PDPW Manager's Memo

September 2020 Vol. 1

Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®

Opportunities to learn

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON RURAL ISSUES, MANURE MANAGEMENT AND WATER QUALITY featured during the upcoming Environmental Workshop scheduled for Wed., Sept. 23 at Cottonwood Dairy, South Wayne, Wis., and Thu., Sept. 24 at Miltrim Farms, Athens, Wis. Community leaders, dairy farmers and neighbors are invited for panel discussions on manure management and producer-led watersheds, farm tours, and emerging issues such as increasing access to broadband and enhancing fire and emergency medical services. Discussions on these rural issues and more will feature Rep. Todd Novak and leaders from the Wisconsin Towns Association and PDPW. Pre-registration is required. Click here for details and here to download the program flier.

YOUR ORGANIZATION IS IN STEP WITH YOU. Regardless of all the changes 2020 has brought, our commitment to providing world-class programs for dairy’s most solution-oriented professionals is stronger than ever. Some programs will be presented in a slightly different manner, but our dedication to building the programs our producer-led committees have asked for remains steadfast. Check out our 2020-21 calendar and make plans to attend tours and courses throughout the year. Keep watching (and downloading) episodes of The Dairy Signal™ on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for timely and engaging topics.

A special thank you to our PDPW Vision, Mission, Corporate and Event Sponsors for ensuring adequate funding is available to build cutting-edge dairy education for our nation's dairy farmers.

For your dairy

MOLASSES SUPPLEMENTATION IN ROBOTIC SYSTEMS can help support the energy needs of cows during early lactation, according to research published in the Journal of Dairy Science. The study followed 390 cows at six commercial herds with automated milking systems. Cows were randomly assigned to either a control group with standard pellet feed or a group receiving the same amount of pellet feed and one kilogram per day of molasses-based liquid feed. No differences were found in milk production or milking visits, but cows receiving the molasses supplement better maintained stable body condition scores and had fewer repeat positive subclinical ketosis tests during the study period. Learn more here.

STUDYING TRANSITION COW LYING BEHAVIOR AND ACTIVITY to identify cows later classified with clinical hypocalcemic was the focus of research published in the Journal of Dairy Science. The research followed a total of 72 cows – 24 in each of three groups: cows with normal calcium levels, clinically hypocalcemic cows, and subclinically hypocalcemic cows. On calving day, the clinically hypocalcemic cows were less active and spent about 2.6 more hours lying down; differences in activity and lying behavior were not detected after the second day. Behavioral changes also occurred before calving. Further research is needed to determine whether those differences have predictive potential at the individual cow level. Click here to read the study.

PDPW Prime Exhibitors are leading dairy-industry companies and service providers. In upcoming editions, we’ll continue to highlight several of these exhibitors.

Thank you, PDPW Prime Exhibitors. We appreciate your continued work for dairy.

To view PDPW Prime, click here.

Mark Seed

Marshfield Clinic Health System

Meyer Manufacturing Corporation

MSA Professional Services | Ag Services

AT WHAT TEMPERATURE IS MILK TOO COLD TO FEED TO CALVES? Researchers studied 15 calves from 9 to 27 days of age to determine if milk at colder temperatures and fed at various rates would lead to milk in the rumen at too young of an age, potentially resulting in indigestion, diarrhea and reduced growth. Calves were offered milk from both a small- and large-aperture teat and radiography was used before, during and after the meal. Radiographs showed no milk in the rumen regardless of milk temperature or aperture size. In addition, no behavioral signs of pain or discomfort – apart from shivering at the time of drinking – were observed. Hence, the lowest estimated milk temperature that can be fed to dairy calves without leading to milk in the rumen is 8 degrees Celsius or 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit. These results strengthen the argument that calves can be fed large-milk meals without risk of milk in the rumen, even if the milk is cold and consumed rapidly. Click here to read the study.

The Dairy Signal

CAPTURE CRITICAL INSIGHTS FROM THE DAIRY SIGNAL. Featuring leading experts across dairy and Ag industries, universities, government and fellow dairy farmers, the Dairy Signal™ shares insights and resources with producers and industry professionals for ever-changing times. Free educational sessions are live-streamed each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with recorded versions also available free here on the PDPW website.

Upcoming topics include:

Wednesday, September 16

Learn more about risk-management tools and how to effectively use them to capture opportunity and minimize commodity risk.

Tim Swenson, Senior Business Consultant, Compeer Financial
Chris Atten, Principal, Atten Babler Commodities

Thursday, September 17

Tune in for current trends, an analysis of agricultural markets and what to expect the rest of this year and into 2021.

Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company

Presenters and topics covered recently include:

September 1

Learn about software programs and apps that can improve feed quality, monitor yield data and profitability, as well as hear about conservation opportunities that can benefit wildlife habitat, soil health and your bottom line.

