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I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family of magazines, Progressive Cattleman. If you are interested in doing business with a company that is committed to providing the best possible service to readers, advertisers and the livestock industry as a whole, you will enjoy doing business with us. Our team is focused on continuously improving the ways we serve these valuable friends and clients. We extend an open invitation to each of you to help us provide meaningful information and tools to our readers. Thank you, Alan Leavitt Publisher [email protected] Progressive Cattleman welcomes editorial contributions from our allied industry partners. Why? These contributions complement the mission statements of our magazines. By becoming partners with respected industry companies and organizations, we multiply the experience of our editors, increasing the depth and scope of expertise readers find in Progressive Cattleman. Objective, non-commercial editorial contributions help create a more comprehensive resource for producers – our readers and primary focus. If interested in contributing to the magazine with editorial content, please consider the following: • Editors review and approve all contributions to Progressive Cattleman magazine. If interested in writing and submitting an article, please contact an editor. • Editors’ decisions to offer invitations to contribute are made independent from ad sales and ad placement decisions. Submission opportunities are not held exclusively for advertisers only. All companies, consultants or individuals may be considered for this opportunity. Every summer, farmers prepare their dairy facilities for the negative effects of heat stress to avoid losses in milk production, feed intake and reproductive performance. Heat stress on dairy farms can be alleviated by a number of on-farm management practices and heat- abatement systems. Heat-abatement systems such as fans, sprinklers and shades are commonly used to reduce the negative effects of heat stress on the lactating cow. However, each heat-abatement system varies in its ability to control thermal conditions and minimize production losses. Furthermore, the type of heat- abatement systems varies depending on the facility type, such as freestall housing barns or the holding pen. Many studies have identified specific heat-abatement systems that can alleviate heat stress in dairy cows; however, no studies have looked at all the different types of systems in a single analysis. Before the summer of 2007, the University of Wisconsin along with Alta Genetics teamed up to design a study and identify heat-abatement strategies and systems that were Which heat-abatement systems are effective for cooling cows? Jon Schefers for Progressive Dairyman PDEXCLUSIVE consistent among dairy farms for reducing heat stress. The study During the summer of 2007, 29 dairy herds participating in Alta’s progeny testing program were selected to participate in a heat stress study to determine the importance of different types of heat-abatement systems and facility designs for alleviating heat stress in lactating dairy cows. Herds participating in the study were located in California, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. For each herd, intravaginal temperatures were recorded from lactating cows using a continuous temperature logging device (HOBO) attached to a blank intravaginal insert (CIDR). (See a photo of the device on the next page.) Cow temperature was recorded over a 39-hour period at 2-minute intervals. Intravaginal temperatures were recorded for eight early lactation cows per herd. Over the same 39-hour period, ambient temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit) and relative humidity were collected at 2-minute intervals in the freestall barns on each dairy. irteen factors related to facilities and heat-abatement systems were considered in this study (See Table 1 for a list of all the factors). e effect of shade was not Continued on page 40 Table 1 Heat abatement system and facility data Variables Heat Abatement 1) Soakers over the feedbunk 2) Soakers over the holding pen 3) Inches of water space per cow 4) Airflow rate (cfm/cow, cubic feet per minute per cow) over the feedbunk 5) Airflow rate (cfm/cow) over the resting area 6) Airflow rate (cfm/cow) over the holding pen Barn Design 7) Barn orientation 8) Number of freestall rows 9) Eave height (feet) 10) Roof pitch (feet) Management 11) Stocking density in the breeding pen 12) Parlor throughput Weather Conditions 13) Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) Issue 