DAIRY

Discover the Passionate Young Visionary Leading Holstein Association's Future

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:10:58 GMT

Lindsey Worden’s journey through the dairy industry is one marked by growth, passion, and a relentless pursuit of betterment. At just 40 years old, she was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Holstein Association USA, a position that perfectly highlights her lifelong dedication to dairy farming and purebred genetics.

Worden’s story begins on a family dairy farm in New York, where her early childhood was steeped in the world of agriculture. Her father became very interested in learning more about western style of dairying and so the family made the bold move to New Mexico, which was in a growth mode at the time. This move transitioned them from milking 65 cows in the Northeast to 1,400 cows in the southwest. This transition exposed Worden to diverse farming techniques and further fueled her interest in the dairy industry.

Passion for Youth Development
Her involvement with youth development began at an early age in New Mexico. Worden remembers helping with the classification of their cattle, to which Worden fondly recalls getting to take the day off school to help with that.

“That’s really how I started getting interested in dairy,” she shares. “I love the genetic side of things.”

Heavily involved in 4-H, Worden participated in showing dairy heifers, pigs, and horses. Her family supported her and her brothers by building a barn to house their show heifers, thereby nurturing her budding interest in animal husbandry and community involvement.

“4-H was my sport,” she enthusiastically recalls.

Transition to College and the Dairy Industry
Worden’s desire to continue in the dairy sector influenced her educational pursuits. Through connections, she was introduced to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she was drawn to dual majoring in Dairy Science and Life Science Communications.

During her college summers, Worden undertook roles that further deepened her understanding of the industry. From assisting in her parents’ dairy dispersal that had them selling their New Mexico dairy and their cows that had them going cross country again to dairy in central New York to interning at the University of Wisconsin Extension and the Holstein Foundation, each experience prepared her for a career at the Holstein Association.

“To think back, I was very fortunate to experience the dairy industry in different parts of the country,” Worden shares, noting during college she was able to visit high genetic farms that she only dreamed of visiting.

Leading the Holstein Association USA
Little did Worden know that her last internship in Brattleboro, Vt., would set the stage for her future career that has spanned nearly 18 years with the Holstein Association. In her new role as CEO, she faces the challenge of leading an organization that has significantly impacted the dairy industry. Her approach focuses on encouraging innovation, supporting membership and advancing genetic solutions.

“I first started less than 20 feet away from where I’m at now,” she shares. “I firmly believe everything happens for a reason and as I kind of look at how I’ve migrated through my life, I feel fortunate to have met some wonderful people along the way. Those people believed in me and gave me great opportunities. So, I just feel really lucky. I I love what I do, I love working for membership organization. I’ve got about a real passion for the registered cattle, and I’m excited about the future of the industry.”

While Worden believes her life roadmap can be inspiring to other young dairy kids, she says, two things stuck out on what helped lead to her success.

Advice to Young Dairy Enthusiasts
Worden acknowledges her success stemmed from her willingness to embrace challenges and take risks. She encourages young dairy enthusiasts to step outside their comfort zones and seize opportunities, even if they feel unqualified. Her own move to Wisconsin, though daunting, led her down a path that shaped her life’s trajectory.

“Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. It was a big deal for me to move to Wisconsin from New Mexico, a totally different culture. I didn’t know anybody. This was really before cell phones were something that teenagers just had. My parents drove me up there and dropped me off, and I had a calling card. There was a phone on the wall of the house, and I didn’t know a soul. And, if I hadn’t taken that internship and did something very uncomfortable, my life would be a totally different trajectory,” she shares, encouraging others to attend activities, go to conferences and put themselves in situations where they meet new people.

“Also, say yes to opportunities,” she says. “Even if you don’t feel like you’re ready, or you don’t think you’re qualified, and you’re scared. I say, do it.”

Impact of Mentorship
Acknowledging the impact of her mentor, John Meyer, Holstein Association’s previous CEO of more than two decades, Worden emphasizes the importance of compassion and people-centric leadership. She aims to incorporate these values into her role, recognizing that the industry is as much about people as it is about cows.

“John’s been a tremendous mentor for my entire career,” she notes, sharing that she has learned a great deal from him. “John always cared about people, whether it’s our employees or our members. He is so personable. He took time to learn people’s names and learn their stories. And when he talked to people, you could see that he truly cared.”

Future of the Dairy Industry
Under Worden’s leadership, the Holstein Association continues to embrace genomics and genetic advancements, propelling the breed forward. In the past two decades, Holstein cows have seen remarkable improvements in milk production and quality, thanks to dedicated dairy farmers focusing on economically vital traits.

Worden points out that over the last two decades Holstein cows have produced 12% more milk, 25% more fat and 19% more protein.

“This is incredible,” she says, noting that farm management comes into play, but so does genetic improvements. “The focus that dairy farmers have placed on trying to breed better cattle, using the best bulls that they can and really focusing on those economically important traits is incredible.”

Embrace Change and Seizing Opportunities
Looking ahead, Holstein Association is committed to sustainability and feed efficiency, exploring new traits like residual feed intake. Worden notes that dairy producers are eager to employ these tools, underscoring their adaptability and forward-thinking nature.

“It’s great to just always have that sounding board of directors that says, ‘this is our reality,’” she says, noting the conversation in the board room is linked back to what’s going to move the needle for those that milk cows every single day of the year.

Worden may have only had one employer since college, but her passion and dedication for dairy could easily fill a barn. Her leadership at the Holstein Association USA is paving the way for innovative practices that will benefit dairy farmers and the industry for years to come. Through her inspiring story, Worden illustrates that with readiness to embrace change and seize opportunities, great achievements are possible.

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Looking Back and Ahead: Insights from NMPF Chief Economist Peter Vitaliano

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:50:42 GMT

The dairy industry, a sector in constant evolution, owes much of its transformation and adaptation to visionary leaders such as Peter Vitaliano. After nearly four decades serving as the Chief Economist for the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), Vitaliano recently retired, leaving behind a legacy of insight and progress. In a recent episode of the Dairy Defined podcast, Vitaliano reflected on the changes he has observed over his tenure and shared his vision for the future of the industry.

A Journey Through Time
Vitaliano’s journey with NMPF began shortly after the 1985 Farm Bill, a time of significant policy implementation, such as the whole herd buyout program and adjustments to federal orders. Reflecting on the industry back then, Vitaliano highlighted the larger number of smaller farms and cooperatives in traditional dairy regions like the upper Midwest and the Northeast. These areas, although rich in dairy history, were not expanding in production, contrary to the rapid growth witnessed in the Western states with their larger farms. The Southeast, meanwhile, was experiencing a notable decrease in milk production capacity.

This geographical shift brought about challenges in unifying the industry’s policy approach. Vitaliano noted the difficulty NMPF faced during those early years in reconciling different regional needs. The overarching issue was how to manage the substantial dairy surpluses created by peak price support levels—a dilemma that dominated the industry discussions during Vitaliano’s early years.

Future Outlook: Continuing Trends and New Challenges
The trajectory that Vitaliano foresees suggests a continued decline in the number of smaller dairy farms, as larger farms, and potentially another wave of cooperative consolidation, take precedence. Interestingly, he anticipates the emergence of dairy farms so sizeable that they may opt-out of the traditional cooperative marketing structures.

This trend introduces specific challenges, particularly concerning the volume of milk that may fall outside the eligibility criteria for NMPF membership, prompting potential policy overhauls. According to Vitaliano, these changes will call for adjustments in federal orders, dairy margin coverage, and policies that are increasingly accommodating to the evolving industry. Crucial areas of focus include immigration reforms favorable to dairy, progressive trade policies, accurate food labeling, and the expansion of farm programs to meet modern consumer demands.

A Promising Future Built on a Solid Foundation
Despite potential challenges, Vitaliano remains optimistic about the future of the dairy industry. His confidence stems from the progressive nature of farms and farmers, alongside the leadership and robust infrastructure present within dairy organizations. He emphasizes that this dynamic foundation was evident when he joined NMPF, remains today, and will continue to be a fundamental aspect of the industry’s future.

