DAIRY

Monarch's MK-V Dairy Tractor Rolls Out Autonomous Feed Pushing

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:28:36 GMT

Monarch Tractor announces its first-in-class, fully-autonomous Autodrive feature is now commercially available on its MK-V driver-optional dairy tractor (EV or diesel) , according to a press release from the startup.

“Autonomous feed pushing offers value to dairy farmers by improving efficiency and increasing milk production,” says Praveen Penmetsa, CEO and co-founder of Monarch Tractor. “It allows the dairy farmers to focus on what matters most – the health and well-being of their animals.”

Autonomous feed pushing helps dairy farmers manage through labor shortages, and the ability to monitor feed pushing remotely while tending to other critical tasks ensures cows can be consistently fed every hour.

Additionally, the “smart tractor” is armed with Monarch’s Wingspan Ag Intelligence and WingspanAI technology stack , which tracks performance data while 360-degree cameras record video footage for real-time and historical insights. The MK-V Dairy is also a mobile power bank with 12v, 110v, and 220v plugs.

Monarch is hosting an in-person Autodrive demonstration at a working dairy on February 12, at 3 p.m. in Tulare, California, during World Ag Expo. Monarch reps and engineers will be on hand to talk to attendees and give them the opportunity to engage with the tractor. Reservations for the demonstration can be made here.

If you can’t make it to California next week, Monarch says dairy farmers can reach out and set up a demonstration at their farm.

The Ultimate Gift: Dairy Farmer Becomes Lifesaving Hero by Donating Both His Liver and Kidney

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:58:22 GMT

When one thinks of a dairy farmer, the image often conjured is that of a hardworking individual, dedicated to the care of their cattle and land. Brian Forrest, who leads with a kind-hearted and giving spirit at his family farm, Maple Ridge Dairy near Stratford, Wisconsin, epitomizes this image and so much more.

Forrest works tirelessly alongside his wife, Elaine, and their five children, tending to roughly 2,000 cows and farming 4,000 acres. Although farming is undeniably a demanding job, Forrest thrives on the mixture of hard work and familial teamwork it entails.

Leadership Beyond Farming
Away from the hustle and bustle of farming, Forrest dedicates his time in boardrooms and volunteering on various committees and organizations. His contributions as a leader have not gone unnoticed as he was awarded the Dean Strauss Leadership Award at the Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) Annual Meeting earlier this year.

“Ask anyone who knows Brian and they’ll tell you he’d give you the shirt off his back without blinking, as his track record clearly shows,” Shelly Mayer, Executive Director of PDP, shares. “I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with Brian for several years and I can say firsthand that he is one of the most thoughtful, compassionate people one could ever hope to work with.”

Maple Ridge has earned recognition on state and national levels, including Focus on Energy’s 2022 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award and platinum-level recognition in 2020 from the National Mastitis Council for the dairy’s consistently low Somatic Cell Count. Forrest was also named a 2021 Wisconsin Agriculturist Master Agriculturist. Forrest serves as Board Chair of Dairy’s Foundation and also served on the PDP board of directors for six years, acting as treasurer for three years. He’s an FFA alumnus and regularly supports the FFA.

A Selfless Donor
Forrest’s generosity extends beyond his time and expertise. In July 2019, he served as a living liver donor for his cousin Richard Gillette, who was battling end-stage liver disease.

“Richard is one of five brothers who I had always looked up to when I was a kid,” Forrest fondly recalls. “When they were young, all five of them came up from Illinois during the summer to help out on my dad’s farm in Stratford.”

Two of the five brothers died in their 50s - and Forrest didn’t want to see a third Gillette brother die before his time. And, as sick as Richard was in the spring of 2019, he was unlikely to receive a new liver from a deceased donor in time to save his life. Too many patients were ahead of him on the transplant list - and most of them were even sicker. Forrest offered to see if he could be a match.

“I thought maybe I could be a donor. I’m older, but I have O-negative blood.” After discussing it with his wife and giving it careful thought, he decided to go through with the donation.

A football fan at heart, Forrest knows that when it’s game day, rivalries don’t matter. Or least this was the case for the fourth-generation dairy farmer.

“He’s a Bears fan. I’m a Packer fan. But we were united the morning that we both met with our incredible surgeons,” Forrest remembers back to the day of live transplant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical Hospital. We joked together right before the surgery that after he gets part of my liver, he very well may come out a Packers fan! He beamingly shares that his cousin recovered well. “It was a tough road for a while, but it was all worthwhile.”

Four years later, Forrest donated a kidney to an anonymous recipient, demonstrating his willingness to help those in need yet again.

The kidney he donated went to a person in Virginia. The surgeon showed Forrest a picture of his kidney functioning perfectly inside the recipient the evening after his surgery.

“It was pink inside the recipient and doing its job,” Forrest shared emotionally. “It is all so remarkable.”

Both surgeries required others to pick up the ‘slack’ from Forrest back at the dairy. He proudly shares that he is lucky to have such a great village that could help out while he took 6-8 weeks to fully recover from both surgeries.

“I would do this again in a heartbeat,” he shares. “There is no price tag for giving someone life and the whole experience brought my family closer together.”

A Farmer’s Faith
Forrest says the feeling of helping someone else is hard to describe but incredibly fulfilling.

“I know God is driving the way,” he says. “I’m not sure what direction we are heading, but I know he is in the driver’s seat and I’m in the backseat.”

When it comes to farming, Forrest—like most farmers—believes in a better tomorrow. Before his surgeries, Forrest had to undergo a mental health evaluation, ensuring he was prepared for all eventualities, even the possibility of the surgery not resulting in success.

“I go back to the highs and lows of farming. With milk prices and Mother Nature, you must be okay with not being in control,” he says.

