July 2021 Vol. 1
Brought to you by Dairy's Professional Development Organization®
Opportunities to learn
2021 Hoof Health Workshop
July 20, July 28, Aug. 3
Waupaca, Wis.; Frankfort NY; Lake Norden, SD
FIRST SESSION IS SET FOR JULY 20 in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Don’t miss your chance to interact with world-leading hoof health experts as they lead three repeating on-farm workshops. The 2021 PDPW Dairy Hoof Health Workshops will feature case studies and examples presented at each host farm. Dr. Gerard Cramer from the University of Minnesota, Karl Burgi, founder of the Save Cows® Network, and Roger Olson, dairy account manager for Zinpro Corporation, will lead the sessions in this multi-state program focused on preventing and treating hoof health issues that impact cow health and production. For more information or registration, review the program flyer.
ACE Twilight Meetings
Aug. 23, 24, 25, 26
Waupaca, WI; Frankfort NY; Lake Norden, SD-CHANGE
DISCOVER WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY at an upcoming Agricultural Community Engagement (ACE®) Twilight Meeting. Decisions are being made all the time that affect our roads, schools, neighborhoods, water, local ordinances and more. You are responsible for what happens in your backyard; be sure to join the discussion about important issues affecting all of us.
 
A collaboration between Wisconsin Towns Association, Wisconsin Counties Association and PDPW, these meetings are for elected officials, community leaders, dairy farmers and everyone impacted by agriculture. Each meeting starts with a dairy tour at 6 pm; ice cream is served at 7 pm and discussion follows until 8:30 pm. Please email mail@pdpw.org or call PDPW at 800-947-7379 if you plan to attend. More details and the program flier are available here.
Mon., Aug. 23
Nehls Brothers Farm Ltd.
Greg & Royce Nehls, owners and James Van Patter, dairy manager
N5326 South Grove Rd., Juneau
(Dodge County)
 
Tue., Aug. 24
Winch’s Pine Grove Farms
Peter & Christina Winch
12676 Brown School Rd., Fennimore
(Grant County)
Wed., Aug. 25
Fischer-Clark Dairy Farm
David “Mike” & Susan Fischer and
Jon & Heidi Fischer
216578 Esker Rd., Hatley
(Marathon County)
 
Thu., Aug. 26
Minglewood Inc.
Kevin & Roxann Solum and
Jacob & Kristin Quist
60 105th St., Deer Park
(Polk County)
For your dairy
METABOLIC HEALTH OF COWS AFFECTS QUALITY OF COLOSTRUM and may cause the failure of passive immunoglobulin transfer to newborn calves, according to research published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from 873 cows one to three weeks before calving from 124 German dairy herds to determine prepartum metabolic status. The study found cows with a moderate to high lameness score had lower Brix values than cows with low-grade lameness. An increase in the difference of total protein and albumin serum concentration led to higher Brix values. Learn more here.
HOW DOES TIMING OF ASSISTANCE DURING CALVING impact uterine infections in transition cows? Researchers at the University of British Columbia conducted a study to investigate the association between factors around the time of calving, duration of labor and the development of uterine diseases in dairy cattle, as well as to estimate a guideline for when to provide calving assistance based on the health outcome of metritis.

A relationship was found between metritis and duration of labor for assisted cows in which the probability of metritis was greatest at the shortest and longest duration of labor. The lowest probability of metritis was found when assistance occurred after about 130 minutes. Providing assistance too early during stage two labor may result in an increased risk of metritis. Authors suggest that 130 minutes after the appearance of the amniotic sac could be used as a reference point for providing calving assistance to reduce the risk of metritis. Learn more in the article.
REMEMBER THE 5 C’S OF DAIRY CALF MANAGEMENT. A healthy, productive dairy herd starts with healthy dairy calves. An article from the University of Kentucky Extension shares five areas to focus on from day one:
  • Colostrum. Calves should be fed four quarts of high-quality colostrum (three quarts for Jerseys) within four to six hours of birth and an additional two quarts within six to eight hours of the first feeding. Calves fed four versus two quarts of colostrum consistently give approximately 2,500 pounds more milk in their first lactation.
  • Calories. Energy in the form of calories comes from both the intake of milk and starter grain mix.
  • Cleanliness in both the calving pen and calf housing. Leaving a cleaned calf pen vacant for 10 to 14 days can help break potential disease cycles. All equipment should be cleaned daily.
  • Consistency in feeding and handling routines, including how milk replacer is mixed.
  • Comfort, with a focus on providing ventilation and temperature control in the first three weeks.
 
Read the full article to review key areas to make sure your farm’s calf raising practices are on target. 
The Dairy Signal
DAIRY FARMER PANELS, LEADING RESEARCHERS AND MARKET EXPERTS are sharing their knowledge and answering your questions live each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Don’t miss The Dairy Signal™ as it continues providing timely news and analysis on the most pressing issues in today’s marketplace. The educational sessions air live three days a week from noon to 1 pm CT, with recorded versions available for free at www.pdpw.org. Click here to find archived recordings of sessions.

Presenters and topics covered recently include:
Learn about opportunities to capitalize on alternative energy such as solar, geothermal or wind, and hear how to evaluate the potential value and investment for your operation.
  • Adam Wehling, Dean of Agriculture, Energy, Construction & Transportation, Chippewa Valley Technical College
  • Frank Cardoza, Dairy Operations Manager, Philip Verwey Farms, Hanford, Calif.

