Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The raw milk battle heats up

The Food and Drug Administration released a special warning late last week reminding consumers to forgo any consumption of raw milk. They report that at least 12 cases of illnesses have been confirmed in Michigan due to an outbreak of campylobacteriosis (symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.) All cases of the foodborne illness have been linked to consumption of raw milk from a dairy farm in Indiana. From 1998 to 2008, 85 outbreaks of human infections resulting from consumption of raw milk were reported to the Centers for Disease Control. These outbreaks included a total of 1,614 reported illnesses, 187 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths. The FDA says that, because not all cases of foodborne illness are recognized and reported, the actual number of illnesses associated with raw milk is likely much higher.

The new warning from the FDA has garnered national attention recently, too. The Wall Street Journal published a piece just yesterday about the growing trend to throw FDA recommendations to the wayside and consume unpasteurized milk. "Raw milk is inherently dangerous and should not be consumed by anyone, at any time, for any reason," said John Sheehan, director of the FDA's division of plant and dairy food safety.

We realize that the income from raw milk sales may be appealing to some farms — especially when coping with the state of our dairy industry. However, the risks associated with it is simply poor business sense for all of us. It may take just one sickness from raw milk for an entire family to stop drinking milk all together. That's a family of consumers we can't afford to lose. We've worked hard to have reliably safe products on store shelves; let's not lose that badge of honor. And while proponents of raw milk consumption may tout "beneficial bacteria," there already is another dairy product that safely delivers that: yogurt.

Labels:











Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Hoard's visits with DMI board member Steve Maddox

We recently sat down with Steve Maddox of Riverdale, Calif., to visit with him about some of the current initiatives of your checkoff dollars. Maddox currently serves on the national DMI (Dairy Management, Incorporated — the umbrella organization of the checkoff) board. If you enjoyed this video, you're in luck. We just posted another video over on our Bonnie's Brush with Hoard's Blog today! Bonnie visits with viewers about the underpainting — the monochrome-painted framework of the artwork.

Labels: ,











Monday, March 29, 2010

World Dairy Expo Announces 2010 Honorees

Each year, World Dairy Expo recognizes four individuals for their contributions to the global dairy industry. General Manager Mark Clarke notes, “This year’s honorees have each invested a lifetime in building a successful business within the dairy industry while helping others along the way. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at this year’s show.”

World Dairy Expo’s 2010 Recognition Award Winners include: Dairyman of the Year – Donald Bennink, North Florida Holsteins, Bell, Florida; Dairy Woman of the Year – Liz Doornink, Jon-De Farms, Baldwin, Wisconsin; Industry Person of the Year – Horace Backus, Backus Pedigree Company, Mexico, New York; and International Person of the Year – Tadanaga Komori, Japan Livestock Trading Corporation, Obihiro-shi, Hokkaido, Japan.

The four recipients will be honored during World Dairy Expo at a special “Dinner with the Stars” banquet, held on Wednesday, September 29, in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Tickets for the event are $30. Reservations are required by Tuesday, September 21.

A list of previous recognition winners can be found at http://www.world-dairy-expo.com/about-expo-recognition-awards.cfm

Labels:











Friday, March 26, 2010

How to lose the argument on animal welfare

All of us who make our living with livestock are strongly biased on the subject of animal welfare. Unfortunately, it’s a bias that can be our own worst enemy when we debate the topic with someone we disagree with.

This important “stop and think for a moment” reminder comes through loud and clear in “How to lose the argument on animal welfare . . . Top 10 reasons” by Dr. David A. Daley at California State University, Chico. Daley’s arena is the beef industry, but every point he makes is relevant to dairy producers, too:

1. Assuming science will give us all the answers; it only gives us some of the answers. I believe strongly in science, but science doesn’t solve ethical questions.

2. Using economics as the justification for all of our practices.

3. Assuming that you have to defend all agricultural practices, regardless of what they are. I believe you defend those that are defensible. Period.

4. Assuming we can’t do better at animal welfare.

5. Attacking everyone who disagrees with you in a negative, critical manner.

6. Not being willing to listen because we are so busy responding.

7. Assuming that the lunatic fringe is the general public. We spend way to much time focusing on lunatics and not working with the public.

8. Being reactive rather than proactive.

9. Assuming that because someone disagrees with you they are stupid, evil, or both.

10. Not working hard enough to build coalitions that include the public.

11. Bonus: Criticizing/mocking any animal production system that is not “conventional”.

12. Bonus: Trying to lead a parade without seeing if anyone is following. I have surveyed over 200 cattlemen in three locations and 90+ percent of them say, “Animals have the right to be treated humanely and ethically.”

