September 2021 Vol. 1
Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®
 WATER QUALITY COULD IMPACT MILK PRODUCTION, according to research conducted by the Penn State Extension team. In a study of 243 dairy farms across 41 counties in Pennsylvania, they found that 26% of farms had at least one water-quality issue. These farms averaged 56 pounds per cow per day of milk production, compared to 62 pounds per day on farms with good-quality water. Potential water-quality issues include aesthetic pollutants such as iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide, as well as nitrates or heavy metals. Researchers noted that water quality is rarely the sole issue and likely integrates with management practices to impact production, but it is still a key factor to monitor and manage on dairies. Read more here
For your business mind
THINKING ABOUT TAX PLANNING NOW can yield benefits at the end of the year. As summer wraps up and fall harvest nears, taxes may not be at the top of your list. However, it’s important to know the farm income you’ve already received, the income you expect to receive before year-end and when you’ll pay or pre-pay production expenses – a mid-year check is a critical piece of this planning. Other key steps in a mid-year review are to compare year-to-date results with the cash flow projections made at the start of the year and to decide on a depreciation schedule for any equipment purchases. Read the full article from Michigan State Extension for more tips and considerations.
MAKE THE MOST OF SILAGE HARVEST by accurately protecting quality and pricing. The University of Wisconsin Extension has created several tools to help producers as they harvest their own silage crop or purchase silage from other sources. A spreadsheet, apps and worksheet for hand calculations are available to assist in spot pricing for standing corn silage. Tips for estimating average dry-down per day, moisture testing, harvest strategies and optimal moisture content can also be found here, as can YouTube videos for predicting harvest and moisture level, equipment settings and safety, and processing, packing and storage safety. 
USE EMAIL ETIQUETTE TO MAKE COMMUNICATIONS CLEARER AND MORE PROFESSIONAL. Research shows that the average U.S. worker spends a quarter of each week managing email communications. To help ensure your messages are read and acted upon, follow several basic rules of email etiquette, including:
  •     Send emails with current, clear subject lines
  •     Prioritize your inbox based on urgency
  •     Don’t use email for serious or sensitive information
  •     End the email chains simply and professionally
  •     Don’t automatically reply to everyone on the email thread
  •     Use classic, clean, easy-to-read font and avoid too many emojis or exclamation points
 
Read more about each of these tips in the full article.
The Dairy Signal
TUNE INTO THE DAIRY SIGNAL™ for topics covering your most relevant needs, including up-to-the-minute information and ongoing education. In partnership with fellow dairy producers and other experts across dairy and agricultural industries, the 60-minute episodes air from noon to 1 p.m. CT every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Recorded versions are available free in video and audio format at pdpw.org. Click here to find archived recordings of sessions. 


Presenters and topics covered recently include:
Healthy calves are the foundation of your herd. Find out what’s been affecting calves lately and what types of information are helpful for monitoring calf health and management including the birth certificates and mortality descriptions. 
  • Dr. Daryl Nydam, Professor of Dairy Health and Production, Ambulatory and Production Medicine and Quality Milk Production Services, Cornell University, and Faculty Director for the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
  • Dr. Franklyn Garry, DVM, Extension Specialist and Veterinarian with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University

Tune in for an overview of how the different weather patterns are affecting the United States and find out what’s in store for fall and winter.
  • Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist, Nutrien Ag Solutions 

Hear the bi-weekly update on the dairy markets and industry news, including impacts of weather, the pandemic and consumer demand for dairy products.
  • Dan Basse, Economist and President, AgResource Company

Tune in for an update on dairy-promotion activities in several areas, including how programs are keeping dairy products at the forefront in schools and how dairy is penetrating international markets.
  • Amy Wagner, Executive Vice President, Global Innovation Partnerships, Dairy Management Inc.
  • Karen Doster, Director, Youth and School Programs, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

Banking and lending experts share their expertise and knowledge on industry trends from loans to inflation, refinancing and more, and the potential impact on today’s dairy operations.
  • Jim Moriarty, Director Dairy Lending and Dairy Consulting, Compeer Financial
  • Sam Miller, Managing Director, Group Head, Agricultural Banking, BMO Harris Bank
  • Tim McTigue, Senior Vice President of Ag Banking with Investors Community Bank

Find out what’s new in the beef processing industry – we’ll talk about products, pricing, availability, exports and more.
  • Steve Van Lannen, President and Chief Operating Officer of American Foods Group
Dairy currents
PROTECT YOUR TEAM BY PREVENTING COMBINE FIRES during harvest season. Time is often tight during the busy harvest season, but taking precautions to prevent combine fires will save lives, equipment and crops. A study of 9,000 combine fires showed that 75% of fires start in the engine compartment, so keeping that and all other areas clean and free from crop residue and buildup of greasy and oily material is key. Exhaust components, faulty bearings, malfunctioning and damaged electrical systems can often be the source of a fire. Each grain combine should be equipped with at least two 10-pound ABC dry-chemical fire extinguishers. Read more combine safety tips from UW Extension in the full article.
ADOPT A COW ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR ADOPT-A-COW PROGRAM. Schools across the country can enroll in the Adopt-a-Cow program that allows students to follow the progress of a calf at a dairy farm. The program is free and includes photos of the cow, activity sheets for students and PowerPoint presentations, as well as a suggested lesson that follows Common CORE standards. Three Wisconsin dairy farms are participating in the program along with farms around the country. Learn more here and share the information with local schools in your area. You can also listen to a recent episode of The Dairy Signal™ to hear about the program and other dairy outreach in schools. 
NEW INNOVATIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES IN DAIRY PACKAGING are providing ways for dairy processors to meet consumer demands for smaller or single-serving portions while also addressing food safety concerns. The challenge for processors is identifying the equipment and options that are the best fit for their facilities and customer base. Sustainability of packaging options will be a key driver as well, with an emphasis on materials that can be recycled, reduce plastic usage or extend product life. Read the full article to learn more.
Book Review
MASTER MENTORS: 30 TRANSFORMATIVE INSIGHTS FROM OUR GREATEST MINDS
This book features highlights and key lessons from 30 top business leaders and thought leaders from their conversations on the Franklin Covey “On Leadership” podcast. The book provides focused and practical strategies for applying learnings to your own life or business, along with a question on which to reflect after each leader’s insights. Learn more here
PDPW educational calendar
Water Tours
Wausau & Barron, WI

Calf Care Connection®

Financial Literacy for Dairy ®-Level 1
Juneau, WI

Herd Management Workshop

Dairy Insights Summit
Quote

" Hard work always pays off, whatever you do." ~ Dustin Lynch

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