Forrest’s mindset of focusing on what can go right instead of what could go wrong is just his natural way of thinking. This positive attitude has helped foster a healthy and positive culture at Maple Ridge Dairy, where 34 full-time employees work in harmony.

“Our mission and values are communicated, and we all work towards the same goal,” he shares.

In an industry full of challenges and unpredictability, this Wisconsin dairy farmer stands out not just for his farming practices but for his exemplary character and unwavering optimism. Whether on the farm, in the operating room, or during acts of heroism, Forrest truly embodies a spirit of selflessness and resilience.

“I try to make more deposits than withdrawals,” he says. “There are good days and bad days, but we really need to focus on the good. My hopes are that others who hear my story also consider organ donation. UW Madison is an incredible resource and I’d be happy to talk to anyone whose heart has tugged on them regarding organ donation. I have no regrets.”

Finding Peace: Managing Mental Health During the Holiday Season

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:20:08 GMT

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. For many, however, it is also a period marked by increased stress and mental health challenges. The reality is that the rites and rituals of the season sometimes come with pressures that can be difficult to manage.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults’ experiences mental health struggles. This statistic is a stark reminder that these challenges are pervasive, impacting individuals of all backgrounds and life circumstances. What’s more revealing is that three out of four people report a worsening of their mental health during the holiday season.

Common Stressors and Their Impact
There are several factors that contribute to this heightened stress. Financial pressures are a significant concern, as individuals grapple with the expectation of gift-giving, hosting, and traveling. Coupled with these financial worries is the potential conflict with family members, which can strain relationships rather than bring people closer.

The loss of loved ones also becomes more pronounced during the holidays, as memories of past celebrations may bring feelings of longing rather than comfort. Moreover, the busy schedules that come with holiday preparations can leave little room for self-care or relaxation, further exacerbating feelings of stress and anxiety.

Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers these options if you notice your mental health worsening during the holidays.

Practice self-care. What activities help you feel refreshed or relaxed? Taking a walk around your property, watching a favorite movie, or driving through a Christmas light display in your community are all simple activities that can bring happiness.

Avoid negative coping strategies. It is common for people to enjoy alcoholic beverages, but excessive drinking to change your mood can harm your physical and mental health.

Set healthy boundaries. It is okay to say “no” or “not right now.” If your schedule is too busy, consider limiting the number of invitations you accept. If family gatherings are a little contentious, plan to stay for only an hour or two.

Follow your routine. Enjoy holiday treats and remember your veggies and protein. Settle in for a fun movie night and aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Proper rest and nutrition help your mental health tremendously!

Acknowledge your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or family member and tell them how you feel. Sometimes, just saying words out loud can help remove a burden from our minds. Your loved ones may also be able to provide additional support.

Help is Available:

• 988 – call or text this number 24/7 to be connected to the Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline. A trained counselor will listen to you, support you, and share resources in your area.

• 741741 – text the Crisis Lifeline 24/7 to connect with a trained counselor.

• 911 – if you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a medical emergency, call emergency services immediately.

Understanding the factors that contribute to the decline in mental health during the holidays is the first step toward managing them effectively. By recognizing and addressing the triggers, you can regain a sense of peace and joy during what is meant to be a festive time. Remember, taking care of your mental health should always be a priority, holiday season or not.

Your Next Read:
Amazing Dairy Farmer Becomes Lifesaving Hero: Why He Chose to Donate Both His Liver and Kidney

This Thanksgiving Be Grateful for The Strength of Our Mothers

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:55:14 GMT

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the figures who have profoundly shaped our lives. This year, I find myself thinking about a striking statement from the legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski, former Duke University and USA Basketball coach. He once advised, “Be as tough as your mothers.” This powerful message resonates deeply, especially with those of us who grew up as farm kids, where our mothers proved to be the unsung heroes of our upbringing.

The Unwavering Spirit of Farm Mothers
Mothers, if they are anything like mine, have faced the demanding realities of farm life with unyielding strength. These are women who fed calves in the sweltering heat of summer, irrigated pastures with children on their hips, and resolved marital differences amidst sorting cows. They managed household finances creatively, making ends meet even when the milk check was sparse, and they ensured that a family of eight was nourished from garden and freezer bounty.

My mother, in particular, embodies this strength. The oldest daughter of a U.S. Admiral, she once lived a life of luxury, familiar with Italian leather gloves, silk blouses, and fur coats. Yet, she embraced a new calling when she married my father, a devoted Oregon dairy farmer, and exchanged her glamorous wardrobe for rubber boots and ragged jeans. Despite this dramatic transformation, she never complained.

My late mother, Michelle getting ready to attend a formal event.

(Karen Bohnert)

Homemaker and More
After coming home from school to head to the barn to do farm chores, my sisters and I would race inside to a home-cooked meal prepared from scratch. Growing up with servants in a high-class setting, my mother learned to cook only after marrying my father, who humorously recalled losing 30 pounds in their first year of marriage. Yet she would remind him that he was doing ‘just fine now.’

Even when burdened by physical exhaustion or illness, my mom remained unwavering. She still managed to assist us with homework, ensuring that we not only comprehended the assignment but excelled at it, even if it meant staying up past midnight to solve complex algebra problems. She did this while nursing a sick newborn calf in the mudroom and baking pies for a 4-H banquet, lending yet another testament to a mother’s multitasking ability. Her ingenuity was a product of from being self-taught, reading the Merck Manual, learning from our veterinarian and her years of working in a hospital. Mom seemed to be able to do anything and everything.

My late mother feeding a flock of sheep in her Italian leather gloves and fur coat.

(Karen Bohnert)

Resilience in Adversity
My mother’s resilience manifested most profoundly when our family faced life’s harshest trials. When a house fire rendered us homeless overnight, she chose gratitude for the neighbors who welcomed us in. When one of her daughters nearly lost her leg in a farming accident, mom didn’t let her praying legs grow lazy, as she was grateful for medical advancements and her daughter’s recovery.

