Producer Spotlight 

 

One of the recent changes, however, that is having a measurable impact is the changeover from standard bedding pack in their calving barn to a compost bedding system. "When compost barns came out we converted," says Mark. "We're seeing no navel infections and not nearly as many DOA births. Just leaving the calves out there in the pen has worked well for us."

Dairy Ridge's adoption of a manure separation system has also made a big difference. "We went through some gyrations with a press separator for a couple years. We then put in a screw press with a blower. We've had really good luck (with the green manure bedding)," Mark says.
 

Mark says costs have been reduced with the green bedding method. And somatic cell counts, which used to be in the high 200s to 300 using a dry sawdust bed, have been reduced to a 180 to low 200 average."We've seen a 1-year payback just in bedding costs," says Mark of converting to green solids.

Mark has also incorporated recycled sheet rock (with paper coating removed) into the bedding compost. He puts it down three times a week. "It's like pulverized lime or chalk with gypsum and sulfur content. The sulfur helps reduce microbial population in the bedding, and the gypsum absorbs moisture," says Mark. "But don't use it if you have a digester," warns Mark. The good bugs in the digester are killed by the sulfur. "Since we're using green bedding and not a digester, it works great for us."

Diamond V's Original XPC has been a part of Mark's ration throughout the life of the dairy. "It fits our program better. It's mixed in off-site to our main lactation cow ration," says Mark. He's also made a switch to BMR in the ration mixed with corn silage. "It's worked well. We make sure to have a six-month carry-over on silage, otherwise it doesn't feed out well. You need that six months for proper fermentation to take place."

Risk Management

The reverse lightning bolt: is it supply or demand?
 

By Kyle Schrad
 

Risk Management Consultant
Downes-O'Neill LLC

A unit of FCStone Group

 

A bullish trend emerged in the United States seemingly overnight. Before January 6, 2011 when CME spot butter prices increased by 20 cents per pound; the most recent single day spot price move of the same or larger value was on November 5, 2010 and it moved in the opposite direction as prices fell that day by 27 cents per pound.

 

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