the william h. miner agricultural research institute october 2015 … · 2015-10-30 · ─ melissa...

Are dairy cow welfare and herd profi tability mutually exclusive? To optimize well-being does the farmer need to sacrifi ce some income? Recently I had the opportunity to answer this question at a conference I attended in Italy that focused on the future sustainability of dairy farming.

Animal welfare is defi ned by three components: Is the animal functioning well, is it feeling well, and can it practice natural behaviors? Historically we’ve focused mostly on the fi rst aspect: feed intake and milk production for example. More recently the focus includes natural behaviors, with both the dairy industry and consumers paying more attention. Farm profi tability is driven by greater milk production (and milk components and quality) together with controlling costs such as feed, labor, and facilities. The fundamental question is whether or not a farm can simultaneously optimize income and welfare. Is the effi cient use of labor, feed, and housing necessarily at odds with a cow’s ability to produce well, feel well, and act naturally?

Recent research has identifi ed the factors most highly associated with both welfare and productivity: adequate feed and water, clean and comfortable stalls, competition for resources that is not excessive, access to exercise, and the human-cow relationship. Nothing

in this list is surprising since we know that about 70% of the cow’s day is spent eating and resting. Physical fi tness is important for the cow, just as it is for humans (especially for tie-stall housing), and most especially at calving. And though we rarely focus on it, positive physical and vocal interactions between the stockperson and the cow can enhance milk production by 3 to 10% or more.

During my presentation I focused on the fact that good cow welfare rests on her ability to meet her time budget requirements. Adequate time each day within the pen to rest, eat, and drink results in greater milk yield and less lameness. Ensuring feed availability boosts milk production by 4 to 8 lbs./day. And recent research here at the Institute shows for the fi rst time that overcrowding not only impacts natural resting and ruminating behavior, but it also depresses rumen pH. As a ruminant, the dairy cow must have a well-functioning rumen to stand any chance of experiencing good overall welfare.

So, I strongly contend that optimal welfare versus farm income does not need to be a choice. The bottom line is that there are important economic consequences to how we manage our dairy cattle and the level of well-being supported on any dairy farm. Over a

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK – WELFARE OR PROFIT?

The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute October 2015

In This Issue:

Dairy Internship Opportunity 2

Rethinking Science Literacy

Stocking Density, Stress, & Solutions

Changing your Frame of Mind about Mastitis

Target Optimum Moisture for 2015 Corn Silage Crop

What's Happeningon the Farm

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7Forward Planning: Fertilizers;Retirement ─ Commentary

Fiber Digestibility in Corn Silage: How to Increase It

Ode to Fall 2015

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Dairy Day 2015 11

FARM REPORT

See WELFARE/PROFIT, Page 3

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The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute Farm Report October 2015 ─ 2

DAIRY MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITYLater this fall our dairy management intern Vicky Bem will be leaving us, heading back to her home farm in northwestern Pennsylvania. As she fi nishes up we are looking for another intern – a motivated, college graduate who is interested in gaining hands-on experience on the Miner Institute dairy farm. The dairy management internship is a year-long herdsman training program that is tailored to each intern and his or her career goals. The intern works closely with the herdsman and farm manager, but also works with the other farm employees as well – feeders, calf manager, milkers. Jobs include assisting with calving, fresh cow care, vaccination, heat detection and reproductive management, diagnosing and treating sick animals, using management software including Dairy Comp 305 and AI 24, working with our veterinarian and nutritionist and learning about labor management on the farm. There are many different learning and networking opportunities throughout the year -- guest speakers, classes at the Institute and regional conferences. Applicants should have at least some dairy experience, be motivated and show an ability to work hard and cooperate with others. It’s important the intern be eager to learn and able to follow instructions. The valuable on-farm experience and dairy management skills acquired through this internship makes it an ideal transition between college and a career in the dairy industry. Our previous interns are all working in the dairy industry, in different capacities – several are herdsmen, one is now a veterinarian, and another is starting as a dairy nutritionist, having just completed her Master’s degree. The internship is a paid position and housing is provided in our student complex. If you have questions or would like to apply for the position, please send your resume and a letter (outlining your career goals and how this internship would be mutually benefi cial to our farm and to you) to Steve Couture at [email protected]. We will be accepting applications until we fi nd the right person, though we hope to have a new intern in place as soon as possible.

CORNELL FEED DEALER MEETINGTuesday, November 17 at 6 p.m.

