NEWS

We Want You!

Welcome to the third edition of the Colorado Dairy News in its new format.

Foremost, I want to apologize for the delay getting this issue out. We missed the April issue and with it Dr. Ray Sagehorn's announcement about his local hoof trimming seminar with Dr. Jan Shearer.  We simply had some problems with the system!  Hopefully, we are back on course!

In a constant effort to improve all aspects of our communication with the dairy producers of Colorado, please fill out a survey concerning the new format.  It should take about 5 minutes to complete.  One person who completes the survey will win complimentary registration for the Colorado Nutrition Conference in Greeley, on January 29, 2008!

- Ragan Adams, Editor

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY!

Dairy Farming Today Informational Website

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE

News from Colorado State University

Collaboration between academic experts in different areas of specialization is one of the many valuable and practical benefits that dairy producers receive from CSU. In this article Dr Dana Hoag from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics joins Dr George Seidel of the Animal Reproduction Laboratory and Dr. JF Ettema from the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences to discuss the use of sexed semen on commercial dairies.

Economic opportunities for sexed semen on commercial dairy farms

J.F. Ettema, D.L. Hoag, G.E. Seidel Jr.

The technology and use of enriched X-bearing semen (sexed semen) has been discussed for many years and in many studies. Sexing of semen is based on a 3.8-3.9% higher DNA content of X-sperm compared to Y-sperm. This can be identified by a computer by staining the sperm with a fluorescent dye that binds to the DNA. The technique is fairly accurate (10% error rate) but still very expensive and slow. These two aspects have until now prevented a systematic application of sexed semen in the dairy industry.

In this article the authors explore the opportunities for commercial use of sexed semen on large-scale dairy farms in Denmark based on current information. The situation in the United States will be studied in the future.


CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

Colorado Dairy Nutrition Conference Proceedings: Part Two

The 18th Annual Colorado Dairy Nutrition Conference was held January 23rd at the Union Colony Civic Center. Seven experts addressed the audience on topics as diverse as business benchmarks, neonatal calf health, feed efficiency, and ethanol by-product use.

For the convenience of those unable to attend and receive the proceedings three of these papers (business benchmarks, neonatal calf health and corn hybrids) were presented in the March CDN. The remaining four papers are presented in this issue.

Feed Efficiency in Lactating Dairy Cows

Dr James Linn and colleagues from the University of Minnesota

On dairy farms, feed is the largest single cost of production; therefore, the efficient conversion of home-grown and purchased feed nutrients into saleable milk directly affects the profitability of a dairy. Feed efficiency (FE) as a measure of converting nutrients into animal product has been used in the beef, swine and poultry industry for several years, but only recently has the dairy industry started evaluating FE of lactating cows. Good FE is not only of economic importance, but also is a monitor of nutrient management on farms. As FE increases, more nutrients are directed into milk production with less manure and nutrients excreted.
 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

Measuring Feed Efficiency on the Dairy Using "FED"

M. T. Socha, D. J. Tomlinson and J. M. DeFrain, Zinpro Performance Minerals, Eden Prairie, MN

Increased global competition, rising cost of production and falling milk prices have forced dairy producers to increase efficiency in order to sustain profitability. One factor having a profound effect on profitability of the dairy is conversion of feed to milk. Improving feed efficiency (FE) from 1.4 to 1.5, while maintaining milk production increases profitability of a 1000 cow dairy by $91,980/year. However, obtaining an accurate estimate
of FE is difficult due to confounding factors such as energy required for temperature maintenance, variability in milk composition and body weight (BW) loss and gain as lactation progresses. This paper will review factors to consider when estimating FE and measures producers can implement to improve FE.


CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE STUDY

Significance of Intestinal Digestion of Dietary Protein

Dr Marshall Stern and colleagues from University of Minnesota

Feeding proteins to ruminants that are resistant to microbial degradation in the rumen can provide a practical way to increase dietary protein and alter the amino acid profile of the protein reaching the small intestine for digestion and absorption. However, the effects of feeding high RUP on intestinal amino acid supply and animal performance have been inconsistent.  A considerable amount of variation among and within feeds in ruminal degradation and intestinal digestion of protein has been reported. It is important that this variation be considered when determining the value of feeds as sources of protein for the ruminant animal.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

Feeding Ethanol By-Products in Colorado

Dr Gerald Poppy
Diamond V Mills

Ethanol by-products are becoming more and more important in cattle nutrition. A year ago when I agreed to give this talk, although there was a lot of talk of the increasing impact of distillers, few thought that we would be seeing $3.00 to $4.00 per bushel corn price, and the impact that would have on milk production and beef cattle prices.

The purpose of this paper is to describe current practice with ethanol by-products use in CO and provide producers and nutritionists some information that might aid you as you utilize these products in rations.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

Information Web Site on Rodenticides Launched

Manufacturers of rodent bait products launched an informational Web site, www.rodentfacts.org, that details the dangers rodents pose to agriculture and what practices farmers and ranches can use to protect their crops and property. The site also features information about the United States Environmental Protection Agency¹s (EPA) proposal to restrict access to some of the most effective and least toxic products now available. The Rodenticide Registrant Task Force was formed in 1999 by companies manufacturing rodent baits and bait stations used by consumers and professionals to work with U.S. EPA and others to ensure products can be used safely and effectively in homes and businesses.

EPA proposed a rodenticide mitigation program in January that would significantly impact agricultural producers¹ access to common rodent control baits and bait stations. The proposal would classify the most effective rodenticide products as restricted use, which means that farmers, ranchers and others in agricultural production, food processing and animal care would have to hire and pay professionals to set baits and bait stations on their property.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE
 

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