The Early Career Dairy Producer meetings are informal get-togethers that allow dairy producers and industry professionals to meet for lunch and a farm tour.  They provide an opportunity to meet fellow producers, discuss what is going on back at the farm and then meet at a farm for a tour.   

Last month, the southern Early Career Dairy Producers group met on Friday, Nov. 15 for lunch in Fort Branch, which was sponsored by Todd Riggs and ABS, before visiting Obert Farms, Inc.  The visit provided a great opportunity to see automatic calf feeders and discuss different calf feeding programs and management strategies.  At the dairy, the discussions focused on cow comfort in sand-bedded free stall barns, reclaimed sand, and strategies the farm was using to manage their manure.  

Sunshine Dairy Tour

The northern group of the Early Career Dairy Producers met on Friday, Nov. 22 in Huntington for a lunch that was sponsored by Matt Davis and Evan Woolace of Farm Credit.  After lunch the group toured Sunshine Dairy, which is operated by Johannes DeGroot Jr.  The group had an opportunity to see some of the changes that have been recently made to the dairy operation, including a new free stall barn and an udder-prepping brush system that had very recently been installed in the milking parlor.  Some of the major topics of discussion included forages and the decreased digestibility of the corn silage that has been common issue for dairy producers feeding this year's crop of corn silage, BMR forages, and the challenges that many farms are having securing a labor force for their dairy farms this year.

 

We encourage all young producers to take advantage of this program - if you did not receive an invitation and would like to be added to the list, please call or email Doug Leman or Dr. Tamilee Nennich.  Special thanks to ABS, Farm Credit Mid-America, Obert Farms, and Sunshine Dairy for making these two visits possible!

 

NorthStar Moves Up To Platinum!

 

NorthStar Cooperative is proud to increase our IDP sponsorship to the Platinum Level. Supporting IDP's Regional Dairy Meetings, Summer Tour and Kentuckiana Dairy Exchange helps fulfill the cooperative's vision to provide premier services to producers to enhance their business and well-being.

 

Through our partnerships with Select Sires, the world's largest A.I. federation, and Dairy Records Management Systems (DRMS), the largest record processing center in the U.S., NorthStar delivers the experience and knowledge of national and world leaders.

 

NorthStar's team philosophy brings together expertise from many areas to meet your farms' specific needs. With more than 240 employees across Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, NorthStar has the distinct advantage of providing industry-leading technology, research, programs and support through local and accessible service.

 

To learn more about NorthStar's Genetics and Reproduction Services, DHI Services, and innovative disease and management testing options for pregnancy, mastitis, Johne's, and more, visit NorthStar's website or call 800.631.3510 to be connected with your area NorthStar Specialists.  

 

Thank you, NorthStar! 

 

 

What does the Milk Inspector see at Your Farm?

We asked BOAH dairy division director, Doug Metcalf, to comment on how the sanitation inspections have been going recently on Indiana dairy farms. More specifically, what are areas that commonly need improvement? Here's what we heard back from Doug Metcalf:

 

"More recently I have been out with 7 of my inspectors and here are things that catch my eye:

1.  As we drive on the dairy what is the first impression one gets?

a.  Is the area around the milk house and parlor a collection point for out of use stuff such as tires, containers, metal of various sizes and shapes, etc. Item 19g - 2 pts

b.Is the area around the milk house and parlor overgrown with weeds? Item 19g - 2 pts

c.  Is there a bag of animal feed sitting next to the milk house door? Item 19h - 2 pts.

d.Is there a pan of fresh cow milk sitting out under the hose port, in the milk house or in the milk parlor for the farm's dogs and cats? Items 3a, 5D and/or 19h.