Labels:











Thursday, March 25, 2010

Price prospects, policy dilemmas cloud DFA meeting

Co-op business sort of took a backseat to current concerns when about 1,200 people gathered for Dairy Farmers of America annual meeting this week in Kansas City. In short, the co-op had net savings (earnings) of $65.6 million in 2009, and all business units of the co-op were profitable. (See our April 25, 2010, issue for more on DFA activity and the annual meeting.

The big hallway topics at the meeting were the recent drops in Class III futures and whether our industry's appetite for trying some type of milk production control has changed enough to move us in that direction. The two are related to some extent. Any change in national dairy policy, including any provisions for production controls, would not take effect until the 2012 Farm Bill is enacted which could be sometime in 2013. That's a lifetime away for dairy owners, who increasingly are on the brink of financial failure. The key to doing better short term will be to get rid of nagging inventories of cheese and nonfat dry milk. Actually, analysts say current production and current demand are nearly in balance.

More and more dairy farmers are saying that something must be done about returning margins to the business that will enable them to get current again and begin to rebuild lost equity. Both DFA's Rick Smith and NMPF's Jerry Kozak said at the meeting that enough dairy farm families feel the need to control milk supplies in some way that the industry should seriously consider moving in that direction. There are deliberations underway at several levels aimed at looking at various aspects of several plans that have been proposed to see which concepts would be most adaptable to a consensus proposal.

Kozak said he could see some sort of production control or growth management plan, perhaps on a standby basis as needed, that could be coupled with the Dairy Producer Income Protection Plan that NMPF has been working on. "DPIPP" would provide long-term margin (milk price minus feed cost) insurance coverage with no caps on herd size or milk volume. A base program would be available at no cost to producers for a portion of a dairy operation's production history. An optional, supplemental plan would be paid for partially by the producer for greater margin protection, presumably for the more heavily leverage, more financially vulnerable operations.

Under one hypothetical situation, over the past 10 years, the MILC program would have paid a 100-cow farm about $46,000 more than DPIPP, as currently proposed, would have. However, DPIPP would have paid that 100-cow operation about $19,000 more during 2009 as the program would have been in effect during nine months of 2009. DPIPP coverage is designed to be "catastrophic" coverage. It is possible, Kozak said, that a continuation of MILC and establishment of DPIPP may give dairy farmers a choice of one program or the other in the future.

One possible standby production control plan being considered is a marginal milk pricing plan that would kick in when milk prices fall below a certain level. (See April 10, 2010, issue, page 255).

Labels: , ,











Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Our future in yogurt

Consumer demand for dairy products slid last year — commercial disappearance was down 1.2 percent. While this may be disappointing to hear, there is one product category that is making plans for serious growth in the U.S. market: yogurt.

One of the stars of the yogurt world is Dannon, owned by the French company Danone. You likely are most familiar with their U.S. brand Dannon which is the maker of products like DanActive, Stoneyfield Organic, Activia, and their children-focused product Danimals. Just last week, it was reported by Reuters that the yogurt giant is taking a big aim at the U.S. market. Gustavo Valle, the chief executive officer of Dannon, said the U.S. market is still very underdeveloped with consumption six times lower than in Western Europe. Six times lower. That's a lot of yogurt and that's a lot of milk. Europeans typically eat plenty of Greek yogurt — a strained, less sweet, thicker version of our sugar-loaded cups in addition to being part of meals other than breakfast. The CEO was even so bold as to say "In four years, we can double the consumption per capita." Currently, Dannon and its top U.S. competitor Yoplait (owned by General Mills) account for 67 percent of U.S. sales. With basement milk prices last year, Dannon cut prices by 3 percent to 5 percent in the middle of 2009. This move gave sales a 15 percent jump in the last half of 2009.

Mintel market research reported early in 2010 that sales of yogurt and yogurt drinks have grown in recent years. U.S. sales of product category grew 32 percent between 2004 and 2009 with sales at $4.1 billion. As far as yogurt production goes, the USDA annually releases information on yearly totals. Information released last may revealed that in 2008, 3.5 billion pounds of yogurt was produced at 110 yogurt plants in the U.S. In 2000, that production mark was just 1.8 billion from 77 plants.











Challenge daughters lead Hoard Farm 2-year-olds

On Monday, March 15, American Guernsey Association executive secretary, Seth Johnson, was at the Hoard's Dairyman Farm to appraise the Hoard Guernsey herd. Scoring began at 6 a.m. and continued during the ensuing day, Johnson evaluated 64 2-year-olds that received their first-ever score. The 64 first-score cows averaged 79.03 for final score, 80.56 on udders, and 80.17 on feet and legs.

