silage too wet or too dry?
September 27, 2019 Crops, Top Headlines By Bill Weiss, Mark Sulc, Ohio State University Extension Too wet? For corn silage ideal moisture concentrations are between about 62 and 70%. They can be harvested a little wetter (maybe up to 72%) if it goes into a bunker. The wetter it gets the more seepage you get (loss of nutrients and potential environmental issues if seepage gets into a water source, example: fish kill).
Harvest Management of Sorghum Forages
By Mark Sulc, Bill Weiss Many producers in Ohio have planted summer annual grasses this year to increase their low forage inventories. These include sudangrass, sorghum-sudangrass, forage sorghum, pearl millet, and teff grass. When should these grasses be harvested or grazed? The general guidelines for harvesting or grazing these summer annual grasses as listed in the Ohio Agronomy Guide are shown in the table below. Table 7-12: Harvest Information for Summer-Annual Grasses.
Short on feed? Forage for the rest of the year - Farm and Dairy
By Dianne Shoemaker, Mark Sulc and Bill Weiss One thing you can say about dairy farming is that there is never a dull moment, and 2019 is no exception. Many farms are facing or will be facing a shortage of forages for animals of all ages. What are the realistic forage options for acres that have either not been planted, or have had planted crops damaged by too much rain?
The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
In becoming the Southern League’s first 100-game winner, the 1992 Greenville Braves were led by a cluster of future major leaguers. Most notable of the group was a part-time shortstop and a full-time catcher who went on to become mainstays on a major league dynasty. The town of Greenville, located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina, joined the ranks of pro ball in 1907. Here, a team called the Edistoes went 25-28 in the Class D South Carolina League before dropping out of the league in July.
Grouping similar cows has its benefits
Proper grouping of cows can improve cow health, boost production, and raise income over feed costs. However, grouping cows is not free. Adequate facilities, time to make grouping decisions and manage multiple groups, labor to move cows, and feeding multiple diets are all needed to make grouping strategies work. Even with these costs, the potential benefits can pay big dividends.
What to expect with the Ohio corn silage crop
The weather conditions have been variable in Ohio this summer. Some areas have been extremely dry and other areas have been very wet during the past two to three months. Thus, corn silage yields will likely be quite variable across Ohio this year. For those areas that have been very dry, yields will be adversely affected, but generally the concentrations of protein and energy will be better than average.
A Well-Meaning Umbrella Throw
The scene: Roosevelt Avenue, Queens, subway station at rush hour on a rainy evening A train pulls into the station. Amidst the usual hustle and bustle, a clatter rings out when someone drops an umbrella on the platform and moves on without realizing the loss. An alert woman standing near the umbrella quickly scoops it up and, thinking fast, executes a perfect shovel-pass, tossing it into the train car just in time to beat the closing doors.
Not all feed changes are created equal
The authors are professors in the animal science department at The Ohio State University. Since sound feed composition data is so important to overall dairy farm profitability, we need to ensure that the information we have accurately reflects the feed we're using. If you harvest 1,000 tons of corn silage and sample it throughout the feeding period, you will most likely find a range of values for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), fiber (NDF), starch and minerals.
Mineral recommendations may shortchange cows
The author is in the Department of Animal Sciences, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster. For good health and high milk yields, cows need to be fed the proper levels of bioavailable minerals. For mineral nutrition, the 2001 Dairy NRC is still the best starting point, but these requirements should be considered as minimums.
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