While Vitaliano may be stepping back from his role at NMPF, his reflections and forecasts provide invaluable insights into the past, present, and future of dairy. As the industry navigates consolidation and policy evolution, it is the innovative spirit and strong community leadership that will guide its ongoing success.

To listen to the whole conservation between Vitaliano and Alan Bjerga, NMPF’s Executive Vice President of Communications and Industry Relations: Vitaliano’s Valedictory: Economist Shares Thoughts on Dairy’s Evolution - NMPF

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The Ultimate Gift: Dairy Farmer Becomes Lifesaving Hero by Donating Both His Liver and Kidney

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:08:10 GMT

When one thinks of a dairy farmer, the image often conjured is that of a hardworking individual, dedicated to the care of their cattle and land. Brian Forrest, who leads with a kind-hearted and giving spirit at his family farm, Maple Ridge Dairy near Stratford, Wisconsin, epitomizes this image and so much more.

Forrest works tirelessly alongside his wife, Elaine, and their five children, tending to roughly 2,000 cows and farming 4,000 acres. Although farming is undeniably a demanding job, Forrest thrives on the mixture of hard work and familial teamwork it entails.

Leadership Beyond Farming
Away from the hustle and bustle of farming, Forrest dedicates his time in boardrooms and volunteering on various committees and organizations. His contributions as a leader have not gone unnoticed as he was awarded the Dean Strauss Leadership Award at the Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) Annual Meeting earlier this year.

“Ask anyone who knows Brian and they’ll tell you he’d give you the shirt off his back without blinking, as his track record clearly shows,” Shelly Mayer, Executive Director of PDP, shares. “I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with Brian for several years and I can say firsthand that he is one of the most thoughtful, compassionate people one could ever hope to work with.”

Maple Ridge has earned recognition on state and national levels, including Focus on Energy’s 2022 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award and platinum-level recognition in 2020 from the National Mastitis Council for the dairy’s consistently low Somatic Cell Count. Forrest was also named a 2021 Wisconsin Agriculturist Master Agriculturist. Forrest serves as Board Chair of Dairy’s Foundation and also served on the PDP board of directors for six years, acting as treasurer for three years. He’s an FFA alumnus and regularly supports the FFA.

A Selfless Donor
Forrest’s generosity extends beyond his time and expertise. In July 2019, he served as a living liver donor for his cousin Richard Gillette, who was battling end-stage liver disease.

“Richard is one of five brothers who I had always looked up to when I was a kid,” Forrest fondly recalls. “When they were young, all five of them came up from Illinois during the summer to help out on my dad’s farm in Stratford.”

Two of the five brothers died in their 50s - and Forrest didn’t want to see a third Gillette brother die before his time. And, as sick as Richard was in the spring of 2019, he was unlikely to receive a new liver from a deceased donor in time to save his life. Too many patients were ahead of him on the transplant list - and most of them were even sicker. Forrest offered to see if he could be a match.

“I thought maybe I could be a donor. I’m older, but I have O-negative blood.” After discussing it with his wife and giving it careful thought, he decided to go through with the donation.

A football fan at heart, Forrest knows that when it’s game day, rivalries don’t matter. Or least this was the case for the fourth-generation dairy farmer.

“He’s a Bears fan. I’m a Packer fan. But we were united the morning that we both met with our incredible surgeons,” Forrest remembers back to the day of live transplant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical Hospital. We joked together right before the surgery that after he gets part of my liver, he very well may come out a Packers fan! He beamingly shares that his cousin recovered well. “It was a tough road for a while, but it was all worthwhile.”

Four years later, Forrest donated a kidney to an anonymous recipient, demonstrating his willingness to help those in need yet again.

The kidney he donated went to a person in Virginia. The surgeon showed Forrest a picture of his kidney functioning perfectly inside the recipient the evening after his surgery.

“It was pink inside the recipient and doing its job,” Forrest shared emotionally. “It is all so remarkable.”

Both surgeries required others to pick up the ‘slack’ from Forrest back at the dairy. He proudly shares that he is lucky to have such a great village that could help out while he took 6-8 weeks to fully recover from both surgeries.

“I would do this again in a heartbeat,” he shares. “There is no price tag for giving someone life and the whole experience brought my family closer together.”

A Farmer’s Faith
Forrest says the feeling of helping someone else is hard to describe but incredibly fulfilling.

“I know God is driving the way,” he says. “I’m not sure what direction we are heading, but I know he is in the driver’s seat and I’m in the backseat.”

When it comes to farming, Forrest—like most farmers—believes in a better tomorrow. Before his surgeries, Forrest had to undergo a mental health evaluation, ensuring he was prepared for all eventualities, even the possibility of the surgery not resulting in success.

“I go back to the highs and lows of farming. With milk prices and Mother Nature, you must be okay with not being in control,” he says.

Forrest’s mindset of focusing on what can go right instead of what could go wrong is just his natural way of thinking. This positive attitude has helped foster a healthy and positive culture at Maple Ridge Dairy, where 34 full-time employees work in harmony.

“Our mission and values are communicated, and we all work towards the same goal,” he shares.

In an industry full of challenges and unpredictability, this Wisconsin dairy farmer stands out not just for his farming practices but for his exemplary character and unwavering optimism. Whether on the farm, in the operating room, or during acts of heroism, Forrest truly embodies a spirit of selflessness and resilience.

“I try to make more deposits than withdrawals,” he says. “There are good days and bad days, but we really need to focus on the good. My hopes are that others who hear my story also consider organ donation. UW Madison is an incredible resource and I’d be happy to talk to anyone whose heart has tugged on them regarding organ donation. I have no regrets.”

The Last Frontier: The Story of Alaska’s Only Dairy Farm

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:06:58 GMT

In a land where harsh conditions are the norm, one family dared to dream the impossible. Grit, determination, and unwavering passion are the special ingredients for the only dairy farm in Alaska.

Pioneering this unique operation required more than just practical skills and knowledge of dairy farming. It demanded a relentless commitment to overcoming adversity. Scott Plagerman and his family faced frigid temperatures, logistical hurdles, and the constant need to innovate. Despite these challenges, their dedication never wavered. They rolled up their sleeves and put in the hard work necessary to make their dream a reality.

Plagerman grew up on a dairy farm in Lynden, Washington. After graduating high school, he ventured out on his own, engaging in custom harvesting and raising heifers. Eventually, he started milking cows on his purchased farm. However, fate had other plans, and an opportunity to move to Alaska arose, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

In 2009, Plagerman purchased a hay farm that also served as a boarding facility for horses during winter. This new venture sparked an idea: raising bison. Always on the lookout for new revenue streams, Plagerman, his wife, and their two adult sons considered starting a dairy, despite the overwhelming challenges.

Overcoming Initial Challenges
The concept of a dairy farm in Alaska was daunting. With dairy being nonexistent in the state, the idea seemed improbable due to the high costs of trucking essentials 2,000 miles from the mainland.

“Hay farming was a struggle due to weather and markets. The kids talked me into dairy and we started putting together a plan for it,” Plagerman shares.

The family bought land and acquired another 640 acres, which included a 40 x 100 ft building. Despite its crude structure—a dirt floor and metal walls—they began milking a handful of cows, marking the inception of their dairy farm.

Building the Dream
In the fall of 2020, construction on the barn commenced. They insulated the building, poured concrete, and installed a Lely robot to milk the cows. A processing plant was added from square one, knowing that if they were to milk cows, they would also need to process the milk.

“We are the only dairy in the state of Alaska,” Plagerman states.

Currently, Alaska Range Dairy in Delta Junction milks 65 cows, aspiring to increase their cow numbers. They installed a second robot last year but faced the challenge of whether a large grocery chain would purchase their milk.

“We ran into some huge roadblocks,” Plagerman recalls, with big stores hesitant to work with a small operation. Lost paperwork even resulted in dumped milk, testing the family’s patience.