10 • July 8, 2008 Progressive Dairyman 39 FeedFresh™ Silage covers help increase your bottom line by maintaining high- quality silage throughout the bunker. Manufactured using proven Dura-Skrim technology drawn from the grain storage industry, FeedFresh™ covers contain high-strength fiber reinforcement for superior tear resistance and durability. Our expertise in specialty construction films adds multi-layer technology resulting in a lower oxygen transmission rate (OTR) to help keep oxygen from reaching your valuable feed inside. FeedFresh™ offers the ultimate in bunker covering by combining superior strength and maximum freshness technology. To learn more about FeedFresh™ bunker covers, call 1-800-635-3456 or visit www.ravenag.com Extra Wide… Extra Long… Reinforced Covers INTRODUCING FROM SIOUX AUTOMATION CENTER, INC. MAXIMIXER 3000V SERIES VERTICAL MIXERS CALL TODAY 866.722.1488 www.siouxautomation.com DEMO’S AVAILABLE FEATURES: • Available in Sizes from 270 c.f. to 1550 c.f. • Available in Trailer or Truck Mounted Styles • Many Discharge Options Available • Heavy Duty Construction • Larger Units Come with a 2-Speed Gearbox Dealerships Available Symposium discusses ensiling, feeding distillers grains G. Alan Harrison for Progressive Dairyman e 12th annual Distillers Grains Symposium, hosted by the Distillers Grains Technology Council, was held May 21-22, 2008, in Kansas City, Missouri. Among the 210 attendees were representatives from the beverage and fuel ethanol industries, university researchers and nutritionists. Four countries, including 31 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, were represented at the symposium. e two-day meeting consisted of 14 presentations on the role of distillers grains (DG) in animal nutrition, new technological developments in ethanol production and regulations regarding DG. e symposium also included the awarding of seven scholarships totaling $4,750 to graduate students involved in DG research. Symposium presentations and highlights • Dr. Terry Klopfenstein of the University of Nebraska reviewed research by Kansas State University and Nebraska that did not consistently show any effect of diet in general, or DG in particular, on E. coli O1572:H7 prevalence in beef cattle. • Storage options for wet DG were discussed in presentations by Dr. Larry Berger of the University of Illinois and Dr. Rick Rasby of the University of Nebraska. Storage of wet grains up to one year is possible when grains are handled similar to silage – cover, pack, limit runoff and water contamination (principles of good silage-making apply). Combining wet grains with dry byproducts or forages can improve storage and be complementary in terms of nutrient content. With straight wet DG, covering piles with 1 pound of salt per square foot and plastic can improve stability and increase storage life. Dr. Berger also reported on feeding studies with dairy beef that found wet DG could be fed at up to 30 percent of diet dry matter (DM) without affecting carcass quality or yield. e optimum level of DG will depend on cost of alternative ingredients. • e impact of lower starch in lactating dairy rations was reviewed by Dr. David Schingoethe of South Dakota State University. As DG replaces corn, dietary starch levels decrease while digestible fiber increases. ough high DG diets will have lower starch levels than traditional corn-based diets, milk yield tends to be maintained or increased on high DG diets. Digestible fiber in DG may provide adequate carbohydrates for ruminal microbes. Milk fat depression in higher DG is not expected unless effective fiber is lower than recommended. • e impact of corn fractionation prior to fermentation was discussed by Jeff Scharping of ICM, Inc. Advantages of fractionation include higher plant capacity (not fermenting the non-fermentables), increased efficiency in fermentation and lower energy costs (burning bran and syrup). e resulting co-product differs from traditional DG – higher protein and lower fat content. General comments • New co-products from fractionation and cellulosic fermentations will require new AAFCO definitions and research to evaluate feeding value. e market value of these new products is still to be determined, but new co-products will certainly provide nutritionists with more formulation • DG consistency is still an issue (more so for swine and poultry), but the debate over the market value of a consistent product continues. • Economics may force new plants to move to fractionation unless they are located in areas with strong markets PDEXCLUSIVE 16 Issue 10 • July 8, 2008 Select Sires understands that