July 2022 Vol. 1
Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®
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WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR BACK YARD AFFECTS OURS, TOO, and you need to attend an ACE (Agricultural Community Engagement®) twilight meeting to participate in the dialogue. Planned for Aug. 29, 30, 31 and Sept. 1 in DeSoto, Independence, Dorchester and Watertown, Wis., each event starts with a dairy tour at 6 pm followed by ice cream and discussions of how we can all share ideas and work together on the issues of water, conservation, transportation and more.
These meetings offer critical opportunities to have important discussions between neighbors and with elected officials and leaders. Plan to attend at least one Agricultural Community Engagement meeting. Invite your neighbors, community leaders and local elected officials, too.
Learn more and register here.
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PDPW INTERNATIONAL TOUR TO BE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME! Details are coming together as we finalize the itinerary for a tour of dairies and iconic sites in Australia. The tour includes an optional extension in Tasmania.
Mark your calendars for March 18 - April 1, 2023, for a look at how dairy producers – and others in agriculture – implement the latest in technology in the “land down under.” Of course, you’ll also enjoy several unforgettable bucket-list adventures while networking with your peers.
Stay tuned for more details, including registration information.
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REDUCE COSTS AND DOSES OF ANTIBIOTICS with modest changes in how mastitis is treated on dairy farms. An article from Michigan State University outlined research that found antibiotic therapy is not needed for most non-severe cases of mastitis caused by E. coli or cases that are cultured negative because the spontaneous cure rate is similar to treatment. Authors recommend treatment of intramammary antibiotics for the shortest duration on the label for non-severe clinical mastitis cases that result in Gram-positive growth in cultures. Learn more in the full article.
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PROTECT FEED QUALITY DURING HOT SUMMER WEATHER to minimize nutrient loss and maintain intake. Fermented forages and diets containing high levels of moisture can become especially unstable when they are exposed to oxygen in combination with high humidity and temperatures, which can result in poor aerobic stability. As temperatures rise, follow good management practices, including:
- Remove enough feed to prevent spoilage.
- Only remove enough feed for each day’s feeding.
- Use a facer instead of a bucket.
- Check bags and bunker-silo plastic regularly.
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Monitor feed for spoilage.
- Feed more frequently and during cooler times of the day.
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SPENT BREWERS YEAST COULD HELP REDUCE METHANE in dairy cows. Research published in Frontiers in Animal Science highlighted work that compared the impact on methane production when spent brewers yeast, baker’s yeast and monensin were added to methane- and ammonia-producing microbes. After a 24-hour incubation period, the researchers sampled the gases and analyzed them, observing a direct correlation between the concentration of hops compounds in the spent yeast and the amount of gas produced. The spent brewer's yeast, which included the hops compounds absorbed during the beer-brewing process, reduced methane production by an average of 25 percent on average—a reduction comparable to monensin. Feeding trials are needed to determine the impact at farm level. Read more here.
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IS YOUR COMPANY OR FARM LIVING ITS VALUES? An article in Kellogg Insight highlights the challenging but critical, need for an organization to not merely state its values, but to also live them out. Key, steps to ensuring you walk the talk when it comes to company values include:
1. Articulate your values in a clear, positive way
2. Measure against those stated values
3. Call out behavior in yourself and others
4. Invite outsiders to critique your actions
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PRODUCTIVITY TIPS TO GET MORE DONE also create more time for the things and people you love. A Fast Company article shares how combining prioritization techniques and efficiency hacks can position you to use time more effectively at both work and home. Some tips include:
- Track your time, including interruptions
- Understand your energy cycle
- Communicate clearly
- Improve your processes for routine tasks
- Make a 15-minute list of small tasks that can be completed quickly
- Break down tasks into smaller steps
- Let go of what is not working
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KEEP TUNING IN TO THE DAIRY SIGNAL. In its third year of bringing valuable information to the dairy industry, The Dairy Signal™ continues to bring together leading experts across dairy and agricultural industries, universities, and government and regulatory associations for insights on the most pressing issues in today’s marketplace. The 60-minute sessions air every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with recorded episodes available for free at pdpw.org. Click here to find archived recordings of sessions.
