Indiana Dairy Producers E-Newsletter
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IDP in Motion: Springing Forward
Tell tale signs of spring in Indiana include chirping birds, blue skies...and blizzards. We all know that if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute and it will change. Speaking of change (and NOT the change to our clocks that just happened), our organization is springing forward with our new Strategic Plan. We shared plan highlights at the Dairy Forum, and I appreciate all the board’s hard work shaping this guiding document. We will stay focused on delivering our goals in support of our members and making Indiana the most desirable place in which to produce milk.
It is the “long session” for the Indiana Legislature, and we’re keeping an eye on bills that impact our industry. We stay close to groups like Indiana Farm Bureau to help advance agriculture. Seeing so many of you at the Dairy Forum reinforces for me the importance of work on behalf of Indiana’s hard working dairy producers.
We will keep you posted on our plan and its implementation – thank you for your support!
Steve
Steve Obert, Executive Director
317-779-6775
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Our Vision: To Make Indiana the most desirable state in which to produce milk.
Mission Statement
To promote a profitable, positive, professional image of
dairy producers while providing educational opportunities
for the interchange of ideas and to speak as a proactive voice
for Indiana dairy producers.
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In This Issue
Sponsor Spotlight
Industry Insights
IDP Member Moments
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Sponsor Spotlight: Wallace Pork Systems is Family-Owned with “Can Do” Attitude
You might wonder why a company with the word “Pork” in its name is IDP’s newest Gold Sponsor. As we all know, ag is a “small world” and the team at Wallace Pork Systems provides feed for a variety of species, including dairy. Our contact with the company, mill manager DeWayne Doty, explains.
“Wallace Pork is a family-owned ag business that started in 1984 when Steve Wallace borrowed $1,250.00 to buy five guilts and a boar. The company grew from there and now has a 70,000 head swine facility. The company started into the feed mill world in 2003 and has a state-of-the-art Feed manufacturing facility,” Doty says. “We have grown into a multi species mill providing mixes to some of the major swine integrators and have also been blessed to work for serval dairies, large and small.
Wallace Pork Systems does business in three states and can create or replicate a recipe tailored to a farm’s needs for dairy cattle as well as chickens and swine. Doty, who started his career as a MoorMan’s rep, joined the family-owned company in 2001 and appreciates the work culture. “We are a group of people who have a can do attitude. I like to say we are not show horses but rather work horses. Plain folks working to provide good service.”
He adds “ We are happy to be part of IDP and look forward to helping this group remain in a strong position moving forward.”
Thank you and welcome Wallace Pork Systems!
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Industry Insights: Introducing Megan Espinda, IDEM’s New Agricultural Liaison
Agriculture is a billion-dollar industry and is one of Indiana's primary pillars of economic development. In 2012, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) created the agricultural liaison position in recognition of the regulated farm community's impact on Indiana's economy and environment. We are happy to introduce Megan Espinda who is now serving in this role with the mission to establish open relationships with producers and positively influence the future impact of Indiana's agricultural and related industries.
In this role, Megan collaborates with farmers, commodity groups, agricultural organizations, the agricultural community, and other industry professionals to help maintain a common goal of producing high-quality agricultural products while protecting the environment. Megan also provides internal consultation to IDEM staff on agricultural issues and serves as the agency's expert when developing agriculture-related policies.
Megan earned her bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Findlay (Ohio) and a master's degree from Kansas State University in agribusiness with added emphasis on food and animal health. She has a published master's thesis in strategic market analysis, brand recognition, and facility expansion.
In addition, Megan has experience in the livestock-showing industry (beef and sheep). She has assisted in developing business plans for small production dairies to transition operations from traditional to organic production. Megan and her husband, Zack, grew up in Henry County and returned to the Hoosier state after living in Ohio while Megan attended college and Zack served in the U.S. Army. They are parents to three Siberian Huskies – Kylo (Ren), Findlay and Ghost.
Conversations with IDEM's Agricultural Liaison are confidential. Megan welcomes the opportunity to talk to farmers, producers, and others with questions or concerns about environmental regulations or programs targeting the ag industry, including areas where IDEM can provide additional services, education, or outreach. You can contact Megan at MEspinda@idem.IN.gov or 317-601-1949
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ZFS Feed Ingredients Update
As the weather warms up, so has the protein market. There has been a lot of demand globally and the soybean meal and DDG market has been responding. Much of the market news has focused on South America soybeans, but we still have our own drought in Midwest, to keep in perspective to supply ourselves.