The Joseph C. Burke Education and Research Center at Miner Institute Auditorium 586 Ridge Road, Chazy, NY

Speakers include:• Dr. Tom Overton, Cornell University, will discuss “Current topics in feeding the fresh cow” and “Strategies

to manage hypocalcemia in transition cows” • Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, Miner Institute, will discuss “Current corn silage feeding strategies”

There is no fee to attend the Feed Dealer Meeting.Please contact Wanda Emerich, [email protected] or 518-846-7121, ext.117 to pre-register. Refreshments will be provided.

Learn more about Miner Institute, visitwww.whminer.org


RETHINKING SCIENCE LITERACYFor centuries, science communication was based on teaching facts. However, recent failures to communicate science, such as the anti-vaccine movement, indicate that this top-down approach isn’t an effective way to improve the public’s perception of science. Today more than ever, farmers are incorporating science and technology into their daily farming practices. As agricultural communication and science communication join forces, we need to move beyond science literacy and strive instead for an engaged, supportive public.

As early as the 1800s scientists were aware that a scientifi cally illiterate public could negatively affect the advancement of research. Many scholars have argued that science literacy is the staple of an informed public. However, just because someone knows the facts doesn’t mean they will think critically and make decisions based on those facts.

Early science communication was based on the “defi cit model.” In this model, the public was akin to an empty

vessel and needed to be fi lled with facts. The assumption was that facts could simply be administered to the public, and after receiving the “facts vaccine” they would be “immune” to conspiracy or misinformation. This top-down approach was the framework of science communication for decades, but today we know that it’s a very ineffective way of improving the public’s support of science.

A recent meta-analysis found that scientifi c knowledge and a supportive attitude are only weakly positively correlated, and in some cases knowledge had a slight negative correlation with attitude. Clearly a general science education is valuable, but science literacy is not the solution to solving the confl ict between science and society.

So what can we do? In the past decades, science communication has recognized the need for a “dialogue model”, or a two-way engagement between scientists and the general public. An experiment to test this model was conducted in the United Kingdom in

1994. Sixteen members of the general public volunteered to sit on a panel and evaluate the risks and benefi ts of plant biotechnology. They set their own agenda, selected the witnesses, and conducted the questioning. The panel’s verdict was very balanced, and ultimately supportive of biotechnology. They didn’t just learn the facts – they were engaged in the process.

The “dialogue model” of science communication can easily be applied to agricultural communication. Simply providing the general public with the facts will not signifi cantly affect their attitudes and decisions. Instead, we need to engage the general public in a two-way dialogue, where we listen to their concerns and connect using shared values (i.e. family, love for the outdoors). We need to leave the facts at home and engage the general public on an emotional level. Only then can we earn their support and maintain our social license to operate using science and technology on our farms.

─ Melissa [email protected]

WELFARE/PROFIT, Continued from Page 1century ago, W. D. Hoard wrote: “The rule to be observed in this stable at all times, toward the cattle…is that of patience and kindness. A man's usefulness in a herd ceases at once when he loses his temper and bestows rough usage. Men must be patient. Cattle are not reasoning beings…rough treatment lessens the fl ow (of milk). That injures me as well as the cow. Always keep these ideas in mind in dealing with my cattle."

As the research continues to accumulate, we see how right he was! Optimal cow welfare and farm profi tability are not an either/or choice. In fact, herds that ensure good cow welfare almost always enjoy greater farm profi tability. So, the question before the dairy farmer is not to choose between welfare and income, but rather to choose the management strategies and housing designs that ensure welfare and boost farm income.

─ Rick [email protected]


STOCKING DENSITY, STRESS, & SOLUTIONS

Overstocking is a commonly used management practice on many dairy farms across the country. While not all animals in these situations are affected, the subdominant cows are likely to experience typical behavioral changes such as reduced lying time, increased eating rate, and displacements from the feed-bunk or the free-stall. Furthermore, alterations in these behaviors may impact overall production, effi ciency, and health. However, these responses are not always seen in research trials or in commercial settings. So what kind of stress does higher stocking density place on these cows? The most likely answer: Chronic Intermittent Sub-Clinical Stress. Sounds like a mouthful, but understanding the type of stress our cows are experiencing can help us identify solutions to reduce stress and improve well-being for these animals.

