Lancaster Farming: Dairy

Uterine Torsions

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

W ith our recent spike in temperature, I noticed our practice had an increase in emergency calls, particularly uterine torsions. A uterine torsion is a situation where the entire uterus rotates around effectively pinching off the exit (cervix) so the calf cannot be born on its own. The rotation can be to the left (counterclockwise) or to the right (clockwise), with the former being the more common. The typical call describes a cow that is due or overdue that is showing early signs of labor, such as holding the tail up, bagging up and being uncomfortable, yet does not really start full labor. If the client reaches into the uterus, they will typically say they cannot feel a calf, or they can only feel a hoof and the cow feels very tight or narrow. I am always asked why these torsions occur and there is no one reason that has been proven as a cause, but we do know some associated factors that contribute. Uterine torsions are more common in the Brown Swiss, which may be due to the large size and deep abdomen of this breed allowing for uterine motion. Torsions are more common with male calves most likely due to the fact that bull calves move more than heifer calves and are slightly larger. The extra movement and body weight may get the uterus moving and allow it to flip over. Stressors to the cow are associated with this problem as well. Stresses can include overcrowding, and as we saw recently, heat stress. The calf feels what mom feels, and when mom is stressed, the calf responds with increased motion, which can rotate the uterus.The next question is “When did the calf flip over?” There is no good answer for this question either. I have performed pregnancy exams on cows four months pregnant and found that the uterus was already flipped. I followed these cows and they proceeded to have a normal delivery. This may indicate that the calves may cause the uterus to rotate during pregnancy and then even flip back, but at some point, possibly when the calf is too big, the uterus cannot return to normal position.Once a uterine torsion is suspected in a cow or heifer, you should call your veterinarian right away. With long delays in identifying the problem, complications and difficulties in delivering increase while calf viability starts to decline. In the next article, I will discuss the complications and post calving risks of this condition, how to try and determine if you have a case, and how your veterinarian may try to correct this type of dystocia.Editor’s note: Stephen Foulke, DVM, DABVP (Dairy) is a board certified specialist in dairy practice with Agricultural Veterinary Associates in Lititz. He can be reached at 717-625-4212.

Changes in Forages, Locations and Cows

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

A pril was a very cool month and from the cow’s perspective, it was probably very refreshing. We finally transitioned from the bag corn silage to the bunk at the Penn State dairy farm. Both the bunk and total mixed ration were sent out for analyses. We had an in-service training scheduled for our Extension Dairy Team and Travis Edwards, assistant manager, and I were conducting a workshop on how to visually appraise forages and interpret analyses reports. So the timing was perfect to send samples out to check the corn silage and TMR, both for the herd and for the educational opportunity. For the first two weeks of April, the herd was getting 50/50 of the bag and bunk corn silage. Cows stayed at 82 pounds. The herd was switched to all bunk corn silage in the middle of the month. The analyses came back on a dry matter basis, 7 percent protein, 34 percent neutral detergent fiber, 57 percent NDF digestibility, 42.5 percent starch and 76.7 percent 7-hour starch digestibility. I have been including the 7-hour starch digestibility to monitor over time how this number is changing.Our components tend to slump in April and May. Now that I am monitoring the 7-hour starch digestibility, the goal is to evaluate which grain particle size best matches the corn silage as digestibility increases. This may change as the amount of corn silage fed is adjusted, especially after first cut haylage is harvested.I revised the herd ration to compensate for the lower protein in the silage as well as the higher starch digestibility. With the haylage inventory very limited, I don’t have many options to adjust forages if I am to keep the ration at 65 percent forage. I increased the canola and decreased the corn grain to 3 pounds. I kept the grain particle size very fine and monitored components for any changes. Milk production increased to 85 pounds and there was a slight boost in the milk protein. Milk urea nitrogen increased to 13 milligrams per deciliter for two pick-ups since the new ration was implemented. However, they have come back down to 10 milligrams per deciliter.When research studies are conducted that include a relatively large number of cows, I like to evaluate them before and after the study.At Penn State, this is a unique opportunity to see how cows adjust to a different environment and to different diets. Thirty cows were moved into the tie-stall barn from the free-stall the middle of January. They received the herd diet, which was the 65 percent forage ration, for two weeks. They averaged 99 pounds at 83 days in milk. In February and March, when they were on a 55 percent forage-based diet they averaged 98.7 and 91.0 pounds at 111 and 140 days in milk, respectively. At the end of April, when they went back on the 65 percent forage-based diet and moved to the free stall barn, they averaged 95.4 pounds at 170 days in milk. This illustrates that cows can positively respond in milk production going to higher forage based diets, even as their days in milk are increasing. The argument could be made that production increased because of moving back to the free stall barn, which is entirely possible. However, if true, it does not appear the high forage diet hindered them from responding positively.Another interesting dynamic is the variability of how cows adjust to a different environment. Out of the 30 cows on this research project, about a third were very consistent in production regardless of the ration fed and which environment they were in. Another third took a significant drop in production when they moved into the tie-stall barn and increased substantially when moved back to the free stall, and the other third increased in milk production in the tie-stall and have trailed off since moving back to the free-stall. It comes back to the point of dealing with individuals and as much as we examine groups and herds based on averages, there can be quite a range in the dynamics of individual cow performance. For the month of April the herd averaged 84 pounds with a 3.77 percent fat, 3.17 percent protein, 176,000 SCC and 10.8 milligrams per deciliter MUN.Editor’s Note: Virginia Ishler is the Penn State Extension nutrient management specialist.

Seven Honored as Holstein Association USA’s 2013 Herds of Excellence

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Holstein Association USA is pleased to honor seven U.S. registered Holstein breeders as 2013 Herd of Excellence award recipients. The Herd of Excellence designation was introduced six years ago to honor dairymen who have bred and raised Holstein cattle that are consistently performing at the highest levels for them.To be named a Herd of Excellence, herds must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent for milk, fat and protein; have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred and be enrolled in the Association’s TriStar production records program.This year’s honorees include: David Bachmann, Pinehurst Farms, Sheboygan, Wis.; Tim Baker, Star-Summit Farm, Byron Center, Mich.; Joseph A. Brantmeier, Hilrose Holsteins, Sherwood, Wis.; Janice Jurbala, Spotlite-J Holsteins, Orangeville, Pa.; Thomas J. Kestell, Ever-Green-View Farms, Waldo, Wis.; Randy W. Kortus, Mainstream Holsteins, Lynden, Wash.; and Benjamin F. and Carolyn A. Turner, Maplelane-Manor Farm, Apulia Station, N.Y.For more information, visit www.holsteinusa.com.

Farm Safety — Keeping Your Employees in Mind

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — All fa rms, regardless of size and location, should have a safety program. According to the national statistics for Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2011, the third highest fatality rate occurred in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sectors.Farm workers are exposed to hazards on a daily basis. Some high-risk factors include handling large machinery and equipment, exposure to extreme heat/cold and animal handling. To reduce the number of accidents, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has specific rules for farms.Some safety tips outlined in the OSHA fact sheet include: Increase awareness of the various farming hazards that you and your employees are exposed to. Have an emergency action plan for situations such as vehicle accidents. Always use seat belts when operating tractors, and establish and maintain good housekeeping practices. It is important to read and follow instructions in equipment operator’s manuals and on product labels. Equipment should be inspected routinely. Discuss safety and emergency procedures and ensure they are being followed.There are severe ramifications for not implementing and following safety programs. Depending on the severity of a violation, fines can range from several hundred to thousands of dollars.It’s important to know what you need to do to ensure your facility is in compliance. If you do not have a safety program, consider implementing one. Providing better safety and health practices can help you prevent fatalities, injuries, illnesses and costs associated with worker’s compensation.Your employees are one of your biggest assets, and a safer and more healthful workplace not only saves lives, but improves morale and productivity.For additional information, refer to www.osha.gov.

National Dairy Shrine Announces 2013 Award Winners

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

DENMARK, Wis. — National Dairy Shrine is pleased to announce the winners of the Guest of Honor, Pioneer, Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder, Graduate Dairy Production and Progressive Dairy Producer awards for this year. These awards were designed to honor past, present and future dairy industry leaders that have contributed to strengthening and energizing the dairy industry.Dr. Robert Cropp is the Guest of Honor, the highest award from the National Dairy Shrine. This award goes to an individual that has had a dramatic impact on the dairy industry and its future. Cropp, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has had a preeminent role in creating industry knowledge on the economic impact of various changes in milk pricing and how the marketing and storage of dairy products has on those pricing mechanisms. His tireless monitoring of dairy supplies and reporting dairy marketing facts to the industry is exemplary. He was one of the true pioneers in the area of milk marketing and dairy economic analysis. Cropp has been a featured speaker and contributor to numerous dairy organizations. He has served as a vital resource to numerous state and federal agencies focused on dairy policy.The NDS Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder is Berneta Gable from New Enterprise, Pa. Gable’s Guernsey herd carries the Snider Homestead prefix and is known worldwide for producing quality and sought-after cattle. Gable has served on several national and regional Guernsey boards and committees. She has served on the American Guernsey Association board of directors and was president of Purebred Publishing. Her ability to breed top show animals as well as breed leading sires is legendary. Gable has also been active in her local church.Through an anonymous selection committee, William Bickert, Clarence Olson, Maurice Keene, Robert Heilman and R. Peter Heffering were selected as National Dairy Shrine Pioneers. This year’s honorees are an exemplary display of what this award is about. Bickert, Dewitt, Mich., a well-respected industry educator at Michigan State University, help develop many of the innovative dairy housing, stalling and ventilation practices that are now common on every dairy operation in the U.S. Olson, Madison, Wis., served as an extension educator and was very instrumental in developing the DHIA program in Wisconsin and making numerous improvements in DHIA technology and policy. His schools for farm women started an industry trend to include women as working decision makers on every dairy farm. Keene, Auburn, Maine, is a well-respected Holstein breeder that developed the Raymau herd to national recognition. Auburn served as president of the Holstein Association USA when it developed many new genetic and classification programs in the early 1980s. His leadership is exemplary and he has passed that on to his children. Two of his daughters have been National Dairy Shrine presidents and his son was named a National Distinguished Holstein Young Breeder in 1997. Heilman, Richmond, Va., was one of the true pioneers in the genetic and embryo export business. The formation of American Marketing Services led to a nearly 40-year career in the exporting of U.S. genetics internationally. He opened many doors for U.S. genetics all over Europe. Heilman has most recently been involved in raising funds for several dairy industry foundations. Heffering, Port Perry, Ontario, Canada, is one of the giants of the Holstein industry. His Hanover Hill program has international recognition and the genetics he developed have influenced every major dairy country in the world. Peter was also well known for his accomplishments in the show ring and was honored as a Klussendorf award winner in 1985.The NDS Progressive Dairy Producers selected for this year are Bill and Kelle Calvert in the small herd division and Dana Metzger in the large herd division. This award is a $2,000 travel stipend to attend an out-of-state conference or seminar to learn new techniques to improve their dairy business. Bill and Kelle Calvert have an excellent herd of Holsteins in Cuba City, Wis. This young couple is very involved in the dairy community. Both have had leadership positions in state and county breed associations. In addition, they have been very active in dairy youth activities receiving the Wisconsin Holstein Friend of Youth Honor in 2004. Metzger operates Multi-Rose Jerseys in Rock Rapids, Iowa. With his wife, Kary, and family they manage a dairy that milk 1,500 cows. Metzger has been very active in the Northwest Iowa DHIA, the Farm Bureau, Western Iowa Dairy Alliance and the American Jersey Cattle Association. The Metzger family takes great pride in their family dairy operation.Ryan Clark, Tyrone, Pa., has been selected as the Graduate Dairy Production award winner. This award goes to an active dairyman who has graduated from college in the last nine years and has already demonstrated excellent dairy management ability and financial stability. Ryan began his dairy operation with a few cows and a dream. While balancing a full-time job with Cargill, Ryan built his herd utilizing rented facilities and various loans. In 2009, he resigned his job to become a full-time dairyman. He operates a 160 Jersey cow operation with plans to move to 240 cows at the current rented facilities. Clark will receive a $2,500 award sponsored by Elanco to be used toward the purchase of cattle to improve his herd.The annual National Dairy Shrine awards banquet will be held on September 11 during the 50th anniversary All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pa.For more information about the banquet or about students, producers and industry representatives being recognized by National Dairy Shrine, contact Dr. David Selner, executive director, at infodairyshrine.org. Information on the National Dairy Shrine mission or membership is also available online at www.dairyshrine.org. Dairy enthusiasts are encouraged to become a part of the organization honoring our dairy heritage, inspiring future leaders and promoting the dairy industry.

