http://www.agweb.com/blogs/ Rick Lundquist is an independent nutrition and management consultant based in Duluth, Minn. He provides livestock production advice. AgWeb.comhttp://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Balancing_for_Amino_Acids_with_Low_Milk_Prices_10568/Rick LundquistFri, 20 Feb 2009 08:21:18 GMT10568http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Is_your_milk_production_flat_this_fall_10602/The fall can be a tough time of the year for dairy producers and stressful for their nutritionists too. Rick LundquistThu, 16 Oct 2008 06:01:52 GMT10602http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Toxicity_Risks_of_Frost_Damaged_Sorghums_Are_Real_13047/Rick LundquistMon, 09 Nov 2009 12:12:18 GMT13047http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Observe_Cow_Eating_Behavior__14251/Rick LundquistTue, 26 May 2009 11:44:32 GMT14251http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/A_Human_Diabetes_Medication_Can_Reduce_Acidosis_14584/Rick LundquistMon, 14 Sep 2009 13:00:00 GMT14584http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Whats_the_Optimum_Moisture_Content_of_Your_TMR_14746/Rick LundquistMon, 17 Aug 2009 11:28:24 GMT14746http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Hominy_Feed_vs_Corn_Grain_15035/Rick LundquistTue, 08 Dec 2009 07:44:22 GMT15035http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Plan_Ahead_When_Changing_Silage_15384/Rick LundquistWed, 29 Apr 2009 07:55:04 GMT15384http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Forage_Fragility_as_a_Measure_of_Effective_Fiber_15649/Rick LundquistFri, 26 Mar 2010 13:08:45 GMT15649http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Forage_Mycotoxin_Reality_Check_16073/Rick LundquistFri, 12 Jun 2009 16:02:31 GMT16073http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Nutritionists_Can_Help_During_Poor_Dairy_Economy_17030/Rick LundquistMon, 22 Jun 2009 09:23:39 GMT17030http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Australian_Dairy_Conference_No_Worries_Down_Under_Opportunities_in_China_17451/Rick LundquistMon, 01 Mar 2010 13:17:58 GMT17451http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Teachable_Moments_for_the_Consumer__17466/Rick LundquistFri, 09 Jan 2009 08:56:26 GMT17466http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Whats_the_Optimum_TMR_Moisture_Content_17776/Rick LundquistFri, 21 May 2010 13:15:35 GMT17776http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Maximizing_Milk_without_Acidosis_17890/Rick LundquistMon, 20 Jul 2009 13:28:08 GMT17890http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Timing_is_Everything_Milk_Production_and_Day_Length__17933/Rick LundquistMon, 04 Jan 2010 14:20:37 GMT17933http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/The_Science_of_Corn_(And_Other_Cereal_Grains)_18164/Rick LundquistFri, 23 Apr 2010 14:27:31 GMT18164http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Our_Dependence_on_Foreign_Vitamins_18269/Rick LundquistFri, 29 Jan 2010 13:20:42 GMT18269http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Rumen_protected_niacin_has_potential_to_reduce_heat_stress_19041/Rick LundquistWed, 27 Aug 2008 07:53:48 GMT19041http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Florida_dairies_endure_another_hurricane_season_19124/Rick LundquistMon, 08 Sep 2008 12:33:33 GMT19124http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Lessons_Learned_from_Low_Prices__19183/Rick LundquistMon, 12 Oct 2009 14:39:23 GMT19183http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Change_19210/Rick LundquistWed, 03 Dec 2008 14:39:09 GMT19210http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Its_Not_Too_Early_to_Plan_for_Heat_Stress_19322/Rick LundquistWed, 13 May 2009 11:25:29 GMT19322http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/A_Simple_Method_to_Monitor_Heat_Stress_in_Your_Cows_20120/Rick LundquistFri, 18 Jun 2010 19:03:12 GMT20120http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/Lowest_Fat_Tests_in_20_Years_21552/Rick LundquistMon, 19 Jul 2010 15:36:24 GMT21552http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/heat_stress_tough_on_cows_this_summer/Whether it’s Florida, Arizona or Wisconsin, this has been one of the hottest summers in recent memory – and a good test of heat abatement systems.Rick LundquistMon, 16 Aug 2010 12:21:00 GMT21732http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/summer_heat_stress_culminates_in_fall_lameness/Considering the effects of summer heat on