a one-size-fits-all approach to reproductive management doesn’t work in today’s dairy A Select Sires Reproductive Solutions Specialist can help. Select Sires offers a complete Portfolio of Reproductive Solutions including: � Reproductive troubleshooting � Select R PRO Analysis , dairy records and management analysis � Professional turnkey technician service � Estrus-synchronization programs and assistance � Heat detection training � English and Spanish training resources � Professional A.I. training � Heat detection aids � Nutritional supplements ts per liter. drive pH re alkaline. ve pH of cidic. A have a pH d of or cation r your CAD nist’s exact AD will acidosis. ulting h cow on D will d and ws, tion. we o r ow D of with he nce e e DMI, we would expect the cows to move toward a higher rumen and blood pH. When the veterinarian performed rumenocentesis on several cows to check rumen pH, suspecting acidosis since the cows weren’t doing very well, he instead found that rumen pH was quite high, averaging pH 7.0. Removal of some of the added salt in the diet helped move cows back into a more optimal TICAD range. At the same time, that water supply with a strong ion difference of +14 milliequivalents per liter, was working against their efforts to avoid milk fever by providing an anionic diet with a negative DCAD. Conclusion Water is essential to the health and productivity of the animals in our care. ere are numerous factors intrinsic to our water supplies, which can have substantial effects on our cows. Getting a water analysis is just the first step in assessing water’s impact. Evaluating the water supply in terms of mineral levels and their contribution to the strong ion difference will help you understand the potential impact on your cows. Just because we may not see, smell or taste a problem in a water supply does not mean that no problem exists. e mineral content of water, when combined with the minerals we supplement in feeds, can dramatically alter the form and availability of those minerals. Taken together, the strong ions from both water and feed will influence rumen function and the acid/base status of the whole cow with implications for her health and productivity. We really should know more about water – the most important nutrient we supply to our cows. In future issues, I’ll discuss some treatment options you can draw on if you determine there’s a problem with your water supply. PD www.progressivedairy.com Charlie Elrod Springfield Farm Enterprises Inc. Animal Nutrition [email protected] Simply knowing the concentration of a mineral in water or feed really tells us nothing of its speciation or solubility and hence its availability to the animal or potential for toxicity. Figure 1 Formulated Diet Prefresh Ideal Cation Anion Difference in mE1/100g DMI Potential for the Strong Ion Difference (SID) of water to shift Total Intake Cation Anion Difference (TICAD) out of an optimal range Lactating -12 SID +12 -12 -8 0 30 40 -12 SID +12 Formulated Diet Minerals in your water?, cont’d from page 47 to cows, either through treatment or a change of source, has often yielded significant water intake and milk production responses. As I dug into water chemistry in an attempt to understand these effects, I came across the concept of the Strong Ion Difference (SID) in solutions. At its core, the SID concept states that the pH of a solution will be driven by the sum of its cations, positively charged ions like calcium, minus the sum of its anions, negatively charged ions like reported as milliequivalents per liter. If the SID is positive, it will drive pH of the solution higher – more alkaline. If SID is negative, it will drive pH of the solution lower – more acidic. A solution with a SID of 0 will have a pH of 7, or neutral. You have probably heard of or used the concept of dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) for your prefresh or lactating cows. DCAD is just the ruminant nutritionist’s version of SID, based on the exact same concept. A negative DCAD will drive cows toward metabolic acidosis. A negative DCAD and the resulting mild acidosis helps the prefresh cow mobilize calcium in preparation for lactation. A positive DCAD will drive cows toward higher blood and rumen pH and, for lactating cows, optimize DMI and milk production. To really understand the whole picture of cation anion balance, we need to apply the SID concept to water supplies and evaluate their contribution to DCAD and the potential effects on rumen and cow We are proposing that the SID of water should be considered along with the DCAD in what we are calling the Total Intake Cation Anion