April 2020 Vol. 2
Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization
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PLAN CAREFULLY BEFORE FEEDING UNPASTEURIZED MILK
to the dairy herd, by following recommendations published by UW Extension. When faced with dumping milk, feeding it to the dairy herd is one way to mitigate the losses, but the first step is working with your nutritionist to determine the best approach based on your existing ration. Rough guidelines include: ground corn can be replaced at roughly one pound for every five pounds of milk as fed, and high-moisture shelled corn and soybean meal can be replaced at slightly more than one pound for every 5 pounds of milk as fed. Read more in the full publication
here
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FARM-LEVEL DIETARY STRATEGIES TO REDUCE MILK SUPPLY
while maintaining cow health and future production potential are critical as dairy producers weigh options for their farm. Cornell University has shared recommendations starting with ensuring all nutrients other than energy are balanced according to the energy allowable milk. The most cow-friendly approach is to reformulate diets to increase the amount of forage fed to cows, and reduce starch and sugar accordingly – assuming forage inventories are adequate. Click
here
for other strategies, such as temporarily milking twice a day rather than 3 times.
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REDUCTION OF CROSS SUCKING IN PAIRED HOUSING
of dairy calves is the focus of research being conducted by UW-Madison grad student Rekia
Salter and Dr. Jennifer Van Os. They shared initial data from Salter’s research project on the Preview Stage at the 2020 PDPW Virtual Business Conference. She monitored 16 calves for the first 9 weeks through weaning. Calves were in individual hutches, or in paired housing with adjacent hutches with an adjoining fence in front of the hutches. Results showed calves raised as pairs approached starter sooner than those raised individually; pairs also transitioned to calf starter better during the weaning period. When fed milk in open buckets, pairs and individuals did not differ in milk drinking time or total-non-nutritive behavior, but paired calves shifted oral behavior to cross sucking. However, providing milk through a slow-flow teat extended the milk meal and reduced cross sucking. Paired calves with Braden bottles approached starter sooner than pairs with open buckets.
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SPENDING MORE TIME ON VIDEO CONFERENCES AND ZOOM CALLS?
With stay-at-home and social-distancing orders in place and more people working from home, video conferences have become an important part of connecting. Here are a few tips for more effective video calls:
- Sit close to the screen so your face fills most of what the other viewers will see.
- Use an external microphone or headset. Regardless of how you’re amplified, remember that the microphone is only a foot away, which means you don’t have to strain or raise your voice.
- When you’re not talking, mute yourself if background noise may be a problem.
- Even if you’re muted during a video call, stay engaged in the conversations. Nod your head; focus on the screen; don’t get up and feed your dog.
- Avoid positioning yourself with a window behind you. Extra light coming from behind you will make it difficult for others to see you.
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PDPW Prime Exhibitors are
industry
leading dairy-companies and service providers.
In upcoming editions, we’ll highlight several exhibitors.
Thank you, PDPW Prime Exhibitors. We appreciate your continued support!
To view PDPW Prime, click
here
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MANAGING FRUSTRATIONS AND DISTRACTIONS
is on the rise for many business owners and their teams. As people manage COVID-19-related issues of milk supply, cow health and finances, they’re also facing unprecedented challenges in personal lives. Schools are closed and normal routines are a thing of the past – including retail shopping, entertainment, recreation, and more. All these changes can spell lower performance and safety hazards on the job.
This article
provides tips on stopping, noticing and addressing issues to help balance frustrations with blessings.
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TIMELY UPDATES AND STRAIGHT TALK FROM TOP EXPERTS.
Join the top minds in the dairy industry by tuning into The Dairy Signal™, the FREE resource that’s gaining traction worldwide. A relevant resource for dairy farmers and industry professionals, each episode airs live at 12pm Central Time every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
After each broadcast all episodes are available for download in video or audio/podcast format
here
. Download episodes of the Spanish version, La Señal Lechera™. Each translated episode will be available two days after the airing of the original version.
Save the dates for upcoming episodes:
Tues., May 5; Weds., May 6; Thur., May 7
Tues., May 12; Weds., May 13; Thur., May 14
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HAVE YOU MISSED A SESSION OF THE DAIRY SIGNAL?
Each episode features timely insights and resources to support dairy farmers and industry professionals. Click
here
to find archived recordings, in English and Spanish – via La Señal Lechera™.
April 16
Eric Snodgrass and Dr. David Kohl
provided an update on current weather models for the growing season and potential phases of recovery from the impacts of COVID-19
April 21
Dr. Heather White and Dr. Mark Stephenson
shared strategies for lowering milk production without causing long-term health or productivity impacts on your herd.
April 22
Dr. David Kohl and Jim Mulhern
provided an update on market forecasts and the proposed marketing plans to assist dairy producers and processors.
April 23
Dr. Luiz Ferraretto and Dan Basse
discussed market stability and outlook, and insights on cow-feeding strategies.
April 27
Governor Tony Evers and Interim Secretary of State Randy Romanski
provided updates on fund allocations, predictions for re-opening the state, and the responsibilities of state government to support agriculture and the food-service industry.
April 28
Dr. David Kohl
presented market updates and practical steps to make critical decisions amidst uncertainty.
Liz Griffith
shared tips and tricks to help listeners think clearly during stressful times to keep dairies and business moving forward.
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SIGNPOSTS ON THE WAY TO RECOVERY
from the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) will indicate the direction of the dairy export market in the tentative months ahead, according to a council blog post. The overall uncertainty around public health and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus are the leading factor, especially as the U.S. dollar strengthens, making dairy imports more expensive in local currencies. Other factors to watch include oil prices, Mexico’s economy, China’s recovery, Southeast Asia’s appetite, domestic dairy consumption, global inventory levels, milk supply response and impact of low prices on global demand. Learn more
here
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HOW ARE DIETS AND COOKING HABITS CHANGING
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and social-distancing requirements? In a new study, American consumers report cooking 54 percent more and baking 46 percent more than before the crisis began. Survey respondents reported enjoying cooking more and being more confident in their kitchens, with 51 percent of consumers who are cooking more expecting to continue the practice after the crisis is over. Click
here
to read more.
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In this pre-COVID PDPW Podcast, Hank Wagner talks about his efforts to be a “dealer of hope” and why hope is critical in today’s world. He shares the six beliefs about the role hope plays in daily life and provides ideas on how you can share hope with your family, friends and community members. The message is a timely reminder there are still many things we can control – and that doing so can make all the difference. Listen to the 12-minute episode
h
ere
.
In a more recent podcast, Tom Thibodeau shares a message about the tremendous virtue of hope. Being hopeful about the future not only makes today's situation more bearable but also improves the lives of those around us. Click
here
for Tom’s reminder of how hope can help us all.
Find these and all PDPW Podcast episodes at:
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“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
~Harriet Beecher Stowe
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Professional Dairy Producers
820 North Main St.
Juneau, WI 53039
800-947-7379
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