hoof health, it’s not surprising that hoof health suffers at this time of year. These management and nutrition tips will help?and get you started being proactive about next year.Rick LundquistMon, 13 Sep 2010 11:35:00 GMT21923http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/feeding_the_pen,_not_the_cow/Rick LundquistMon, 11 Oct 2010 11:52:00 GMT22156http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/locking_in_a_windfall_profit_on_your_feed/Rick LundquistMon, 08 Nov 2010 13:00:00 GMT22342http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/count_the_cow_as_one_of_our_blessings/The livelihoods and lifestyles of those of us in the dairy business are what they are because of this marvelous creature.Rick LundquistMon, 06 Dec 2010 13:54:00 GMT22527http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/annual_water_analysis_recommended/Bad water is not an uncommon problem. Water is the most important nutrient for cattle. Health, reproduction and milk production all depend on a readily available, palatable source of good quality water. Rick LundquistMon, 03 Jan 2011 14:00:00 GMT22745http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/how_can_we_offset_high_feed_prices/It may sound like I work for Elanco, and I don’t, but if ever there were a time for an additive like Rumensin, it is now.Rick LundquistMon, 31 Jan 2011 11:00:00 GMT22954http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/cheap_feed_makes_cheap_milk/While we tend to recoil from the current high feed prices, this is no time to skimp on rations. Rick LundquistMon, 28 Feb 2011 11:18:00 GMT23178http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/pre-weaning_calf_nutrition_affects_future_milk_production_/Like human babies, the development of bovine babies is influenced by what happens in early life. Calves, however, are subjected to more environmental stresses, which direct more nutrients to immune responses instead of growth. Rick LundquistMon, 28 Mar 2011 10:16:00 GMT23391http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/feeding_too_much_corn_and_corn_byproducts_can_limit_milk_production/Even though it may be a least-cost ration, don’t go overboard on corn. Studies show that cows need a sizeable percentage of crude protein from non- corn sources for maximum milk output.Rick LundquistMon, 25 Apr 2011 11:33:00 GMT23559http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/ration_consistency_is_more_important_than_ration_balancing/Each cow’s microbial community wants to maintain equilibrium in the rumen. That’s why it’s so important to avoid sudden ration changes and feed consistently.​Rick LundquistSun, 22 May 2011 16:32:00 GMT23774http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/a_new_diagnostic_tool_to_help_tweak_rations/Gas fermentation analysis actually measures what the rumen bugs are doing with our TMR.Rick LundquistFri, 17 Jun 2011 17:12:00 GMT23977http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/an_extremely_stressful_year_for_crops_in_many_areas/Silo gas is more likely to form when forages contain high levels of nitrates, which accumulate in the plant when environmentally stressed conditions reduce yields. Rick LundquistMon, 18 Jul 2011 12:54:00 GMT24192http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/wheat_working_its_way_into_rations/Recent wheat prices are competitive with or lower than corn. If you do consider feeding wheat, there are advantages and limitations.Rick LundquistMon, 15 Aug 2011 05:04:00 GMT24387http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/liquid_feeds_are_a_good_fit/If you’re not already including a liquid feed in your ration, you might want to consider it to save money, reduce sorting, and enhance intake and production.​Rick LundquistMon, 12 Sep 2011 11:38:00 GMT24576http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/computer_models_can’t_replace_observation_and_experience/Although modeling programs certainly have helped us assimilate research, the real work is still up to the nutritionist, the dairy producer, dairy manager and feeders.Rick LundquistMon, 10 Oct 2011 16:04:00 GMT24820http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/dark_days_ahead/Concerned over stagnant milk production in the fall? Among possible reasons for this phenomenon, decreased day length and photoperiod response are worth watching.Rick LundquistMon, 07 Nov 2011 05:35:00 GMT25065http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/overstocking_what_are_the_costs__________/Assuming