Difference (TICAD). (See Figure 1.) In many cases, the contributions of water to the TICAD will be minimal because the strong ion difference will be close to 0. In other cases, where the strong ion difference is large, +/- 10 milliequivalents per liter or more, the contribution to the TICAD can be significant and shift cows out of an optimal range. e target TICAD should be in the same ranges as we’ve used for DCAD, between -8 to -12 milliequivalents per 100 grams DMI for prefresh cows, and between +30 to +40 milliequivalents per 100 grams DMI for lactating cows. One recent example may help illustrate the concept. A water sample from the U.K. had a SID of +14 milliequivalents per liter due to a high level of sodium in the water. When combined with the DCAD of 32 milliequivalents per 100 grams d t s su pr of m ca ava tog wat fun the her shou mos our c I treatm you d your w Ch Sp E An celr M to a si p in eff of in co so it li an Table 1 Minerals in Your Water? There’s More Than Meets the Eye Minerals Supplemented in Feed MgSO4 NaCl CaCO3 Ion Specie Found in Rumen Mg Cl- Ca MgSO FeCl CaSO MgHPO MnCl CaPO MgH PO ZnCl CaHPO MgPO ZnCl CaHSO MgOH FeCl ZnCl by Leigh Rubin “Mom! ... Frankie just made the SiloStop Oxygen Barrier System Employee-Owned Oxygen Barrier System 1-800-854-7971 www.vitaplus.com SiloStop is impermeable to oxygen, lightweight, strong, simple and cost effective. “For the past two years, SiloStop has saved us time and labor by eliminating the top spoilage on our bunker. We do not lose any corn silage in the summer and we feed 100% of what we harvest.” Joe Jans Co Jo Dairy Grove City, Minnesota Unparalleled Parallel With individual indexing, individual release and rapid entry/exit, the heavy-duty Magnum 90i offers unmatched efficiency and cow comfort. •Individual indexing— comfortably positions each cow for safe, easy operator access. •Manual individual release— allows individual cows to be released and sorted. Magnum 90i ™ The ultimate individual indexing parallel stall USA toll free: 877.WS.DAIRY www.westfaliasurge.com You’ll find the same cow-friendly design and reliable performance in WestfaliaSurge Global 90i individual indexing parallel parlor and the Challenger 90group indexing parallel parlor. Talk with your WestfaliaSurge representative to decide which system best meets your needs, no matter how many cows you milk. 48 Issue 6 • April 15, 2008 Issue 6 • April 15, 2008 Progressive Dairyman 49 Minerals in your water? There’s more than meets the eye Dr. Charlie Elrod for Progressive Dairyman Water is one of the most basic, yet important things we can supply for our cows. Despite the central role that water plays in mammalian physiology, we tend to take it for granted. It is even more crucial for our cows, which produce large quantities of milk that is roughly 87 percent water. All too often, we fail to provide this crucial nutrient in adequate quantities or acceptable quality for our cows. is article will provide some new insight into the fate of inorganic minerals and the potential effects that minerals in water can have on rumen function and metabolism. Water chemistry and mineral speciation Pure water is a very simple compound. However, as soon as anything is added to it, such as minerals in groundwater, its chemistry becomes very complex. A water analysis tells us the quantity of certain minerals in our water. Usually, we accept that information at face value. However, there are a couple of laws in water chemistry that must be obeyed. One law is electroneutrality. In other words, the electrical charges from ions, positive and negative, must be balanced so that water does not carry an electrical charge. e second law is that water will achieve the lowest possible energy state. is condition is met by matching the “strength” of the ionic bonds. As soon as another mineral is added to the solution, all of the mineral molecules, calcium carbonate or sodium chloride for instance, will split apart and recombine into different molecular combinations, called ion specie, until these two conditions are achieved. e rumen, containing an aqueous solution in which fermentation occurs, is bound by the same electrochemical principles. We provide certain minerals in feed in the belief that they survive intact to be absorbed by our cows. Regardless of the source of inorganic minerals, whether they come from water or feed, they are subject to this process of dissociation and recombination in order to meet the electrochemical requirements. Table 1provides a list of the various ion specie which are formed from some commonly fed inorganic minerals once they hit the aqueous environment