10th Annual Premier National Junior Events to Spotlight Dairy Youth

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

HARRISBURG — Nearly 1,000 young dairy enthusiasts will take center stage in the 10th annual Premier National Junior Events, the four-day youth event held Sept. 7-10 during the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg.“For the past decade, this elite event has provided an opportunity for our youth to hone their dairy skills and knowledge,” said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. “Thanks to the support of volunteers and sponsors, the Premier National Junior Events continues to grow and help develop our future industry leaders.”Exhibitors can compete in seven national breed shows, a national showmanship contest, judging and junior management contests. Youth can also participate in a networking and career education event.Junior exhibitors who attend the events’ opening ceremony on September 8 at 4:30 p.m. are eligible for more than $35,000 in prizes, including seven show-aged calves donated by All-American breeders.Other giveaways are Bonnie Mohr posters and anniversary glass ornaments to all participants; hand-painted ceramic pitchers; embroidered jackets and garment bags; boots; free set-up for professional photography; show and fitting supplies; free full-page advertisements from breed publications; dairy semen and gift certificates, among many other items.Class winners and champions will receive special 10th anniversary gifts; best bred and owned receive decorative stars; grand and junior champions earn hand-painted showboxes; and reserve champions take home pewter star lamps.Exhibitors get complimentary lunch on show day and a free pizza party on Sept. 7.Youth can also enjoy a free concert Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., featuring country music artist Greg Bates.The All-American Dairy Show features 22 shows in six days in addition to the nation’s only all-dairy antiques show. Last year’s show featured nearly 2,500 animals and more than 900 exhibitors from across the nation.For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.allamerican.state.pa.us.Editor’s Note: The tentative Premier National Junior Events schedule is:Friday, Sept. 610 a.m.-6 p.m. — White Show Pants Exchanges, Barn B7 p.m. — Pennsylvania Junior Jersey meeting, Philadelphia Room7 p.m. — Pennsylvania Junior Brown Swiss meeting, VIP LoungeSaturday, Sept. 79 a.m.-3 p.m. — Premier National Junior Event Check-in, Cameron Street Lobby9 a.m. — Pennsylvania Junior Dairy Show, Equine ArenaNoon — Cattle arrival deadline for Premier National Junior Events5-6 p.m. — Youth Showmanship Contest registration, Large Arena6 p.m. — Spotlight on Youth social event, Small Arena7 p.m. — Country music concert, Small ArenaSunday, Sept. 87:30-8:30 a.m. — Youth Showmanship Contest registration, Large Arena9:30 a.m. — Youth Showmanship Contest, Large Arena2:30 p.m. — Senior Division fitting competition, Large Arena3:30 p.m. — Ice Cream Social and Junior Show shirt check-in, Main Hall 4:30 p.m. — Premier National Junior Events Opening Ceremony, Small Arena7 p.m. — Premier National Junior Events Benefit Auction, Small Arena7:30 p.m. — Mid-Atlantic Milking Shorthorn Juniors meeting, Philadelphia RoomMonday, September 97:50 a.m. — Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, Small Arena8 a.m. - Premier National Junior Shows, Large and Equine Arenas2:30 p.m. — Premier National Junior Show Supreme Champion Pageant, EquineArena7 p.m. — Judging Contest Awards Banquet, Keystone Conference CenterTuesday, September 109 a.m. — 4-H and FFA Dairy Judging Forum/Junior Dairy Management Contest, Equine Arena11 a.m. — Celebrity Milkshake Madness contest, Dairy Activity Center

SpringHouse Supports a Family Farming Tradition

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Laura Zoeller Southwestern Pa. Correspondent EIGHTY FOUR, Pa. — When Sam and Bev Minor, owners of the SpringHouse, decided to buy a farm, they did so with unconventional goals in mind. But through their faith in God, hard work, and perseverance the Minors have turned their dreams into reality and become a well-recognized and beloved part of the local landscape. They have also helped to educate thousands of children and adults about what it means to be in the farming industry.“We never planned to farm in the same manner that many people plan to farm,” Bev Minor said. “Our plans always surrounded a shop where we would sell milk and cheese to the public. When we went farm shopping, we never looked at how the fields laid; we counted cars to see how much traffic a storefront would have.”“At the time that we were looking to buy, I was working away from home a lot,” Sam Minor said. “We didn’t want that for our family, so we looked into other options. A farm and small cheese shop seemed like a viable way to earn a living and keep our family together.“We started by buying 81 acres and renting another 323 from a neighbor,” he continued. “In 1974, we really tested the road traffic when we put up a little shanty to sell corn from. Our five kids, who were between six and twelve at the time, manned the shanty. It went pretty well, so we started building in the summer of 1975. We opened the store and the cheese processing room in December of 1975, selling 17 gallons of milk on the first day.”Around 1978, a friend suggested that they host a chicken barbeque on the farm.“He gave us his recipe, and we tried it,” Sam Minor said. “It was quite a success. In fact, we still do barbeques here about five times a year from the same recipe.”With the thought planted that food service might be an area of growth worth tending, the Minors added on to the store in 1986.“We love our cows, and we love our farm,” Sam Minor added, “but we had debt that we had to pay. We wanted a business that our kids could have a future in, and we believed that the kids all needed the opportunity to go to college. So we watched the numbers, and saw that while milk sales had grown, the real future seemed to be with the food. So we started smoking meats, we added a bakery and started making lunches available. Until we added the restaurant seating, people would hold their food and stand at the freezers, or if the weather was nice, they would go out to the picnic tables. Expansion became necessary.”The farm has a milking herd of around 125 cows. Milk is processed on site and they make chocolate, whole, 2 percent, and skim milk. They also make heavy cream.Farm tours and educational experiences for the public were also implemented very early.“I grew up knowing the importance of educating others about farming,” Bev Minor said. She served one year as the Pennsylvania Milk Maid in the late 1950s, a precursor to the Pennsylvania State Dairy Princess Program. “My dad did farm tours at his farm before Sam and I ever married. There are so many kids who don’t have the experience of being on a farm or understanding how they work or how they benefit everyone. We did tours for free here until we started doing so many that we had to employ others to lead them.”More than 5,000 youth come to the Springhouse each year to learn about farming. “We talk about the weather, pricing and all of the other things farmers deal with,” she said.At the plant, people can watch milk being processed through a large window at the store.Family values and faith are at the heart of everything that happens at the SpringHouse.“We are committed to our faith, our customers, and our employees,” Sam Minor said. “We have 70 full and part-time employees from high school kids to people who have been with us for between 20 and 30 years. We take great satisfaction in watching employees grow, achieve and succeed, and we believe that God has called us to help people wherever we can.”“We are fortunate to have three of our five children living on the farm,” Bev Minor added. “Our son, Sam, takes care of the farming portion of the business, while two of our daughters, Marcia and Jill, head up the restaurant and the catering elements. We are also blessed that 11 of our 20 grandchildren live on the farm. They are involved in the farm to varying degrees as well. “When we discuss adding any new element to our business plan, we ask ourselves a question,” she said. “We ask whether the new plan keeps us true to ourselves and focused on the farm. We have kept our dairy cows all of these years because it is who we are. We are farmers, and we are not just here to entertain.”

Gas Money What to Do With It?

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Few would argue that it is much more fun to have excess cash than not enough. But a sudden influx of cash from the lottery, inheritance or gas royalties creates its own kind of anxiety. What is the right thing to do with the money? How do I make sure that I keep as much as possible for the future? What will I owe in taxes? And how will it affect my family? These are all valid concerns currently being faced by many Pennsylvania farm families in the Marcellus Shale Gas belt. In a recent conversation with a client, the farm owner voiced these very concerns. What follows is a summary of our discussion. Taxes I will begin with taxes, as they are the easiest to understand. Upon receipt of the initial check and before anything else is done, the farm owner needs to sit down with their accountant and determine the amount of money that must be set aside for taxes. In most cases, this will involve federal income taxes and Pennsylvania income taxes. Given that everyone is different, this could be a very short meeting or a complex series of meetings.I am not going to get involved here with all of the fancy entities like partnerships, family limited partnerships, limited liability companies and the like that are being used to meet family goals and limit some of the tax burden. My point is simply that the first adviser to call is the accountant, so the tax man is satisfied. Financial Situation Review Next, a review of the current financial situation of the farm owner needs to be undertaken. What is the current debt load? What is the level of financial sophistication of the farm owner in the area of investments? This review must be done by someone the farm owner trusts, as the results will guide most of the remaining decisions. Investing One thing is true about newfound wealth, and that is that the farm owner will quickly discover “friends and advisers” that they never knew they had who are all too willing to help. Individuals that a month earlier would not give them the time of day will suddenly be ready to help them any time of the day or night. Money has a way of doing that, so great care is needed.There are honest good advisers and those who are not, and no obvious way to distinguish between the two. When choosing an adviser ask, “How is this advisor compensated?” If the answer is results, great. If the answer is transactions, not so good.To help with what is a very important and difficult decision process, and as an accountant that has witnessed success and failure in this area, I offer the following tips that should help: If the farm has debt, pay it off (after holding back enough for taxes). This will result in a guaranteed return to the owner of whatever interest rate they were paying (net of the owner’s taxes that would have been saved). Paying 6 percent on a mortgage should yield at least a 4 percent return, and free up the mortgage payment amounts each month from then on. Paying off a feed bill will yield a much greater return in most cases. Most farm owners are very good at putting off personal luxury purchases. This is the time to treat yourself to some of those items that you never seemed to have the cash for. Just try to hold these purchases, which can get out of control very quickly, to 10-20 percent of any one check. Never spend the next check before it arrives. Leave all excess funds in the bank, while you educate yourself. Read, go to seminars, and take a class at a local college. Investing has its own vocabulary of terms, mindboggling expenses and agreements written by big-city attorneys. The recently wealthy are at a distinct disadvantage, a disadvantage used against them by advisers and brokers all the time. Once investing begins, never, never, never give more than 25 percent of your wealth to one adviser, or place it in one category of investment. And if investing in individual stocks or bonds, stay below 5 percent. The best advice in this area I have ever heard was a person should invest only in what they know. For the farm owner this would include land, cattle and perhaps other farm enterprises. Now that investing is under way, never chase yields. The newly wealthy should have as their number one concern: wealth preservation. Yield (rate of return) is directly inverse to risk. Are these funds the farm owner should risk? Only they know their risk tolerance level. But remember that royalties are generated by the sale of an asset, the gas. Once the gas is gone, it is gone. This makes the only logical course of action the careful preservation of the cash generated.The Marcellus Shale is a great blessing entrusted to Pennsylvania, and if the resulting wealth is properly handled, it will be a blessing for generations to come.Editor’s Note: Michael Evanish is the manager of MSC Business Services, a member service of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.For more information call 717-731- 3517.