Turning the Tide
Despite these setbacks, Plagerman and his family remained steadfast due to their commitment to food security.

“Food security is a real thing in Alaska,” he explains, noting that any disruption can add to this problem quickly.

Now, working with a large-retail store, Plagerman says he feels like they have a glimmer of hope in their hearts and can see their dairy becoming the main source of income for their farm.

Feeding the Future
Passionately driven by their mission, Plagerman emphasizes the importance of locally sourced milk.

“It is extremely satisfying knowing that you are providing a wholesome product to help feed your community,” he says, acknowledging that dairying in Alaska is not for the faint-hearted. Living in such a unique environment means they must figure things out independently.

Expanding Horizons
Beyond dairy, the family farms 1,200 acres of hay, 200 acres of barley, 200 acres of yellow field peas—a protein source for the cattle—and some canola. They also raise 200 head of bison, processing and selling the meat to local restaurants. Diversifying into dairy provided an additional profit source, promoting the farm’s long-term viability.

Plagerman tries to keep that in mind. Dairying is no easy job and doing this in a state like Alaska isn’t for the faint of hearts. For example, all of the farm’s feed is grown locally, as shipping costs are prohibitive.

“The costs basically double or triple,” Plagerman notes, highlighting the absence of back hauls and the necessity of paying for a truck both ways. “We’re completely on our own. We’ve lived here long enough that we know we have to figure it out.”

Alaska’s Harsh Conditions
The decision to go with robotic milking was an easy one, as there is no real agricultural labor in the state.

“There is not much labor for anything around here, so we have to be as efficient as possible,” Scott says, sharing that they feed all the cows via the robots to simplify the work that needs to be done. “We also use Discovery scrapers.”

Plagerman shares that last winter’s temperature dropped to minus 68 degrees. The area is described as a high plains desert, where they only get around 12 inches of moisture annually.

Careful precautions are taken from the beginning, including how they built their facility.

“Everything is very well insulated,” he adds. “You need to prepare and build for the harsh conditions from the beginning. We have in-floor heating, and we try to keep the barn from above freezing.”

Plagerman says locals don’t really notice the lack of daylight, they just plan their days accordingly and that also includes farming.

“We still have four hours of good light during winter,” he shares, noting that is a good time to take care of the outside chores like caring for the bison and hay. “It is all about being as efficient as possible, even with our time.”

The Plagermans epitomize perseverance and innovation. Through their hard work and unyielding resolve, they continue to carve out a niche, proving that even in the harshest conditions, dreams can flourish.

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The Specificity of IgG in Milk Replacers Varies Widely, According to New Research

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 15:00:21 GMT

When it comes to the IgG antibodies in milk replacer, not all calf milk replacers are the same. New research presented at the American Dairy Science Association’s annual meeting in June, revealed a vast difference in the total amount of IgG contained in milk replacers, and in the specificity of that IgG to bind to and remove enteric pathogens that target pre-weaned calves.

It was a conversation with a veterinarian at a trade show that sparked the idea for the analysis, explains Shawn Jones, PhD, process and development manager at Arkion Life Sciences.

Jones says the veterinarian oversaw a calf ranch that had a recurring issue with rotavirus infections. In discussing the issue with some of his colleagues, he was told that the milk replacer contained antibodies effective against rotavirus that should take care of the issue. However, it wasn’t working for him.

“That’s what got us thinking, how can we design a test to measure the specificity of IgG in milk replacers?” says Jones.

Five commercially available calf milk replacers were selected for analysis. All products were made with milk components only. Products from DFA, Denkavit, Land O’Lakes, Milk Specialties Global, and Provimi North America were used and were all compared on the same basis (a 10 oz. dose).

To do the analysis, first a commercial ELISA kit was used to determine total IgG titers in each milk replacer sample. The IgG concentration ranged from 2.01 mg/g to 12.16 mg/g of milk replacer.

Next the IgG was extracted and purified from the milk replacers and then labeled with a horseradish peroxidase. Direct ELISAs were then conducted against nine antigens that cause scours in calves: Bovine rotavirus, Bovine coronavirus, Cryptosporidium parvum, E. coli (mix of K88, K99, 987P and F41), Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Dublin, Salmonella Heidelberg, Clostridium perfringens (Type A and Type C/D). Each milk replacer sample was run in triplicate for each of the nine antigens tested.

Results are reported as the absorbance at 450nm (A450). The A450 value is the raw output from the ELISA and is a measure of how much IgG is bound to the specific antigen of interest. The higher the A450 value the higher the specificity of the IgG antibodies for a specific antigen. The A450 values cannot be compared between antigens, only between milk replacer samples for the same antigen.

All samples were randomized to remove brand identifiers and to focus on the data analysis.

“Our analysis showed there was a wide variance in both the total amount of IgG contained, and the specificity of the IgG in the five commercial milk replacers tested,” says Jones.

For example, even though Sample A and Sample E contained similar amounts of total IgG (11.1 mg/g vs 12.2 mg/g), Sample E had significantly higher A450 values (indicating higher specificity) for each antigen tested. High total IgG in a sample does not necessarily mean that the IgG has high specificity for the antigens on your farm. In order to assess a calf milk replacer’s ability to boost passive immunity on your farm, both total IgG and the specificity of that IgG should be tested.

These results demonstrate the dairy industry’s need for a testing service that can accurately determine the specificity of IgG to various antigens. That’s why later this year Arkion Life Sciences will launch its Antibody Specificity Testing Service through Bio-Technical Resources, a division of Arkion, in Manitowoc, WI. The ELISA-based service will offer specificity testing of antibody-containing products or ingredients such as milk replacer, colostrum replacer, whey protein concentrate, and serum or plasma.

Additional results are shown in the chart at the end of the story.

“This type of test has not been available before,” says Dr. Roger Saltman, consulting veterinarian, RLS Management Solutions, Cazenovia, N.Y. “Few people have even considered how much IgG is available in the milk replacer being used on farm, or what gut pathogens that the IgG is specific to.”

When it comes to the IgG antibodies in milk replacer, not all calf milk replacers are the same, reports Arkion Life Sciences in its latest research results.

(Arkion Life Sciences)

When Stray Voltage Strikes

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 19:18:13 GMT

When the Nelson family, at Olmar Farms, moved their 150-cow registered Holsteins into their new facility, Jill Nelson says the easy-going, high-producing cows quickly settled into their tunnel-ventilated, sand-bedded freestall barn.

It was spring of 2010, and everything was going well. At the time, the family’s herd boasted a rolling herd average of 26,192 lb. of milk, 940 lb. of fat and 923 lb. of protein.

“Our BAA (breed age average) was one of the top five in Minnesota and one of the top 40 in the U.S.,” Nelson recalls.

Most of the Nelsons’ cows had been born on the farm, with genetics dating back to 1944, the year their registered Holstein herd was established.

But life on the farm, based near Sleepy Eye, Minn., took a 180-degree downturn one day in April 2011.

“We had a brownout; our lights and motors and anything else electrical were strobing on and off. It was like being at a disco,” Nelson says. “And then we lost power.”

Almost overnight, the once docile cows turned anxious and difficult to milk. A handful were even dangerous.

“I had to tie their legs together. I felt it wasn’t safe to milk some of them,” she says.

What the Nelsons say they didn’t realize at the time was they had just experienced the sudden build up of electrical charge on their equipotential plane, contributing to a phenomenon called stray voltage.

Small Volts, Big Problems
Stray voltage is defined by USDA as “small voltage, less than 10 volts, that can be measured between two points that can be simultaneously contacted by an animal (or person).”

People often experience stray voltage as a low-level electric shock when they touch metal or water and consider it a minor nuisance.
Livestock can have a much more negative reaction. That was true for the Nelsons’ cowherd.

Nelson says some of the family’s cows reacted negatively to levels of stray voltage below 0.5 volts. They would kick when being milked and were reluctant to enter the parlor area. Mastitis, which had not been a problem before, flared into multiple, relentless cases. Animals were off feed and hesitant to consume water.