of the rumen. One important consideration that follows is that each of these ion specie has a different solubility in the rumen and intestine. Absorption and use by the animal will largely depend on the ion’s solubility as it passes through the intestine. In the reference book Mineral Tolerance of Animals, the U.S. National Research Council concluded that simply knowing the concentration of a mineral in water or feed really tells us nothing of its speciation or solubility and hence its availability to the animal or potential for toxicity. What about the minerals in water? For years I have observed the impact that different water sources can have on cows. Sometimes it seems to be the high sulfate, sodium, iron, manganese or others. Sometimes it’s a high (pH 9) or low (pH 4) pH of the water that seems to put cows off. e results are often similar, regardless of the mineral(s) involved: Cows have lower-than-expected dry matter intake (DMI), milk production isn’t where it ought to be, and feed efficiency is poor. Sometimes reproduction or general health is affected. Unfortunately, it has been nearly impossible to define a cause-and-effect relationship between the specific minerals in the water and the symptoms of poor performance. ere is very little research data on the effects of isolated minerals coming from water. On the other hand, making changes to the water supplied All too often, we fail to provide this crucial quality for our cows. ” Continued on page 48 e ! liv y xy . v r r t i y s e iIssue 6 • April 15, 2008 Progressive Dairyman 47 Industry submissions Frequently asked questions How can I get an article in your magazine? We welcome articles from industry experts that are timely, unbiased and factual. Often, companies within the industry have stores of knowledge and helpful experts. We welcome these experts to become contributing authors and write about industry topics in our publications. Please do not plan to submit articles that have previously appeared in other beef magazines. I have a new product or service. How can I let your readers know about it? We welcome news about new products or services that will better serve cattle and forage producers. To submit new product information, please send an electronic text file via e-mail to an editor before the editorial publication deadline. Limit submissions to 150 words. A photo of the product may accompany the submission. Include a phone number, e-mail address or website for readers to contact if they want more information. Where do you get your editorial content? Our goal is to deliver information that educates. In addition to our staff editorials and articles, we print articles from professors, university extension agents, industry professionals, nutritionists, veterinarians and producers. Producers tell us they find value in these educational resources. We deliver that value by sifting through most of the “fluff” out there to find and print the most reliable information available. We are doing a research trial. Can you write about the results? We are interested in the results of product trials, especially if they include multiple or comprehensive studies of all products in a product line. Please alert an editor about these trials. Editors will determine if the results will be published and how much editorial coverage will be given to each trial. My company is putting on a seminar next month. Can I get it listed on your calendar of upcoming events? We want to know about your events, as do our readers. To submit an event for inclusion in our calendar, please e-mail the event’s date, show title, location, contact information and website to [email protected]. Please submit your event at least two months prior to the event date to ensure it will be received prior to our press deadline. I know of a beef producer in my sales territory that is having great success using our products. Can you write an article about him? We want to know when you think producers or their operations are worthy of spotlighting. In addition to your industry referrals, we individually seek out producers and employees who are progressive, efficient and successful. Your help in locating or identifying these producers is appreciated. After receiving a referral, an editor will contact the producer and determine if the operation could be featured in the magazine. For more information, please contact: How to Subscribe 1. Online: Go to progressivecattle.com/subscribe and complete the form. 2. Phone: (800) 320-1424 or (208) 324-7513 Call our circulation department between the hours of 8 a.m and 5 p.m. MST. 3. Fax: (208) 324-1133 Download a PDF version