National Dairy Event Has Local Flavor

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Md. Couple Chairs Dairy Shrine Banquet Laurie Savage Maryland Correspondent FULTON, Md. — The National Dairy Shrine will host a national event in Harrisburg, Pa., this fall, and organizers hope area dairy farmers and industry people turn out to support the organization’s efforts.“Come support the anniversary of your neighbors and also see Maryland friends,” said Judy Iager of Maple Lawn Farm, who is chairing the National Dairy Shrine Banquet with her husband, Charles.Dairy Shrine activities are set for Wednesday, Sept. 11, in conjunction with the 50th All-American Dairy Show, Sept. 7-12, in Harrisburg, Pa.The National Dairy Shrine Annual Meeting kicks off at 4 p.m. in the Farm Show Complex’s Commonwealth Room, followed by the National Dairy Shrine Reception at 5:30 p.m. and the National Dairy Shrine Banquet at 6:30 p.m., both in the PA Preferred Banquet Hall.Executive Director David Selner asked for assistance with the event. The banquet, typically held during World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., was moved a distance away from the NDS office this year, Iager said.“Many years ago, I was on the banquet committee,” Iager said. She is working to keep in touch with Selner through the process. Other Marylanders involved in the dairy industry are assisting with the effort.The local volunteers are also involved with the Maryland Dairy Shrine, an active state organization that gathers for a banquet once a year to honor local Pioneer and Contemporary inductees and present scholarships.The national event was held locally in Harrisburg for the 25th anniversary of the AADS and was also held once in Florida, Iager said.The dairywoman is hoping to attract 400 to 500 people to this year’s event held in a large space at the Farm Show Complex.“We have plenty of room,” she said.To make the evening more special, the Iagers are donating a favor for each banquet attendee, an engraved LED keychain, as a memento of the evening.They are building on mirrored candle centerpieces by adding dairy-related touches, including Pennsylvania milk bottles and various bottle caps.The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of awards honoring dairy producers and supporters and tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships.The Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder is Berneta Gable of New Enterprise, Pa. Dr. Robert Cropp, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will be the Guest of Honor. Cropp had a preeminent role in creating industry knowledge on the economic impact of various changes in milk pricing and how the marketing and storage of dairy products affects those pricing mechanisms.Pioneer award winners this year are William Bickert of Dewitt, Mich.; Clarence Olson of Madison, Wis.; Maurice Keene of Auburn, Maine; Robert Heilman of Richmond, Va.; and R. Peter Heffering of Port Perry, Ontario, Canada.Progressive Dairy Producers are Bill and Kelle Calvert of Cuba City, Wis., in the small herd division and Dana Metzger of Rock Rapids, Iowa, in the large herd division. Ryan Clark, Tyrone, Pa., was selected as the Graduate Dairy Production Award winner.Registration can be done early, or tickets can be purchased at the door, Iager said. Registration details will be available in the Chronicle newsletter and the NDS website at www.dairyshrine.org. Tickets can also be purchased at www.allamerican.state.pa.us. For more information, call Charles or Judy Iager at 301-725-6751.

EDR 0615 CDE revised

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

In 1945, 80 percent of U.S. jobs were in businesses that made things — machinery, wood products, food and fiber products and much more. The remaining 20 percent of U.S. jobs were in service-related business, such as mechanics and electricians. We were a manufacturing-based economy and agriculture was central to the workforce. By 2010, these numbers were reversed with only 20 percent of U.S. workers making products and the vast majority providing services. Automation and mechanization have each played significant roles in this reversal. While we remain a global leader in manufactured output, the production of food, fiber and other goods are in fewer hands in fewer businesses. One only need look to the dairy industry as an example of automation’s impact on how we do what we do. For example, we no longer milk cows by hand nor do we harvest with a scythe. We milk 50 percent fewer cows on 90 percent fewer farm businesses in the U.S. today and achieve 100 percent more output than only a few decades ago.Historically, businesses dissolved and new businesses emerged. In 1982, 50 percent of all U.S. companies in all industries were five years old or younger; by 2010, only 35 percent met this criterion. There have been fewer start-ups in the past 30 years, both in dairy and in all industries. And yet, the foundation of our industry has been in manufacturing, making milk and feeding people around the world; and demand is growing. How should we evaluate current and future opportunities for our dairy farms in Pennsylvania? Is this an industry worth consideration of new investment and subsequent risk; and is it a business the next generation can purchase, grow and succeed with?Looking back over the past 65 years, eight recessions occurred in the U.S. between 1945 and 1989. The average economic recovery to “pre-recession peak” was 20 months. Today, nearly 48 months since the most recent recession, pre-recession peak remains elusive. The consuming public remains, and perhaps appropriately so, more discreet in how money is spent; even for food purchases.Competing in this environment, for any manufacturing business in any industry requires stronger business acumen, savvier financial management and a stronger business support team (including your veterinarians, nutritionist, ag lender, etc.) than ever before.Entrepreneurship is said to be a numbers game that draws a handful of winners from a crowd of participants. Other industries face challenges we’ve not dealt with. Demand for our products remains robust because we make an extraordinary product increasing in demand around the world. For Pennsylvania dairy farmers, being in business near the consumer and having access to feed, water, transportation, labor and infrastructure provide a competitive advantage. The risk remains, the pressure on business management skills continues and yet the opportunity for entrepreneurship in dairy is present and real. Tomorrow’s dairy farmer will not resemble yesterdays. He or she will be the entrepreneur who manufacture and produce a product the market is telling us it wants.As we look towards our future work at the Center for Dairy Excellence, we’ll intensify our focus on providing those resources tomorrow’s dairy business owner will need to capitalize on the opportunities which are very real here in our region. During the past year, we’ve worked to analyze these opportunities, associated challenges and the impact on our region. We plan to share our findings in detail, in a series of webinars beginning Friday June 14. Webinars will begin at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Friday of every month from June through October, with each one reviewing a different portion of the final Pennsylvania Dairy Futures Analysis report. Participation in the webinars can be through the web or on a conference call. All webinars will be recorded for later viewing. Lastly, on June 28 and July 16, we’re hosting open houses on two dairy farms on opposite ends of the commonwealth. Both farms have sought to bring in the next generation, remain entrepreneurial and position their business for the future. Please join us and hear what they are doing to make it a rewarding journey.Editor’s Note: John Frey is the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence executive director.

U.S. Dairy Sustainability Winners Announced

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy has announced the winners of the second annual U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards on April 23 at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C.The program recognizes dairy farms and businesses of all sizes for practices that advance the industry’s commitment to healthy products, healthy communities and a healthy planet.The winners were selected based on results that delivered triple-bottom-line results to advance economic, environmental and social sustainability.An independent panel of judges also assessed the potential for adoption by others, as well as demonstrated learning, innovation and improvement.“This year’s winners include dairy farms and businesses from across the country who took steps to reduce their environmental impact, improve their profitability and increase their contribution to a sustainable 21st century food system,” said Molly Jahn, professor of genetics and agronomy at University of Wisconsin-Madison and a member of the judges panel.The 2013 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards Winners include: Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability Petersen Dairy Farm, Appleton, Wis.: Compost is sold at the dairy by the 5-gallon pail or truckload, primarily to home gardeners. Visitors witness firsthand how their old newspapers are recycled as bedding for the cows, or mixed with manure, composted and ultimately returned to their gardens for use as mulch and to their yards for plant food. Prairieland Dairy, Firth, Neb.: Sustainable design is reflected in every aspect of the facilities, which were built to be efficient and low-impact while maximizing cow comfort — automatic cooling, waste management and pest control systems. Prairieland Dairy also taps into the natural power of wind, gravity and the geothermal properties of well water to reduce the use of energy, water and equipment, for savings estimated at more than $200,000. Skyridge Farms, Sunnyside, Wash.: Since 2003, they have improved lighting, added occupancy sensors and installed a programmable logic control system. The management team can automatically control lighting, fans, and soaker and flush systems. By doing so, they maintain optimum performance, reduce costs and keep the herd comfortable. This upgrade alone yields a 20 percent energy savings annually across the five freestall barns. With composting, Skyridge Farms harvests manure nutrients, provides quality bedding for the herd and eliminates 600 truckloads annually previously used to transport manure. Honorable mention: McCarty Family Farms, Rexford, Kan.: The McCarty Family, owners of McCarty Family Farms, have revitalized their rural northwestern Kansas community by providing more than 100 direct jobs, creating a need for additional housing and in turn increasing school enrollment. McCarty Family Farms’ unique “cow to cup” partnership with Dannon and the addition of an on-site processing plant has improved economic stability while aggressively reducing their environmental impact. Approximately 59,400 gallons of raw milk from the three dairies is processed through an evaporator every day to remove excess water before being separated into cream and skim milk. Outstanding Dairy Processing and Manufacturing Sustainability Unilever, Henderson, Nev., plant: Since 2010, Unilever plants worldwide have been implementing the company’s Sustainable Living Plan — an initiative that is working to improve consumer health and well-being, to reduce environmental impact and to enhance livelihoods. The team identified an opportunity to reconfigure, automate and optimize systems to reduce electricity use by 13 percent, natural gas use by 16 percent and water consumption by more than 1.1 million gallons per year. Outstanding Achievement in Energy Efficiency Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese, Gooding, Idaho: An energy audit and a team of energy management experts helped identify four primary areas of savings, which included using solar thermal power for the hot water system, installing LED lighting, replacing vacuum pumps and adjusting the milk cooling process. The Ballards achieved their goals, saving $23,000 annually and reducing the dairy’s carbon footprint by 121,500 pounds per year, while decreasing its water footprint by 365,000 gallons annually. Outstanding Achievement in Renewable Energy Green Valley Dairy, Krakow, Wis.: The management team determined that anaerobic digesters would help manage manure nutrients and reduce odors while decreasing the dairy’s carbon footprint. Today, three anaerobic digesters have the capacity to produce 1,200 kWh of “green” electricity. Honorable mention: Fulper Family Farmstead, Lambertville, N.J.: Fulper Family Farmstead in Lambertville, N.J., has focused on environmentally friendly activities, including soil conservation, crop rotation and farmland preservation, since the dairy’s origin in 1909.To learn more about the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards, the winners and the best practices in place at their operations, visit USDairy.com/Sustainability/Awards.Source: Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Supplied photo Pictured, from left, are this year’s honorees: Dan Rice, Prairieland Dairy; Steve Ballard, Ballard Family Dairy and Cheese; Renee Jacobs, Green Valley Dairy; Kam Fierstine, Unilever; Mark Petersen, Petersen Dairy Farm; and Dan DeGroot, Skyridge Farms.