“They never stuck their nose in and drank water. They’d splash and lick and bob their heads. They’d walk over to a puddle of urine and suck it dry,” Nelson recalls. “I’d never seen anything like that.”

Cows would fall and be unable, or unwilling, to get up.

“Muscle weakness and immune dysfunction stumped our vet and management team,” Nelson recalls. “I’d wake up to dead cows that the day before seemed healthy as could be. You could see they had dropped dead in the spot where they had been standing.

“I had one die right in front me just after she gave 70 lb. of milk,” Nelson adds. “She was the best cow I’d ever bred. It was my son’s cow. That broke me.”

The farm’s calf crops also suffered from the effects of stray voltage, Nelson says. She lists birth defects, heart issues, incomplete digestive tracts, heart murmurs and poor responses to vaccinations and treatments as a handful of the issues affecting the family’s calves.

Nelson says she and her husband, Brian, thought the problem might be stray voltage, as there had been some concerns while they were still using their older milking barn. Still, repeated checks by their power company said otherwise.

“We had the utility company out multiple times, and their testing methods said we didn’t have it,” she says. “There wasn’t a thing we could do to fix a problem that was being caused by the primary side of our electrical service.”

Heartache And Hope
By 2016, the Nelsons had battled the problem of stray voltage for eight years — despite enlisting help from veterinarians, nutritionists, electricians and other experts — and had no solution.

“I told my husband, ‘We either need to figure this out, or we can’t do this anymore,’” Nelson says. “Financially, we were in ruins and had no options.”

That’s when a Minnesota veterinarian Nelson had met pointed her to a master electrician who knew how to address stray voltage.

“He came out and tested almost three full days and found stray voltage in all facilities, even in the unheated waterers,” Nelson says. “He said the problem was definitely coming from the utilities.”

Nelson says the electrician explained to the utility company what the problem was and how they could fix it.

“We had to get an isolated transformer and bring three-phase electricity to the farm,” she says. “The utility company installed it but wouldn’t pay for it. We had to pay almost $100,000 to get that done.”

In February 2017, the farm was finally up and running on the new transformer. But Nelson says problems persisted. The master electrician returned and found the utility company had installed the wrong transformer. That took several more weeks to resolve, during which Nelson says more cows died.

Finally, in May 2017, the Nelsons began to see their herd start to recover from the impacts of stray voltage, but the effects from it still linger today.

“The cows that were here were ruined by the voltage. Most of them we cleared out, because they just never recovered,” Nelson says. “We don’t have any old cows anymore. We used to have 12-year-old cows often. Our oldest cow now is 7, and they’ll never make 12 because they won’t be profitable.”

Still, the Nelsons’ younger cows are flourishing. The farm’s milking herd now averages 28,509 lb. of milk, 1,157 lb. of fat and 923 lb. of protein on twice a day milking.

People Helped
Eventually, the Nelsons sued the electrical association to recover some of their losses. After two years passed, including 11 days in the courtroom, the utility company made a financial offer to settle, Nelson says.

“We are so thankful to our bankers and the feed company for sticking with us. We were into them in a big way. It was bad,” she says.

Nelson also cites her faith for helping her through.

More information about the Nelson family’s experience with stray voltage and informational resources are available at strayvoltagefacts.com.

A Dairy Farm Summer Camp: Fun for All Ages

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 15:17:44 GMT

Dairy farms are a hustling and bustling place. Cows are being milked, calves are being fed, and farm kids are often running around. This certainly is the picture of Berning Acres, located halfway between East Dubuque and Galena, Illinois. Located in the small town of Menominee, Matt and Natalie Berning, along with their five children, all play a role in their family farm that consists of 400 milk cows and 850 acres.

Berning Acres got its start by Matt’s parents, John and Ellen, who began milking 30 cows in the early 70s. John, a second-generation dairy farmer, grew up on his parent’s dairy farm in Wisconsin, and Ellen grew up as a daughter to an entrepreneur father and mother who owned a cheese factory, and several taverns. John and Ellen and their seven children worked together, side-by-side, milking cows and working in the fields.

It was no surprise that Matt fell in love with the cows. This was a life that he naturally stepped into. Before returning to the family farm, he graduated from Southwest Technical College with two degrees. One in dairy herd management and the other in agribusiness science and technology. Matt is thankful his parents encouraged new ideas to continue to grow and expand their dairy operation.

“Dairy farming was something I’ve always enjoyed,” Matt says. “I saw an opportunity to return home and modernize our farm to make it viable for future generations. I feel fortunate that my parent’s recognized my passion and encouraged me to pursue my desire.”

Matt and Natalie married in 2007. Natalie, who was not raised on a farm, stopped teaching school and redirected her energy and her time after their fourth child was born. Wanting her children to learn the lessons of responsibility and hard work, Natalie also knew it would be hard to give her children the tasks of milking cows and feeding calves when the farm already had six full-time employees.

Between cows, pigs, goats, ducks, sheep, chickens, and horses, the Berning children began learning responsibility and commitment by taking care of their ‘farm friends.’

“Matt and I want the kids to be outside and interactive on the farm. Adding the additional farm friends has allowed the kids to take ownership of the animals by having to do daily chores like feeding them and making sure their areas are cleaned and well maintained,” Natalie says. “They love showing off their animals to the campers, and any cousins or friends that are out at the farm.”

Fun For All Ages

According to Natalie, the natural next step for the family was to open the farm’s barn doors by launching a Farm Camp.

(Farm Journal)

“We literally always had people on the farm who seemed excited about what was going on,” she says.

Farm Camp began two years ago and allows campers to start with a few morning chores, like feeding the animals and collecting the eggs from the chicken coop.

(Farm Journal)

“We also have organized activities each day,” Natalie says. “Like making ice cream or butter from scratch, outdoor games, scavenger hunts and more.”

Blown away by the interest, the Berning’s sold out the first year with 60 campers.

“We kept our number pretty low the first year,” Natalie says.

(Farm Journal)

The feedback from camp-goers was overwhelmingly positive, with double the participants this summer, as the Bernings hosted another round of Farm Camp. The kids truly loved it, but also so did the adults. So much in fact, that a new idea was birthed to introduce an adult version of camp, Night at the Farm, where wine and charcuterie and beer and cheese curds led to deeper conversations about dairy.

“They basically get all the experience – feed a calf, milk a cow, help with farm chores and really see what a dairy looks like in the 21st century,” Natalie explains. “It’s fun and an enjoyable experience for all.”

(Farm Journal)

With the help of their calf manager, Berning Farm also offers individual farm tours.

“Our calf manager is amazing and genuinely enjoys leading these tours,” she says. “On the tour, they get the same hands-on-learning experience.”

Able to see things differently, not growing up on a farm, Natalie says she takes it all in and calls raising a family on a dairy farm a true blessing.

“We hope that visitors will leave with some great knowledge about agriculture, farm animals, and farm life and really a deeper appreciation for that wholesome nutritious glass of milk,” she says.

The Bernings share that their on-the-farm tours is now scaled to their comfort level and plan to continue offering all three tours - Farm Camp, Night at the Farm and farm tours to the public.

(Farm Journal)

“Our children are still having fun with it,” Natalie says. “All our kids are the age of the campers, so they’re having a blast, and all have their role in helping out.”

Cow Numbers Witnessed a Rollercoaster Ride in 2021

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 13:33:39 GMT

Dairy cow numbers started 2021 at an all-time high in January, with 9.445 million animals in the U.S. milking herd. Those numbers would steadily increase before hitting a new record high in May, totaling out at 9.507 million, a jump of 62,000 animals. For the rest of the year, however, these numbers would begin to fall.

At the beginning of June 2021, the U.S. milking herd consisted of 9.503 million dairy cows. For seven consecutive months, these numbers would decline. At the conclusion of 2021, the U.S. herd finished at 9.375 million, a drop of 132,000 cattle since May, down nearly 1.5%. This resulted in a loss of 67,000 head year-over-year.

