GLOBAL FARMING DIGEST

Colostrum Quality Begins Before Calving

We devote considerable attention to calf housing, hygiene, feeding, and colostrum management. But how much attention do we give to the conditions that determine colostrum composition before the calf is even born?

My latest article, published in the November 2026 issue of Feed & Additive Magazine, explores an often overlooked connection between maternal nutrition, metabolic health during late gestation, and the development of the future replacement heifer.

Recent research offers some interesting findings. Changing the close-up diet may alter the biological composition of colostrum without necessarily improving its antibody concentration. Meanwhile, maternal metabolic status may influence calf gastrointestinal development even when birth weight appears normal.

These findings remind us that successful calf rearing begins well before the first feeding of colostrum. Transition-cow nutrition and newborn calf management are not separate challenges but complementary parts of the same process.

Ultimately, productive longevity begins before birth.

I invite you to read the article and consider what these findings mean for transition-cow nutrition and calf management.

#DairyNutrition #Colostrum #TransitionCows #CalfHealth #DairyFarming

Beyond the Commodity: Rethinking Value in Agricultural Exports

For decades, agricultural competitiveness has been measured largely by how much a country can produce and export. But is volume alone still the best measure of success?

In my latest article, published in the November 2026 issue of Milling and Grain, I explore how agricultural exporters can move beyond traditional commodity markets by investing in processing, product differentiation, traceability, and innovation.

The challenge is not simply to export more, but to capture a greater share of the value generated along the agricultural supply chain. This requires looking beyond production efficiency to consider what international buyers increasingly expect in terms of quality, consistency, sustainability, and reliability.

Agricultural competitiveness is no longer determined solely by what we produce, but increasingly by the value we create from it.

I invite you to read the article, Beyond the Commodity: Rethinking Value in Agricultural Exports, and share your perspective.

#Agriculture #AgriculturalTrade #ValueAddition #Agribusiness #MillingAndGrain

Colostrum Quality Begins Before Calving

Dairy producers and calf-care professionals devote considerable attention to providing young calves with the best possible environment. Clean, dry bedding, adequate ventilation, comfortable housing, and consistent feeding practices are essential components of successful calf management. Yet even the best facilities and management practices cannot compensate for inadequate colostrum quality or insufficient transfer of maternal antibodies. A calf that begins life without adequate passive immunity remains vulnerable to disease, regardless of how carefully its environment is managed.

What Are Your Fresh Cows Losing Besides Weight?

A dairy cow can lose considerable weight after calving without attracting much attention. Some weight loss is expected as milk production increases, feed intake struggles to meet energy requirements, and body reserves are mobilized to support lactation. The challenge is determining when this normal physiological adjustment becomes excessive and begins to compromise health, reproduction, and productive longevity.