Cost of Nutrients and Relative Value of Feedstuffs for Pennsylvania Dairy Farms

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Dr. Ken Griswold Technical Service ManagerKemin Animal Nutrition & Health Dr. Joanne Knapp Fox Hollow Consulting, LLCColumbus, OH Dr. Normand St-Pierre Dairy Management SpecialistThe Ohio State University Drought continues in the Southwest, especially western Texas, while the rains in the upper Midwest have slowed corn planting and caused replanting. These weather-related issues will continue to drive volatility in the corn market, which will erode long term margins for dairy producers. The milk price futures are looking favorable through the summer, which may help income over feed cost (IOFC) in most dairy operations.The challenge still remains to find cost-effective feedstuffs in the ever-changing market. To assist dairy producers, we have, in collaboration with The Ohio State University, utilized the SESAME program to analyze current market conditions and determine potential cost-effective ingredient options within the market. The SESAME software evaluates commonly used feedstuffs based on their content of five basic nutrients: net energy for lactation (NEL), rumen degradable protein (RDP), digestible rumen undegradable protein (d-RUP), non-effective neutral detergent fiber (ne-NDF), and effective neutral detergent fiber (e-NDF). These individual nutrients are valued on a Mcal basis for NEL and a per lb basis for RDP, d-RUP, ne-NDF, and e-NDF. If you are evaluating your ration ingredients based on other nutrients, please be aware of the differences and consult with your nutritionist on any potential ration changes.The SESAME analysis of the Pennsylvania feed market uses 29 commonly fed commodities to determine the intrinsic value for each of the five basic nutrients in a feeding program. The intrinsic value is the price that the market is willing to pay for that particular nutrient. As an example, a megacalorie, or Mcal, of energy is currently worth approximately $0.138 (or 13.8 cents per Mcal) in the market, regardless of whether that energy comes from corn, cottonseed, bakery meal, fat, etc. So, if a high-producing Holstein cow needs roughly 42 Mcal to produce 100 pounds of milk, then the value of the energy in her daily diet would be approximately $5.78 based on the current market value for NEL. This value is $0.31 per cow per day less than last month, and shows how quickly diet costs can change given the influence of corn on the energy value in the diet. Given the intrinsic value for each of the five nutrients within a specific feedstuff, we can determine the potential break-even price based on the book values for each nutrient in that feedstuff. For the current SESAME analysis representing market prices from the end of May 2013, we excluded three commodities, blood meal, fish Menhaden meal and tallow (fat), because their current market prices are so high that they were considered outliers that would skew any results from the program. Based on the historic data within the SESAME analysis, fishmeal is running at 165 percent of its predicted value and bloodmeal is 51 percent over its predicted value. The values of energy and digestible RUP declined slightly from their April levels, and RDP increased in value within the market. However, the value of effective fiber (e-NDF) remained close to zero. The calculated costs for the five basic nutrients are shown in Table 1.Table 2 provides the actual prices for the feedstuffs that were evaluated in the current SESAME analysis along with their predicted prices based on nutrient content. In addition, the table includes the 75 percent confidence limits of prices for each commodity. A 75 percent confidence limit indicates that we are about 75 percent sure that the true cost of the feedstuff based on nutrient content is between the lower and upper limit prices. In reading the table, one should consider feedstuffs with an actual price below the lower limit as bargains in the present market. The feedstuffs with an actual price above the upper limit would be considered overpriced, and feedstuffs with actual prices falling between the limits would be priced at their approximate nutrient value.Due to the volatility in the markets, the number of bargain feedstuffs to be had in Table 2 has been jumping up and down from month to month. Only five feedstuffs, bakery by-product meal, cottonseed meal 41 percent, distillers dried grains with soluble, gluten feed, and wheat midds are at or below the lower limit on expected price. With the price spread between canola meal and soybean meal 48 percent well below $100 per ton, soybean meal 48 percent remains the main choice for RDP in formulated diets. Avoid citrus pulp, tallow, blood meal, and fishmeal as they continue to be overpriced in the market. Given the extremely high price of animal-based RUP sources such as bloodmeal and fishmeal, rumen-protected amino acid supplements may be more cost effective for balancing for amino acids within a lactating cow diet. However, because the prices used in the SESAME analysis are aggregated, approximate feed prices, the local prices for all feeds maybe different than those listed in Table 2. There are several warnings about the information presented in Table 2.Warnings:1. Actual Prices listed in Table 2 are approximate and represent aggregated prices for the State of Pennsylvania. Check with your local suppliers for actual delivered prices.2. Prices are on a commodity basis, and represent farm-delivered, full tractor-trailer loads (TTL) prices. No services are included; commodity feeds have little or no nutritional guarantees.3. Results do not imply that a balanced ration can be made solely with bargain feeds, or that over-priced feeds should be eliminated from the ration. Certainly, there is an economic incentive to maximize the use of bargain feeds and minimize the use of over-priced feeds.4. The analysis is based on the five most economically important nutrients in dairy rations. For very high production herds, other nutrients such as amino acid content of the undegradable protein should also be considered. This would change the predicted price of some commodities such as blood meal.

Achieving Success

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Widerman Carves <\n>Out Farming Niche Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade Special Sections Editor GETTYSBURG, Pa. — “I was always into the farm, especially the cows, even when I was little,” said Joy Widerman. She has worked on her family’s dairy farm, JoBo Holsteins since she was a young girl, minus the one year she served as a Pennsylvania State FFA officer, but it took a crisis to solidify her career. A teat dip purchased had too much acid and it burned the cows’ teats. “It was at that point that the whole farm flashed in front of my eyes.” Her fear was the farm was not going to make it over this hurdle. The family was forced to cull a high number of cows as a result. “That is when it hit me, I don’t want to lose this place. It’s where I want to be,” she said. “This is where I want to raise my family, this is my home. This is my true passion.” JoBo Holsteins, located just outside of Gettysburg, Pa., is a 950 -cow dairy. Several members of the family, including her parents are in a limited liability partnership. They farm about 1,000 acres. A registered Holstein and Brown Swiss herd, the herd average more than 29,000 pounds of milk annually. Widerman joined the partnership in 2002, as the herdswoman making the farm breeding and marketing decisions, plus working with the nutritionists and veterinarian. This past fall, she was selected as the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award winner. Widerman and her husband both work on the farm. Family members John, Josie, and Dale became partners with her parents John and Bonnie Hess in 2000, and she joined later. Joy said her father wanted to give her time to decide if returning to the farm was the right career choice for her. As she has gotten older, she has appreciated her fa ther’s foresight, “I can’t say enough about our parents for what they did for us here,” she said, regarding their willingness to work to grow the farm so she and her siblings could return to the farm. Her parents moved to the farm from Lancaster County in the 1970s. They led the first farm expansion in 1997 growing the herd from 200 to about 500 cows, and a second expansion in 2007 grew the herd to its current size. “For us all to be here and to raise our families, there are advantages to being a farm this size, I can go on vacation with my kids or watch my kids games,” she said. Her kids are 10, 8 and 7. Because the farm is a larger farm, incorporating her kids in the operation is different than when the farm was smaller. First, her kids have their 4-H projects at Joy’s home and the animals are their responsibility. Also, as her kids, as well as the other Hess grandchildren, have gotten old enough, they have been assigned duties around the farm. For example, several of the kids are assigned a day to help feed calves at the dairy. “I do think they have to learn the responsibilities of a farm,” she said and she wants them to appreciate the hands-on side of the farm. The farm has a workflow diagram posted outside of the farm’s milking parlor, along with reports about milk quality. She smiled when she realized her one son added his name to the listing of who was responsible for the calves. Also, when a farm employee needs to take a day off, some of the grandchildren are asked to cover for that person. She said because the family works so closely together, her kids have close relationships with their cousins as well as their aunts and uncles. Joy’s husband, Brock’s main duties are with the crops side of the farm and during growing season, things can get busy. Joy and her family also open up their farm to school tours every year. More than 1,000 kids visited the farm last year. In addition, after attending the national Achievement Award Contest as part of the American Farm Bureau Federation meeting in January, she started a Facebook page for the farm to engage the public and to talk about farming. It’s important because she realizes there is a disconnect between the farm and the dinner table. A couple of weeks ago, when rain was predicted, Brock missed one of her kid’s baseball games because of chopping forages to beat the weather. She had a parent who could not understand why it was so important. The mother said “it’s just grass,” not understanding the nutritional value of harvesting forages at the right time. With 16 grandkids in the Hess family, and several nearing high school graduation, the family has also began the discussion on how the next generation can come into the farm, if it is their wish to return to the farm. The family decided to start discussing and planning now, so that everyone understands expectations and what a path to farm partnership will look like. Some of the choices include grandchildren having to work off the farm for two years before returning to the farm full time and then they would have to work several years before they could be considered for the partnership. Time will tell which of the grandkids will want to join the partnership, but for now, Joy enjoys watching her kids discover what parts of the farm that fit their personalities best. Each has very different likes, from one trying to figure out how to make a piece of equipment work better, to another who has a liking for the farm tractors and the final who has an affinity for cows. During a school tour, her one son provided extra tour add-ons talking to his classmates about the different pieces of equipment and how they worked.

