Effective with sample dates of May 1, 2000, all DHIA milk samples in the US will be analyzed for True Protein. Prior to that date, Protein tests were Total or Crude Protein. True Protein does not count Non-Protein Nitrogen (NPN) that had been counted in the Total or Crude Protein values before May 1.
The net result is an average decrease of 0.2 in Protein test. The State Average Protein test in 1999 was 3.2. Expect the 2000 average to be 3.0 due to this change.
This change was agreed upon by all cooperating groups in the USDA Genetic Evaluation system. It was also agreed there would be no adjusting of Rolling Herd Averages or individual cow records by any DHIA.
Inversion also changes with the change to True Protein. After May 1, any cow with a Protein test higher than her Fat test will be considered to have an inverted fat protein relationship. According to Mike Hutjens, if more than 10% of the herd is inverted, you should check with your nutrition professional.
You can find inverted cows on your Action Lists in your mailed reports, or in your on-farm Scout or Dairy Comp program. You can also obtain the report from your Field Rep after they get back your lab results.
Minnesota DHIA and its affiliated Local Associations provide the equipment used on your farm on sample day. Whether its the computer and printer, or the meters used to gather milk weights and samples, it's all paid for with money you pay on sample day. A new 110# meter costs $295. The new computers we are looking at cost about $1400.
We ask that you use reasonable care when that equipment is on your farm on sample day. Turn the water hose on the computer and it likely will cost you $1400 through the fees you are paying. Toss a meter onto the milkhouse floor and break a meter body and the cost will be $200 through your fees.
We know accidents will happen, that's why we don't charge you for the damage that may happen on your farm. You are our only source of income for the field services we provide. The expenses incurred come out of the collective pocket of our customers.
Thanks for handling with care!
Minnesota DHIA currently has 3,792 members, down 191 herds from one year ago.
Our members currently milk 309,958 cows, or an average of nearly 82 cows per herd.
Median herd size is 57 (as many herds larger as smaller).
Of our 120 Field Reps, 51 have been on the job over 15 years.
We are approaching 500 herds using our Scout or Dairy Comp 305 software.
Minnesota DHIA offers "Basic" information handling for herd owners looking to save a little money. Basic refers to how the data is handled, not how it is collected on sample day. You can use the Basic option if you are owner sampler or on supervised type test.
Data from herds on Basic does not flow to the processing center at ATA or to USDA This provides cost benefits, but also limits how data will be used. Here is an outline of advantages and disadvantages.
Basic pluses Basic minuses
Save 11.5 cents a cows, and $3 a herd Not eligible for DHIR
Cowfile is on Loop for consultants Not eligible for Young Sire Programs
Fastest service Cow records don't transfer
Certified lab and meters No publicity in annual summaries
Management Records from DC 305 No certified records
Calf tagging available No 365 day records
Same Field Rep No Rolling Herd Average
For more information, visit with your Field Rep. Reports for Basic herds come from Dairy Comp 305 software, and can be mailed by the Field Rep or Minnesota DHIA.
The testing year for recognition and awards will now end on November 30th rather than December 31st. This change was made to accommodate associations now holding annual meetings in early January and to provide the Minnesota DHIA Annual Summary a full month earlier.
Did you know that the average RHA milk production for dairy producers using Dairy Comp or Scout is substantially higher than the average for producers who are not currently using these dairy herd management programs? Minnesota DHIA records indicate that the software users average 2,235 pounds more milk per cow each year than the non-software users. Using current milk prices, this translates into an additional income of $265 per cow per year.
If you would like more information on Dairy Comp 305 or Scout, contact Minnesota DHIA at 1-800-827-3442.
A farmer was helping one of his cows give birth when he noticed his four-year- old son standing at the fence with wide eyes, taking in the whole event.
The man thought to himself, "Great, he's four years old and I'm gonna have to start explaining the birds and bees now. No need to jump the gun. I guess I'll let him ask and then I'll answer."
After everything was over, the man walked over to his son and said, "Well son, do you have any questions?"
"Just one," gasped the wide-eyed lad. "How fast was that calf going when he hit that cow?"
Marvin Sticha of Scott County would like to sell his herd of grade Holsteins by the end of May, before hay season starts. For more information, you can contact him at 612-652-2287.
Robert & Joyce Dailey of Cass County are selling 33 cross bred cows. If you would like more information on this herd, call them at 218-397-2360.
Arden Johnson of Washington County is selling 8 Holstein cows, 2 are registered. For information, contact him at 651-433-2145.
Robert Moerke of Grant County is also selling his herd of 52 grade Holsteins, all AI breeding. His phone number is 218-747-2882.
Cows For Sale is a service of Minnesota DHIA. For more information, talk to your Field Rep on sample day, see the article in the Minnesota DHIA Annual Summary, or call us at 800-827-3442.
We recently completed the spring round of Field Rep Conferences. Minnesota DHIA requires Field Reps to attend 8 hours of classroom training each year. The agenda this spring included the New Herd Summary, Johne's Disease, Data Flow, the DHIA Image, Scout software review, Handling Fast Milking Herds, the Economic Advantage to herd managers that use software, the Economic Advantage to herds that test 11 or 12 times, Dairyman's Expectations of Field Reps, changes in Fat Protein Inversion and True Protein, and awards.
Seven of our 120 Field Reps were recognized for Outstanding Service:
Helen Smith of Lakefield
Mary Wander of Sauk Centre
David Susag of Lake City
John Kelzer of Randall
Les Berg of Hawley
Ellis Holl of Kensington
Ray Buettner of Wadena
New Herd Leaders recognized for 1999, Deb Imdieke of Melrose and Malcolm Dirksen of Twin Brooks SD.
Recipients of 20 Years of Service Awards were:
Joan Dechon of Belgrade, Ron Gruber of Freeport, Dan Ellering of Sauk Centre,
Jim Schwingler of Jordan, Craig and Mary Vangsness of Kenyon, Barbetta Welch
of Milbank SD, Pat Clark of Austin, and Betty McAlpine of Buffalo.
Scout installs continue at a rapid pace. Scout is the most popular software on Minnesota dairies. We visit your farm to install the software and give you an overview of how to use it. The normal install price is $100, which gives you about 3 hours of our time. The SPECIAL for March and April was to set the install price at the high temperature for the day of the install. That promotion has been CONTINUED through JUNE. For June, the charge will be the lower of the outside or inside temperature at the install. Scout is free for the first 3 months after the install.
We are also offering a FREE first test to herds using Minnesota DHIA services for the first time. This special has been contnued through June. The extension is due to the success of Field Reps in enrolling new herds in January through March of this year, when 41 new herds were enrolled.