(Farm Journal)

According to the USDA Milk Production report released late last month, states who lost the most cows in 2021 include:

New Mexico – Down 45,000
Washington – Down 18,000
Ohio – Down 10,000
Pennsylvania – Down 8,000
New York – Down 6,000

In contrast, states who added to their herds in that same time frame include:

South Dakota – Up 29,000
Wisconsin – Up 16,000
Texas – Up 12,000

Higher feed costs and intense drought out West caused some farmers to bump up their culling decisions, leading to a jump in dairy cow culling rates in 2021. According to the USDA, U.S. annual dairy cow slaughter reached 3.1 million head in 2021, 42,700 more than the year prior.

Klebsiella Mastitis: What Management Tools Are in Your Toolbox?

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 15:56:44 GMT

This article was developed by Patrick J. Gorden, DVM, PhD, DACVCP, DABVP-Dairy Practice; Director, Food Supply Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine at Iowa State University. Dr. Gorden is the president-elect for the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

Over the years, milk quality programs implemented on dairy farms have reduced herd bulk tank somatic cell counts (SCC) to historically low levels. With this improvement in SCC, there has been a decrease in the prevalence in mastitis cases associated with traditional contagious pathogens, such as Staph aureus and Strep ag, and an increase in the prevalence of environmental mastitis with pathogens such as environmental streptococci and E. coli. These bacteria have an increased severity in their presentation of the clinical cases. There has also been an emergence of pathogens that have been troublesome in mastitis control programs, including one coliform by the name of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Coliform bacteria are a group of rod-shaped bacteria that are found in the intestinal tract. Their cellular makeup has three layers in their outer membrane, which include an outer layer containing lipopolysaccharide (abbreviated as LPS) and also have channels, called porins, present to allow for movement of materials in and out of the cell. The LPS molecule is built differently in each coliform bacterial species and even between pathogenic strains of bacteria such as E. coli and commensal E. coli found in the intestinal tract. Cases of mastitis caused by coliform bacteria are the result of the cow’s immune response to the LPS molecule (also known as endotoxin) and not directly to the bacteria itself. Mastitis caused by the emerging pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae is often characterized by the overwhelming immune response resulting in severe clinical disease. This has resulted in a higher percentage of cows being sold from dairy herds due to low production or death from the more severe clinical disease associated with the bacterium.

To minimize losses from Klebsiella spp. mastitis, prevention of exposure is the key to infection control. Intermittent fecal shedding of Klebsiella spp. from healthy cows allows for the contamination of the environment. In herd and environmental surveys, these bacteria have been isolated from >80% of fecal samples collected from healthy cows. Once in the environment, Klebsiella spp. populate bedding material by fecal contamination regardless of bedding type. Another tool in the prevention toolbox to consider is vaccination.

At Iowa State University’s Dairy Farm, the staff and veterinarians have been dealing with Klebsiella mastitis issues for the last 10 years. The 400 lactating cows at ISU are housed in a naturally ventilated, four-row freestall barn with freestall mattresses that are bedded with recycled manure solids generated on-site. The manure solids do not undergo further processing and are approximately 35% dry matter when added to the freestalls every two to three days. Bedding cultures of newly generated recycled solids collected during summer months from the dairy have shown coliform bacteria numbers were >10,000 colony forming units/mL of bedding material.

Freestall mattresses were cleaned of any manure present three times per day, and alleyways were scraped on the same schedule. Prior to 2015, cows and pregnant heifers were vaccinated with a J5 bacterin at 60 days and 30 days pre-calving, and all lactating cows were again vaccinated at 35 and 90 days in milk. Despite this, 55% of the herd experienced cases of clinical mastitis in 2014. Of those, 14% of all mastitis cases were diagnosed with as being associated with Klebsiella spp. The majority of Klebsiella spp. cases were diagnosed in the summer months.

From the cows identified with Klebsiella spp., 57% were third and greater lactation cows with cases from all lactations between fairly equally distributed across the lactation. Severity scores Klebsiella spp. cases were 24% mild cases, 33% moderate cases, and 43% severe cases. Of these clinical cases, 38% culled following clinical mastitis due to low milk production and 19% that died on-farm. The dairy farm also experienced a higher than desired rate of clinical mastitis caused by E. coli. However, if diagnosed with Klebsiella spp. mastitis, cows were 5.5 times more likely to be culled and 19 times more likely to die or be euthanized on-farm than cows diagnosed with E. coli.

In 2015, my research team initiated a study in collaboration with Epitopix, LLC (now Vaxxinova, Willmar, Minn.) to complete an efficacy trial for USDA licensure of their Klebsiella pneumoniae SRP vaccine (Vaxxon SRP Klebsiella) with the results published in the Journal of Dairy Science (2018; 101:10398–10408). SRP stands for Siderophore Receptors and Porins. These are highly conserved proteins found in the outer membrane of coliform bacteria and assist in essential cellular functions, such as iron acquisition. SRP vaccines are designed to elicit an immune response to these siderophore receptors and porin proteins, which slows bacteria growth once it enters the cow’s mammary gland.

During this randomly controlled clinical trial, we vaccinated 50% of the cows with the Klebsiella SRP vaccine and the remainder with a placebo vaccine containing all vaccine components, except the Klebsiella SRP proteins. Throughout the trial, the herd remained on the J5 vaccination schedule previously described.

For cows that received both doses of vaccine before calving, the vaccine reduced the risk of Klebsiella by 76.9% compared to the placebo group. Interestingly, there was also a reduction of 47.5% in total coliform mastitis cases during the course of the trial. Additionally, vaccinated cows had an increased milk production of 0.31 kg/d and a somatic cell count reduction of 20.1%. Unfortunately, the trial did not demonstrate a reduction in culling or death loss over the course of the trial.

Since completing the trial, the ISU herd has continued to utilize the Klebsiella SRP vaccine in a two-dose program per lactation. During this time, the herd has continued to struggle with clinical mastitis as the farm has not been able to change bedding types. However, culling due to Klebsiella clinical mastitis has dropped substantially.

One note to individuals who are considering introducing this vaccine into their herd is to be aware of the label warning about vaccinating heifers prior to calving.

'Don't Kiss the Calves'

Sat, 30 Jan 2021 16:06:46 GMT

While every dairy farmer has a unique affection dairy calves, the next great generation of his or her milking herd, it’s not a good idea to kiss them or allow farm visitors to smooch away.

The reason: The calves could transmit any number of diseases to their human handlers or those who pet them, and humans in turn can transmit diseases to the calves.

These animal-to-human transfer is known as zoonotic disease transmission, says Jeff Bender, a veterinarian and Director of the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center at the University of Minnesota. Bender presented a short podcast in August as part of the Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Dairy Signals video series.

The COVID-19 outbreak, if anything good can come of it, is a stark reminder of the impact infectious diseases can have on a population, be it human or bovine, says Bender.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that in 2017, there were 59 outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in humans in the United States. This led to 1,518 reported illnesses, 312 hospitalizations and 3 deaths. About two thirds of those outbreaks came from livestock or poultry operations, says Bender.

And there is a higher risk for people who live and work on farms. “The estimated incidence of zoonotic enteric infections for people who live and/or work on farms with food producing animals in Minnesota was 147/10,000 population versus 18.5/10,000 population for others not on farms,” he says. That’s an 8-fold increase in risk for farm residents and workers.

For calf-to-human transmission, Bender says there are four diseases (see below) that pose the most risk. “Hand-to-mouth transmission is primary for these four, and the infection dose is very low,” Bender says.

• Salmonella Heidelberg. An outbreak in 2018 of Salmonella Heidelberg occurred across 15 states, and bacterial isolates were drug resistant. There were 56 known human cases, and about a third were hospitalized. It can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.

• Campylobacter. Campylobacter is highly infectious in children less than a year of age, and can cause severe diarrhea. It has a low infectious dose level, and is most commonly associated with drinking raw, unpasteurized milk.