Presenters and topics covered recently include:
Side-dressing corn with manure can help save costs on commercial fertilizer. Hear about how to effectively apply and manage this valuable resource.
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Glen Arnold, Associate Professor, Field Specialist, Manure Nutrient Management at Ohio State University Extension
Fly control is a hot topic during summer months. Hear from dairy producers who will share how they manage fly populations in calf-raising areas.
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Christine Bender, Owner/Herd Manager, McFarlandale Dairy LLC, Watertown, Wis.
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Sherry Arnold, Busse’s Barron Acres, Barron, Wis.
As we move into the second half of 2022, hear about the market, export and industry news that will impact the dairy industry now and over the next several months.
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Ben Buckner, Chief Grains & Dairy Analyst, AgResource Company
Ringworm and pinkeye are common, easily transmissible diseases dairy farmers sometimes face in their herds. Tackle myths and misconceptions about these ailments and learn the most effective treatments and preventions in a fact-or-fiction format.
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Dr. Chelsea Holschbach, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Assistant Professor in Large Animal Medicine and Food Animal Production Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
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Dr. Ryan Breuer, DVM, Clinical Assistant Professor of Large Animal Internal Medicine, UW-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, and Diagnostic Case & Outreach Coordinator, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Managing nutrients effectively can improve crop performance and boost the bottom line. Hear about changes that can be made based on fertilizer prices and supplies, evaluating soil tests to target phosphorous and potassium needs, and properly crediting manure and legumes to reduce commercial purchases.
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Dave West, agronomist, West Agronomics
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Justin Peterson, partner, Creamery Creek Holsteins, LLC
As the growing season progresses, hear about the effects of heat stress on young crops and management tips to get the best performance in early-growth stages.
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Dr. Joe Lauer, Professor, Agronomy, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UW-Madison
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CHEESE LEADS THE WAY IN DAIRY EXPORTS IN EARLY 2022. The U.S. Dairy Export Council reported that U.S. dairy exports in the first four months of 2022 held steady with record volumes in 2021, and exports in May gained 5% in volume and set a new single-month record. Cheese exports grew by about 30%, with increased shipments to Japan, South Korea and Mexico. The U.S. is filling the gap left by tight cheese supplies from Europe and New Zealand thanks to increased U.S. processing capacity and price competitiveness.
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CONSUMERS REMAIN WILLING TO PAY FOR PROTEINS as food prices have increased. However, they are expecting high quality in those purchases. A recent episode of The Dairy Signal™ featured beef industry and checkoff representatives sharing recent consumer research on beef and shopping behaviors following COVID, including online grocery shopping, online meal ordering and current grilling purchases. They also shared some of the promotions, web content and social media content that are encouraging consumers to choose beef during this summer’s grilling season. Watch the full episode here.
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KEEPING FIRST AID KITS STOCKED AND AVAILABLE can help in a quick response to farm injuries. A nylon duffel bag works well to store supplies to treat small wounds, stop bleeding, support a fracture or sprain, or preserve a severed limb. Kits should also include a first aid manual and directions that can be provided to emergency responders to swiftly pinpoint farm locations. Additionally, personal medical information such as known allergies for family members and employees can help responders. And don’t forget flashlights and flares or matches for working at night. Click here for a checklist and more resources.
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GRIP: THE ART OF WORKING SMART. Written by a startup entrepreneur and author, the book is a collection of tools and insights to help individuals and teams manage to-do lists and tasks amid busy and constantly changing schedules. The book focuses on unlocking the power of everyday tools such as calendars, to-do lists and email, lowering the volume of distractions to find focus and freeing up room to think big and grow.
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PDPW educational calendar |
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August 29, 30, 31 & September 1
ACE® Twilight Meetings
DeSoto, Independence, Dorchester
& Watertown, WI
November 9-10
Financial Literacy for Dairy ®- Level 1
Juneau, WI
March 14-15
Wisconsin Dells, WI
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March 15-16
Wisconsin Dells, WI
March 18-April 1
International Tour
Australia
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“A new idea must not be judged by its immediate results.” - Nikola Tesla |
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Professional Dairy Producers
820 North Main St.
Juneau, WI 53039
800-947-7379
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