Values of Perseverance and Positivity
Among her most enduring gifts were the values she imparted—values characterized by a strong work ethic, kindness, gratitude and perspective. My mom never permitted self-pity to take root, a trait she exemplified in her own life. She instilled in us a perspective that transformed adversity into opportunity.

My three kids.

(Bohnert Farms)

Reflecting on the qualities I hope to impart to my own children, I wholeheartedly echo Coach K’s sentiment. I hope for my children to grow into individuals possessing the resilience and strength of their late grandmother. Her enduring legacy is one of tenacity, compassion and unwavering positivity—traits that are as essential on the farm as they are in life. This Thanksgiving, as you gather around the table, think of those that fill your heart with love, including your mother.

Kansas State University Partners with Farm Journal Foundation to Address Rural Veterinary Shortage

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:54:17 GMT

Kansas State University is joining a new pilot program from Farm Journal Foundation to support veterinary students in their career development and address the national shortage of rural, food-systems veterinarians.

The university is one of nine schools participating in the Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program, which seeks to address structural challenges facing the food animal veterinary industry. The program, backed by support from the Zoetis Foundation, supports veterinary students across a number of areas, including tackling student debt and financial planning, developing business management skills, and learning how to engage with rural communities.

“This program was designed to aid students to advance their careers, and in turn, students also provide key insights of how to make the educational components of this program better,” said Clint Neill, PhD, Veterinary Program Manager at Farm Journal Foundation. “We are excited to see this resource evolve with student feedback, and we look forward to continuing to help them build robust future careers.”

The U.S. is currently facing a nationwide shortage of veterinarians to treat livestock and poultry in rural areas, threatening public health, food safety, and economic growth in communities that depend on agriculture, according to a recent report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation.

More than 900 counties across the U.S. currently face shortages of veterinarians, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only 3% to 4% of new veterinary school graduates pursue livestock or other food animal practice areas, a stark decline from 40 years ago when about 40 percent of graduates specialized in this area.

Expanding the role of universities and partners increases the opportunities for students and early career professionals to support a strong pipeline of industry professionals as the need grows. Through the program, participants will also get advice from Farm Journal Foundation’s Veterinary Ambassadors, a group of experienced veterinarians and educators who serve as mentors and champions of workforce development.

“A robust supply of food-systems veterinarians is critical to rural agricultural production,” said Dr. Brad White, DVM, Kansas State University professor and Farm Journal Foundation Veterinary Ambassador. “The Veterinary Workforce Solutions program is bringing together expertise from a variety of areas to address current challenges and identify opportunities to promote rural veterinary services. I think this program will be beneficial to current and future rural veterinary practitioners.”

To date, the pilot program has reached 450 students and early career professionals. Feedback from students shows more than 50 percent know where they want to practice and 70 percent know they want to start their own business in the future. Sixty percent of students say they would like mentorship after graduation.

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The Secret to Raising Dairy Beef Profitably

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:03:11 GMT

The secret to raising high quality dairy beef at a profit is really no secret at all: It just requires top management throughout the steer’s life cycle and consistent forward contracting to mitigate market risk.

Dairy beef now makes up about 20% of the fed cattle market. That’s up almost four-fold in less than a decade, says Tara Felix, an Extension beef specialist with Pennsylvania State University. There’s a couple of reason for that: 1) Veal consumption has plummeted in the last 50 years. Male dairy calves no longer used for veal had to go somewhere, and that somewhere was the feedlot. 2) A major drought four years ago meant far fewer “native” cattle were being raised, which meant Holstein steers made a larger and larger percentage of the fed cattle market.

Pennsylvania farmers are looking to capitalize on these trends. But the stigma against Holstein steers is they have poor feed:gain ratios, take too long to grow and don’t grade as well native cattle. Some or all of that can be true if they’re mismanaged, says Felix. But her two years of feeding trials with Holsteins, and a third on-going, suggests dairy steers can be a profitable enterprise, she says.

One of the first lessons Felix tries to teach newbie dairy beef feeders is that cattle raised for beef need grain, not forage. “I discourage my producers from thinking that forage is their cheapest diet,” she says. “You don’t want to finish these cattle at 24 or 25 months. We want them on grain early to encourage lean tissue growth rather than bone and frame growth.”

It’s also critical that the same care given to dairy heifer calves be given to steers fed for dairy beef. “We need the same care with steers as with heifers, meaning high-quality colostrum is given at birth,” she says. And she encourages early grain feeding—as early as day 3—to encourage rumen development. Once weaned, steer calves can be comingled in the feedlot.

In her first year’s trial, 44 Holstein steers from a single source were placed on feed April 1 averaging 546 lb at 9 months. These calves had received a Ralgro implant two months earlier, and were already consuming 10 lb of grain/head. They were transitioned to a diet of corn, silage, distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) and minerals. Over the 209-day feeding period, they consumed roughly 20 lb of corn and 4 lb of DDGS per head daily.

They were again implanted 28 days after arrival with Encore, a mild, long-duration implant labeled for up to 400 days. “However, we also chose to re-implant these calves again with a terminal implant 133 days later (Component TE-S),” says Felix. That was done to sustain average daily gains through 209 days.

It worked. “As a group, the calves gained 3.96 lb/day (without shrink) for the entire duration of the demonstration,” she says. These gains led to a feed-to-gain conversion ratio of 7:1. The cattle averaged 1,343 lb +/- 130 lb at finish and carcasses ranged from 677 to 861 lb. All cattle were USDA Yield Grade 1 to 3. Rib eye areas averaged 12.3 square inches for the entire group.