that permitting is not an issue, is overstocking a facility always a bad idea?Rick LundquistMon, 05 Dec 2011 10:07:00 GMT25325http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/dairy_industry_loses_a_pioneering_nutritionist/With the recent passing of Dr. Raymond Hinders, the dairy industry lost a good friend and a real gentleman. Rick LundquistMon, 02 Jan 2012 04:00:00 GMT25552http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/comparing_milk_yield_apples_to_apples/Fat-corrected milk and/or solids-corrected milk are really better benchmarks to help you decide how much milk you're getting. Here are two formulas you can use to accurately gauge milk production.Rick LundquistMon, 30 Jan 2012 04:38:00 GMT25866http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/‘the_mammary_gland_is_an_amazing_biological_factory’/The productive efficiency of the modern dairy cow is four times greater than it was in 1944. It’s one of the many reasons why dairy products will continue to have a major place in human diets.Rick LundquistMon, 27 Feb 2012 10:32:00 GMT26173http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/got_heat_stress_milk_camels/I recently visited a 2,000-head camel-milking farm in the United Arab Emirates, where camel milk is processed and sold throughout the region.Rick LundquistMon, 26 Mar 2012 04:14:00 GMT26440http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/a_quick_heat_stress_diagnostic_tool/It’s relatively easy to determine if the body temperature of your cows is in the heat stress zone.Rick LundquistMon, 23 Apr 2012 10:19:00 GMT26728http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/make_the_most_of_summer_grasses/Maximizing the use of forages suited for the local environment is both economical and sustainable. It’s not, however, without its challenges.Rick LundquistMon, 21 May 2012 10:40:00 GMT27030http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/the_dangers_of_wet_haylage/Why you'll want to avoid this flawed feed.Rick LundquistFri, 15 Jun 2012 11:19:00 GMT27260http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/beer_drinking_at_the_dairy_science_annual_meetings/Tasting is believing: The few grams of yeast we include in cow diets really may be doing something.Rick LundquistFri, 10 Aug 2012 16:02:00 GMT27679http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/reducing_feed_cost_without_losing_milk/Controlling this one factor can save 75¢ per cow per day.Rick LundquistFri, 07 Sep 2012 17:38:00 GMT27937http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/a_tribute_to_university_of_minnesota’s_dr_don_otterby/Don touched the lives of many people in our industry.Rick LundquistMon, 08 Oct 2012 11:22:00 GMT28204http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/limit_the_lag_time_of_your_dairy’s_fix-it_list/Successful dairies find ways to identify problems and fix them with minimal lag time.Rick LundquistSat, 03 Nov 2012 12:30:00 GMT28439http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/high_feed_costs_help_suppress_vitamin_prices/The decline in vitamin usage has resulted in 12-15% lower vitamin markets.Rick LundquistMon, 03 Dec 2012 10:50:00 GMT28747http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Dairy_Today_Healthline_295/cow_time_management_/The overall management of a cow’s environment and time budget has a huge impact on feeding, resting and rumination, which in turn impacts cow health and production.Rick LundquistFri, 28 Dec 2012 09:27:00 GMT28967http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/the_1ers_of_reproductive_performance/How do the top herds in reproductive performance get to be the 1%ers?Rick LundquistMon, 04 Feb 2013 12:39:00 GMT29282http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/fat_cows_have_weaker_immune_systems_at_calving/Stress, the release of cortisol and negative energy balance are other suspected culprits for problems during this critical lactation time.Rick LundquistSun, 24 Feb 2013 16:16:00 GMT29472http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/omega_nutrition_reexamined/Researchers have updated our understanding of the role that essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, play in animal health, growth, production and reproduction. Rick LundquistMon, 25 Mar 2013 10:17:00 GMT29719http://www.agweb.com/topproducer/blog/Animal_Health__Nutrition_172/some_like_it_hot_–_but_they’re_not_cows/Heat stress takes its toll on your herd in several ways.Rick LundquistSat, 27 Apr 2013 11:16:00 GMT30022