Of those 64 first score cows, there were 11 1GU418 Idle Gold E Challenge-ET daughters that were evaluated for the first time. These moderate-framed cows were 2 years, 9 months of age (on average) on appraisal day and had an 82.2 final score, 83.7 udders, and 81.4 feet and legs. When it comes to production, the 11-cow-Challenge group calved at 2 years, 1 month and have actual 305-day projections of 17,059M 5.2 880F 3.3 571P.

When looking at all cows on the farm, averages included:
• First lactation, 126 cows: 78.9 points, 79.9 udders, and 80.1 feet and legs
• Second lactation, 87 cows: 80.4 points, 79.5 udders, and 81.6 feet and legs
• Third and greater lactation (4.31 lactations), 124 cows: 83.8 points, 82.7 udders, and 83 feet and legs
• All cows, 337 cows: 81.1 points, 80.7 udders, 81.5 feet and legs.

The Hoard Farm had three new Excellent cows including:
• Rutter Bros Goliaths Ruby, EX-90, VG-88 MS, EX-90 F&L. Ruby's has 151,123 M, 8623 F, and 5,370 P of lifetime credits to date. She is due for the tenth time this September. Her dam, Ruthie EX-91 has 194,399 M, 10.130 F, and 7130 P, in her lifetime and counting.

• Lavon Farms Mountains Molly, EX-90 and EX-91 MS. Molly is completing a 8-1 record of 303 days, 20,721 M 4.2 875 F, 3.2 658 P.

• Rolling Prairie P King Pansy (shown above), EX-90, EX-90 MS, and EX-90 F&L. Pansy recently completed a 5-1 record of 365 days, 25,098 M, 4.5 1,120 F, 3.3 and 819 P. She has a Trotacre Enhancer Lewis-ET daughter that is VG-85 in the second lactation. More on Pansy at http://www.hoards.com/farm/favs/Pansy

After reviewing the data, the Hoard Farm ended up with:
• 20 Excellents (90 points or higher)
• 196 Very Goods (80 to 89 points)
• 111 Desirable (70 to 79 points)
• 10 Acceptable (60 to 69 points)

A complete list of appraisal scores can be found by downloading the file below.
Hoard_Farm_Classification.pdf

Labels: , ,











Monday, March 22, 2010

More milk . . . despite everything

Maybe we shouldn't have been too surprised with the February Milk Production report released last Thursday. After all, milk production in January had been down just 0.5 percent compared to a year earlier. Plus, the 23 top dairy states actually had 4,000 MORE cows in January than in December. The recent report showed that milk output in February was 0.1 higher than a year ago, and that the top states had another 3,000 more cows. That was not much of a rise in milk. But considering all that our industry has been through, many would think that cow numbers and milk production still should be going down.

The big driver of more milk this winter has been higher milk per cow. This especially was evident among states in the Upper Midwest which had one of the coolest summers on record last year. For example, cows in Wisconsin produced 5.3 percent more milk in February than they did a year ago.

Among the top 23 states, cow numbers were down 168,000 head (nearly 2 percent) in February. However, milk per cow in those states was up just over 2 percent. Nationally, the estimated cow count was 9.088 million head, which was down 201,000 or 2.2 percent from February 2009.

California continued its drop in milk production being down 1.6 percent. There were 65,000 or 3.6 percent fewer cows there. With its big jump in milk per cow, Wisconsin was up 5.7 percent in total milk production. Wisconsin had 5,000 more cows than a year ago. Among other Upper Midwest states, Michigan was up 3.5 per cent in milk and Minnesota was up 1.4 percent.

Seven states were down at least 5 percent in total milk output during February. They were Arizona (-6.8 percent), Colorado (-8.3), Florida (-5.0), Kansas (-6.8), Missouri (-9.8), New Mexico (-5.0), and Texas (-5.4). Most of these states were down mostly due to significant declines in cow numbers.

Labels:











Friday, March 19, 2010

Can we stop E. coli inside cows?


Consumers have become all too familiar with E. coli 0157:H7, one of the most common culprits behind foodborne disease outbreaks in recent years. Blame for illness and media scrutiny fall first on tainted produce or meat, but the origin of the bacteria is often traced back to cattle, which harms the image of all dairy and beef producers by association.

Stopping E. coli outbreaks at the source – cattle themselves – is the focus of a new three-year research study at Washington State University that is funded by a $1 million grant from USDA. One of the main concepts behind it is the curious fact that while people become sick from E. coli, cattle don’t.

“It doesn’t bother them,” says microbiologist Tom Besser (pictured) who heads up the project. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t go into cattle and maybe do something to reduce their infection rate with 0157. And we think if we do, then depending on how important cattle are as a source for humans, the human rate should go down, too.”