The cost per day to feed, implant and house the steers were $2.95/steer. “Because the cattle were bought by JBS when the market was on an upswing at $1.50/lb and sold on a downswing at 97¢/lb, the 44 steers on this demonstration did lose approximately $188/head,” says Felix. “However, had these calves been contracted in April (when they were purchased) at $1.11, they would have broken even…. These calves out-performed our expectations, but they could not out-perform the markets,” she says.

In the second year of trial, calves were split into two groups upon feedlot entry, with half the calves receiving two implants (Component E-s on Day O followed by Component TE-S on day 116) while the other half received none. Steers receiving implants gained a half pound more per day than those which did not. Because the steers were housed in the same pen, feed intakes for each of the two groups could not be measured.

The steers that received implants finished at an average of 1,371 lb +/- 144 lb while the steers that did not receive implants finished out weighing 1,282 lb +/- 79 lb. The steers receiving the implants graded lower, with one grading prime, 10 choice, 7 select and 2 standard. Those that didn’t receive implants had 1 grade prime, 14 choice, 4 select and none standard.

Felix notes that cattle treated with implants were given them on Day 0 of feedlot entry. “In an ideal setting, steers would be brought up to full grain intake to ensure quality grade was not affected,” she says. Still, assuming similar feed conversion, the implanted steers netted $60 more per head then their non-implanted pen mates.

Felix says she learned a couple of things from the trials. First, if producers aren’t using implants, they may be leaving dollars in the feedlot by not doing so. “The use of implants is critical for Holsteins to get their ribeyes to look more like beef ribeyes,” she says. “And you need the final implant because you need that final push for Holstein steers to finish.

“By coupling excellent nutrition with current technologies, producing beef with Holsteins can be a profitable enterprise,” Felix concludes.

Tips to Reduce Hay-Drying Time, Produce Quality Forage

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 18:00:28 GMT

By Tracy Turner, Purdue University

CALDWELL, Ohio - While producers might find it challenging to get hay dry in early June due to changing weather conditions, there are steps they can take to get the crop up quickly and reduce the potential for rain damage, a forage expert with Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences says.

“Proper tedding, raking, and equipment care are just some of the steps producers can take to reduce drying time and produce high-quality hay,” said Clif Little, an educator with the college’s outreach arm, Ohio State University Extension.

Although drying time for hay is affected by forage species, environmental conditions, cut height and swath width, Little said a good management plan can make a big difference in hay quality.

“Cutting and drying hay quickly is always important, especially with everything being a little behind this year because of the planting season,” he said. “Feed prices are high, so anything producers can do to produce quality hay is a benefit.

“We’re fighting rain as well as other work we’ve got to do around the farm. But we still have to get hay up quickly because when we get rain on our forage it can be devastated or ruined. So using these steps may allow producers to get it up a day or two earlier.”

Little’s tips:

* Make sure hay-mowing equipment rollers are adjusted properly.

* Cut hay in the morning after the dew is off to help speed drying time and reduce the loss of carbohydrates due to respiration. Respiration is a natural process and continues until the plant dries to a moisture content of about 40 percent.

* Lay high-yielding forages in a wide swath to give better access to sun and wind.

* Use tedding to reduce drying time by spreading the hay. While tedding increases costs in terms of time and fuel, the increase is offset by a reduction in drying time.

* Ted hay shortly after cutting and when it contains no less than 50 percent moisture to reduce leaf shatter and forage loss.

* Rake hay at an optimal moisture content of 30 to 40 percent. Raking hay at the improper moisture content can contribute to loss of plant leaf material. Raking when the hay is ready to bale (very dry) can cause major leaf shatter and reduce the overall nutrient content of the forage.

* Bale hay at the proper moisture content based on the size and shape of bales to reduce harvest and storage loss. For most small rectangular and large round bales, the recommended baling moisture content is 18 percent. For high-density large rectangular bales, the range can be 12-14 percent moisture for proper storage.
* If storing hay outside, make sure you choose a location that is dry, preferably on a solid surface, such as rock, and make sure the location is high and open to wind.

For More Information

Get the latest hay and forage news .

Care Personally, Challenge Directly

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 21:52:13 GMT

Effective leaders have the ability to motivate their team, communicate well and quickly solve problems in an ever-changing workplace. These qualities are evident in Garrett Miller, a manager and partner at Aurora-Oakwood Dairy in Auburn, N.Y. He is also a partner at nearby Aurora-Ridge Dairy.

As a manager since 2009, Miller has learned a thing or two about what it takes to build a reliable team, which consists of 25 people.

“Employees are the ones who really make what we do possible, especially on a larger scale,” he says. “My motto is ‘Care personally; challenge directly.’ You have to have personal conversations with your employees to establish relationships built on trust and respect. You get more out of your people on a daily basis by doing that. They know you care about them, and they know they’re not just a number.”

For more than a decade, Miller has worked every day to develop meaningful relationships with his teammates, but their trust wasn’t gained overnight.

(Farm Journal)

Build Culture

Working alongside his employees, Miller tries to set a constant example of good work ethic. Whether it’s assisting with everyday tasks or staying late to help finish up a project, he works right beside his teammates day in and day out.

“I’m in the trenches every day with these people making sure we’re getting things done,” Miller says. “I want to make sure I’m seeing what they’re seeing, too.”

But it’s not all work all the time. Miller makes sure to add a little fun into the mix now and then.

“It was a little harder with COVID this year, but one thing we did last winter was host a bowling tournament,” Miller says. “We had it at a local bowling alley, and our shop manger made this awesome trophy with a bowling ball at the top. The two dairies got to compete against each other, and Aurora-Ridge brought the trophy home last year. Anything we can do outside of work to promote teamwork is a good way to keep employees engaged.”

As it turns out, keeping employees engaged is one of the top ways to reduce turnover on the farm.