Take a deep dive into research about consumer perceptions of beef as a protein source as well as how COVID-19 and beef supplies and prices have impacted buying behavior.
  • Shawn Darcy, Senior Director, Market Research, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  • Brandon Scholz, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association

Hear the highlights of recent USDA seeding reports, strengthening U.S. dollar and an update on dairy exports and international markets in the bi-weekly market update.
  • Dan Basse, Economist and President of AgResource Company
  • Ben Buckner, Economist at AgResource Company

Opportunities exist for bovine tuberculosis (TB) to reemerge in the U.S. Learn how to minimize your herd’s risks for the introduction and spread of TB, and hear firsthand how one family dairy dealt with this zoonotic disease.
  • Dr. Darlene Konkle, DVM, MS, DACVIM, State Veterinarian, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
  • Dr. Elisabeth Patton, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM, Assistant State Veterinarian, Wisconsin DATCP
  • Steve Maddox, Maddox Dairy, Burrel, California

Certain areas of the U.S. have received adequate moisture; other areas are still in a state of drought. How will this affect the dairy state? And where are we at in terms of quality and quantity of second-crop harvesting and corn growth?
  • 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
  • Scott Fleming, Nutrient Management Specialist and Sampling Director from Rock River Lab, Inc.

Learn how nitrates can affect groundwater and hear the latest update on Discovery Farm’s nitrogen-use efficiency research project as it relates to fine-tuning crop decisions and how this study weaves into the new DNR regulations.
  • Amber Radatz, Co-Director, Discovery Farms
  • Ryan Heiderman, Nitrogen Projects Coordinator, Discovery Farm
For your business mind
TAKE A MID-YEAR CHECK ON YOUR FARM’S FINANCIAL HEALTH. Rising market prices and input costs combined with volatile weather conditions make it more important than ever to stay on top of farm finances in 2021. An article from Michigan State University Extension shares resources and questions to ask to make sure you’re on track for this year’s goals:
  • Have you reviewed your farm budget or estimate for this year’s cost of production?
  • Have you secured any revenues above those costs?
  • Have you secured any of your feed needs? 

Learn more in the full article
PRODUCTIVITY CAN DROP BY ABOUT 40% when someone is multitasking. Research suggests you can be more efficient and productive by focusing on one task instead of shifting between two or more at a time. Tips for limiting mental shifts include:
  1. Limit distractions by switching electronic devices to “do not disturb” mode and turn off notifications.
  2. Block your calendar in blocks of time that allow you to focus solely on one task.
  3. Set an intention on what you’d like to accomplish with your block of time.
  4. Take on the toughest challenges first.
  5. If a task involves multiple outputs, group them together by type of output so you can be in that same frame of mind during the entire block of work.
  6. Schedule time after your block of work to take a mental break. This primes your mind for the next task at hand.

Read more in the full article.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT STARTS WITH UTILITY PROVIDER DISCUSSIONS, according to recommendations shared on a recent episode of The Dairy Signal™. Adam Wehling, Dean of Agriculture, Energy, Construction & Transportation, Chippewa Valley Technical College and Frank Cardoza, Dairy Operations Manager, Philip Verwey Farms, Hanford, Calif., reviewed how to evaluate the potential value of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind or geothermal for dairy operations. Questions to ask utility providers include:
  • What type of metering do I have?
  • How can energy credits (net metering) be banked?
  • What is my net metering length of time?
  • What is my energy cap?

To learn more, watch the July 6 episode of The Dairy Signal. 
Dairy currents
WHICH LONG-TERM ECONOMIC IMPACTS WILL THE PANDEMIC have on rural economies and U.S. agriculture? A quarterly report from CoBank details how food and agriculture have been transformed due to COVID, including an acceleration in automation, increases in both commodity prices and raw material costs. Grocers and restaurants are also trying to meet consumer demand amid rising food costs. While the rural economy is rebounding, concerns about drought and demand on water and electricity providers, especially in western states, adds uncertainty. Read the full report for more details. 
BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE CERTIFICATION SESSIONS are scheduled across Wisconsin in the coming months, hosted by UW-Madison’s Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Beef Council. Dairy producers who sell their stock for beef should review BQA certification opportunities for their operation. BQA certification outlines best management practices for animal welfare in beef production and ensures that beef producers can sell to buyers and processors that require BQA certification. The first meeting will be held July 20 in Lancaster, with more sessions held through August and September. Learn more here
LARGER COMBO MEALS REPLACING VALUE MEALS at several fast-food restaurant chains, according to a Supermarket Guru article. The classic value meals that include a main sandwich or burger, side and drink that typically cost $5 or less are being phased out at McDonald's and other chains, with menus focused on higher quality items and combo meals in the $10 to $30 range, which include family-size meals. Changes reflect an increase in food costs as well as trying to expand customer base. Read the article here
Book review
EVERYONE COMMUNICATES, FEW CONNECT: WHAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY. Renowned author John C. Maxwell provides insights on how to communicate in ways that consistently build powerful connections. He shares five principles and five practices to help build connection and leadership skills, including finding common ground, keeping communication simple, capturing people's interest, inspiring people and staying authentic in all your relationships. Maxwell makes the case that these practices are keys to creating change and achieving results in personal, professional and family relationships. Learn more here.
Quote
"Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny."
- C.S. Lewis
PDPW educational calendar
Waupaca, WI; Frankfort, NY &
Lake Norden, SD

Aug. 23, 24, 25 & 26, 2021
ACE Twilight Meeting
Juneau, Fennimore, Hatley & Deer Park, WI

September 21 & 22
Water Tours

October 26, 27 & 28
Calf Care Connection®

Nov. 10 & 11
Financial Literacy for Dairy ®-Level 1
Juneau, WI
Nov. 17 & 18
Herdsperson Workshop

December 1-2
Dairy Insights Summit

West Palm Beach, FL

Wisconsin Dells, WI

Wisconsin Dells, WI
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