Scott Stipetich, Precision Ag and Conservation Specialist of Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever
Dr. John Goeser, PhD, Director of Nutritional Research & Innovation at Rock River Lab, Inc., and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Dairy Science Department at University of Wisconsin-Madison Animal Science at UC Davis

September 2

Understand the five pillars of sustainability and the role each plays around the world, and hear about the biodiversity impact of animal-sourced foods and land-use changes.

Dr. Frank Mitloehner, PhD, Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist with the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis

September 3

Dig into the basics of the income statement and how it can be used to make better business decisions on your farm.

Dr. Kevin Bernhardt, Professor of Agribusiness at UW-Platteville School of Agriculture and Farm Management Specialist with UW-Extension and Center for Dairy Profitability

September 8

Learn more about the mechanics of the producer price differentials (PPDs) and what future milk prices may look like.

Dr. Mark Stephenson, UW-Madison Director of Dairy Policy Analysis and Director of Wisconsin's Center for Dairy Profitability

September 9

With the long days of fall harvest upon us, take time for a refresher course on tractor and large-equipment safety to help prevent accidents.

Dr. John Shutske, Ph.D., Professor and Cooperative Extension Specialist at UW-Madison Department of Biological Systems-Engineering

September 10

Learn about the resources available from AgrAbility to help keep farmers safely and productively working.

Amanda Harguth, Outreach Specialist for AgrAbility of Wisconsin

September 15

Let’s talk manure – what’s the definition, how can we avoid a spill – and report and manage them if they happen, and what do we need to know in regards to cleaning up a spill.

Kevin Erb, Director of the Conservation Professional Training Program for UW-Madison, Division of Extension
Issac Ross, Spills Team Leader – Hydrogeologist Program Coordinator at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

If you have suggestions for future programs and/or presenters, email mail@pdpw.org.

Dairy currents

WATCH FOR PALMER AMARANTH IN FEED INGREDIENTS. A publication from the University of Minnesota provides guidance for farmers to prevent the potential introduction of Palmer amaranth and other problematic weeds via a feed source. The presence of Palmer amaranth is most likely in feed ingredients from southern states, with Midwestern infestations reported from cottonseed and sunflower screenings, as well as feed from weedy fields. As much as 30% of amaranth seed can survive digestion, putting unsuspecting producers at risk for an infestation of the noxious weed on their operations. For more information on the negative impact on crop yields and why this weed is so challenging to control, click here.

PREVENT INFECTION AND SPREAD OF ZOONOTIC DISEASES by ensuring everyone on the farm understands the potential risk and how to reduce that risk. This fact sheet from Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center shares information about common zoonotic diseases and practical steps to prevent exposure on the farm and the traveling of germs into homes and vehicles, including:

Wash hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds after contact with farm animals
Keep food and drinks out of animal areas
Wear dedicated work clothes and boots on the farm
Remove shoes before entering the house after you have been on a farm
Create a separate area for work clothes and boots

CHECKLIST FROM FDA AND OSHA FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY is available to help prepare for situations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The materials have been developed for all FDA-regulated human- and animal-food operations, so not all elements apply to farm operations. However, they provide a good starting point for managing safety for workers and sharing common spaces. Click here for details.

For your business mind

MAKING THE DECISION TO STOP OR CHANGE a failing business venture can be difficult, especially if significant time, money and energy has already been invested. To overcome stumbling blocks that may prevent the need to change direction mid-project, set a timeline for the entire plan. The primary reasons project leaders don’t halt a project despite signs of failure include overestimating the sunk costs of a project, a perceived pressure to “stick it out” and the fear of potential repercussions after deciding to discontinue the plan or reverse course altogether.

To avoid these pitfalls when endeavoring on a new project, consider the following:

Be deliberate about the intended timeline and scope of commitment.
Clearly establish if a project is being undertaken as an experiment or a long-term change.
Seek counsel and evaluation by those not responsible for the initial project launch.

Click here to read more from Purdue University.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIND THE INFORMATION YOU NEED to make a decision? Research shows employees spend up to two hours a day looking for information. Setting up effective systems and processes for both paper and electronic files can help you and your team locate information faster and more efficiently. In addition to keeping only what is necessary, other suggestions for setting up a reference system include:

Think through your own processes of work before setting up a system
Use consistent naming conventions with specific titles; for example: “2020 shed remodel” rather than “remodel” or “shed”
For easier searching and sorting, always use the acronym of the project name or topic in the subject line of emails

Click here to read more.

EXERCISE THE POWER OF PAUSE. While today’s speed of business may feel faster than ever, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Studies have shown fast-paced work and life habits aren’t productive, especially in the long run. According to Wally Bock, founder of Three Star Leadership consulting firm, there are a few key practices that can keep people working effectively. In addition to outlining more details about pausing to refresh, process and reflect, Bock offers these take-home points:

Take breaks during the day.
Take time off.
Take time to let strong emotions subside before making important decisions.
Take time to reflect.