of our subscription form at progressivecattle.com/subscribe.pdf Stew Nelson 238 West Nez Perce (Physical) or PO Box 585 (Mailing) Jerome, ID 83338-0585 (208) 324-7513 or (800) 320-1424 FAX: (208) 324-1133 [email protected] AUGUST 2010 Blazing a new trail Introducing a new magazine for the U.S. beef industry. Debate on GIPSA Producers react to proposed USDA packer regulations. PG. 12 Paternal heterosis The advantages seedstock producers can see with their hybrid bulls. PG. 21 In this issue Longer calving seasons Learn why extending your calving season could have a heavy impact on production. PG. 50 SEEDSTOCK GUIDE Inside: See the Progressive Cattleman Fall Seedstock Sales Guide inserted inside this issue. serving the ag industry nationwide PUBLISHING PROGRESSIVE Inside Learn more about Progressive Cattleman A brand-new magazine to serve the U.S. beef industry. U.S. Beef Industry Statistics How does your state and region measure up? Get on the same page How to work together as owner, herdsman and consultant. PG. 37 Plus Who to pay first? As milk prices improve, find out which of your creditors should be on the top of your list to repay. PG. 28 Follow this Wisconsin couple as they start using forward contracts. PG. 26 Beware of forecasts Managing volatility in 2010 doesn’t have to be like predicting the weather. Focus on managing your margins instead. PG. 17 Serving Dairymen Nationwide | January 20, 2010 | Vol. 24 No. 2 USDA’s aid: A fairy tale? Read why the story-line of December’s direct payment assistance reads much like one of Aesop’s fables. PG. 14 Harvest milk like a calf Teach milkers to do more of what a calf does – stimulate milk letdown and then harvest immediately. PG. 47 Inside: PDPW Business Conference Read about and get registered for this March 16-17 premier educational event. Published since 1987 18x Annually Circulation: 28,000+ the dairyman español/english www.el-lechero.com | Volumen 4 Numero 6 Noviembre 2009 November 2009 Vol. 4 No. 6 INSIDE Jose Ramirez: You can trust him 22 How to trim 6 10 José Ramírez: Puedes confiar en él 6 ¿Cómo hacer un recorte de mantenimiento en una pezuña delantera? 22 ¿Estoy haciendo un buen trabajo en la sala de ordeño? 10 The bilingual magazine for the dairy industry Am I doing a good job in the parlor? Richard Weingart teaches maintenance trimming a front hoof. CENTER POSTER Teach how to watch for these health issues in the parlor. Published since 2006 6X Annually Circulation: 26,000+ Plus Equipment lifespan Can you afford to get by with used or should you invest in new? Manage behavior Improve sustainability with multi-species grazing. See how your state ranked in 2009. U.S. forage stats inside! Quality counts In a year of increased production, quality forage remains in demand. PROGRESSIVE FORAGE GROWER FEBRUARY 1, 2010 | VOL. 11 ISSUE 2 Published since 2000 8X Annually Circulation: 40,000+ Mailbox date Editorial deadline Ad order deadline Issue 1 January 1, 2011 November 15, 2010 December 7, 2010 Issue 2 February 1, 2011 December 15, 2010 January 5, 2011 Issue 3 March 1, 2011 January 12, 2011 February 2, 2011 Issue 4 April 1, 2011 February 14, 2011 March 7, 2011 Issue 5 May 1, 2011 March 15, 2011 April 5, 2011 Issue 6 June 1, 2011 April 14, 2011 May 5, 2011 Issue 7 July 1, 2011 May 16, 2011 June 6, 2011 Issue 8 August 1, 2011 June 14, 2011 July 5, 2011 Issue 9 September 1, 2011 July 15, 2011 August 5, 2011 Issue 10 October 1, 2011 August 16, 2011 September 6, 2011 Issue 11 November 1, 2011 September 14, 2011 October 5, 2011 Issue 12 December 1, 2011 October 14, 2011 November 4, 2011 Larger Size Because our publication is tabloid size (10.5” x 14.5”), all ads are 35% larger than other publications who use regular magazine size (8.5” x 11”) paper . Calendar Our Jr. Page is the same size as a regular full page ad in standard size magazines. WEST REGION SOUTH/CENTRAL REGION NORTH/CENTRAL REGION AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY See the digital sample at www.progressivecattle.com IA, IL, MN, ND, NE, SD, WI AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX The mission of Progressive Cattleman is to: • Provide forward-thinking beef producers with practical, unbiased operation and management articles, timely news, cutting-edge technology and thought- provoking opinions. • Create an open forum for industry discussion and an easy-to-read magazine of expert information about the beef industry. • Assist cattlemen in improving their profitability and efficiency while enjoying the life experiences associated with producing Nature’s perfect food – beef. 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