E. coli infects about 70,000 Americans a year, but scientists have yet to learn how to prevent its spread. Health experts have worked on reducing infection rate through better meat handling and food preparation, but since just 10 E. coli cells are necessary to make a person sick, vigilance can only do so much.

Besser hopes to stop the bacteria by focusing on the different types of E. coli that beef and dairy cattle harbor. The study will look for genetic markers that clearly define differences in the five known strains of bacteria, which could be used to take a new look at the effectiveness of different treatments and strategies.











Thursday, March 18, 2010

Baseline projections for dairy appear bullish

Milk prices will move higher in the years ahead, according to a report to Congress given by FAPRI (the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri). FAPRI makes projections based on current policies and doesn't try to anticipate federal dairy and ag policy changes and directions.

FAPRI projects an All-Milk Price of nearly $17 for 201o, an estimate that may have been made before Class III futures for 2010 made significant downturns. The All-Milk Price for 2009 was just $12.79. However, FAPRI has the All-Milk Price averaging between $17 and $18 per hundredweight between 2011 and 2013 and rising to between $18 and $19 for 2014 through 2019.

The projections have the Class III price averaging $15.41 for 2010, although the futures prices currently are averaging just over $14. FAPRI has the Class III price averaging in the upper $15s during 2011 and 2012, rising to more than $17 by 2019.

Cow numbers during 2010 will not average below 9 million head as USDA predicted earlier, according the FAPRI projections. The report puts cow numbers for 2010 at 9.024 million head, but averaging fewer than 9 million head each year through 2019.

FAPRI projects total milk production to climb 1.1 percent per year between 2011 and 2019, topping 200 billion pounds in 2015 and reaching 209.2 billion by 2019.

Milk yield per cow is expected to go up about 1.3 percent per year, reaching nearly 23,500 pounds by 2019.

Stronger world prices will help drive U.S. milk prices, according to FAPRI projections. The world price of cheese is expected to be between $1.60 and $1.80 a pound between 2011 and 2019. The nonfat dry milk price could run between $1.25 and $1.40 a pound.

Fluid milk per capita consumption in the U.S. will stay flat or decline, but cheese consumption per person is expected to continue to rise reaching 34.2 by 2019.

Labels: ,











Wednesday, March 17, 2010

High-tech neighbors in the north

A couple weeks ago we had the pleasure of visiting some impressive Ontario dairies during the First North American Conference on Precision Dairy Management. Our first stop of the day was to Summitholme Holsteins in Lynden, Ontario. The farm is owned by brothers Carl and Dave Loewith, and Carl’s son, Ben Loewith. Driving onto the farm you’d see that it was a well-run free stall and parlor operation. On closer inspection you will find several processes within the farm that have been automated to save labor and give the operator more information to be used as management tools. We started in the parlor where Ben Loewith showed us their milk recording system. The system records conductivity (mastitis detection), activity monitoring (heat detection), milk weights, and statistics on how the parlor is flowing to evaluate milker performance. It generates lists of cows that may need attention. Ben Loewith says they still have found ways to rely on simple technologies to help them monitor cows closely in a large herd — without using a computer. They use a whiteboard with several columns labeled with days of the month. When cows calve, their number is placed in three columns. This helps them remember the three days postcalving they test cows for ketosis. Stepping out of the parlor, you’ll find a feed mixing system that carefully lets feed mixers know how much feed of each ingredient is yet needed for the ration with a large electronic display.

It quickly became clear that Canadian farmers who can’t expand their herds because of quota restrictions may have the opportunity (and capitol) to take advantage of these technologies sooner than those in the U.S. who are still recovering from 2009. What do you think? Is high-tech dairy farming out of reach for U.S. farms?

Labels:











Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Behind the Canvas

As we announced last week, Hoard's Dairyman has commissioned world-renowned cow artist Bonnie Mohr to update our well-known Foster Mothers of the Human race print. We'll be following along with Bonnie as she creates this exciting painting on our very special blog: Bonnie's Brush with Hoard's. In the coming weeks we'll even give you some sneak peeks into how the painting is coming along. Right now you can visit the blog and view our past Foster Mothers prints and vote for your favorite! New this week on the Bonnie's Brush with Hoard's blog, we're letting you get to know Bonnie a little bit better. Did you know that besides painting she is the busy mother of five children and wife of a dairy farmer? Watch the video about Bonnie's life today in addition to her memories of Hoard's Dairyman as a child.











Monday, March 15, 2010

We need choice in the food chain

Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco Animal Health, was on hand at the Northeast Dairy Producers Association annual meeting in Liverpool, N.Y., to discuss, "Choice in the food chain and dairy's opportunity in feeding the world. Simmons' presentation had three key components involving: technology, choice, and leadership.