“When employees feel like an organization is investing in their development, they bring that back to their team, which can fuel higher performance,” says Rob Snarskis, a customer success manager for Quantum Workplace.

(Farm Journal)

Allow for Growth

Another way Miller leads and encourages his team is by allowing them to grow. This means giving them opportunities to become more independent in their roles and take responsibility for certain areas of the farm.

“There are different kinds of people out there,” Miller says. “Some just want to show up, punch the clock, do their shift and then go home, but a lot of people want to grow. To provide that opportunity, you have to provide an environment where they can think on their own.”

Having employees create goals for themselves is an effective way to increase labor retention and
employee performance, Snarskis says. He believes when everyone on your team is working toward personal and farmwide goals, employees are more motivated and energized to get the job done.

“Goals create alignment by uniting employees, managers and leaders around a common purpose,” Snarskis says. “They provide direction for employees on how to spend their time and how to make decisions.”

However, setting goals isn’t the only way to allow for growth in the workforce. Providing recognition is another way to help strengthen the team. Bob Milligan, senior consultant at Dairy Strategies and former
Cornell University professor, suggests becoming a CCO – Chief Cheering Officer for your operation.

“Home fans for sports teams cheer loudly whether their team is struggling or their team appears to have gained some momentum,” Milligan says. “You need to do the same for your team. Excellent and specific feedback encourages and motivates employees.”

(Farm Journal)

Find the Right Fit

“Finding employees can be really hard, and it’s something we’re currently struggling with,” Miller says. “We’ve advertised on Indeed and put ads in the newspaper, but it’s just getting harder and harder to hire local people.”

To poise your farm for future growth and success, you need to be recruiting strong candidates, according to Richard Hadden, a leadership consultant at Contented Cow Partners.

“We often start recruiting the moment we have an opening,” Hadden says. “That’s like going to the grocery store when we’re hungry; we’ll buy anything.”

But as Miller mentioned, finding the right people is easier said than done. However, it’s important to not fill a position just because somebody applies.

“The I-just-need-somebody phrase is when we get into trouble,” adds Kathy Peterson, a human resources specialist and founder of PeopleWorks. “Look for people who come in with a really awesome work ethic. Then train them on the agricultural aspects.”

To help find quality workers, use every recruiting source possible, and think outside of the box when it comes to the ideal candidate. Peterson and Hadden suggest the following methods.

Word of mouth: Your best recruiting tool is your reputation
as an employer, Hadden says. Become involved in local and/or regional organizations to expand your network.

The internet or social media: You never know who might stumble upon your post. For a small fee, Peterson says you can boost your ads so they’re seen by more potential applicants.

Trade magazines: Magazines within the ag industry are still regularly read and have a longer shelf life than newspapers. Plus, you might find potential employees with farm backgrounds.

Train the Trainer

Bringing new employees on board can be stressful for the new hire and the manager. Done right, it can lead to a productive, long-term relationship that’s good for both parties. Done wrong, it can result in frustration all around and a potentially expensive firing.

“The first 30 days of a new employee on the farm dictate what kind of employee he or she will be,” says Michelle Painchaud, president and CEO of the Painchaud Performance Group, a human-performance consulting firm. “When you onboard effectively, you’ll have a higher performing employee. More productive employees lead to more profitable businesses.”

When a new teammate is introduced to Miller’s farm, he tries to get them off to the best start possible. Typically, that begins with safety training, an introduction to other employees and a quick tour around the operation. From there, he likes to start the new teammate off slow in their new position, then follow up with them to make sure they are feeling comfortable. However, the best way to accomplish this starts with adequate training.

“One thing that’s really important is picking the right people to train [the new employee,]” Miller says. “You want to pick the guys who are doing a better job, who realize the importance of training and who have a higher level of skill in their field to train your new employees.”

At the end of the day, Miller is driven to foster meaningful relationships with employees so they are energized to come to work at Aurora-Oakwood Dairy.

Words of Wisdom

For effective leadership, Garrett Miller, manager and partner at Aurora-Oakwood Dairy, offers these tips.

Build Trust and Earn Respect.

“You have to build trust and earn respect,” Miller says. This can be accomplished by establishing a team environment, providing regular performance feedback and keeping communication lines open. “It’s important to lay that groundwork early on in order for trust and respect to grow,” he says.

Establish Ground Rules

“There has to be rules and there has to be repercussions for breaking those rules,” Miller advises. “Chalk the field to let employees know where you stand.” Unfortunately, bad behavior can sometimes cause a snowball effect. If one employee gets away with it, others might think they can get away with it too.

Care Personally; Challenge Directly

“You’ve got to care about your employees, but you’ve also got to challenge them and let them know that there’s opportunity,” Miller says. “Give them that opportunity to grow and advance.”

Food Labels can Reduce Environmental Impacts of Livestock Production

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:41:02 GMT

With global food demand expected to outpace the availability of water by the year 2050, consumers can make a big difference in reducing the water used in livestock production.

“It’s important to know that small changes on the consumer side can help, and in fact may be necessary, to achieve big results in a production system,” said Robin White, lead researcher of a Washington State University study appearing in the journal Food Policy.

White and WSU economist Mike Brady demonstrated that the willingness of consumers to pay a little more for meat products with labels that reflect a single, environmentally friendly production practice, such as water conservation, can add up to real change.

But such single-focus labels don’t yet exist and labels that are currently available can be confusing and misleading.

Saving billions of gallons of water
The study shows that meat packers and retailers can play a key role in creating incentives for water-saving livestock production with labels that appeal to consumer values, White said.

White and Brady found that by paying 10 percent more for environmentally labelled meat products, consumers could bring about huge water savings in livestock production. In 2013, the U.S. produced 26 billion pounds of beef. Based on this number, White estimated that 76 to 129 billion gallons of water could be saved annually.