Stocking density often results in stress that is chronic and intermittent in nature for subdominant cows. Because this results in cows competing for resources or space, affected animals consistently experience this stress, placing them in a chronic state. They will experience this until their environment is changed; either enough resources for all animals to minimize competition is achieved or they alter their position within the herd hierarchy. The latter usually is harder to accomplish unless the

animal is moved to a less competitive environment. These cows also experience this stress intermittently. Sources of competition are scattered throughout their day such as space at the feed-bunk or water trough, free-stall access and order heading into a milking parlor or footbath. Therefore, we can see how hard it may be for these animals to be relieved of this stress in their typical environments. But what kind of stress are we dealing with? Subclinical stress doesn’t shift enough biological resources to cause changes in biological function, thus very little to no clinical signs are seen. Therefore, it’s reasonable to see how subdominant cows may have changes in behaviors but we don’t always see clinical outcomes such as lower milk production or altered health status. So if we don’t see many production affects from stocking density, should we still be concerned? Yes! Although subclinical stress may not always result in visible signs, this stress is still reducing biological reserves in the cow. In other words, her “cushion factor” against disease or other

stressful events becomes reduced. Thus, it’s easy to see that when combined with other stressful situations, stocking density may limit the cow’s ability to withstand a second stressor, entering a state of distress. This is often associated with visible changes in biological function (production, health, reproduction) and can be greater when stressors are combined. Interactions among

stressors and stocking density are hot-topic issues among production animals, and research is currently ongoing within this fi eld.

Using our understanding of the type of stress cows are experiencing, we can start to explore solutions to minimize this stress and better manage them. Due to the chronic and intermittent state, several options can mitigate these consistent stress conditions: remove aggressively low-producers from the herd, separate multiparous and primiparous cows, move more timid multiparous cows to a primiparous pen, and reduce to overall length in which the pens are overstocked. Furthermore, minimize external sources of stress to overstocked cows to prevent them from entering clinical stages of distress. Reducing the stress load on sub-dominant cows now will pay dividends down the road in terms of production, health, and overall well-being of your herd.

─ Mac [email protected]


CHANGING YOUR FRAME OF MIND ABOUT MASTITIS

Mastitis continues to be a challenge to the dairy industry. Several mastitis control practices such as post-milking teat disinfection, blanket dry cow therapy, coliform mastitis vaccines, and inorganic bedding (ex. sand) have helped combat this issue. However, to truly reduce incidence of mastitis, these methods must be executed effectively and most importantly, consistently. To ensure this include the additional factors of social variables and communication on your farm. A recent study in the Journal of Dairy Science found that social variables, in addition to management practices, were associated with lower bulk tank somatic cell count in eastern dairy herds.

You can have a state-of-the-art protocol for preventing mastitis but your prevention program will be less successful unless you follow through with procedures and value the importance of mastitis prevention. This emphasizes the importance of social factors like knowledge, behaviors, and

attitude towards mastitis control among your employees. Positive attitude in the farm’s ability to combat mastitis, effective communication, strict protocols and proper motivation are all essential to reducing risk of mastitis. According to the survey study, when employees received a fi nancial or other penalty if somatic cell count increased, it was strongly associated with lower bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC). This relationship presents an interesting strategy to enforcing your mastitis prevention protocols: the framing effect.

The Framing effect is a cognitive bias in which people make a choice based on if it’s presented as a gain or a loss. Although the outcome is the same, this bias causes a preference for avoiding losses versus acquiring gains. Due to this, a person is more motivated to avoid a penalty than to receive an award for good performance. This concept can be applied to farmer views of mastitis and the success of mastitis control practices. If an increase in BTSCC and mastitis

results in a penalty (for example, a cut in pay), employees will be more motivated to keep these numbers under control than if they just received a pat on the back for doing so. Simply shifting the mindset about mastitis on your farm could help improve effectiveness and consistency of your mastitis prevention program. If this shift in motivation is effective, give it a try for other management areas on the farm!

─ Alyssa [email protected]

Framing Effect: How a choice is presented has an effect on decision making.