2.  Is the hose port self closing and tight?  Item 5Dd - 2 pts. Is the hose port being used? E.g. If there are cob webs inside the hose port it is not being used. Item 19c - 2 pts

3.  Are there two working lights in the milk house? Item 5Ca - 2 pts

4.  Is the milk house used for milk house operations only? Item 5Da - 2 pts We have seen pet food, rifles, etc., in the milk house

Read more

Joe & Amy Kelsay and family

  After evaluating numerous outstanding nominations for Vance Publishing Corporation's inaugural 40 Under 40 in Agriculture Awards, a panel of judges from across the industry has narrowed the list to the final 40. These individuals were selected for their leadership and commitment in advancing the cause to double food production by 2050.  

 "We were looking to identify and recognize extraordinary individuals in agriculture, and I am confident that these Top 40 candidates do just that," said Shawn Etheridge, Vice President & Publishing Director, Agribusiness at Vance.

More than 200 applicants under the age of 40 were submitted to Vance. Nominees included hardworking leaders from animal and crop production, biotechnology and university researchers to food and nutrition technology, agricultural equipment, agronomy and beyond.

  Joe Kelsay is an agricultural activist who lives to tell the story of agriculture to consumers, political leaders, government officials and his fellow farmers.  

  "I get a great deal of satisfaction sharing the incredible opportunities that agriculture offers from an economic standpoint for young people coming into the field as producers, retailers, scientists and more," says Kelsay, 36. "As you look at areas of concern - whether water scarcity, carbon sequestration or climate change - agriculture is poised to be part of the solution worldwide. Even in energy, agriculture is a pathway to a solution."

As a partner in the family dairy operation, Kelsay and his wife Amy have helped welcome tens of thousands of consumers (20,000 in 2012 alone) to the farm and shared the story of agriculture. Read the full article 

 

Dairy Check-off Hard at Work during Christmas Season
by Jackie Barber, MPSI

This holiday season your Indiana dairy checkoff is partnering with Simon Malls to celebrate the holiday tradition of leaving milk for Santa. We are sponsoring "Santa in Dairyland" at Castleton Square and Greenwood Park malls. Santa's area in both these malls with showcase dairy foods and farming. These are the two largest malls in Indiana and more than 2 million people will walk through these malls this Christmas season. We have milk messages as a cover for the activity tables, where children and their parents can color sheets featuring dairy farming and dairy nutrition. Parents can pick up a breakfast fact sheet that shows how important breakfast is for their family and provides dairy breakfast ideas, including a recipe for a yogurt-based breakfast smoothie. Shoppers can also grab a hot chocolate packet, donated by Costco, with a message about making hot chocolate with milk for better taste and nutrition.

As ginning continues 3 weeks or so, demand hasn't tailed off. Spot loads around $340, (fill up inventory time) and January thru March offers deliver IN near $360. Canola had a large crop yet remains tight in supply chain esp. Rail car transload points. Demand remains strong, spot truck is available and JFM contracts are available to lock in your tons of protein needs ahead. Gluten feed is the Hot commodity again, even as supply is tight, demand remains very strong especially as new corn and silage quality digestibilty issues arise. However the processors of gluten don't seem to increase run time, making load outs slow and costly around the Midwest, South and Canada too. April - Sept offers are a better buy to lock in needs. Hominy is available and may be a short term solution to digestibility in your farm's ground corn. Call for quotes. Beet pulp pellets are at $220 or so now thru August. Steady fiber source. Citrus pellets new crop at $245 to $250 delivered to Indiana. Cereal feed is around but gets scarce thru holiday weeks and pricey. Soy hull pellets Dec. are hit and miss weekly at $160 to $190 on farms spot range. DDGs have returned to rations as low cost ingredient and energy source. The fat levels and analysis vary from plants. Soybean meal is holding steady on basis levels although the Futures on CME gain tremendously.

 January thru March are a better buy for most commodities as nearby offers get bought up. Stay in touch with your merchandisers to get contracts in and stay ahead of supply issues.

All price quotes are subject to change without notice.  

There is a growing list of companies that recognize IDP's value to Indiana's dairy industry. Please visit our list of companies that have become Corporate Sponsors for only $100. If you know of a company that may have an interest in supporting IDP at some level, please download a brochure here.