• E. coli 0157. E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea and kidney failure in children, and can be fatal to kids less than 5 years of age. The concern is that 15% to 20% of herds are positive for E. coli. In a survey done in 2006 of calves taken to Minnesota County Fairs, 75% of the Fairs had E.coli present. Typically, E.coli doesn’t cause disease in calves so they can be shedding the bacteria without handlers realizing it.

• Cryptosporidium parvum. “Newborns can excrete from 10⁶ to 10⁹/organisms (of Crypto) per gram of feces,” he notes, and it only take a few hundred to cause disease. Virtually all dairy farms have it, he says. Crypto can cause both acute and persistent diarrhea, particularly in children.

To prevent these diseases, hygiene is essential. Handwashing before and after handling calves, wearing gloves and having dedicated coveralls and boots while working with calves are all best management practices. Also work younger calves to older calves to help prevent disease spread.

For more tips on preventing zoonotic diseases, listen to Bender’s presentation here .

Genomic Test for Health Traits Now Available from Zoetis

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:58:39 GMT

For the first time, U.S. dairy farmers will now have a genomic test to screen and rank Holstein cattle for six health traits.

The test, released March 1 as an optional package with Zoetis’ CLARIFIDE test kit, is branded as CLARIFIDE Plus. It will test and rank cattle for mastitis, lameness, metritis, retained placenta, displaced abomasum and ketosis.

“Clarifide Plus can help producers identify animals with the greatest genetic potential to help them reach their wellness and profitability goals,” says Doug Ricke, Zoetis director of strategic marketing for dairy Genetics. “But it is not a replacement for management, and it’s important farmers continue vaccinations, and health and reproductive protocols.”

Zoetis is also making two indexes available to farmers to help make sense of all the new data. (On a special needs basis, Zoetis will tailor make a unique index for an individual farm.)

• The Dairy Wellness Profit Index (DWP$) combines the health trait data along with production, fertility, type and longevity traits. It’s a complete economic index similar to NetMerit$ but also includes the health traits.

Because the health traits are included, less emphasis is placed on production. Nevertheless, DWP$ should result in $55 per heifer in better overall return than NM$ because of fewer expected health issues and their related costs. There’s an estimated $1,248 lifetime difference between animals ranking at the 10^th versus 90^th percentile on DWP$.

• The Wellness Trait Index (WT$) focuses solely on the six wellness traits mentioned above. Forty-one percent of the emphasis is given to mastitis, 27% to lameness, 19% to metritis, 6% each to retained placentas and displaced abomasum, and 1% to ketosis. The lifetime difference here between the 10^th and 90^th percentile ranking is expected to be about $520 per heifer.

Use of the indexes will allow dairy farmers to make strategic culling and breeding decisions much earlier and more accurately, says Cheryl Marti, Zoetis U.S. marketing manager for Dairy Genetics and Reproductive Products. “Farmers can now proactively choose heifers to retain, and prioritize breeding decisions,” she says.

Farmers can now decide to keep or cull the bottom end of their heifers within a few weeks of birth, dependent only on how quickly they sample calves. They can also determine which are of higher genetic value, perhaps targeting those animals with higher value semen and/or sexed semen.

The genomic tests are based on more than 10 million lactation records from cows in more than 200 commercial U.S. dairy herds. The reliabilities for the wellness traits average 50%, compared to parent average reliabilities of 16 to 19%. (Note: The statistical “accuracy” of the genomic wellness traits is about 70% compared to about 42% for parent average.)

“The genomic tests won’t be right every time,” explains Kent Weigel, a University of Wisconsin dairy geneticist. “But they’ll be right seven or eight times out of 10, rather than five out of ten with parent average.”

For more information, go to: CLARIFIDEPlus.com .

Accelerated Genetics , Select Sires , and Semex all have announced they will make both the WT$ and DWP$ indexes available for their sire line-ups as well.

New Tools for Your Farm

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:52:02 GMT

A closer look at the 2015 Top 10 New Products from World Ag Expo.

Halfway through this year’s World Ag Expo , Jon Curry was well on his way to selling out of the 400 Earth Talon Shovels he’d brought to the California farm and equipment show.

Curry’s uniquely designed shovel not only earned one of the show’s Top 10 New Products awards this year but caught the interest of farmers, golf-course managers, landscapers and back-yard gardeners. They mobbed Curry’s booth, paying $20 for the shovel that’s now priced at $40 online.

It wasn’t price alone that drew them to the asymmetrical Earth Talon Shovel. For people who spend a lot of time digging holes, the shovel promises an easier, more efficient job of penetrating the ground surface. Its rigid blade curves like a normal shovel on one side, then dips sharply on the other, leaving a sharp point that pierces hard dirt.

Kevin Kienast (left), a turf-grass farmer from Carlsbad, Calif., and Nathan Radwick, a superintendent at a golf club in Malibu, Calif., appear pleased with their new Earth Talon Shovel purchases during February’s World Ag Expo.

“We moved the digging edge forward, concentrating the force at the point for deeper soil penetration,” said Curry, president of Arizona-based Curry Toolworks.

Another of 2015’s new Top 10 picks selling briskly at the show was the MoleCat Unit . The mole trap uses a percussion blast, or deadly shock waves, to kill pesky rodents. Placed in the rodent’s burrow, the device is triggered by the animal’s movement.

“It’s 100% effective,” said MoleCat vice president Vernon Reitenbaugh.

Rounding out the other Top 10 New Product winners were:

Simple Pump Solar Package – This water-well pump is a fully automated system that runs by solar power. “It’s the ideal, off-grid pump that can work especially well for watering livestock in remote locations,” said Simple Pump Company’s Peter Dugan. The package comes with a pump, motor, control systems and a solar power unit. For a 100’ well, the cost is about $3,500, including a 30% federal renewable energy tax credit.

DRI System – Deep Root Irrigation’s new underground irrigation system uses the concept of drip irrigation but delivers water directly below the root zone. Founder and manager Jeff Ciudaj said the DRI system has shown water savings of up to 50% in vineyards and orchards compared to traditional drip systems.

Polydress 02 Barrier 2 in 1 – Created to protect silage stored for livestock, PolyExcel’s oxygen barrier film is the first to combine silage film with vacuum film so that it’s applied in one work step during the covering process.

Hybrid Shipper – Macro Plastics’ lightweight, all-plastic container allows growers to handle product directly from the field, store it and ship it in this returnable-reusable bin.

DeLaval BCS System – Using a 3-D camera and software, DeLaval’s new product automatically calculates the body condition score of dairy cows.

DairyProQ – GEA Farm Technologies has delivered this long-awaited robotic rotary milking parlor for large-scale herds. The high-tech system can handle up to 4,500 cows. “It’s the large-farm solution,” said GEA’s Steve Pretz, “the next step in automated milking.”

Vet Check Maxx – New from Dairy Records Management Systems, this Android-tailored software provides a broad view of cow information for reproductive and veterinary management. It now comes bundled with the company’s PocketDairy product.

Tule River Nut Crowder – Nut growers can reduce labor and eliminate ground crop loss with this nut-harvesting implement. Made by California-based Nikkel Iron Works Crop., it gathers fallen nuts from the end of each lane and re-positions them for pick-up by a trailing machine. The implement does the work of four people in less time.

World Ag Expo’s Top 10 New Products are chosen each year by a group of judges comprised of farmers, ranchers and industry professionals. With 100,000 people attending the three-day show each February near Tulare, Calif., the new-product award offers unique exposure that can help jump-start sales.

BMR and Conventional Hybrids Allow for Greater Flexibility

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:51:46 GMT

DuPont Pioneer announced its 2015 corn silage hybrid offerings for dairy producers.

Source: DuPont Pioneer

DuPont Pioneer today announced its 2015 corn silage hybrid offerings, including the addition of its first integrated refuge brown midrib (BMR) product and three non-BMR products.