Processor co-products have been doing their best to keep up with domestic demand. Ethanol inventories got a little full so the plants have slowed a bit, keeping the DDGS values higher than we would suspect with corn CME level where it is. Also, rail movement delays for cars to and out of processors has been a continual issue across the U.S. There are opportunities, so be ready for a hot sale for spot buys if cars don’t arrive.
Gluten plants are finally back to processing normal hours since the cold snap at Christmas that took down dryers at 2-3 plants. This being said, supply is better so the prices have softened and should continue downward, and then wet feed is still readily available at a lower cost as well. Let us know if need moisture in your ration with this product.
Soyhulls have dropped in cost already as cattle get back out to pastures. If you need fiber, get your needs met in March if you can, as some downtimes will start at soy plants for maintenance in April. Hominy has been strong on values, but yet a discount still to ground corn locally; one just needs to be flexible as plant delays have been weekly for carriers to sit for loading long hours.
Cottonseed offers have started to look more attractive to the Midwest, as TX gets their needs met and moisture moves in for planting a new crop in TX and Mid-South too.
Canola meal is still a good value compared to soybean meal offers, and readily available with good car transport movements. If you have not booked yet for summer, get with your trader, and look for CME pressure on pricing it. It is good to plan to price futures contracts at least two months ahead so not vs. the front month, as it tends to get highest cost as clients roll contracts out to next month.
Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Spring!
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Industry Insight: Assessing Feed Consistency - There Has to be a Better Way
By Jackie Boerman, PhD, Assistant Professor, Animal Sciences, Purdue University
When I was a graduate student, I took hundreds of TMR samples and measured particle size using a Penn State Particle Separator. It was tedious, and I thought to myself “there has to be a better way to assess feed consistency than just measuring the size of pieces of feed.” I recognize that feed particle length has implications on sorting and estimating how much of the feed will have to be chewed again because of size with implications on rumen health. However, there is much more to nutrition than the size of the feed and there must be a better way to measure this on farm. Fast-forward a decade and I am still frustrated by the limitations we have to assess feed consistency when it is in front of cows. Nutritionists formulate diets to the gram of amino acids - but then the diets are made with payloaders, making it hard to know if each cow had access to the same amount of nutrients. Feed costs are high and will likely stay high for 2023, likely increasing scrutiny on feed management.
At Purdue University, we were recently awarded a grant to explore ways to assess feed consistency using imaging. Through collaboration between Animal Sciences and Engineering, we are conducting experiments to measure feed consistency and connect this information with other related information on the farm. The continuous imaging of feed during mixing and delivery can give feeders and producers information about how consistent the feed is across a batch and day. Providing information about what the diet is as it is presented to the cow will complement feed management software that tells you information about what ingredients were added.
As feed costs are approaching and exceeding 15 cents per pound of dry matter, we think there is an absolute need to manage feed costs. One approach to managing feed is to provide cows with the most consistent diet in not only particle size but nutrient specifications. The cow’s rumen craves consistency, providing actionable information to those who control what feed is available to cows has the potential to improve feed efficiency. I still believe that there must be a better way to measure feed consistency for cows and over the next four years we will be working at Purdue to develop that better way.
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Industry Insight: Be Part of Survey on BRD, Have Chance to Win Gift Card
The insight of our IDP members is valuable as the industry develops new technologies. A team at Purdue University is working on a project regarding development of a sensor for bovine respiratory disease.
Survey for dairy producers!
Take this 10-minute academic research survey about “Adoption of Bovine Respiratory Disease Biosensors (IRB-2021-693)”! The first 100 respondents to complete the survey will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. In addition, all participants completing the survey will be entered for a 1-in-50 or greater chance to win a $100 gift card for Amazon or Walmart! You can help us better understand how dairy producers make decisions about accepting new technologies. For questions, please contact Dr. Hwanseok Song (song573@purdue.edu).
You may take the survey here:
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IDP Member Moments: Congratulations 2023 Award Winners!
IDP is focused on making Indiana the most desirable place to produce milk, with outstanding industry members leading the way. We congratulate our 2023 award winners who were announced at the Indiana Dairy Forum.