Citing United Nations data, Simmons noted, 50-100-70 would be the key numbers driving food production. "Specifically, in the next 50 years the world will need 100 percent more food, and 70 percent of that additional food will come from improved technology," said Simmons, noting there was little arable land not already in agricultural production.

Countries like China and India, with one-third of the world's population, want to grow more food for their citizens. At the same time, they want to devote less of each citizen’s personal income to food. "India spends 50 percent of personal income on food," said Simmons. "That compares to 26 percent in Japan, 22 percent in the United Kingdom, and 10 percent in the U.S. Technology can lower food costs," he went on to say. "Look at the U.S., for example. In 1908, the American consumer spent 50 percent of personal income on food. Today, he or she spends only 10 percent."

The second key component is choice. Simmons pointed out that Elanco reviewed consumer surveys conducted in the past two years that asked unaided questions to consumers which means that questions were not of a leading nature. After that review, they found that 95 percent of consumers are really looking at: availability, affordability, and nutrition when buying food.

"That means only 5 percent of consumers purchased food on luxury choices and personal wants such as organic or vegan lifestyles," Simmons stated. "This finding is holding true today," Simmons pointed out. "The recession has put some economic logic back into the system."

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Simmons pointed out dairy producers need to share this message with others and provide leadership on food. "We don't all have to agree on every issue," he said. "However, we need to align ourselves and move in the same direction," he said when talking about moving agriculture and food-related issues forward. "If we wait for total agreement, we will never move forward," he told the 550 people attending the Northeast Dairy Producers Association meeting just outside Syracuse, N.Y.

Labels: , ,











Friday, March 12, 2010

A hard fall for school soft drink sales

Rejoice, milk producers. The latest report card for beverage sales at U.S. high schools shows a big fat F for soft drinks.

According to The Wall Street Journal earlier this week, a report to be released Monday by the American Beverage Association will show a stunning decline in the sale of soft drinks in U.S. high schools over the last five years. Most notable is a 95 percent decline in sales of “full-calorie” soft drinks.

The collapse is credited to many factors, including efforts by states and local school districts to limit or eliminate high-calorie sweet beverages from schools’ menus and vending machines, greater social focus on battling childhood obesity, and cooperation from beverage manufacturers.

Milk and other dairy products were not identified in the study. Other major sales declines in the study include:
– a 94 percent decline in imitation fruit juices
– a 77 percent decline in flavored teas
– a 67 percent decline in sports drinks
– a 47 percent decline in diet soft drinks

“We congratulate the beverage industry for working to remove sugary sodas from schools,” said Margo G. Wootan, nutrition policy director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest in a March 8 press release. She added, however, that much work remains to be done since full-calorie sodas, sports drinks, imitation fruit drinks, and ice teas still make up one-third of all beverage sales in high schools.

Last July, the American Heart Association said recent research had found that drinking more than one soft drink per day – regular or diet – increased the risk factors associated with both heart disease and new-onset obesity.

Labels: , ,











Thursday, March 11, 2010

USDA lowers milk price forecast sharply

Lower milk prices and feed costs are forecast, but the lower costs won’t make up for the lower prices.

In yesterday’s World Supply/Demand Estimates, USDA lowered its milk price forecasts sharply from a month earlier. The midpoint projection for 2010 Class III prices was lowered from $15.25 to $14.50. The midpoint of the All-Milk Price projection was lowered from $16.55 to $15.85 or 70 cents per hundred.
The milk production forecast was raised for 2010 with milk production expected to be fractionally above 2009.

Cheese prices were reduced as higher stocks are expected to pressure prices. Butter price forecasts were raised slightly on the strength of current demand although higher milk supplies and weaker cheese prices may encourage higher butter production, pressuring prices later in the year.
The projected 2009/10 marketing-year average farm price for corn was lowered 20 cents on the top end of the range to $3.45 to $3.75 per bushel. World corn production for 2009/10 was raised 5.9 million tons. Global corn ending stocks for 2009/10 were projected to be 6.1 million tons higher with increases in most of the world’s major corn-exporting countries, including the U.S., Argentina, South Africa, and Brazil.

The U.S. season-average soybean price range for 2009/10 was narrowed to $8.95 to $9.95 per bushel. The soybean meal price was projected at $280 to $310 per short ton (2,000 pounds) compared with $270 to $320 previously.
U.S. soybean ending stocks for 2009/10 are projected at 190 million bushels, down 20 million from last month. Soybean production is estimated at 3.359 billion bushels, down 2 million from the January estimate.

Cattle price forecasts were raised for 2010 due to tighter meat supplies. This will provide more cull cow income and encourage culling which will help reduce milk supplies.

