Managing the transition period can have a significant impact on future dairy cow performance. Check out this great article from FeedStrategy’s Helen Warren including a link to July’s Feed Strategy Digital Magazine and learn how nutrition can help reduce metabolic disorders in transition cows.
What’s been “eye-popping” about the current market rally, said Joel Karlin, market analyst for Western Milling in Goshen, is that prices for cheese in 40-pound blocks went from $1.60 a pound to a floor of $1, and then rebounded to a record $2.50 in the space of five weeks. Rarely have block cheese prices reached such high levels, he noted.
In a recent report by University of Guelph researchers C.D. Havekes, T.F. Duffield, A.J. Carpenter and T.J. DeVries it was determined that, “supplementing a molasses-based liquid feed in high-straw dry cow diets may improve feed intake and consistency in nutrients consumed during the dry period and in early lactation as well as possibly promoting better rumen health across the transition period.”
To learn more, check out this recent article by FeedStuff’s Tim Lundeen
As we head into summer, dairy retail sales look strong, but the outlook on dairy over all appears to be mixed.
According to Abrielle Backhaus, research coordinator with IDDBA, retail dairy sales percentage gains have been up double digits over some of the comparable weeks in 2019 for 12 consecutive weeks, however, only the second week in the past dozen, in which sales growth, slipped below 20% when compared to the similar week a year ago.
To learn more, check out this recent article by Progressive Dairy’s Dave Natzke.
According to Boehringer Ingelheim, providing proactive care throughout the transition period is crucial to help reduce calving-related disorders and it can also help boost milk production and extend cow longevity. Want to learn more about how to ensure your calving dairy cow has everything she needs during the critical time period before and following calving?
“There are three different rations: one that’s formulated on paper, one that gets mixed and fed and one that the cows actually eat,” said Dr. Jennifer Roberts, a veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim. “In a perfect world, these would all be the same, but in reality, cows can be picky eaters, and particular care needs to be given to ensure her ration is balanced for the cow’s metabolic needs and is properly mixed with the correct components and proper particle length to minimize sorting.”
This article covers an outline of nutritional needs during the transition period’s three milestones:
Check out this great article from Feedstuffs: https://www.feedstuffs.com/nutrition-health/prioritize-cow-well-being-throughout-transition-period
The USDA is updating the Dairy Revenue Protection Sales Period.
Starting June 5th, 2020, the sales period for Dairy Revenue Protection will begin no later than 4:30 PM (CT) and will end at 9:00 AM (CT) on the next business day or 9:00 AM (CT) on Sunday, whichever is earlier.
“The DRP program is an excellent risk management tool for dairy producers, providing peace of mind during unpredictable market fluctuations such as the dairy industry is experiencing now,” RMA Administrator Martin Barbre said. “USDA wants to be sure that we make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the Federal crop insurance program continues to serve the risk management needs of our nation’s producers during this unprecedented time.”
To learn more about the USDA update, Check out this article by the Hoard’s Dairyman: https://hoards.com/article-28070-usda-modifies-dairy-revenue-protection-sales-period.html
For more information about DRP, visit RMA’s website or contact your local crop insurance agent using the RMA Agent Locator.
Due to concerns related to the coronavirus, this year’s World Dairy Expo in Madison has been canceled.
“Our collective heart is heavy as we share with you that World Dairy Expo 2020 has been cancelled,” said the event’s general manager Scott Bentley in the press release. “We know how much this hurts; we feel it, too. Please know other options were explored and considered by the World Dairy Expo Executive Committee and staff.”
For additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions related to the cancellation, please visit worlddairyexpo.com.
To learn more, check out this article by Bridgit Bowden from Wisconsin Public Radio.
Here is a site you might want to bookmark for milk education for your community and vendors. 97milk.com offers a large download collection for promotions and supporting information on drinking whole milk.
Looking for ways to help improve lactation performance? Here is some great info! In this article, Noah Litherland from the University Of Minnesota discusses 10 ways you can improve early lactation performance and peak milk yield:
“Peak milk is the highest recorded test day milk production in a cow’s first 150 days in milk (DIM). Historically, producers used peak milk as a measure of the success of dry period and early lactation nutrition and management. Peak milk indicates how well the cow responds to feeding practices during the dry period, calving and early lactation periods.
Most cows achieve peak milk by 45 to 90 DIM and then slowly lose production over time. Many cite that each added pound of peak milk could lead to 200 to 250 pounds more milk for the whole lactation. Nutrition and health disorders in early lactation affect peak milk. For example, low dietary fiber diet/sorting can lead to rumen acidosis, which can result in lameness or displaced abomasum. Both conditions can cause reduced peak milk.
Ten ways to improve early lactation performance and peak milk yield:
1. Start cows with a successful dry period
Research shows dry period nutrition and management affects health and performance after birth. Thus, evaluate your dry cow program if you’re unhappy with milk cow performance. Key goals for dry cows include: […]”
