E-Dairy News and Views
In This Edition
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Herd in the Barn
Genetic Base Changes
Creating the Perfect Dining
Experience
Winter Events
Additional Information
December 2014
Visit Online | ISU Extension and Outreach | ISU
Herd in the Barn
Contact
Winter Manure Applications
Dan Anderson, ISU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Challenging weather conditions are causing some tough manure
management decisions. When injection/incorporation is not an
option, surface application should be considered. However,
surface application can result in additional nitrogen loss so
application rate adjustments may be appropriate. Surface
application on frozen or snow-covered ground pose additional
runoff risks. Based on potential nutrient losses and water quality
impacts, winter manure application is not recommended.
However, if you do need to apply manure yet this fall or winter
because of limited available storage capacity, there are several
things to consider to minimize nutrient losses and water quality
impacts.
Read more on Winter Manure Applications
Additionally the Iowa DNR has a press release available at:
http://www.iowadnr.gov/insidednr/socialmediapressroom/new
sreleases/vw/1/itemid/2304 that provides some times and
clarifications on rules.
Follow Dan Anderson on his blog about manure:
http://themanurescoop.blogspot.com/
ISU
Extension
and
Outreach
Dairy Field
Specialists
Jenn Bentley
(NE)
563-3822949,
jbentley@iast
ate.edu
Larry Tranel
(NE/SE)
563-5836496,
tranel@iastat
e.edu
ISU State
Dairy
Extension
and
Outreach
Specialists
Dr. Leo
Timms, 515294-4522,
ltimms@iastat
e.edu
Genetic Base Changes for Dairy Proofs coming in December
Ron Lenth, ISU Dairy Team, Bremer County Director
The next USDA Sire Summary in December will reflect lower
figures that occur every five years to compensate for our rapid
genetic changes. As the graph illustrates, this will mean that
Holstein sire proofs will lower by $184 Net Merit$......12# of
Protein.....17# of fat......382# of milk and 1.0 Productive Life
Months. While not on the graph, their udder composites will
also lower by 0.92, plus foot and leg composite will also lower
by 0.78. We've been through a number of these over the past
25+ years, so we just have to readjust our numbers and
rankings.
Jersey sires will also be affected.....by lowering Net Merit$
124....12# Protein...19# fat and 327# of milk...and 0.9
Productive Life as listed. In addition, udder composites will
lower by 0.33, while foot and leg composites will likewise
lower by 0.15. This base is set for those cows born in 2010,
which is before the onset of genomics. The next five year base
change in 2020 has the potential for much larger corrections.
A new addition will be GM$, reflecting a grazing index.
Creating the Perfect Dining Experience
Article taken from the December Miner Institute Farm Report
Dr. Jan.
Shearer, 515294-3731,
jks@iastate.e
du
A positive dining experience allows the cows to satisfy her
behaviorial needs for eating, resting, and rumination. And a
satisfied cow will be productive, efficient, and healthy. The
best feeding environments feature a well-formulated and
palatable ration, feed availability when the cow wants to eat,
sufficient bunk space to ensure that competition doesn't limit
access to feed, feed barrier design that encourages natural
feeding behavior, good water availability, no restrictions on
resting activity (which will reduce feeding time), and good
flooring, air quality and ventilation. The list goes on, but it
is clear that feed availability should never by limiting - the
diner needs to be open 24/7.
How important is feed availability? Read the most recent
research for Creating the Perfect Dining Experience
Upcoming Events/Information
Local Dairy Days Feature Profitable Dairy Practices
Iowa dairy producers have the opportunity to learn about emerging dairy
industry issues at the 2015 ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Days hosted by
ISU Extension specialists. The program is scheduled at 7 eastern Iowa
locations between Jan. 20 and Feb. 6.
(Topics and locations are being determined for NW Iowa in Feb, stay tuned for next enewsletter)
2015 Dairy Days
Raising Your Best Calf Ever
Join the I-29 Dairy Outreach Consortium for a one-day workshop for heifer
growers. The program is scheduled at 4 sites:
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January 5, Orange City, Iowa
January 6, Brookings, South Dakota
January 7, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
January 8, Mandan, North Dakota
Raising Your Best Calf Ever (Flyer)
Farm Bill Meetings to Occur Across the State
Farmers and landowners will learn about the new programs authorized by the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill) informational meetings conducted by ISU
Extension and Outreach and local USDA Farm Service Agency staff members.
Statewide meetings as well as 2014 Farm Bill information can be found on the
Ag Decision Maker Website.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the
basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion,
age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and
marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply
to all programs.) Many materials can be made available
in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a
complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil
Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 202509410 or call 202-720-5964.