Whether growers use BMR or non-BMR corn silage hybrids, the Pioneer® brand corn silage hybrid line offers significant advantages, which have been carefully evaluated. Pioneer has developed BMR hybrids with solid resistance to Northern Corn Leaf Blight and other diseases. In addition, these new BMR hybrids offer improved agronomics and greatly improved forage and starch yield potential.

The new integrated refuge BMR product, Pioneer® P1449AMX™ brand, offers Optimum® AcreMax® Xtra Insect Protection, which is a single-bag refuge product for areas in the Corn Belt needing above- and below-ground insect protection. Pioneer on-farm trials have shown Optimum® AcreMax® Xtra products yield equivalent to pure stands of products with Herculex® XTRA insect protection, allowing growers opportunities to maximize their overall farm yields. This product, a 114 silage comparative relative maturity (CRM), will complement the current BMR lineup from Pioneer with four hybrids ranging from 102-114 silage CRM.

Pioneer also will offer three new non-BMR silage-specific products. These three new platforms range from 102-115 silage CRM and include:

•Pioneer® P0242AMXT™ brand providing excellent tonnage and starch content.

•Pioneer® P0921AMXT™ brand providing outstanding silage yield and fiber digestibility with above average northern corn leaf blight resistance.

•Pioneer® hybrid P1582CHR, providing above average tonnage yields and is well suited to dryland, limited irrigation and drought prone environments in the western U.S.

These hybrids were advanced specifically for silage performance both in terms of starch and tonnage yield. Additionally, they offer herbicide and insect resistance packages for growers.

“With the addition of these new hybrids, we continue to provide conventional and BMR silage opportunities to help growers determine the best silage options for their needs,” said Dave Whitaker, DuPont Pioneer product developer. “We understand that growers today want the flexibility to plant different ratios of BMR and conventional silage to achieve maximum silage yields, starch content and fiber digestibility.”

For more information about Pioneer corn silage products, visit www.pioneer.com/cornsilage , or contact your local Pioneer sales professional.

Genex to Market SCR Heatime System

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:48:42 GMT

Source: Genex Cooperative, Inc. and SCR Dairy, Inc.

Genex Cooperative, Inc. and SCR Dairy Inc. have announced a new partnership in which Genex will market the SCR Heatime® system. This advanced, real-time, system enables dairy producers to power-up their cow monitoring capabilities.

“We are excited to align with SCR Dairy, the market leader in cow activity and rumination systems,” says Roy Wilson, Genex vice president of U.S. marketing, sales and service, “and to deliver this innovative cow monitoring system to Genex members and customers so they can make better data-driven decisions.”

The Heatime system combines one-of-a-kind rumination monitoring with accurate heat detection, allowing dairy producers unmatched access to information about cow health, nutrition, reproduction and comfort. The precise data allows for better individual and whole-herd management because health and reproductive problems are identified early and can be solved more quickly.

The Heatime system is available for purchase through Genex representatives. For additional information on the system, contact a Genex representative or visit www.SCRDairy.com .

About SCR

Building on over 35 years of meaningful innovation, SCR is the leading pioneer of Cow and Milking Intelligence.

Monitoring millions of cows worldwide, our data-driven solutions are trusted by successful dairy farmers to deliver the insights and analytics needed to optimize the productivity of every cow. Improving efficiency and driving growth, we help to ensure a secure and prosperous future for farmers and their families.

About Genex

Genex Cooperative, Inc., headquartered in Shawano, Wisconsin, is the trusted provider of world-class animal genetics, progressive reproductive solutions, value-added products and innovative services to members and customers across the U.S. This is accomplished through 950 dedicated employees working in three product and service segments: cattle genetics and reproduction, livestock marketing, and milking and farmstead equipment. Genex is a subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International. Learn more at http://genex.crinet.com .

Why You Should be Certified for Beef Quality Assurance

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:48:39 GMT

Source: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

Through the end of October, for free, your operation can get Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance Certified. Need some convincing? Here are three reasons why this should be on your to-do list:

1) It’s free!

For the second year, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) is partnering with the checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program and sponsoring Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance certification for all dairy producers who enroll through October 31. When promted, enter the code: BIVIBQA. That’s a value of $25 to $50 for each producer!

2) Custom modules designed just for dairy producers.

To sign-up, visit www.bivi-bqa.com and click on “Access the BQA Modules”. From there, choose Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance and then select a group of modules that work best for your operation. Spanish versions are available, too. Topics range from proper injection sites to disease prevention and proper care of non-ambulatory cows.

3) It’s right for the industry

Dairy producers are not only responsible for producing a quality dairy product, but meat, too. Through training, certification, self-evaluation and verification, the program not only demonstrates the producer’s commitment to quality animal care and marketing decisions, it also provides the tools that help dairy producers manage their herds in a way that contributes to the farm’s bottom line.

Show your support by signing up for the certification modules at BIVI-BQA.com and by encouraging your peers and fellow producers to do so, as well.

###

Zoetis Introduces BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT™

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:48:23 GMT

New combination respiratory vaccine helps producers upgrade protection against bovine respiratory disease in cattle.

Source: Zoetis

Zoetis Inc., formerly the animal health business unit of Pfizer Inc., announces the licensure of BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT™. With BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT, producers get upgraded protection for their cattle against major respiratory viruses and Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica in one convenient dose.

BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT offers the longest demonstrated protection of the combination respiratory vaccines on the market. It helps protect cattle for at least 279 days against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) Types 1 and 2 viruses — at least 30% longer than Vista® Once SQ and longer demonstrated protection than Pyramid® 5 Presponse® SQ vaccine, which has no duration of immunity label claims.

The extended protection of BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT helps producers protect their cattle against IBR virus and BVD Types 1 and 2 viruses that cause bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which can result in losses as high as $240 per head.1,2

“BRD is a major health concern for cattle producers, and it’s the leading cause of economic losses,” said Jon Seeger, DVM, managing veterinarian with Zoetis Cattle and Equine Technical Services. “Having at least 279 days of respiratory immunity against IBR virus and BVD Types 1 and 2 viruses with BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT is especially advantageous because cattle are protected through the stresses that can result in BRD outbreaks — leaving the herd at weaning, processing, shipping, commingling and arrival at another operation.”

BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT helps protect cattle from respiratory disease caused by IBR virus; BVD Types 1 and 2 viruses; bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV); parainfluenza 3 (PI3) virus; and M. haemolytica. It is the only combination respiratory vaccine that is labeled to prevent IBR, prevent BVD viremia and aid in the prevention of M. haemolytica, the No. 1 calf killer.3,4

“BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT incorporates components from two trusted products in one convenient dose, so animals receive superior protection from the major BRD-causing viruses and unmatched M. haemolytica protection,” Dr. Seeger explained. “Healthy calves have the best opportunity to gain weight quickly and efficiently.”

BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT is available in 5-, 10- or 50-dose vials and can be purchased through veterinarians or animal health retailers.

About Zoetis
Zoetis (zo-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, with a focus on both farm and companion animals. In 2012, the company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion. With approximately 9,300 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2013, Zoetis has a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information on the company, visit www.zoetis.com.

Zoetis is the proud sponsor with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibitions and the American Veterinary Medical Association of the mobile educational exhibit Animal Connections: Our Journey Together. Families visiting the exhibit will explore the vast bonds between people and animals and learn about the important role veterinarians play in protecting animal and human health. For more information, visit http://www.zoetis.com/animal-connections-tour/.

Gordie Jones: Comfortable, Couch Potato Cows Produce More Milk

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 15:35:35 GMT

If you want to boost milk production in your herd, it might not cost you a dime. Instead, consider investing some time in figuring out how comfortable your cows are, recommends Gordon (Gordie) Jones, DVM.

“Higher milk production occurs when there’s an absence of stress,” explains Jones, a consulting veterinarian and partner in the Central Sands Dairy, based near Nekoosa, Wis.

“The cow has three jobs – to stand to eat and drink, stand to give milk and then spend the rest of her time lying down,” says Jones, who has consulted with dairy producers in 37 countries around the world.

During an AgriTalk session with host Chip Flory, Jones shared the three practices that he believes contribute most to cow comfort and, in turn, support higher milk production.