On the upper end, this adds up to the equivalent amount of water used annually by 3.5 million people, roughly the population of the greater Seattle metropolitan area.

White, now a postdoctoral scholar at the National Animal Nutrition Program, conducted the research as part of her doctoral studies in the Department of Animal Sciences at WSU.

Single vs multiple label claims
“It is difficult to tease out a product’s true environmental impact from currently available labels,” said White. “Consumers may believe a label represents an environmental, health, or animal welfare benefit but it’s difficult for them to really know.”

White and Brady were able to distinguish and compare consumers’ willingness to pay for meat products with labels that reflect a single attribute of reducing environmental impact with labels that represent a suite of attributes. Among the purely environmental labels, they evaluated different price premiums to find the sweet spot — where the lowest premium that consumers found palatable would also cover the costs to the producer of reducing water use.

The study also demonstrated that moderate price premiums for all cuts of meat that are acceptable to the average consumer will have a greater impact on water conservation than high premiums for a few niche products.

Growing greener grass
White explained that cow/calf operations represent an opportunity to significantly reduce water use in beef production. Feeding pregnant cows and suckling calves typically requires pasture or rangeland, and represents a substantial maintenance cost. Yet, in the U.S., intensive, more efficient pasture management is not yet what it could be, White said.

Growing grass more efficiently through strategic irrigation, fertilization and grazing strategies can significantly improve yield and save water, but adds to the costs for the producer. However, the price premiums associated with environmental labels can offset those costs.

The livestock industry wants to demonstrate improvements in sustainability, White said. To do so, they need consumer cooperation and willingness to pay a little more for products produced with a reduced environmental impact.

“This study demonstrated that consumers are willing,” White said. “Now we just need to connect the dots to accurately represent a product’s environmental impact in a way that is meaningful, understandable and attractive to consumers.”

Source: Washington State University

Integrating Perennial Peanut into Grass Pastures

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 21:27:51 GMT

Perennial peanut can make a nice addition to your pastures.
By: Jose Dubeux, University of Florida/IFAS, North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC)

Rhizoma peanut (commonly known as perennial peanut) is a warm-season perennial legume well adapted to Florida. It has high digestibility (65-75%) and crude protein concentrations (15-20%), that can really boost livestock performance. Integrating rhizoma peanut into bahiagrass pastures can almost double livestock performance, compared to bahiagrass alone (Figure 1). Rhizoma peanut also associates with soil microorganisms and adds nitrogen to the system, reducing costs with Nitrogen (N) fertilizer. As its name suggests, this legume has a significant rhizome mass which provides tolerance to grazing and cold temperatures, overwintering well in North Florida.

Figure 1. Average daily gain (ADG) of cattle grazing bahiagrass or bahiagrass/rhizoma peanut pastures (Williams et al., 1991).

Unfortunately, rhizoma peanut can only be propagated by planting or sprigging rhizomes. Because of all the operations involved in the planting process, establishment of this legume is expensive ($400-500/acre). Researchers are investigating a way to reduce the cost by using a strip-planting technique (Figure 2). The idea is to establish the peanut over 30-50% of the area, reducing the cost accordingly. A blend of 30% rhizoma peanut in perennial grass pastures provides benefits in terms of livestock performance and biological N2-fixation. Because rhizoma peanut establishment is slow, grass strips could be used to produce hay during the establishment period. Thus, strip width should match planting and harvesting equipment width. Likewise, rhizoma peanut strips should match the width of commercially available spriggers, which range from 8-9 ft. wide.

Figure 2. Strip-planting of rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) into Argentine bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge); Marianna, FL. Photo credits: Jose Dubeux, UF/IFAS – NFREC

During the establishment year, it is critical to keep the weeds out of the legume strip. Keeping the bahiagrass and rhizoma peanut in different strips during the establishment year allows the application of herbicides on the legume strip without damaging the bahiagrass stand. Herbicides labeld for use on rhizoma peanut are described in Weed Control in Perennial Peanut.

It is also important to properly fertilize the rhizoma peanut strip during establishment. In the first years, the peanut is building up its rhizome mass, which represents the greatest proportion of biomass of this legume. Application of P, K, S, micronutrients, and N during the establishment phase will help to improve rhizoma peanut establishment. Care must be taken during the establishment year. Research results indicate that rhizoma peanut should not be grazed during the first two seasons, when it is still building its rhizome mass. Recent estimates of biological N2-fixation showed that rhizoma peanut varieties fixed between 110-190 lbs N/acre annually, depending on the variety. If we assume an average annual fixation of 150 lbs N/acre, this would represent an annual savings in $120 per acre in N fertilizer. If using the strip-planting approach and 50% of the land is planted, the contribution would still be significant ($60/acre). It is important to mention that rhizoma peanut spreads into the grass strips and in the long-term, the grass-legume mixture will occupy the entire area (Figure 3 above).

Take Home Message:

Integrating rhizoma peanut into livestock production systems will bring numerous benefits such as biological N2-fixation and improved cattle performance. Using the strip-planting approach reduces establishment costs and grass strips can be used during the establishment years for hay production. In the long-term, producers will have the benefits provided by the grass-legume mixture in the entire pasture area.

Dairy Herds Expected to Have Decreasing Effect on U.S Beef Production

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:17:44 GMT

By: Donald Stotts, Oklahoma State University

Although beef, as a by-product of the dairy industry, rarely exhibits a major influence on dairy industry production decisions, it is important to note that dairy animals contribute a significant portion of total animal slaughter and beef supply.

“The impact of dairy on beef markets varies over time depending on long-term trends and short-term market conditions in both beef and dairy markets,” said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension livestock marketing specialist.

Peel expects increased beef cattle inventories as the U.S. beef herd rebuilds to reduce the impact of the dairy industry on beef production to more historically typical levels in the coming years.