Labels: ,











Wednesday, March 10, 2010

A peek into the future dairy farm

While many dairy farms in the U.S. and abroad are trying to dig their way out of the most recent milk price crisis, a 200-plus person group of producers and industry, mostly from Canada, met in Toronto, Ontario, last week for the First North American Conference on Precision Dairy Management. Perhaps, Dairy Farming of the Future would have been an appropriate name, as well. The plethora of high-tech equipment couldn't help but make us think of our industry's next generation of managers who prefer push-button controls to back-breaking work. But, the bigger question on our mind was — who can afford this right now? One exhibitor at the conference touted an in-line NIR (near infrared) feed control system. The technology has the capabilities to monitor and alter moisture, ADF, NDF, and much more in your ration as it is being mixed. Could this be the link that removes the variation between the ration formulated by the nutritionist and the ration actually mixed and fed?

Feeding wasn't the only focus of the meeting. Robotic milking was a natural fit under the precision dairy management umbrella. The conference's coordinator, Jack Rodenburg of DairyLogix and the Vetvice group has authored an article that will be appearing our March 25 issue about optimal barn design for robotic milking facilities. If you're thinking of going robotic, you'll want to read it.

Breeding, a not so obvious fit to precision dairy farming was also discussed. Getting cows bred has become an Achille's heel for many dairy farms, but we must admit that public relations has, too. One U.S. veterinarian presenting at the conference blasted the U.S. dairy industry's reliance on timed A.I. protocols because of its potential to become a public relations nightmare. He pointed to the potential expanded use of activity monitoring to manage heat detection instead of OvSynch protocols. Another heat detection tool discussed was in-line milk sampling for progesterone levels.

Ephraim Maltz, of the Volcani Institute in Israel, has been researching precision dairy farming technologies for many years. He reminded attendees that decades ago, individual animal care was the norm when farms were only home to a few cows. Today, cows tend to be managed in groups on large farms. "We can now manage the smallest production unit again," he says when referencing the variety of tools now available to manage cows individually and precisely.

Labels: ,











Monday, March 8, 2010

An exciting announcement from Hoard's Dairyman

While 2010 marks the beginning of a new decade, it also marks a momentous occasion for Hoard's Dairyman. On January 23, 1885, William Dempster Hoard launched the first edition of Hoard's Dairyman. This year, our 125th anniversary, we've asked world-renowned dairy artist Bonnie Mohr of Glencoe, Minn., to help us create an updated Foster Mothers of the Human Race painting. The original Foster Mothers print was created in 1957 followed by updates in 1963, 1991, and 1993 — all of which were painted by former Hoard's Dairyman Art Director James Baird. You can follow along with Bonnie on Bonnie's Brush with Hoard's our special edition blog — as she paints this piece during the coming months. We'll have plenty of video of Bonnie answering the questions you've always wanted to ask and we'll offer sneak peaks of how the painting is coming along. Visit the blog as often as you like, we'll update it each week!

Labels: ,











NEDPA approves best management practices

Over 550 dairy producers and allied industry professionals gathered in Liverpool, N.Y., for the biannual conference of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA). Sustainable agricultural production, carbon footprints, markets, and animal welfare were key discussion topics for the two-day conference held on March 3 and 4 just outside of Syracuse, N.Y.

During the second day of the conference, animal welfare was a major focus as Candace Croney from Ohio State and Nina von Keyserlingk from the University of British Columbia discussed animal welfare initiatives across the country and around the world. Nina then turned the discussion to specific issues on dairy farms and Nigel Cook, D.V.M., from the University of Wisconsin detailed cattle housing.

After those presentations, Daryl Nydam, a Cornell D.V.M., began the Best Management Practices recently adapted by NEDPA. Three specific issues addressed were dehorning, tail docking, and nonambulatory cows. In their position statement, NEDPA supports the right of farmers to choose to dehorn and dock tails as appropriate management practices when these practices are conducted humanely, with best management practices, and under the supervision of a veterinarian.

When it comes to dehorning, NEDPA is recommending that it take place before 8 weeks of age through dehorning paste, thermal cautery, or by gouging technique. Cornual nerve block with lidocaine should be used with all dehorning procedures. In addition, a single-dose of a long-term analgestic, such flunixin, is recommended for pain control and inflammation reduction

For tail docking, NEDPA suggests using an elastrator or cautery tail docker in calves less then 30 days old. They recommend tail docking at a young age. If animals are docked over 1 month of age, cutting requires use of anesthesia with lidocaine. The tail docking issue may be the most controversial as Nydam went on to discuss the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) position statement on the subject: "The AABP is not aware of sufficient scientific evidence in the literature to support tail docking in cattle. If it is deemed necessary for proper care and management of production animals in certain conditions, veterinarians should counsel clients on proper procedures, benefits, and risks."

