The quality of service provided to any given herd on sample day is largely due to the abilities and interest of the person who shows up on your farm to provide that service. Here is a short list of some of the things that you should expect from your Field Rep, and how you can help them provide you with good information
1. Tagging calves is a part of DHIA Service. There are now options to the traditional steel tags. We offer both Fearing and Z Tag plastic tags with management and/or USDA numbers. These tags range from button tags with a high retention rate to the traditional larger tags. Steel tags are provided as a part of DHIA service. Because of the higher price, plastic tags are sold as an option.
2. The condition of milk samples at the time the samples are anaylzed at the lab is critical to the accuracy of the results. The preservative in the sample vials needs to be mixed with the milk DURING milking, as well as the end of milking check to make sure all samples have changed color.
3. Milk samples should not be left in extreme temperatures, such as a hot milk house or a cold refrigerator. Change in temperature during movement will cause damage to the milk.
4. The first and most important step to good lab results on your milk is to do a good job of mixing the milk. Milk should be poured from one flask (tube) to another at least once before you pour the milk into the sample vial. SHAKING IS NOT MIXING. You will find high fat tests, low MUN, and high SCC are due to poor mixing before sampling.
5. Report all heats, breedings and pregnancy check results (including open) to get the most benefit from the outstanding reproduction records and summaries found in DC 305. This data is key to analyzing trends and solving any breeding problems that arise. Use the NAAB code (example - 17H1978) to keep identification accurate and useful.
6. Meters should be clean when they are brought to your farm, and should be clean when they leave. You can wash the meters in line with your milkers by reversing the hoses. Use your brush to clean off the outside. The new 110# meters are completely washable, since they have all stainless steel metal parts. Your Field Rep should remove and wash the rubber VSO that sits between the meter tube and the meter body. Please do not remove any plastic parts, other than the tube, as they may affect calibration.
7. The short hose that connects the meter to your pipeline should not have extra length. We suggest the next time you replace hoses, save some good hose to cut to fit the meters on sample day. Hose lengths that are too long can affect vacuum level at teat-end and can affect milking time and meter accuracy.
8. Testing every month, and testing on a set sample day are available to all herds, through cooperation with your Field Rep. A recent study showed that herds with 11 tests per year had significantly higher herd averages than those with 10. Herds with 12 tests were even higher producing.
9. In all things, cooperation and communication between the Field Rep and the Herd manager are key. Ask for things you want, share concerns and suggestions
Mark & Mary Deraad of Freeborn county would like to sell 11 Holstein cows by July 15. For more information, please call them at 507-377-8312.
Larry Goodman of Wabasha county wants to sell his herd of 41 grade Holsteins by the end of June. Please call him for more information at 507-753-2030.
Roger Mohs of Otter Tail county would like to sell his herd of Holstein cows and pregnant heifers by August 1st. His phone number is 218-631-2042.
Karl Germscheid of Le Sueur county plans to sell his herd of Holstein cows. They will be available in August. For more information, call him at 507-357-4500.
Rick Haugrud of Ottertail County is also selling his herd of 47 grade Holsteins, all AI breeding. His phone number is 218-863-5274.
Cows For Sale is a service of Minnesota DHIA. For more information, talk to your Field Rep on sample day or call us at 800-827-3442.
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.
In case you haven't heard it lately - Thank You. We appreciate your business. Thanks for all your hard work and your good thoughts. You are a pleasure to work for. Have a happy and safe June Dairy Month. Take a minute to think of all you have accomplished, and to thank those family and friends who have helped along the way. . . and enjoy the life you have made for yourself!
College and Tech School Scholarships are available for Minnesota DHIA members, DHIA employees, and their children. Call us at 763-682-1091 for details or an application, or logon to our web site www.dhia.org. Deadline for applications to be recieved is 9/29/2000.