CHOCOHOLICS REJOICEA British study involving nearly 21,000 people over a period of 12 years found that those who regularly ate chocolate were healthier than those who ate little or no chocolate: They had 25% less cardiovascular disease, 45% fewer cardiac-related fatalities, fewer heart attacks and strokes, lower rates of diabetes, a better body-mass index, and lower blood pressure. These weren’t folks who occasionally glommed a Hershey’s Kiss; the heaviest consumers ate the equivalent of half a chocolate bar per day. Mostly milk chocolate, not the dark chocolate previously reported to be of greatest benefi t because of its high fl avenoid content, but even dark chocolate is a dairy product since it contains milk fat. A note of caution to couch potatoes: As a group the chocolate eaters also exercised more, suggesting that they had a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

─ E.T

NOBODY ASKED MY OPINION, BUT…

• A farmer buying his fi rst 4WD tractor will fi nd that he gets stuck in places he’s never been stuck before since he’d never even try to go through there with a 2WD. These places are often further from the farmstead, and stuck with a 4WD means really stuck.• According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a defi nition of “management” in old English dialects was “to spread manure”. Having been involved in management for much of my career I can attest that this defi nition is still quite appropriate.• A worrisome statistic: 25% women in the U.S. are being treated for emotional problems. Worrisome because it means that the other 75% are walking around untreated.

─ E.T.


TARGET OPTIMUM MOISTURE FOR 2015 CORN SILAGE CROP

The 2015 corn silage harvest season has been in full swing in northern NY. After a wet June in Chazy and much of the Northeast (see inset graph), a lot of corn regained composure and took advantage of heat during July and August. This year, fi eld variation is especially important to consider when planning harvest timing.

While relative maturity is important to consider for targeting harvest timing, the number of growing degree-days (GDD) and fi eld conditions — including soil temperatures, drainage, fertility, and hybrid type (i.e. BMR vs. non-BMR) ultimately drives corn growth, maturation, and the rate of dry down. Assuming differences in hybrid maturity are small (i.e., 5 days), fi elds planted fi rst are generally ready to be harvested fi rst in the fall. Fields planted fi rst in the spring also tend to be better drained and can reach physiological maturity faster assuming rainfall is not limiting.

There is no substitute for knowledge of whole-plant moisture for fi ne-tuning harvest timing. While kernel milk line can be a helpful index, whole-plant moisture status obtained by chopping a small section of guard rows or opening up a fi eld is the best way to target fi elds. The next best approach is to take multiple samples from fi elds

by hand (more is better), chopping (or use a chipper if it’s too early for the corn head to be on). The target should be 68-65% moisture (or 32-35% dry matter) for bunker silos and drive-over piles to optimize packing and fermentation. Growing degree-days (GDD) are also useful to track and help to target optimum harvest moisture (see inset graph). Research by Dr. Bill Cox showed that an average of 2,115 GDD (GDD = mean daily temperature in °F minus 50) were needed for 101-105 day hybrids to go from planting to harvest

moisture over a three-year study. An average of 1,310 GDD was required to reach the silk stage, and another 805 GDD needed to go from silk to harvest moisture for silage. Dr. Cox suggests checking whole plant moisture status once 750 GDD accumulate post-silking for 101-105 day hybrids. Hopefully you take time to ensure your fi elds are harvested at optimum moisture to optimize your payback from the cows when it comes time to feed it in a few months.

─ Eric [email protected]

BEE DEATHS AND “NEONICS”The potential for “neonics” (neonicotinoids, the most common insecticides used on seed corn) to cause bee deaths resulted in the European Union severely restricting their use. However, bee deaths in Europe last winter (2014-15) were twice as high as before this class of insecticides was restricted. This doesn’t mean that these insecticides don’t pose any threat to honeybees, but the fact is that bee colony losses in the E.U. were not correlated to the use of neon-ics. Honeybees face a variety of challenges including loss of habitat, colony collapse disorder, varroa mites, tracheal mites, bears and bad weather. Blaming the problem on a single class of pesticides is convenient, but misguided.

─ E.T.


WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE FARMThe landscape around our county is daily changing as equipment moves from fi eld to fi eld, chopping corn. Every fall I’m disappointed to see the corn stalks disappear from the fi elds – it means that summer is offi cially over. But on the other hand, I love the excitement and united effort on the farm at harvest…all other jobs get pushed to second place when the corn is ready. The quality of the forage we put up will greatly impact milk production and the profi tability of the farm in the next year. And so we’re monitoring dry matter as we move from fi eld to fi eld, adding a second packing tractor when the bunk starts to get full, and checking the roller settings to make sure the kernels are getting completely processed. This year we’ve had an unseasonably warm September with very little rain…great weather for harvest! As of September 25 we have 285 acres harvested and 120 acres still standing. Dry matter percent is running in the low to mid 30s with ears fi lled to the tips.