Excellent bedding is first on his list of priorities.

“Cows need a comfortable bed, a deep-bedded stall, whether it’s bedded with solids or with sand or with chopped straw,” Jones says.
Historically, providing a space for a cow to lay down was just something nice to do. That’s no longer the case. Now, there’s an economic incentive.

“Science tells us that if we lay a cow down one extra hour, we’ll get 3.5 to 4 pounds more milk,” he notes.

In recent years, sand has gained in popularity for bedding as it provides cushion and dries quickly.

“It’s like lying at the beach all day for the cow,” Jones says.

An additional benefit is that sand can be washed, dried and reused. “Recovery rates are above 90%, so it’s a renewable resource for us,” he says.

“If you keep a dry, clean bed you can reduce mastitis, and if you keep a cow laying down you can reduce lameness,” Jones adds.

Make sure cows have access to fresh air.

Cows that breathe fresh air routinely eat more and give more milk.

Eliminating heat stress is the third factor that Jones says helps keep cows comfortable.

“We’re comfortable at 70 degrees, but a cow at 68 degrees is already feeling heat stress,” Jones says. “You want to keep her body below that temperature or at thermal neutral.”

For more of Jones’ recommendations, listen to the entire AgriTalk segment here:

Norbrook Announces FDA Approval of Norfenicol Injectable Solution For Broad Spectrum BRD Treatment

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:23 GMT

Norbrook Laboratories, Ltd. announced the FDA approval of Norfenicol^®(florfenicol) Injectable Solution, a fast-acting treatment for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somnus in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. It is also indicated for the control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with M. haemolytica, P. multocida, and H. somni, as well as the treatment of bovine interdigital phlegmon (foot rot, acute interdigital necrobacillosis, infectious pododermatitis) associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides melaninogenicus.

According to Chip Whitlow, Marketing Manager for Norbrook, Inc., Norfenicol has the same active ingredient as Nuflor^Ò (florfenicol) and will include two additional, innovative product features. “The first is Norfenicol will have a shorter withdrawal period than Nuflor when administered Sub-Q (33 days vs. 38 days). In addition, Norfenicol will be the only injectable antibiotic for cattle sold in the US in an unbreakable plastic bottle. This eliminates the expense of product breakage when mishandled,” announces Whitlow.

“Florfenicol, the active ingredient in Norfenicol, is a proven compound in the treatment of BRD,” states Dr. Eric Moore, Director of Technical Services, Norbrook, Inc. Dr. Moore adds, “With the price of cattle, and both the immediate and hidden costs of BRD, an effective antibiotic like Norfenicol is essential in giving the cattle producer piece of mind when battling BRD.”

New Norfenicol will soon be available from veterinarians in unbreakable plastic 100 mL, 250 mL and 500 mL bottles to fit any size operation. For more information about new Norfenicol Injectable Solution, contact your veterinarian or local animal health products supplier or Norbrook, Inc. at www.norbrookinc.com.

Observe label directions and withdrawal times. Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. Not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment or within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which may result in trim loss at slaughter. See product labeling for full product information, including adverse reactions.

Source: Norbrook Laboratories, Ltd.

Finding Peace: Managing Mental Health During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. For many, however, it is also a period marked by increased stress and mental health challenges. The reality is that the rites and rituals of the season sometimes come with pressures that can be difficult to manage.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults’ experiences mental health struggles. This statistic is a stark reminder that these challenges are pervasive, impacting individuals of all backgrounds and life circumstances. What’s more revealing is that three out of four people report a worsening of their mental health during the holiday season.

Common Stressors and Their Impact
There are several factors that contribute to this heightened stress. Financial pressures are a significant concern, as individuals grapple with the expectation of gift-giving, hosting, and traveling. Coupled with these financial worries is the potential conflict with family members, which can strain relationships rather than bring people closer.

The loss of loved ones also becomes more pronounced during the holidays, as memories of past celebrations may bring feelings of longing rather than comfort. Moreover, the busy schedules that come with holiday preparations can leave little room for self-care or relaxation, further exacerbating feelings of stress and anxiety.

Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers these options if you notice your mental health worsening during the holidays.

Practice self-care. What activities help you feel refreshed or relaxed? Taking a walk around your property, watching a favorite movie, or driving through a Christmas light display in your community are all simple activities that can bring happiness.

Avoid negative coping strategies. It is common for people to enjoy alcoholic beverages, but excessive drinking to change your mood can harm your physical and mental health.

Set healthy boundaries. It is okay to say “no” or “not right now.” If your schedule is too busy, consider limiting the number of invitations you accept. If family gatherings are a little contentious, plan to stay for only an hour or two.

Follow your routine. Enjoy holiday treats and remember your veggies and protein. Settle in for a fun movie night and aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Proper rest and nutrition help your mental health tremendously!

Acknowledge your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or family member and tell them how you feel. Sometimes, just saying words out loud can help remove a burden from our minds. Your loved ones may also be able to provide additional support.

Help is Available:

• 988 – call or text this number 24/7 to be connected to the Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline. A trained counselor will listen to you, support you, and share resources in your area.

• 741741 – text the Crisis Lifeline 24/7 to connect with a trained counselor.

• 911 – if you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a medical emergency, call emergency services immediately.

Understanding the factors that contribute to the decline in mental health during the holidays is the first step toward managing them effectively. By recognizing and addressing the triggers, you can regain a sense of peace and joy during what is meant to be a festive time. Remember, taking care of your mental health should always be a priority, holiday season or not.

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How Dairy Producers are Boosting Profitability

In the ever-competitive world of agriculture, dairy producers are continuously exploring new avenues to ensure the sustainability and growth of their operations. In the face of fluctuating market dynamics and economic pressures, innovative profitability strategies have become crucial, particularly in the dairy industry.

Alternative Profit Strategies
With the spotlight on profitability, many dairy producers have turned their attention to alternative profit sources. This shift has been especially significant during times when milk prices are less than favorable. Robin Schmahl from AgMarket.Net highlights the beef-on-dairy strategy as a pivotal approach to increasing income. By integrating beef genetics into dairy herds, many producers have successfully split their breeding practices between sexed semen and beef, leading to substantial income boosts over recent years.

Understanding Market Dynamics
Market dynamics play a critical role in shaping milk production. According to Phil Plourd, head of market intelligence at Ever.Ag Insights, the unfavorable economic conditions have historically squeezed milk production. Despite this, he remains optimistic about the upcoming 12 months, suggesting they present the best profit potential for dairy producers in recent times. His observation that “Historically, more money generally means more milk,” underlines the intricate relationship between economic conditions and milk yield.

Challenges with Dairy Replacement Heifers
The adoption of beef-on-dairy practices has, however, led to a decrease in the availability of dairy replacement animals. This scarcity has driven up prices, presenting a challenge for producers, especially those planning for expansion. Larger operations are now strategizing ways to secure replacements either through internal growth or external purchases well in advance.

“I don’t think they’re going to wake up three days before they open the new dairy and say, ‘Oh, wait, I need heifers,’” Plourd says.

Adapting to Market Signals
While there is potential market growth with higher milk prices, current dairy heifer inventory doesn’t entirely align with this trend. However, Schmahl points out that the increased milk prices offer producers more flexibility, allowing them to invest in replacements or retain older cows to maximize their output.

Risk Management in a Volatile Market
Efficient risk management strategies are crucial to navigating the ups and downs of the market. Schmahl emphasizes the importance of engaging in risk management without capping potential gains. He recommends option strategies or revenue protection, advising producers to remain flexible and informed as they plan for the future.

“You don’t want to limit your upside,” Schmahl insists, while cautioning producers about using futures, encouraging a balance between protection and opportunity.

As the dairy industry continues its evolution, staying informed and adaptable is essential for producers looking to capitalize on emerging trends. By employing innovative strategies and maintaining a sharp focus on market signals, dairy producers can navigate economic challenges to secure and enhance their profitability.

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