Passing on the Dairy Tradition: Two Generations of Women Share Dairy Passion

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade Special Sections Editor NEW TRIPOLI, Pa. — For Robin Rassler and her daughter Jenny Gehringer, a common love of dairy cows goes beyond a passion, it’s their career. The pair are members of the Dietrich family who manage Lynn Acres Farm in New Tripoli, Pa.Rassler and her brothers Bill and Brian Dietrich farm in partnership. Bill manages the crops and Brian splits his time between helping with the dairy operation and cropping operation. Her husband, Bryan Rassler, owns a body shop and works off farm.“I think people are beginning to recognize women have as much to say about what is happening on the farm as men, compared to when I started,” Robin said. She attended a calf-raising conference sponsored by her feed company recently, and many of the men in the conference stressed it was their wives that managed the calves, not them.Robin said it was her dad that inspired her choice in farming. In the 1980s when she became a principal part of the operation, it was more unique than it is today. “This was my dad’s passion and I loved working with my dad,” she said, explaining the seed that attracted her to dairying.Today, the farm includes about 200 cows and a total of about 1,500 acres, mostly rented acres. The home farm has about 129 acres.Jenny graduated from Penn State in 2009, and started a career in dairy nutrition, but like her mother, she soon realized she wanted to be at home with the cows. The farm made adjustments and she is employed on the farm.“I am pretty much following in her footsteps,” she said. “A year and a half ago, I came home full time.” She and her husband Cyrus hope to establish their own dairy farm in the future.When Jenny graduated from college, most of her classmates were female and most of them were interested in a farming career or a related industry. According to her, she has not found the acceptance challenges that earlier generations might have had, because of those who had gone ahead of her.“The generation before me, the ones that went out there with more female vets and representatives getting out to farms, paved the way for people my age that they don’t look as your gender as much, that’s what I noticed in the field,” Jenny said. Robin’s second daughter Jordan is enrolled at Kutztown, studying education. Jordan’s career goals will take her away from the farm, but she does own cattle with her sister. “I’m not leaving, it just does not work with my dreams,” Jordan said, but she does see keeping a tie to farming, it just might be in a classroom.Looking back at raising her girls, Robin admitted at times it was overwhelming, but “you just did it,” she said of balancing her responsibilities on the farm with raising her girls. “Having them around me and watching them grow up. It’s the best thing that ever happened in my life,” Robin said.It was hair-raising at times. The three shared stories about the fun times they have shared as the girls grew up. Jordan said as they have grown up, the three are more like sisters because of that closeness.Jenny said she recognized that her life was different, not because of being in a farm family, but because of how much time her family spent together because of the farm.Robin said she worried about keeping the kids safe, when they were on farm, saying that her own father died from a farm accident. She said at times she believes there were angels watching over her girls keeping them safe, recognizing that there are plenty of potential dangers around a farm for young children.Family time is important to all of them. With the three Dietrich siblings in partnership, it allows each family to get a vacation. Robin said it’s good to get a week away from the farm. Also, because of milking at 3:30 in the morning and afternoon, Robin and her husband have time together in the evenings. Jenny said it takes more work because her husband has a crop farm and helps on his family’s beef farm. So, they try to work out time, whether it’s helping out at the other’s farm operation or catching a lunch together to find time for each other.Robin said the next generation needs to have support because starting up a dairy operation on your own is not an easy feat. And with Jenny’s future plans of dairying on her own, Robin said she will support her goals as best I can.“What is the future of this country if we can’t transition the younger children into it?” she said.

Dairy Mom Performs Daily Juggling Act

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Chris Torres Staff Writer LOYSVILLE, Pa. — Travel down the Tuscarora Path in this picturesque corner of Perry County and you might see Vance Kretzing hard at work, traveling between the buildings of his 290-cow dairy farm, Kretz H Farms.A little further down the road, in the farmhouse, Vance’s wife, Amy, is busy washing the dishes after breakfast.It’s like she has eyes in the back of her head, keeping track of the four kids in the house; Luke and Lila, 5, Vanessa, 3 and Jonathan, 16 months.“Put everything back,” she tells Jonathan, who has managed to wiggle his tiny frame between his mom’s legs to get after the Tupperware in the bottom cupboard.“My wind down time is when they go to bed. They usually go to bed at the same time. I don’t have much wind down time,” she said.Sounds like she has a lot on her plate, but it’s actually an easy day. Three days a week, Amy is busy feeding calves, with her kids right alongside her. Although most of the time they play on the hay bales and try to lose themselves in the barns.Many farm women can relate. A stay-at-home mom who also happens to play a crucial role in the farm operation.But it’s been a tough road for Amy Kretzing and her family over the years, having to deal with the pain of infertility issues, a tough farm transition from the older generation to the next, and of course, the ups and downs of the dairy business.Amy grew up just up the street from the current farmhouse, located just outside of Loysville.Her family milked dairy cows and later had a beef herd, but they abandoned the business, she said, after a barn collapse in the mid 1970s.After graduating from West Perry High School, she attended college and earned a teaching degree. She got a job at the nearby Loysville Youth Development Center, a detention center.“My plan was to have kids and keep working away,” she said.Amy married Vance Kretzing on Sept. 21, 1996.Vance Kretzing actually grew up down the street from Amy, but the two never hit it off until they started seeing each other in church.Vance Kretzing, along with his brother, Allen, have been involved in the family dairy business their whole life.Several years after they married, Amy and Vance Kretzing decided they wanted to have kids. They soon found out they were dealing with infertility issues.The couple decided to see a specialist at the Hershey Medical Center. At the same time, they also had to juggle their responsibilities on the farm, getting up extra early in the morning to get half of the milking done and then going to the hospital afterward.“When we started to do all of this, we didn’t tell anybody,” Amy Kretzing said. “That put a lot of stress between his mom and brother and us. But it was just one of those things we didn’t feel comfortable talking to them about.”After three years of trying to have kids via artificial insemination, the couple seemingly gave up.“The hospital just told us to give up, you’re not going to have kids,” she said.But they didn’t give up quite yet. In 2000, the couple started seeing doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. They decided to try in-vitro fertilization.She miscarried the first two times.“I learned you don’t tell people you’re pregnant until later. Because we found out we were pregnant, we told everybody. It went out in the Christmas cards,” she said. “Good news travels fast. The bad news, by Christmastime, I had miscarried. That was really hard.”With no hope in sight, in 2003 the couple traveled to California to adopt a daughter, whom they named Sarah.But something happened soon after they adopted Sarah. Amy’s third attempt at having a baby in-vitro ended up working. She ended up calling her Hannah.They ended up having three more kids via in-vitro; Ben, who is now 8, and Luke and Lila, twins, who are now 5. Amy and Vance Kretzing had a full fledged family.She gave up teaching and decided to stay on the farm full time.“I chose to stay home because I knew there was work to do here,” she said.Three days a week, Amy Kretzing feeds the calves and occasionally helps out with the milkings.All told, the farm has 290 cows and about the same number of replacement heifers, The farm’s rolling herd average is 21,000 and the milk is marketed to Land O’ Lakes.Vance Kretzing and his brother, Allen Kretzing, farm 600 acres. But the calves stay at the 200-acre home farm.“Newborns are started in a feed room for a couple of days and then they are loose,” Amy Kretzing said.The calves are fed pasteurized waste milk.Vance Kretzing appreciates his wife’s work. He said it’s enabled him and his brother to not have to buy replacement heifers and keep a closed herd on the farm. “It’s crucial what she does,” he said. “She does a good job keeping paperwork together. It’s important what she does.”Mornings are hectic those three times a week, especially during school, when Amy Kretzing has to get four kids on the bus for school. She then goes out to the calf barn to start work.In the evenings, she starts feeding between 6 and 6:30 p.m. “So the timing isn’t the greatest because until I get done, the kids should be in bed and that doesn’t always work out,” she said.The calves are moved between a series of calf condos, which have a total of 30 stalls between them.The family also uses an older chicken house that’s been converted into a larger calf condo, with a several small pens for a couple of calves and a larger pen with room for seven calves.The idea behind it, she said, is to make transitioning between housing less stressful on the animals.Of course she can’t forget about tending to the house.“I pretty much do everything pertaining to the house,” she said.Vance Kretzing’s mother, Adelaide, handles the farm finances while his father, Perry, is also involved in the business, occasionally planting crops.The farm was incorporated in 1998. It was a rocky transition between Vance and Allen Kretzing and their parents.“It was ugly there for quite a while,” Amy Kretzing said, adding that it took several years for Perry Kretzing to be convinced transitioning the farm was in the family’s best interest.Vance and Allen Kretzing split the duties on the farm, with Allen Kretzing in charge of feeding and Vance Kretzing helping out with tending to the cows and also field work.The brothers have three employees, two of them Hispanics, that do the daily milkings.Like most dairy farmers, the family has had to deal with the constant roller coaster of milk prices.On top of that, they’ve also had to deal with several personal tragedies.Allen Kretzing’s only son, Dylan, who was autistic, passed away in a tragic accident several years ago.And Amy and Vance Kretzing are still dealing with fertility issues, even though they ended up having two more children, Vanessa, 3 and Jonathan, 16 months, naturally.In February, the couple experienced yet another miscarriage.The pain of having even one miscarriage never leaves Amy Kretzing, even though she’s beaten the odds and has been able to carry six kids.“For me, I would say every single time I heard someone was pregnant, I cried. And I still do sometimes. Because the pain never goes away,” she said.The stress may be too much for some to handle, but Amy Kretzing said the fact they have had good role models in their parents — Vance Kretzing’s parents have been together for 54 years and Amy Kretzing’s parents, 46 years — helps them put things in perspective.“So we’ve had good role models. We’ve grown up with two sets of parents that stayed together and persevered through everything,” she said. “So that’s been something that keeps us going.” LF20130518_kreitzing-01-05 1. Lila Kretzing, 5, teases a calf during a recent morning on the farm.2. 3. Amy Kretzing and her husband, Vance, have had to deal with infertility issues over the years. One of her daughters, Vanessa, 3, was born naturally.4. Amy is in charge of tending to the calves on the family farm.5. The calves rotate between a series of calf condos.