Meanwhile back at the barn we are busy calving out cows, starting new research studies and training several new employees. August was a discouraging month for calvings – we had an unusual number of twin births, quite a few of which died, but September has been much better. October and November will be our busiest calving months this year...get the hutches ready! The longer you work in the maternity pens, the more you learn the subtle signs that a cow’s delivery is not progressing normally. Frequent observation of the close-up pen is essential to know when labor began and how it is progressing. A white board on the wall provides a place for notes among employees monitoring the pen. “5:00am - 1990 discharge, tail up” “6:30am - 1990 bloody discharge, laying down, pushing”. Just recently I checked the pen one last time before leaving for

the day and there was a heifer starting to calve. The water bag was visible, but it also looked like a piece of the placenta was already being pushed out – not normal…time for an exam. Sure enough, the calf was positioned upside down. I couldn’t quite rotate the calf 180 degrees but thankfully Steve had just come back from hauling corn and came up to help. (Think I need to go to the gym this winter to build up my shoulder muscles!)

For some of us at the farm milking, feeding, vaccinating cows, delivering calves is almost second nature – we are very familiar with the job and work comfortably and confi dently around the animals. But to others on our crew, dairy farming is still a fairly new experience and they are learning the routine of the farm. This fall we have three new employees in our operation, two of whom have never worked with cows before. Training starts by working alongside someone

doing the job for which you have been hired. This puts the burden of training on one of our employees who is experienced in the job and is willing to take on the responsibility of teaching and directing someone else. This can be a challenge because instructing and training takes a different skill set than just doing the job itself. Just because someone is good at their job doesn’t necessarily mean they will be good at training new employees… not everyone is ready or willing to be a leader in this way. I‘ve been thinking a lot lately about how I learn new skills and how we train people at the dairy. Our farm crew is the key to good herd health, high quality forage, and a 30,000 lb herd average. When a new person joins this team, training them correctly is very important…but I will save all those thoughts for another Farm Report.

─ Anna [email protected]

This is the fi rst year we used a grapple bucket to move tires for covering the bunk. We all agree that it's fantastic ─ it can hold more tires so we get the job done faster but also the tires stay cleaner because no mud is scooped up!


FORWARD PLANNING: FERTILIZERSThe U.S. Planting Intentions report predicts slightly higher corn and soybean acreage in 2016. Remembering that futures prices are an indication of what grain prices will be next year, unless adverse weather becomes a serious issue it appears that for most of 2016 corn will remain under $4 per bushel and soybeans under $9. Milk prices are lower but dairy farmers’ balance sheets will be helped by a continuation of low interest rates and lower fuel, fertilizer and feed prices. So in a matter of a few years we’ve gone from record high milk and grain prices to our current period of generally low milk and input prices.

If you have any alfalfa and alfalfa-grass fi elds where soil test K is less than optimal you should get some manure or potash on these fi elds right

away. I’m particularly concerned about alfalfa-grass fi elds since if available K is limiting the grass will suck it up at the expense of the alfalfa. A lot of alfalfa doesn’t die from bad weather, insects, disease or old age — farmers starve it to death by not maintaining adequate potassium levels. There may have been some excuse six years ago when potash was over $800 per ton, not so much with prices little more than half that amount.

Fertilizer prices decreased this fall after holding up for most of the growing season, but this doesn’t mean that you should immediately order fertilizer for 2016. Nitrogen and phosphorus prices will probably remain steady into winter, while potash prices might drop a bit further. The notable exception is 10-34-0, the base for fl uid (liquid) fertilizers:

The price of 10-34-0 has been higher all year and is still up about 10% from a year ago. We normally see a moderate difference in price per pound of nutrient for fl uid vs. dry granular fertilizers with fl uids costing more; current price trends suggest that this difference may widen in 2016. Increased acreages of corn and soybeans in 2016 would normally be bullish for fertilizer prices, but farm economics ain’t so hot overseas, and since fertilizer is a global commodity this might hold prices down. The old crystal ball is a bit foggy these days, but fertilizer industry reports suggest that you could wait until early 2016 to order nitrogen and starter fertilizer — taking any income tax consequences into account, of course.

