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March 2009 DairyNet Newsletter
We wanted to send our second 2009 DairyNet newsletter to our subscribers announcing our first Dairy Webinar on "Feeding Challenges with Today's Milk Prices" that will be available free for charge. You need to register ahead and details are listed below. We welcome your participation. A second Dairy Webinar will follow on April 8th on calf and heifer management.
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/356266420
"Feeding Strategies with Current Milk Prices" will address the do's and don't when profit margins are squeezed focusing on feeding programs. Using feed economic benchmarks, impact of reducing nutrients intake short term and long term, positioning by-product feeds, role of forage quality, which additives to review and use, and monitoring cow performance will be addressed. Other aspects such as MILC program, feed trends, futures milk contracts, and culling strategies will be discussed during the fast pace 40 minute presentation. Time will available for questions and answers at the end. Mike Hutjens and other extension educators will lead the webinar.
Title: Feeding Strategies with Current Milk Prices
Date: Friday, March 20, 2009
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer
Events
Papers
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Dr. Don Ball, Ed Ballard, Mark Kennedy, Dr. Garry Lacefield, Dr. Dan Undersander
Conclusions
As milk prices have drop below break even prices, dairy managers must make correct economical decisions. The following is a partial list to consider in these challenging times.
- Do not reduce milk production as one pound of ration dry matter at nine cents (cost) can support 12 to 30 cents in milk yield (income).
- Milk components (milk fat and protein) contribute to milk income. Be sure your herd is producing at its genetic potential.
- Avoid making decisions that reduces pregnancy (each day open over 120 days cost $2 per day while each day over 200 days cost $8 per day), increases somatic cell counts (an increase in one linear score reduces milk yield by 2 to 2 ½ pounds per day), or impair the herd's immune system.
Milk prices may improve in early fall. Be sure your herd is ready and able to respond.