NEDPA's protocol for nonambulatory cows includes a provision for prompt relocation from concrete to a safe, well-bedded area. That area must provide adequate footing, provisions for water and food without competition from other cattle, protection from self-injury, injury from other animals, and protection from environmental elements. If it is determined a cow should be euthanized, it should be done quickly without moving the animal. NEDPA recommends using the AABP's guide on euthanasia found in the pdf below.

Practical Euthanasia of Cattle

Labels: , , ,











Friday, March 5, 2010

Pressing HSUS’s feet to the fire

In the two weeks since we told you about creation of HumaneWatch.org and its mission to separate fraud from fact about the Humane Society of the United States, we’re delighted to report that turning up the heat of scrutiny is already producing some results.

First came a colossal tidal wave of public backlash against the Australian company that makes Yellow Tail wine after it announced a $100,000 donation to HSUS in February. This prompted the company to investigate what HSUS’s priorities really are – and then make a public apology and promise to never donate to the group again.

An essentially identical story was repeated a few days later by Pilot Travel Centers, a U.S. chain of gas stations that caters to long-haul truckers, which was also clueless about HSUS’s anti-agriculture mission. Then yesterday, Precious Cat, Inc., a cat litter company that had been listed on the HSUS “corporate supporters” page, announced it had withdrawn its support and henceforth would make donations to actual animal shelters instead.

While the truth about HSUS may finally be getting out in some quarters, communicating the message to the public will be an uphill struggle. Just how steep that challenge is was illustrated by results of a nationwide public opinion poll released on Tuesday this week. In it, 71 percent of those polled the previous week agreed with the statement that, “HSUS is an umbrella group that represents thousands of local humane societies all across America.” However, HumaneWatch.org says tax records filed by HSUS show this statement is, in fact, false.

The heat is on, ladies and gentlemen, and we think HSUS may be starting to sweat.

Labels: ,











Thursday, March 4, 2010

Watch the cows, and use a tape measure

You may have noted that the Hoard's Dairyman Farm has benefited from having a management team that has met regularly over the past 1-1/2 years (February 10, 2010, issue, page 108) and having converted our heifer free stall barn to a bedded pack area for our close-ups (March 10, 2010, issue, page 177). We also tweaked the prefresh ration to reduce sorting.

The changes have made a difference, especially in pregnancy rates that have improved notably over the past six months. But we have been seeing more retains and metritis cases during the past few weeks.

The invaluable part of having a management team in place is that you have an established way to brainstorm what may be causing a problem and a procedure for making decisions and taking action quickly to get things back on track.

In our March 10 article, we talked about having at least 100 square feet of bedded pack and 28 inches of manger space per cow at capacity (70 close-up cows and heifers). But it is important to watch your cows and use a tape measure. Jason Yurs, our farm manager, had been observing where cows were lying and not lying. He saw that there was a 22 foot-wide strip of bedded pack down the middle of the barn that the cows were using. There were 41 cows in the barn at the time which meant 72 square feet per cow. We had tried bedding closer to the open south side of the building, but rain and snow blowing in kept the bedding in that area wet. Plus, cows avoided lying in areas around the waterers which were out in the middle of the bedded areas, it being a retrofit.

Wanting to make sure that we maintain good intakes in that prefresh group, we put sand down in the feeding area to give cows more confidence as they go the manager, with plans to do some grooving when possible. We also will try to devise a way to keep some of the further-off dry cows in another area to reduce pressure on the pack.

We're trying another tactic that will reduce pressure on the close-up barn and help heifers get off to a better start. When bringing them back from the heifer growers, they will be put either in Pen 1 (our first-calf heifers) or Pen 5 (our tail-enders), depending on where space is available, so the springing heifers will have some free stall and parlor experience before they are moved to the close-up barn just before calving.

Labels: ,











Wednesday, March 3, 2010

They checked the facts on lactose intolerance

Consumers battling lactose intolerance might need to find ways to become more tolerant of dairy to manage good health. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently gathered a panel of nutrition experts to address lactose intolerance and health. The group evaluated the most recent research on lactose intolerance, discussed strategies to manage the condition, and discovered the outcomes of diets that exclude dairy foods. Lactose intolerance is the result of low amounts of the lactase enzymes used to comfortably digest dairy products and more specifically, lactose — the sugar found in milk. Many times when the condition is discovered, dairy products are almost completely eliminated in the diet. The panel of experts completed a thorough scientific review and drafted a consensus statement to address common misconceptions about lactose intolerance.