America’s dairy cow herd has been relatively stable over the last 20 years, varying less than 4 percent from 9 million to 9.3 million head. By contrast, the U.S. beef cow herd has varied by more than 18 percent, 29.0 to 34.5 million head over the same period.

“Dairy cows as a percent of all cows have averaged 22.3 percent but have been at a record high of 24 percent in 2014 and 2015 as a result of low beef cow inventories,” Peel said.

The nature of dairy production means that basic herd dynamics are very different for dairy compared to beef. Dairy cows are culled more quickly so dairy herd turnover happens much faster.

“Dairy cow slaughter averages 30 percent of the January 1 inventory of dairy cows each year compared to less than 10 percent for beef cows,” Peel said. “On average, the number of dairy replacements held each year is about 47 percent of the cow inventory. This represents about 48 percent of the estimated dairy calf crop and is nearly all the heifers born to dairy cows.”

This compares to beef herds where replacement heifers are approximately 18 percent of the cow inventory. About 64 percent of replacement dairy heifers enter the herd, which implies that overall about 30 percent of the estimated dairy calf crop is used for breeding. For beef herds, an average of 10 percent of the estimated beef calf crop is used for breeding females.

Peel said the primary contributions of the dairy industry to beef production are male calves and cull cows, along with some cull heifers.

Also, most veal slaughter is from dairy calves. Adjusting for veal slaughter, male dairy calves average about 10 percent of the total beef-plus-dairy calf crop. In 2015, the percentage was a record large 12.1 percent. Peel said the cause was a low beef calf crop compared to a stable dairy calf crop and low veal slaughter.

“Veal slaughter has trended down for many years but reached record low levels in recent years thanks to the high value of feeder cattle,” he said.

In addition, new technology provides the dairy industry other ways to adjust relative to beef markets.

“Sexed semen and genomic testing are being used to target some dairy cows for production of replacement heifers,” Peel said. “Conversely, cows not used to produce replacements are, in some cases, being crossbred to beef breeds to produce a better feeder animal.”

Typically, dairy feeder cattle are discounted compared to beef breeds because of differences in productivity, efficiency and yield. However, dairy animals exhibit some advantages in feedlot situations.

“These animals are very predictable in finishing because of the uniformity of dairy genetics, though dairy calves are often placed on feed at very light weights and may take a year to finish,” Peel said. “Dairy cattle also tend to produce carcasses of consistent quality.”

For example, dairy cattle typically produce Prime carcasses at two to three times the rate for beef breeds.

Although dairy cows only represent about 22 percent of all cows, they represent an average of 47 percent of total cow slaughter. In 2015, dairy cow slaughter represented a record level of 57 percent of total cow slaughter.

“Dairy cows typically have heavier carcass weights, though increased beef cow weights over time has closed the gap somewhat,” Peel said. “Reported cow carcass weights are an average across both beef and dairy cow slaughter and changes in cow carcass weights are sometimes more of a reflection of changing proportions of dairy and beef cows being slaughtered than actual changes in animal weights.”

Oklahoma is the nation’s fifth-leading producer of total cattle and calves, fourth-leading producer of cows and third-leading producer of beef cows, according to data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Dairy Influence on Beef Markets

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:17:40 GMT

By: Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Marketing Specialist

Beef is a by-product of the dairy industry and rarely has a major influence on dairy industry production decisions. However, dairy animals contribute a significant portion of total animal slaughter and beef supply. The impact of dairy on beef markets varies over time depending on long term trends and short term market conditions in both beef and dairy markets. This article summarizes the dairy industry’s impact on beef production in the 20 years since 1996.

The dairy cow herd has been relatively stable over the last 20 years varying less than 4 percent from 9.0 to 9.3 million head. By contrast the beef cow herd has varied by over 18 percent from 29.0 to 34.5 million head over the same period. Dairy cows as a percent of all cows have averaged 22.3 percent but have been at a record high of 24 percent in 2014 and 2015 as a result of low beef cow inventories.

The nature of dairy production means that basic herd dynamics are very different for dairy compared to beef. Dairy cows are culled more quickly so dairy herd turnover rates are much faster. Dairy cow slaughter averages 30 percent of the January 1 inventory of dairy cows each year compared to less than 10 percent for beef cows. On average the number of dairy replacements held each year is about 47 percent of the cow inventory. This represents about 48 percent of the estimated dairy calf crop and is nearly all the heifers born to dairy cows. This compares to beef herds where replacements heifers are roughly 18 percent of the cow inventory. About 64 percent of replacement dairy heifers enter the herd, which implies that overall about 30 percent of the estimated dairy calf crop is used for breeding. For beef herds, an average of 10 percent of the estimated beef calf crop is used for breeding females.

The primary contribution of the dairy industry to beef production is male calves and cull cows, along with some cull heifers. Most veal slaughter is from dairy calves. Adjusting for veal slaughter, male dairy calves average about 10 percent of the total (beef dairy) calf crop. In 2015, that percentage was a record large12.1 percent due to a low beef calf crop compared to a stable dairy calf crop and low veal slaughter. Veal slaughter has trended down for many years but reached record low levels in recent years due to the high value of feeder cattle.

New technology provides the dairy industry other ways to adjust relative to beef markets. Sexed semen and genomic testing are being used to target some dairy cows for production of replacement heifers. Conversely, cows not used to produce replacements are, in some cases, being crossbred to beef breeds to produce a better feeder animal. Dairy feeder cattle are discounted compared to beef breeds because of differences in productivity, efficiency and yield. However, dairy animals have some advantages in feedlots. Because of the uniformity of dairy genetics, these animals are very predictable in finishing. Dairy calves are often placed on feed at very light weights and may take a year to finish. Because of the predictability, dairy cattle produce carcasses of consistent quality and, for example, typically produce Prime carcasses at two to three times the rate for beef breeds.