Bright Future For Senior Who Made Unexpected Discoveries

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Perhaps it is because she is often wearing a laboratory coat, but when you talk to 22-year-old Rebeca Salmeron of Silver Spring, Md., a graduating senior double majoring in animal and poultry sciences and dairy science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, she makes you feel like you are sitting across from a doctor.Sure she is friendly, but she also exudes the quiet confidence you feel when entrusting your life to a medical professional.“She can smile, yet be serious,” said Paul Siegel, university distinguished professor emeritus of animal and poultry sciences, and one of Salmeron’s advisors. “She’s the type of student that makes being a professor fun.”That cool-and-in-control bedside manner could have translated well to veterinary work with cats and dogs.Indeed, Salmeron came to Virginia Tech intending to go into veterinary medicine to work with companion animals. But the beakers and test tubes of the lab beckoned.This month, Salmeron finishes up an undergraduate experience that was filled with unexpected and welcome discoveries.Two years into her major — even though she had never even been exposed to dairy science or a large-scale dairy operation — she embarked on dairy research that has turned out to be one of the capstones of her undergraduate career: analyzing antibiotic resistance in cows.“I always had a curiosity about the dairy industry, how it works, and what it actually takes to put the milk on the shelves of grocery store,” said Salmeron. “Once I was given the opportunity to do undergraduate research this past summer, I was able to answer some of my own questions about the industry.”As part of her experiment design, Salmeron measured the amount of antibiotics in bovine milk and fecal samples. She collected samples from the Virginia Tech dairy farm and then measured the amount of remnant antibiotics present in them.“The lab work was time-consuming but it all balanced out. I enjoyed learning new lab procedures and techniques firsthand with my graduate student as a mentor,” she said.While the lab work was a beneficial exercise in learning the ins and outs of designing an experiment and conducting research, her advisor, Katharine Knowlton, says the work has wider implications for Salmeron’s future as a scientist.“The experiences in the lab taught her to look for a globally important problem and carve out her research niche to help solve the question, What’s the big problem that I can help address?,’” said Knowlton, a professor of dairy science.Salmeron was surprised at how much she learned from her foray into dairy science and animal and poultry sciences — and how that knowledge can be applied elsewhere.“In my very short three years I learned that the dairy industry is one of the more efficient industries that most Americans rely on,” she said. “The hard work of dairy farming has improved immensely over the years, minimizing the time and labor to raise the ideal dairy cow and collect the most milk in the least time.”Because Salmeron had such success working in a field that she previously had little or no exposure to, she says she doesn’t want to limit her career options and is waiting to see where animal science will take her.“Getting my degrees is just one accomplishment in a three-to-four step process,” she said. “I intend to go to graduate school after some time off, where I will be gaining experience at different work sites, finalizing my career path, and determining my graduate school emphasis.”Because of her education, Salmeron has the option of choosing myriad professional routes.“I’ve been able to work with dairy cows, poultry, and livestock. There are a lot of job opportunities in the dairy industry, be they on-farm, in labs, or even in the field as an Extension agent. I’ve come across numerous internships, jobs, and research possibilities through my advisor and other dairy professors,” said Salmeron.This summer Salmeron will be casting her net even further afield, and working as an intern at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo with their lions, tigers, and other big cats.

Kids, Cows and Communication

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Semmel-Lazarus Balances Farm, Kids for Career Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade Special Sections Editor SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. —Andrea Semmel-Lazarus’s journey back to her family’s dairy farm was an unexpected one, but she said it’s an example of how life can take turns and lead you down a path different from the one planned.Semmel-Lazarus works for her parents, Paul and Nancy Semmel, on the family dairy farm, Excelsior Dairy, Schnecksville. The farm is home to 225 Holsteins, Red and White and Brown Swiss, 100 cows are on DHIA test.“We are different,” she said. “I work for my parents, and that is okay.” She recognizes others would want to work into ownership of the farm, but for her, she’s happy to be an employee. Semmel-Lazarus does own animals individually as well as in partnership with other family members, but as for the farm business, it’s still her parents.“I never had a oh, I am going to be a dairy farmer, so I am going to do dairy science.’ I thought I was going to be an ag teacher,” she said of her early career thoughts.Semmel-Lazarus was in college pursuing an education degree at the same time her father was serving as a state representative. Her mother, along with their herdsman, managed the day-to-day operation of the dairy. During that time, her mother had a health issue, and Semmel-Lazarus decided to return home to the farm. She’s never left.“At that time, it was time for me to be there,” she said, “It worked out, everything works out in the long run. I am where I am supposed to be.”Semmel-Lazarus and her husband, Calvin, have two twin boys, Samuel and Levi, who are five. Calvin has an off farm job and a landscaping business part time, as well as helps out at the dairy. Calvin milks two nights a week so Semmel-Lazarus can get some things done around the house. “Now that doesn’t always happen,” because of unexpected events, she said.Semmel-Lazarus has two other sisters, and she said growing up, her father always taught them they could do anything they wanted to. “I was fortunate that my dad always viewed me as an equal, it’s why I believed I could do it,” she said.Raising her twin boys, there are days that are more challenging than others, but she takes a can-do attitude. She will start her day, heading out the door before the kids are up to start morning milking. Calvin gets the boys ready for preschool. Her father will leave the farm to take the boys off to preschool, leaving Semmel-Lazarus to wrap up the morning work. She then picks them up at the end of the program.“There are days that I am constantly looking at the clock,” she said as she jockeys the work needed to be completed in a day.In addition to milking cows, helping with the calves, and other barn activities, Semmel-Lazarus also assists with the field work. She admits when people see her driving a tractor, they often will do a double take as if surprised to see her doing fieldwork.If there is one challenge, she said it’s keeping a focus on family time. “There are days that our house feels like it’s a revolving door,” she said. When she feels the family is being pulled, they take a break either by going out to dinner as a family or taking an afternoon trip, to find a time. “That has been a challenge, we need to work on that more.”She admits that sometimes, Calvin and her milking cows together allows “quality time.”Safety is a big concern she said when she has the boys on the farm.Next to the milking parlor they have a play area for the boys. And Semmel-Lazarus’s rule is the boys have to stay in her line of sight at all times. “I am forever where are the boys,’” she said. The employees are told if they see the boys and she’s not near, to ask questions.Raising kids on the farm she believes will benefit her boys as they grow. “Unlike many of their classmates, they are going to see a lot of joys, as well as heartache. They are going to succeed, no matter how hard things get,” she believes, by watching how the family has to cope with the ups and downs of farming. “They will have the tools because of agriculture.”As her kids enter kindergarten this fall, Semmel-Lazarus sees an opportunity to advocate for agriculture. “I want people to see me as having a regular life,” in addition to her farming responsibilities. “When people find out I am a dairy farmer they are always surprised,” she said because she does not look like their perceived notion of what a farmer looks like.She has taken a calf and a pig to her sons’ preschool during “ag week.” She also donates the American Farm Bureau Foundation’s Book o f the Year, a children’s book that accurately depicts today’s farming practices, to the preschool and libraries.“I feel I am advocate for agriculture, because I need to set the record straight,” she said. Semmel-Lazarus said she has connected with parents because she can answer their farming questions.And as her kids head off to school she would like to see the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Mobile Ag Lab, the county dairy princess and other programs that continue to share the story of agriculture.Semmel-Lazarus also had the opportunity to travel across the country as part of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 20/20 committee, which attempted to project what American Agriculture would look like in the year 2020.“That was fabulous, I was fortunate to be on that committee,” she said. For two years, every other month, she was traveling to different parts of the country for intense meetings and tours, tackling the question “where’s agriculture going.”It opened her eyes to how diverse agriculture was, “but at the end of the day we want the same thing. We all want make a living, be profitable and how you get there is such a challenge.”

Penn Cheese Medals at U.S. Cheese Championship

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Penn Cheese entered the 2013 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. The judging took place March 12-13 in Madison, Wis.The competition is broken into different categories for the different types of cheese and butter. The two categories Penn Cheese entered were Rindless Swiss Cheese and Baby Swiss Style.In the Rindless Swiss Cheese class, Penn Cheese scored of 99.05 out of 100. The first place entry scored 99.50.In the Baby Swiss Style category, Penn Cheese earned third with a score of 98.95 out of 100. The second place cheese scored 99.10, and first place received a score of 99.20.As evidenced by the close scores, the competition is very tough and the quality is very high among the top ranks of United States cheese makers. The entire competition had 82 different categories with more than 1,800 entries total.The two categories that Penn Cheese entered had competitors from Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, California and Pennsylvania.A full list of results can be found atwww.uschampioncheese.org/contest results?event=56&eventClass=340Most of the cheese sold is under private label, but Penn Cheese also markets under their own “Pennsylvania People” and “Winfield Valley” brands as well. They are located in Winfield, Union County, Pa.Source: Penn Cheese.

Heat Stress During the Dry Period Affects Calves Too

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Coleen Jones Research Associate Penn State Extension Dairy Team Cows that experience heat stress during their dry period produce less milk, are more prone to disease, and are more difficult to breed back than cows that do not suffer from heat stress just prior to calving.These negative impacts of heat stress on cows are well known. But what about calves these cows are carrying?Previous research has determined that calves born to cows that experience heat stress have lower birth weights, and colostrum IgG content has been shown to be reduced as well.A recent study conducted at the University of Florida offers some new insight into calves born to cows that experienced heat stress during the dry period. This study was published in the December 2012 issue of the Journal of Dairy Science.For this experiment, 34 dry cows were housed in a freestall barn for 45 days prior to calving and were exposed to ambient environmental conditions or provided with cooling from fans and sprinklers.Measurements of rectal temperatures and respiration rates, as well as reduced feed intake, during the dry period and lower milk production during the subsequent lactation confirmed that the cows that were not cooled did indeed experience heat stress.All calves were weighed at birth, and subsequent measurements were evaluated on heifer calves only.Calves born to heat-stressed dams weighed 13 pounds less at birth and 28 pounds less at weaning than calves born to dams with access to cooling. Average daily gain from birth to weaning was not different for the two groups of calves. Body weight and withers height from weaning through 7 months of age were not impacted by heat stress.In this study, colostrum IgG content was not affected by heat stress. However, calves born to heat-stressed dams were less efficient in absorbing IgG from colostrum and had lower serum IgG concentrations for the first 28 days of life than calves born to cooled cows, indicating reduced passive transfer of immunity.Calves exposed to heat stress before birth also had a compromised T-cell response, as measured by the number of monocytes in circulation at 7, 28, 42, and 56 days of age.The response of B-cells was evaluated at 4 weeks of age by an ovalbumin challenge and did not differ between calves in the two groups. Effects of heat stress on B-cell function before this time cannot be determined from this study.These results confirm that calf body weight can be significantly impacted by heat stress during the final weeks of gestation. In addition, both passive transfer and cell-mediated immunity were compromised in calves exposed to heat stress.With summer just around the corner, now is the time to evaluate cooling strategies for all the animals in your herd. Don’t forget about those dry cows.