─ Ev Thomas [email protected]

RETIREMENT ─ COMMENTARYA recent study found that retired people are happier and healthier than when they were working, with the health benefi ts more noticeable several years after retirement. However, that must depend to some extent on what they did when they were working and what impact this had on their health. And of course there’s a natural time limit to all this; it’s said that maintaining good health is simply the slowest possible way to die. Since retirement I’ve been quite healthy except for the tendency to break large bones (wrist, ankle), in one case simply a missed step on the golf course but in the other case the result of doing something so incredibly stupid that you will not read about it here (though The Bride delights in telling and retelling the story). Suffi ce it to say that I’ve since been banned

from anything involving tall ladders. Happier? I loved my job at Miner Institute and looked forward to coming to work on Monday. I retired primarily so that T.B. and I could spend most of the year at Oak Point where my family has been for over 150 years. We had a small dairy farm until the early 1950s with corn rows running right to the shore of the St. Lawrence River, and still use the 3-story barn built in 1893. Another attraction was being able to spend the winter months in Virginia where the term “wind chill” is seldom mentioned. But as Farm Report readers know I didn’t really retire; I still write for several farm publications, frequently answer questions from farmers and other agricultural professionals, do some on-farm consulting and speak at farmer and agribusiness meetings. I simply reduced

my work hours by about 80% and my daily commute is now 20 feet — from the kitchen table to my computer on the roll-top desk that’s been in the family for at least 100 years.

Similarly, dairy farmers often don’t completely retire, they transfer their business to the next generation and work fewer hours, doing the chores that they want (or are allowed) to do: Haying, going to town for parts, almost anything involving sitting in a tractor seat but not milking cows. After retiring a farming friend reported that he was now offi cially in charge of daily manure spreading, a job he didn’t mind at all. Was he happier and healthier? He sure seemed happy the day I talked to him. ─ E.T.


FIBER DIGESTIBILITY IN CORN SILAGE: HOW CAN WE INCREASE IT?

Corn silage is widely used by the dairy industry worldwide as a source of energy and physically effective fi ber. Starch and neutral detergent fi ber (NDF) are the main sources of energy for dairy cows fed corn silage and therefore improvements in digestibility of these nutrients may increase milk production or reduce feed costs through enhanced feed effi ciency. The focus of this article is to provide an overview of the alternatives to increase NDF digestibility in corn silage.

Physical and chemical factors may affect NDF digestibility in the rumen of dairy cows. Generally, attempts to alter the physical aspect of the fi ber fraction in corn silage were through varying chop length at harvest. A reduction in chop length increases surface area for bacterial attachment and hence NDF digestibility. However, a review from Wisconsin researchers does not support this theory. These researchers found no difference in NDF digestibility across several theoretical lengths of cut settings, and speculated that decreased particle size may have insuffi cient ruminal retention time to allow for increased NDF digestibility. In addition, physically effective NDF is important for ruminal mat consistency, rumination activity, rumen buffering and digestion, and milk fat content. Reduction in particle size and thereby in physically effective NDF may be detrimental, especially when cows are fed high-fermentable diets.

Switching gears, the cross-linking of

lignin to other fi brous components is the primarily chemical limiting factor for NDF digestibility. Thus, application of strategies to decrease either lignin content or its connection to other fi ber fractions may be benefi cial for dairy farmers willing to increase NDF digestibility and thereby milk production. Several factors are thought to affect the lignin content and bonding to other fi ber fractions, including: maturity at harvest, fi brolytic enzymes, enzyme-producing bacterial inoculants and hybrid types.

Let corn plants stand longer in the fi eld with the purpose of obtaining greater yields of starch is a common practice. However, as maturity progresses corn silage accumulates more lignin which in turn may impair NDF digestibility. Also, other challenges related to the harvesting of dried corn silage (> 40% dry matter) such as packing issues and poor aerobic stability must also be considered when targeting for more mature corn silage. Recently, a research out of University of Delaware highlighted that yeasts obtained from spoiled silage reduced rumen bugs capacity of digesting NDF.

Recently, extended storage length has been proposed as tool to increase starch digestibility. However, research does not support the same fate for NDF digestibility. Overall, data from several sites across the United States demonstrate that extended storage does not change or slightly reduces NDF digestibility in corn silage.

The use of fi brolytic enzymes at ensiling looks promising but is still a work in progress. Research data out of Canada in the early 2000’s supported the use of enzymes with xylanase activity. However, the same research group observed no improvements when using an enzyme with cellulose-xylanase activity in a recent report. Likewise, results of a bacterial inoculant that produces an enzyme able to break bonds between lignin and other fi ber fractions are variable. At this point, it is uncertain how various hybrids and environmental factors interact with these enzymes or inoculants. Make sure you ask for research data from your region prior to using either of them.