They agreed that completely eliminating dairy in the diet was a poor choice and could lead to greater health risks. Because of dairy's dense nutrient line-up, meeting nutrient needs would be difficult for lactose-intolerant individuals who eliminated dairy in their diet. In addition, strong research suggests that those with lactose intolerance can tolerate at least 12 grams of lactose without minor symptoms — that's about one cup of milk.

African Americans tend to have lower Vitamin D intakes. Part of that likely is due to the increased prevalence of lactose intolerance in the African American community. The National Medical Association is the nation's largest group of African American physicians. Dr. Wilma Wooten, president of its San Diego chapter presented research to the NIH panel on the ethnic prevalence of lactose intolerance. "Individuals with lactose intolerance should not avoid dairy products," Wooten said. "This message should be reinforced to prevent the missed opportunity provided by the nutrient-rich package of low and nonfat milk, hard cheese, and yogurt with live active cultures."

Another study quantified the degree of lactose intolerance in the United States and found an amount lower than previously thought. They concluded that as little as 12 percent of the U.S. population identifies themselves as lactose-intolerant. However, ethnically, this number varied. For European Americans, 7.7 percent reported being lactose-intolerant, 10.1 percent of Hispanic Americans, and 19.5 percent of African Americans report being lactose-intolerant.

Dietary guidelines for Americans encourage those with lactose intolerance to focus on consuming lower-lactose dairy options such as lactose-free milk, yogurt, and hard cheeses to ensure they receive the important nutrients found in dairy products. If you would like more information on the recent panel on lactose intolerance, visit the National Dairy Council's website.











Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Breed judges named for 2010 World Dairy Expo

Official judges for World Dairy Expo 2010 have been appointed. The individuals who will be responsible for placing over 2,500 head of dairy cattle during the five-day show are:

International Junior Holstein Show: Adam Liddle, Argyle, New York

International Ayrshire Show: Norm Nabholz, West Union, Iowa
Ayrshire Associate: Randy Franck, Dewitt, Iowa

International Milking Shorthorn Show: Ronnie Mosser, Geneva, Indiana

Central National Jersey Show: Kelly Barbee, Concord, North Carolina
Jersey Associate: Dennis Patrick, Woodbine, Maryland

International Brown Swiss Show: Callum McKinven, Canton De Hatley, Quebec, Canada
Brown Swiss Associate: Richard Landry, Ste-Brigitte des Saults, Quebec, Canada

International Guernsey Show: Lynn Harbaugh, Pine River, Wisconsin
Guernsey Associate: Paul Trapp, Taylor, Wisconsin

Grand International Red & White Show: Brian Carscadden, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Red & White Associate: Quim Serrabassa, Spain

International Holstein Show: Brian Craswell, Civic, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Holstein Associate: Tyler Doiron, Cap Sante, Quebec, Canada

Labels: ,











Monday, March 1, 2010

2009 milk production statistics reveal few changes

USDA recently released the 2009 averages for state-by-state milk production, cow numbers, and milk per cow. A detailed report, complete with charts and tables, can be found the in the March 10 issue on page 169. Here are a few findings from USDA's report:

Cow numbers dipped slightly compared to the previous year’s 9.315 million which represented the highest inventory since 1996. Despite the drop, average cow numbers were still high with the nation’s 9.201 million cows running above average totals for 2001 to 2007. It should be stressed these are yearly averages. Estimated cow numbers in December 2009 stood at 9.082 million. Among the top 10 dairy states, those that reduced cow numbers were: California, down, 2.6 percent; New York, down 1.1 percent; Pennsylvania, down 0.7 percent; and New Mexico, down 3.8 percent.

Growth in milk per cow slowed for the fifth consecutive year, dropping to 0.9 percent compared to between 1.0 to 3.2 percent gains in the previous four years. Over the past decade, Arizona, Colorado, and Washington all took turns holding the top spot for milk per cow. This year, New Mexico has the nation’s highest-producing cows, breaking the 24,000-pound barrier for the first time.

Meanwhile, there was only one change in the top 10 milk production states with Michigan overtaking New Mexico. Milk production in the top production state, California, was down 4.1 percent, while production in the nation's second leading state, Wisconsin, was up 3.1 percent.

U.S. dairy farmers produced 618 pounds of milk for every American citizen. On a per capita basis, Idaho led all states producing 7,860 pounds of milk for every state citizen. The next three on the list were: Wisconsin, 4,463 pounds per resident; Vermont, 3,971 pounds per resident; and New Mexico, 3,933 per resident. A full-color map including all 50 states can be found in the March 10 issue.
MilkProd-02-19-2010-1.pdf

Labels: , ,