April 2002

Announcements from the Minnesota DHIA Annual Meeting

March 26, 2002

$500 Minnesota DHIA Scholarship Winners       $500 National DHIA Scholarship Winners
Christopher Gregory of Kimball Ruth Milbrandt of Elmore
Amy Kozitka of Howard Lake Michael Miron of Hugo
Jason Marthaler of Osakis Beth Primus of Sauk Centre
Aaron Schrodt of Owatonna Jennifer Westerberg of Long Prarie
Christina Rettmann of Buffalo Lake

Two resolutions passed without dissent:
  1. "Minnesota DHIA develop, implement, and enforce comprehensive Biosecurity protocols for all DHIA employees working in the Minnesota DHIA system, and that those protocols include the equipment and person of the Field Rep or other DHIA personnel. It is understood that participation and cooperation of customers will be the key to successful implementation of such protocols."
  2. "Minnesota DHIA look into the creation of a Wisconsin District, even if herd numbers do not equal those of other districts at the time the new district is created."


Officers elected for 2002: President Larry Eggler of Elgin
Vice President Julian Sjostrom of Pelican Rapids
Secretary, Treasure Paul Fritsche of New Ulm
     
New Board Member seated: Jim Weller of Brooten
Dave Scapanski of Sauk Rapids
Dave Hallberg of Pennock
     
Award Winners:
Outstanding Field Reps: Dave Nyberg of New Auburn  Kevin Knoblach of Sauk Centre
Dave Susag of Lake City Daryl Hook of Tyler
Ron Klindworth of Northfield Tim Felmlee of Burnsville
Lester Perschbacher of Albert Lea 
Outstanding New Field Rep of the Year Beth Fox of Glencoe
New Herd Leader Tim Christensen of Moose Lake
Career Service Award Betty McAlpine of Buffalo
(3rd time presented in 6 years)

ID Your Cows for Life with Plastic Eartags

Proper and accurate animal identification has always been essential to profitable dairying. With today's growing interest in tracking an animal throughout its entire life, a permanent identification system has become more important. The key is to have a tag left in the ear when it comes time to breed the heifer. It is also desireable to be able to read that tag without having to rely on the disposition of the animal you are trying to identify!

Minnesota DHIA offers a full line of tags. We offer several different styles and colors, including 1-piece numbered or blank, 2-piece button back numbered or blank, long neck calf tags, feed lot tags, sheep & goat tags.

We suggest using duplicate tags, perhaps the "button" tags with just the American ID number on, and a larger tag with the same American ID number, and your management number.

You should never tag one animal with two different American ID numbers.

We also have several printing options available, such as American ID, farm name, management number, sire & dam name, etc. For more information or to order, please call Joyce at 800-827-3442.  Tags can be delivered to your barn door.

The brands we carry include:
* ReyFlex - makers of steel Ketchum tags many of you have used for years, and one of two companies Canadians use in their required ID system.
* Z Tag - very popular tag noted for its high retention rate
* Fearing
* All Flex - tags marketed by Holstein and the other brand approved for use in Canada

Cows for Sale

Entire herd Holsteins FOR SALE, 30-40 head located in Mabel, MN. This herd has30+ years of AI with Accelerated Genetics.
If interested please call Leo or Dan McKenna @ 507.493.5896 or 507.733.5788. (3/1/02)

4 Springing Holstein Heifers FOR SALE. This herd has been using AI for 20+ years.
If interested please call Jim Raymond at 320.543.3205. (2/5/02)

Cows For Sale is a service of Minnesota DHIA. Members can advertise for just $2.50 per animal with a maximum of $50 per herd (good for 60 days).
For more information, talk to your Field Rep on sample day or call us at 800.827.3442.

Accurate Water Testing is Available

Your water may seem fine, but can you be sure? Many contaminants are unseen, harmful and can appear in previously safe water supplies. Concurrently, water can change - with the seasons, rainfall, soil treatments and other environmental effects. To be sure your water is safe, professional testing is recommended.

Water testing is increasing in popularity. There are three different packages offered for your convenience:

Livestock Suitability test is $35.00
Domestic Suitability is $25.00
Mineral Package is $25.00
Individual tests for minerals, nitrates, coliform, conductivity and pH are also available.

Stearns DHIA Lab offers the following sampling methods as general guidelines. For coliform samples, swab the tip of the faucet with bleach, prior to flushing the lines for 2 -3 minutes. Coliform samples should be analyzed within 24 hours of collection. For this reason water samples to be tested for coliform will not be accepted on Friday or the day before any major holiday.

For other samples, rinse the container two or three times with the water being collected unless preservative has been added to the container and it is needed to maintain sample integrity. Separate any suspended matter from the sample by pouring it off or filtering. Completely fill the container, leaving a small space for expansion of the liquid.

For all samples, label the container or fill out accompanying paperwork with the necessary information. Refrigerate the sample and deliver as soon as possible to the lab for analysis.

Well Water: When collection a well sample, pump the well for several minutes so the actual sample collected is from the groundwater source.

Tap Water: When the sample is collected from a distribution system, run the tap fully open for 2 -3 minutes before collecting the sample.

River Water: When the sample is collected from a stream or river, take a grab sample from the middle of the main channel at mid-depth. Open the container below the surface to avoid collecting surface scum.

Lakes and Reservoirs: When the sample is collected from a lake or reservoir, the collected sample will reflect local conditions such as rainfall, runoff and wind. Choose time, location and depth of collection depending on the condition and the purpose of sampling. Open the container below the surface to avoid collecting surface scum.


Stearns Lab offers a convenient by-mail water testing services. Simply request your testing supplies at 1.800.369.2697. You will be sent a water test kit, instructions, a lab information form and a postage-paid return package. The certified test results are returned to by mail, fax or email.

Outstanding DHIA Service Award

DHIA service is as good as the person who shows up on your farm each sample day. Each year Minnesota DHIA recognizes 7 of the very best Field Reps. They represent the top 6% of the DHIA field staff.

Please join us in Congratulating Kevin Knoblach for his Outstanding Service Award. Kevin is one of those silent stars out in our organization. Kevin lives near Sauk Centre with his family and has been a Field Representative for 3 years. When we do get to talk to Kevin, he is very keen on getting the correct answers for our clients and wants to provide the best possible service that he can.

Kevin has a turn around time at 1.06 days sample date to process. He is currently testing 57 herds and has added 4 new herds this past year. With so many herds selling cows all the time, Kevin has been able to keep his herd numbers stable. He is getting around to each herd an average of every 31.6 days or 12 tests per year.

We thank Kevin for being a very service oriented field representative. Keep up the outstanding job with your herds Kevin!