Cost of Nutrients, Relative Value of Feedstuffs Pa. Dairy Farms

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

2 tables saved a jpegs in FotoStation (word doc also emailed to AprilLS20130518_EDR-FeedCentsColumn-Table1LS20130518_EDR-FeedCentsColumn-Table2 Dr. Ken Griswold Technical Service Manager Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health Dr. Joanne Knapp Fox Hollow Consulting, LLCColumbus, OH Dr. Normand St-Pierre Dairy Management SpecialistThe Ohio State University T he cold and precipitation, whether snow or rain, in the Midwest has delayed corn planting considerably and made the corn market ever more volatile. The soybean market, however, is still holding firm as ending stock levels continue to dwindle.The milk price futures are looking favorable through the summer, which may help income over feed cost (IOFC) in most dairy operations.The challenge still remains to find cost-effective feedstuffs in the ever-changing market. To help in finding those opportunities, we have, in collaboration with The Ohio State University, utilized the SESAME program to analyze current market conditions and determine potential cost-effective ingredient options within the market.The SESAME software evaluates commonly used feedstuffs based on their content of five basic nutrients: net energy for lactation (NEL), rumen degradable protein (RDP), digestible rumen undegradable protein (d-RUP), non-effective neutral detergent fiber (ne-NDF), and effective neutral detergent fiber (e-NDF).These individual nutrients are valued on a Mcal basis for NEL and a per pound basis for RDP, d-RUP, ne-NDF, and e-NDF.If you are evaluating your ration ingredients based on other nutrients, please be aware of the differences and consult with your nutritionist on any potential ration changes.The SESAME analysis of the Pennsylvania feed market uses 29 commonly fed commodities to determine the intrinsic value for each of the five basic nutrients in a feeding program. The intrinsic value is the price that the market is willing to pay for that particular nutrient.As an example, a Mcal (megacalorie) of energy is currently worth approximately $0.145 (or 14.5 cents per Mcal) in the market, regardless of whether that energy comes from corn, cottonseed, bakery meal, fat, etc.So, if a high-producing Holstein cow needs roughly 42 Mcal to produce 100 pounds of milk, then the value of the energy in her daily diet would be approximately $6.09 based on the current market value for NEL. This value is $0.21 per cow per day less than last month, and shows how quickly diet costs can change given the influence of corn on the energy value in the diet.Given the intrinsic value for each of the five nutrients within a specific feedstuff, we can determine the potential break-even price based on the book values for each nutrient in that feedstuff.For the current SESAME analysis representing market prices from the end of April 2013, we excluded four commodities — blood meal, feather meal, fish Menhaden meal and tallow (fat) — because their current market prices are so high that they were considered outliers that would skew any results from the program.This is the first time in this column’s history where the prices for these three major animal source protein feedstuffs have been outliers, and suggests that animal-based protein sources are beginning to price themselves out of the market.The values of energy and digestible RUP remained constant from February to March. However, the value of effective fiber (e-NDF) dropped to almost zero. The calculated costs for the five basic nutrients are shown in Table 1.Table 2 provides the actual prices for the feedstuffs that were evaluated in the current SESAME analysis along with their predicted prices based on nutrient content.In addition, the table includes the 75 percent confidence limits of prices for each commodity. A 75 percent confidence limit indicates that we are about 75 percent sure that the true cost of the feedstuff based on nutrient content is between the lower and upper limit prices.In reading the table, one should consider feedstuffs with an actual price below the lower limit as bargains in the present market. The feedstuffs with an actual price above the upper limit would be considered overpriced, and feedstuffs with actual prices falling between the limits would be priced at their approximate nutrient value.Due to the volatility in the markets, the number of bargain feedstuffs to be had in Table 2 has dwindled. Only four feedstuffs — bakery by-product meal, cottonseed meal 41 percent, distillers dried grains with soluble, and gluten feed — are at or below the lower limit on expected price.With the price spread between canola meal and soybean meal 48 percent well below $100 per ton, soybean meal 48 percent remains the main choice for RDP in formulated diets.Avoid citrus pulp, tallow, blood meal, feather meal and fishmeal as they continue to be overpriced in the market.Given the extremely high price of animal-based RUP sources such as bloodmeal, feather meal, and fishmeal, rumen-protected amino acid supplements may be more cost effective for balancing for amino acids within a lactating cow diet.However, because the prices used in the SESAME analysis are aggregated, approximate feed prices, the local prices for all feeds maybe different than those listed in Table 2. There are several warnings about the information presented in Table 2.Warnings:1. Actual Prices listed in Table 2 are approximate and represent aggregated prices for the State of Pennsylvania. Check with your local suppliers for actual delivered prices.2. Prices are on a commodity basis, and represent farm-delivered, full tractor-trailer loads (TTL) prices. No services are included; commodity feeds have little or no nutritional guarantees.3. Results do not imply that a balanced ration can be made solely with bargain feeds, or that over-priced feeds should be eliminated from the ration. Certainly, there is an economic incentive to maximize the use of bargain feeds and minimize the use of over-priced feeds.4. The analysis is based on the five most economically important nutrients in dairy rations. For very high production herds, other nutrients such as amino acid content of the undegradable protein should also be considered. This would change the predicted price of some commodities such as blood meal.

Taxes, Taxes and More Taxes

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

As a rule, farmers are much more interested in plowing, planting, spraying and harvesting than they are taxes.But given the combination of laws enacted over the past few years by Congress and signed by the President, this is changing and must change.It is irrational to be in business and not work to maximize profits. The Capitalist Economic System, upon which our Nation is founded, holds that everyone will work to maximize their profits — wealth — to the benefit of all.The issue lies in the fact that as profits increase, so do tax rates. So if the tax rate disincentive to profits gets too high, everyone loses.My issue is that the Affordable Care Act and the Taxpayer Relief Act ignore the benefits of hard work and profit to the economy and instead focus on maximizing “Governmental Revenue.”There is no way in the limited space I have today, that I can outline all of these laws, taxes, rates and computations.Therefore, I will be speaking in only the broadest of generalities. But make no mistake: the cost to the economy of these laws will be dramatic. Economic growth will suffer. Further as is always the case, they will not generate the dollars anticipated; tax increases never do.From the Affordable Care Act: New 0.9 percent Medicare Surtax; New 3.8 percent Investment Income Surtax; New $63 Annual Health Insurance Tax; New 40 percent tax on some health plans; Mandatory insurance coverage for employees of “large employers;” Mandatory insurance policy specifics; New 2.3 percent tax on all medical devices; and New tax (rate to be set) if you do not purchase health insurance.From the Taxpayer Relief Act: Two percent increase in FICA Taxes; Increase in maximum capital gains rate to 20 percent; New maximum income tax rate of 39.6 percent; Means Testing for personal tax deductions; and Increase in estate tax rate to 40 percent.While there are many more taxes and changes contained in each law, I believe everyone gets the idea.Taxes are going up for everyone, and I fear the increases will be dramatic for agriculture.Editor’s Note: Michael Evanish is the manager of MSC Business Services, a member service of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. MSC Business Services provides Business Analysis, Consulting, Income Tax and Tax Planning, and Payroll Services to businesses throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland. For more information call 717-731- 3517.

Making Toast and Milking Cows: Applying Lean Principles to Dairy

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Recently I was reminded of how much the U.S. dairy industry can learn from other industries, in particular, other manufacturing businesses within those industries. I participated in an eight-week class on “Operations Management,” described as the management of the systems and processes which create the stuff we make and sell.Participation in this class was prompted by two changes in my life. My children are getting older, which means the days of lending my time to sports teams, 4-H programs, and community and church youth programs are quickly evaporating.While this transition comes quicker than many of us would prefer, it does offer the opportunities for new ventures like this one. Taking this graduate level class allowed me to better understand the U.S. business industry and existing “best processes” that can be applied to dairy business and production.One of the most useful aspects of this experience was the opportunity to sit with 20 other adults each week from all walks of life and work. This provided a unique opportunity to talk about current business management topics and hear how they apply to the different businesses and industries represented in the room.On the first night of class, we reviewed a diagram that was said to represent an ideal example of a process illustrating what operations management is. It was the process of moving the milk from cows to milk on the store shelf. My attention was peaked since I was the lone person in the room from any agriculture-related business. This was something I was familiar with and understood.Some weeks later, our discussion focused on what is commonly referred to as the “lean manufacturing process.” The premise of “lean” is waste exists in every manufacturing business and it is the role of “operations management” to eliminate this waste. It is based on this premise: manufacturing needs to be able to use fewer resources to produce a higher quantity and quality of product.Eliminating waste is a process of continuous improvement and focuses on seven areas commonly found in manufacturing businesses: Motion: I had to think of why carousel and parallel milking parlors have replaced “herringbone parlors” commonly built in the 1980s. They simply wasted motion and walking of employees. Waiting: Companies need to evaluate where motion stops and unneeded waiting occurs, which could be replaced with a productive task. The application to dairy can be applied in the parlor or tie stall barn. Automatic take offs have replaced waiting with “more milking with more units”. Transportation: Dairy is unique in that we are limited by cost when considered how far to haul feed in and manure out — a basic principle of lean. Overproduction: A waste created when we mismanage forage and grain need estimates. Storage: Calf and heifer housing efficiencies would be an example of storage. Defects: High mortality rates or low conception rates would be examples of defect lean inefficiencies. Over-processing: Relates to the advantages of no-till versus conventional crop management. Calving heifers at a 26-month average age (versus 23 months) would be another example of a “processing evaluation” using the lean concept.This discussion concluded with a brief seven-minute video from the Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership. The video tells an impactful but elementary story of two very different ways to “make toast.”One way is to violate each of the seven principles of lean, while the other did not. The final four minutes demonstrates the “lean way.” To see an abbreviated excerpt from this video, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N89JJ991pE.If you are interested in using the video for training purposes, feel free to contact us at the center; we’ll be happy to loan it to you. You can call us at 717-346-0849 or email me directly at jfreycenterfordairyexcellence.org.The learning for me was, whether you are a dairy in Pennsylvania or a Toyota plant in Kentucky, the pressure to eliminate waste to enhance your operation’s competitiveness is real.Additionally, and arguably, our dairy business industry in Pennsylvania has contended that “additional efficiency is elusive.” Other organizations and industries are asking simple questions like “how can I make the toast making process more productive” to answer complex operations management questions. There are numerous applications from this lean manufacturing process that could help your dairy business find wastes you never thought before existed.Editor’s Note: John Frey is the executive director for the Center for Dairy Excellence.

Parasite Issues

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

N ow that spring is here and pastures are starting to grow, we get more questions about diarrhea, poor hair coats, and lower weight gains. Everyone wants to know: “What is the best dewormer ?”The appropriate answer is that first of all, one must verify parasites as the primary cause of the clinical signs.Next, determine which parasite is the problem. Then select a dewormer that should be effective, and more importantly, confirm that it still works on your farm.All of these steps are critical to ensure an effective treatment and management program for your herd.Verifying that the causative agent is parasites is very easy and inexpensive. With the cost of some of the dewormers on the market, you want to know what is best to utilize before you throw away money and treat with the wrong product.Running a simple Parasite Flotation Test, or Fecal Egg Count, is the quickest way to see if you have a parasite issue. All this test requires is the collection of some fresh fecal samples for your veterinarian to examine. You need multiple samples since different individuals will shed eggs at various rates over different times.The advantage of performing fecal tests is that it also will determine the type of parasite. This is an important step since I have seen many occasions where clients go to the farm store, buy a dewormer for one parasite such as stomach worm, but the problem is actually coccidian infection. These two parasites are treated with two completely different medications.By knowing that a parasite issue exists and identifying which parasite, your veterinarian can determine which product, or products, may be the right choice for your facility. Many products are made that have diverse coverage and various ways of administration, so you can study these options to determine the best approach to your farm’s program.Finally, a much overlooked part of parasite programs historically, is following up to make sure the parasite treatment and prevention program is working.The best way to check is to run a Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT). This involves performing a fecal egg count just prior to deworming, and then retesting around 10-14 days after deworming. If your dewormer is working, you should see a significant drop in egg counts. Once the egg counts fall, running a periodic random test to make sure you’re still on track is important.Every farm is different and may have other parasite management tools and options available, such as pasture rotation, to use in conjunction with dewormers. Your veterinarian will be able to work up a program catered to your farm and give you the best protocol to use.Editor’s note: Stephen Foulke, DVM, DABVP (Dairy) is a board certified specialist in dairy practice with Agricultural Veterinary Associates in Lititz. He can be reached at 717-625-4212.