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2023 IDP Producers of the Year: Charles and Margaret Carter
The Producer of the Year honor recognizes individuals who embody all that is great about the dairy industry. The 2023 award was presented to Charles and Margaret Carter who operate Carterly Dairy in Thorntown, IN. Along with managing their 120 cows and being active in the grazing community, the Carters work with hundreds of 4-H youth through a dairy heifer leasing program to encourage involvement and interest in the dairy industry.
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2023 IDP Young Producer of the Year: Steve and Abbie Herr
Steve and Abbie Herr are IDP’s Young Producers of the Year. The Herrs, who operate Herr Dairy near Kendallville, IN, are innovators on the farm and in their outreach efforts. They have installed robots in their milking parlor to help meet labor needs, including making their own replacement parts for robotic systems. This enthusiastic dairy couple shares their expertise and experiences via social media and farm tours to help advance understanding of and appreciation for Indiana’s dairy industry.
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2023 Alan Kuehnert Memorial Scholarship Winner: Sophia Bollenbacher
The recipient of this year’s Alan Kuehnert Memorial Scholarship is Sophia Bollenbacher, Bolle-Acres Jersey Farm and Argos Holstein Farms, Argos, IN. Passionate about the dairy business from a young age, she was a 10 year 4-H member and active in FFA. She competed at the national level in several contests with numerous champion honors including State Senior Jersey Showman. Sophia is an Animal Sciences major at Purdue University where she is involved in the Purdue Dairy Club and hopes to continue to have a positive impact by informing and educating people about agriculture.
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2023 IDP Scholarship Winner: Jacqueline Mudd
The recipient of this year’s IDP scholarship is Jacqueline Mudd, Nor-Lene Holsteins, Berne, IN. She has been active in the industry her whole life, starting on her family’s registered Holstein farm. She has served as the National Jersey Queen as well as an Indiana Dairy Ambassador. She has competed in dairy judging and in national breed association activities. Jackie is an Animal Sciences major at Purdue University where she is involved with the Purdue Dairy Club and hopes to run her own dairy farm in the future with a focus on high-type show cattle while also exploring direct to consumer markets.
“From the Carters who have humbly served our industry for decades to our up-and- coming industry members represented by our young producers and scholarship winners, our 2023 honorees represent the passion and leadership that makes the dairy industry great,” said Steve Obert, Executive Director, IDP.
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Individual membership in the Indiana Dairy Producers is $50. Encourage your dairy farming friends to join IDP! Also, any individual who is not a dairy producer but would still like to support IDP can join as an associate member. Download a membership/associate brochure here.
We appreciate our industry supporters. They make it possible for IDP to support the dairy industry in many ways. If your company is interested in finding ways to join IDP, download an information sheet here.
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Diamond Sponsors
Click on any logo to reach the company's website
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Platinum Sponsors
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Gold Sponsors
Click on any logo to reach the company's website
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Silver Sponsors
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Board of Directors
Executive Director
Steve Obert
812-779-6775
Arie Jan de Jong, President
Carrie Jo Bollenbacher, Vice President
Emily Hoeing, Secretary
Jackie Boerman, Executive Treasurer
Board Members
Alex Lueken
Amy Weaver
Henk Sevenhuysen
Krent Frauhiger
Roger Hibschman
Aaron Claycamp
Industry Advisers
Chris Moore
Sarah Wagler
Steve Howell
Todd Janzen, Attorney
Zach Allen
Tanya Westfall, Executive Assistant
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Visit Our Bronze Sponsors |
(Click the bronze button) |
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IDP Corporate Sponsors
There is a growing list of companies that recognize IDP's value to Indiana's dairy industry. Please visit our list of companies that have become Corporate Sponsors for only $100. If you know of a company that may have an interest in supporting IDP at some level, please download a brochure here.
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Contact Chris Moore
For free insurance consultation and quotes on your farm and agribusiness Insurance needs! IDP members receive an exclusive discount on SECURA Insurance.
Chris Moore
317-650-4519
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Indiana Dairy Producers
7826 S 550 E
Fort Branch, IN 47648
812-779-6775
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RESOURCE CENTER
-Click on each picture or logo to learn more-
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Indiana Grazing &
Forage
NRCS Website
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Check out the resources available to you on the
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