Although dairy cows only represent about 22 percent of all cows, they represent an average of 47 percent of total cow slaughter. In 2015, dairy cow slaughter represented a record level of 57 percent of total cow slaughter. Dairy cows typically have heavier carcass weights, though increased beef cow weights over time has closed that gap somewhat. Reported cow carcass weights are an average across both beef and dairy cow slaughter and changes in cow carcass weights are sometimes more of a reflection of changing proportions of dairy and beef cows being slaughtered than changes in cow weights.

The impact of the dairy industry on beef production is always significant and has been larger than usual recently due to low beef cattle numbers. Increased beef cattle inventories as the beef herd rebuilds will reduce this impact to more typical levels in the coming years.

First Thing Today: China to Work Through Corn Stockpile in Three to Five Years

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:17:28 GMT

Firmer tone for corn, beans as overnight session winds down... Corn futures traded narrowly on either side of unchanged overnight, but as of 6:30 a.m. CT most contracts are favoring the upside in choppy trade. Soybeans also saw two-sided trade overnight, but most contracts are currently up 3 to 5 cents. Wheat futures are fractionally lower across all three flavors. The U.S. dollar index is slightly higher, as are crude oil futures.

WOTUS meeting today... Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials will hold a two-hour meeting at the agency’s headquarters this afternoon with groups representing state and local officials to solicit their “input and wisdom” on the planned rewrite of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. In a letter extending the invitation last week, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the consultation is a priority “to both myself and President Trump.” Pruitt will not be at the meeting, since he will be traveling in the Midwest. More than 30 states filed suit against the rule, while others sided with EPA in support when the rule was released during the Obama administration.

Ossoff likely headed for a runoff election... Democrat Jon Ossoff led the field of candidates in a Georgia special election to replace former Representative Tom Price (R), but he is projected to come up short of the 50% majority needed to avoid a runoff election. President Donald Trump picked Price to head Health and Human Services. That means Ossoff will compete in a runoff election with second-place finisher Karen Handel (R) on June 20. Get more perspective on this race that is seen as an early test of Trump’s political standing.

Boost in Chinese processing capacity to work through corn stockpile in three to five years... Chinese corn processing firms will boost processing capacity to use old corn stocks, helping the country to work through its massive stockpile of the grain in the next three to five years, says Tong Yi, general manager of COFCO Biochemical. Tong details that the country’s total corn processing capacity will hit 70 MMT a year by the end of 2018 versus current capacity of 50 MMT. Experts estimate China has corn reserves of around 250 MMT.

Firm raises grain crop and export forecast for Ukraine... UkrAgroConsult now estimates Ukraine’s 2017 grain crop at 61.410 MMT, up 500,000 MT from its latest estimate. And it adds that favorable weather could push production as high as 62.5 MMT. The production boost also prompted the firm to raise its grain export forecast by 700,000 MT to 39.5 MMT. In the 2016-17 marketing year, the Ukraine produced a 63.965 MMT grain crop with exports expected to hit 41.016 MMT, according to UkrAgroConsult.

Mexico expects to clinch trade deal with Argentina by year-end... Juan Carlos Baker, Mexico’s deputy minister for foreign trade, says the country expects to finish negotiations on a trade deal with Argentina by year-end. Under the deal, Argentina would supply some grain to Mexico, free of tariffs. In exchange, Argentina would open its market to Mexican cars, according to Baker. Mexico has been working to find alternatives to the U.S. since Trump’s election. In 2015 the U.S. supplied Mexico with $2.3 billion of corn and $1.4 billion of soy.

Trump pledges relief in Canada dairy trade dispute... Trump promised dairy farmers his administration would intervene to restore exports of American milk in the Canadian market. Trump on Tuesday responded to appeals for help from the dairy industry during an event in Wisconsin, where he also renewed his complaints about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Trade groups for U.S. dairy farmers have complained that a policy rolled out in Canada recently violates the trade agreement by creating incentives for Canadian processors to use local supplies. U.S, farm groups say that effectively blocks American dairy exports, adding to a glut of milk on the American side of the border. Canada’s ambassador rejected the claims and said U.S. policies are more projectionist than Canada’s.

South Korea to continue bringing in eggs as supplies stabilize... South Korea will likely continue to import eggs in the weeks and months ahead, despite a downgrade in the country’s alert status over bird flu amid signs the outbreak is waning. After more than a fifth of the country’s poultry population was culled, it will take time for domestic output to recover, according to government sources. An unnamed ag ministry official cited by Reuters says he expects the local egg supply to return to normal in the second half of the year, but until then, the country will continue to bring in eggs -- mainly from Australia.

Signals higher cash cattle prices may lie ahead... Cattle futures settled well off session highs yesterday as the market took note of futures’ technically overbought condition. But boxed beef price gains and tighter showlists signal even higher cash cattle action is very much a possibility this week. And futures remain at a discount to last week’s $128 (mostly) to $129 cash action. Today’s online Fed Cattle Exchange auction will provide additional insight.

Cash market remains a source of pressure for lean hogs... Cash hog prices continue to slide as supplies are reportedly backed up after Easter, which remains a source of pressure for the lean hog market. But talk continues to filter that cash prices will soon put in a low, thanks to spring grilling demand and once farmers return to the field, tightening the availability of market-ready supplies.

Overnight demand news... South Korea’s Major Feedmill Group purchased around 137,000 MT of corn from optional origins. Its Korean Feed Association issued an international tender to buy up to 130,000 MT of corn from optional origins.

Today’s reports:

9:30 a.m., Weekly Ethanol Production -- EIA
1:00 p.m., Beige Book -- Fed
2:00 p.m., Broiler Hatchery -- NASS
2:00 p.m., Livestock Slaughter - Ann. -- NASS