Growing Pains Lead to Pennwood Farm Success

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Stoltzfus Family Moves Cows Across State for Farm Expansion Jessica Rose Spangler Reporter BERLIN, Pa. — Dairy farms are generally considered to be stationary, permanent operations. Once you own one, you’re probably going to live there the rest of your life. Pennwood Farms isn’t your typical “stationary” farm. In 1962, Mary Jane and the late Harvey Stoltzfus began their 18-cow operation on 50 rented acres in Morgantown, Pa. Fast forward 30 years. With four grown sons — Don, Glenn, Dwight and Duane — and a milking herd 11 times bigger than they started with, the Stoltzfus family needed a change, and the 1990s played host to that change. Milking 200 Holsteins in two separate barns on rented property wasn’t going to work forever. Plus, their farm location was in prime urban expansion territory near Lancaster, Reading and Philadelphia. “When we started looking, two of the wives didn’t want to leave the state,” said Duane Stoltzfus, adding that his father knew of a farmer in Somerset County that was ready to exit the business. In 1999, the Stoltzfus brothers and their parents purchased the Somerset property, plus 60 cows. At the same time, the family also purchased a second farm on the opposite side of their new hometown, Berlin, Pa. But the move wasn’t that easy. The new property needed new facilities — a 414-stall freestall barn with 28-cow rotary parlor. “It was a year-long process,” Glenn Stoltzfus said. “Duane and Andrea moved out first to take over the other herd. We built the barns in the summer and moved in August” of 1999. The “dumbest thing we ever did that first year,” was planting crops in Morgantown and Berlin, Duane Stoltzfus said. Financing such a large undertaking came with its struggles too. “The rumor was that we had mason jars filled with millions,” Dwight Stoltzfus said. “Our debt per cow was around $5,500. We moved in 99, but by the end of 01 and 02, milk prices were real bad. That was the real test if we were going to make it,” said Glenn Stoltzfus. “But we got our herd numbers up, sold 60 to 80 cows for dairy purposes, and made our cash flow better.” At that point, their culling rate was 30-32 percent, added Dwight Stoltzfus. With the new rotary parlor, the family soon learned that the length of their cows played a crucial role in how well an animal took to the rotary. “Crampy cows have to go,” Dwight Stoltzfus said, noting that longer cows have an increased risk of pushing their back legs off the rotary floor and fatally injuring themselves. Initially, to help fill their new facilities, the Stoltzfus’s purchased additional heifers that calved in the fall of 1999. Dwight and his wife, Melanie, brought their small herd of Jerseys on the move to Berlin, plus the later addition of a group of Jerseys they purchased. “By the end of November, we were milking around 300 cows,” Dwight Stoltzfus said. But bringing all of these animals together caused its own headaches. “I can’t over-stress that no matter how good your vaccination records are, when pulling from a herd, you’ll always have problems,” he continued. “It took us three years to get it sorted out. We had every disease. Everything’s tested for Johne’s Disease and BVD. We started ear notching about six years ago.” Adding to their growing pains, they overlooked the importance of proper pre- and post-calving facilities. All of the calvings were initially done in an old bank barn. During the first fall in Berlin, fresh animals were having a 15-16 percent displaced abomasum rate, Dwight Stoltzfus said. It didn’t take the family long to determine they needed a better freshening area. They built a bedded pack area behind the parlor, resulting in a lower DA rate, and healthier cows and calves. Recently, Pennwood has obtained the use of a neighboring 70-cow tie-stall barn. This barn, what the Stoltzfus’ call their “brat barn,” is used to house their show herd of Holsteins and Jerseys, plus some longer animals that don’t easily fit in the rotary parlor. Some of the animals housed in that barn have helped Pennwood Farms achieve national recognition thanks to their show ring success — Holsteins like Pennwood Leader Rocklyn, Pennwood Troy Kalahari, Pennwood Dundee Turnip; and a Jersey, Pennwood Governor Alayna. There are more than 120 animals that have produced over 100,000 pounds of milk in their lifetime, over 200 animals have been classified as “very good,” and 30 animals have been scored as “excellent.” According to their March DHIA test as published on page E12 on 615 Holsteins, the herd averaged 23,707 pounds of milk, 819 pounds of fat and 720 pounds of protein. Like a lot of families, respecting each other’s space and boundaries is helpful. The Stoltzfus family is no different. When moving to their new farm, each of the four brothers adopted their own branch of the operation, but they are never totally out of touch with each other. Three of the four wives are also involved daily. Matriarch of the family Mary Jane doesn’t necessarily get out to the barn all day, every day, but she still does own animals and takes an interest in all the farm happenings. Don Stoltzfus manages the equipment. His wife, Joanne, handles the farm’s finances while still working for Somerset County Extension. Glenn Stoltzfus makes crop decisions and manages the farms’ employees. Dwight Stoltzfus manages the dairy heard. His wife, Melanie, assists in the parlor and with animal registrations, plus works off the farm as a hair stylist. Duane Stoltzfus handles herd nutrition and feeding, and oversees the methane digester that was built in 2011. His wife, Andrea, manages calves from birth till weaning, and works as a writer. Don and Joanne’s daughter, Ashley, is the first grandchild to return to the farm full-time. She helps where ever needed, especially in the “brat barn.” She also takes a large role in preparing animals for show. Almost 14 years after they moved the herd, the Stoltzfus brothers are happy with how things turned out. While many of their children are still very young, they’re sure Pennwood Farms will continue long into the future.

Sans Immigration Reform, Dairy Farmers Shoulder Big Burden

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Chris Torres Staff Writer For years, Hershey, Pa., dairy farmer Frank Graybill employed a local man to help with the three daily milkings on his 165-acre dairy farm. That was until late last year, when his trusted worker left to start his own dairy farm, leaving just his son and neighbor, who work part time on the farm. Knowing that other dairy farmers use Hispanic labor, he started asking around for help too. With the assistance of another farmer, he hired a Mexican man to work full time, doing two milkings per day. Even with all of the talk of undocumented immigrants and the fear of government inspections of farms, Graybill is confident he’s hired someone who is legally able to work in the country. “I talked to my accountant, he alerted me about papers, but he had no questions. So I take everything as legitimate, but I’ve done everything with good intentions,” Graybill said. And so far, he has no regrets about hiring the worker, even though communication can sometimes be a challenge. “People ask us if communication is a problem. Sometimes, but I have miscommunication with my wife, too. But we really do appreciate him,” he said. While farmers in general face issues securing a reliable workforce, claiming local people just don’t want the jobs, it’s especially tricky for dairy farmers since guestworker programs like H2A don’t cover year-round work and they have to rely on paperwork given to them by prospective employees. It’s a system of self auditing that’s burned some dairy farmers and causes many others to bristle at the idea of hiring foreign workers. “The biggest problem remains the same, having to track these things and having to be a migration agent at the same time,” said Ricky Palladino, a Philadelphia attorney who specializes in immigration issues. “The concerns that we’ve been hearing aren’t any different than what we’ve heard before. It’s always the same thing, how do I know whether someone is giving me a real document?’” Kreider Farms of Manheim, a 2,500-acre, 1,500-cow operation, knows full well the potential impacts of having people with questionable work papers. A late 2011 audit of the company’s I-9 worker verification forms by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security forced the company to let go of 109 employees who allegedly had questionable documentation. Even though the company wasn’t fined for the incident, Terri Turner, human resources manager, said it forced the company to re-evaluate the way it screened employees, including using the free, Internet-based E-Verify system. Since putting the system in place in April 2012, Turner said the company has used it to screen 320 new hires, 10 of whom eventually were fired because the system couldn’t verify their legal status. “I think it’s a good system and it is working for us,” Turner said. But it’s far from perfect. She said the system isn’t capable of screening people using false documents, such as a Social Security number belonging to someone else. So the company has instituted random background checks to help prevent this from happening. And even though E-Verify has worked to prevent ineligible employees from getting work with the company, it’s reduced the pool of workers Kreider’s can choose from. “Once word gets out that you are using E-Verify, then people without proper documentation aren’t going to apply,” she said. Many of the 109 workers let go after the 2011 audit, she said, had extensive work experience with the company. But only nine of them have been hired back thus far and many people hired since last April have ended up leaving after just a few hours on the job. “Getting good people is difficult. These are skilled positions. It is a skill set with these ag workers that is not prevalent in our community,” she said. “We do not have that many people with experience to work with the cows or the chickens.” Talk of comprehensive immigration reform has gained some momentum in the last few weeks. A comprehensive immigration bill was expected to be introduced in the U.S. Senate this week, according to news reports. In March the government released a new I-9 form, which Palladino said isn’t much different from the current form, except for larger boxes and a barcode for electronic filing, which he thinks is an indication that the government is moving toward some sort of universal E-Verify system. He said enforcement activity has varied on farms but that overall enforcement has actually increased. “The Obama Administration had made immigration less enforcement minded, putting more efforts and money into reform. Even in light of that, we’re seeing an increase in enforcement,” he said. Looking at statistics from Immmigation and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, the priority has shifted to focusing on deporting convicted criminals. In 2012, 55 percent of deportations were convicted criminals, while the remainder consisted of fugitives, repeat immigration violators, border removals and “other removable aliens.” One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is the burden on employers to reverify legal status of their employees. In many cases, Palladino said, migrant workers on dairy farms overstay temporary work visas and their employer is required to check their status, which can vary greatly depending on the type of permit the worker has. “The burden is on the employer to go forward and verify. In many ways, the I-9 is an active document. You want to be active and think about this document being audited,” he said. If anything, Turner said the experience of going through an I-9 audit reinforces the idea of keeping good, current records. “Do everything, do it right. Your I-9s, make sure you’re doing them correctly. Be diligent about that I-9 compliance and as long as you’re doing that, you should be fine,” she said. Ximena del Campo, dairy Extension educator in Lancaster County who is Hispanic herself, said dairy farmers she talks to just want a system that gives them confidence they’ll be able to secure a reliable workforce throughout the year. “Most of the farmers, the progressive ones, want some kind of immigration reform that would take care of the undocumented people that come to the U.S., some kind of immigration reform that allows them to have a stable workforce,” del Campo said. Frank Graybill said he’s encouraged the one Mexican worker he has to take off one day a week, but the worker refuses to do so, opting instead to work more hours milking twice a day and doing other work on the farm. “We asked if he was happy, but he wanted more work. They want to work seven days a week. If we do that to other help, they feel they are not being treated fairly,” Graybill said. It’s this kind of work ethic, he said, that would be hard to find locally. “I would say we would have had a little problem getting someone doing what this guy does,” he said.