Hybrid selection remains the most reliable strategy to increase NDF digestibility in corn silage. Brown midrib hybrids, for example, show year after year greater NDF digestibility than other hybrids. However, yield and nutritive value of hybrids varies from year to year and in different regions. Therefore, going through hybrids performance trial results near your farm and across several years is a must prior to selecting a new hybrid.

─ Luiz [email protected]

* Luiz arrived in late September from the University of Wisconsin and will be a post-doctoral researcher at Miner Institute for the next two years.


ODE TO FALL 2015There’s a chill in the air, and daylight’s a fadin’,Roar of chopper, trucks a rollin’, corn a fl yin’,Packer, packin’, pack, pack, back and forth.

‘nough on top? Too wet? Too dry?TLC of lessor concern, must crush those kernels, for they are dry,

But, what of peNDF and particle size?Can always add fi ber or feed more forage to optimize,

Don’t mince, don’t dice, of 19, 8 and 4 millimeter; 5, 40, 30 percent would be nice,Must crush those kernels, don’t hesitate, for Mertens and I can always debate,

Size, that is, and uNDF, and how they relate to passage rate.CSPS of 65 or more is where it’s at,

To make milk with forage is always pat,Best for cow, for farm, and management.

Warm fall days, cool cold nights, alfalfa is short, but looks real nice,Sure, put it up now, forget snow cover,

For who the heck knows what winter will bring,The praises of 4th cut we hope to sing.Work your poop in for goodness sake,

Lost nutrients to you, end up in the lake,Vermont under fi re from EPA,

Plan was accepted but will it delay,The accumulation of P in the bay?

It’s not just manure and not only farms, but also stream banks and fl ooding storms,Let’s do our share,

To our waters take care.

Happy Fall

─ Kurt Cotanch


SAVE THE DATE: DAIRY DAY 2015Wednesday, December 2

Dairy Day is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information contact: Wanda Emerich, 518-846-7121, ext. 117 or [email protected].

AGENDA: 10 - 10:40 Dr. Rick Grant, Miner Institute, “Hell's Kitchen: Feeding Your Cows to Win”

10:40 -11:30 Dr. Joe Hogan, The Ohio State University, “Mastitis: Myths, Mayhem and Madness.”

11:35 -12:15 Melissa Woolpert, Miner Institute, “Bulk up your Bulk Tank: Strengthening your Cow's Fat and Protein Fitness.” 12:15 -1:15 Lunch and Door Prizes

1:15 - 2:00 Dr. Joe Hogan, The Ohio State University, “Mastitis: Myths, Mayhem and Madness Continued”

2 - 2:30 Dr. Heather Dann, Miner Institute “Ruminations about Chewing.”

2:15 - 2:45 Kurt Cotanch, Miner Institute, “Fiber Nuggets - Breakfast of Champions” Hot lunch will be available for $5

Miner Institute is located in Chazy, NY on Miner Farm Road, Route 191- 1 mile west of Interstate 87, exit 41. Travel time is approximately 1 hour south of Montreal, 20 minutes north of Plattsburgh, NY, 1.5 hours from Burlington, VT, or 3 hours north of Albany, NY.

POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP AVAILABLE AT MINER INSTITUTE

Milk Mid-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy Metrics for Dairy Cattle Management

POSITION: Full-time, 24-month position, available immediately.DESCRIPTION: The primary responsibility will be in the area of research related to development of milk mid-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy metrics for dairy management. This research is being done collaboratively with Dr. Dave Barbano, Cornell University, and Delta Instruments. The vision is to develop new tools in milk analysis for bulk tank and individual cow milks that will support decision making for management of feeding, health, and reproduction in dairy cows.QUALIFICATIONS: A Ph.D. degree in Animal Science, Dairy Science, Food Science or a related fi eld within the past 3 years is required. A strong background in dairy management, milk analysis, modeling, or database management and demonstrated productivity in the laboratory is required. A high degree of motivation, organizational skills, and ability to multi-task are also required. Good communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to work well in a group environment are highly desirable. Miner Institute is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status.APPLICATIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Send curriculum vitae, a personal statement indicating goals for post-doctoral experience and future career, and names with contact information for three references to: Heather Dann, Ph.D. at [email protected] or PO Box 90, Chazy, NY, 12921.


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the william h. miner agricultural research institute october 2015 … · 2015-10-30 · ─ melissa...

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