July 2001
COW COMPARISONS MADE EASY WITH STANDARDIZED M.E.
Differences among cows (such as herd, breed, region, length of lactation, age, number of times milked daily, and season) often make comparisons difficult. Standardization of records allows for more accurate comparisons between cows. On your Lactation Report you are given the option of several different Mature Equivalent (M.E.) choices, so you can compare cows using different methods. Of these, Standardized M.E. offers one of the most complete comparisons of cows. The M.E. is an estimate of the yield a cow might have produced if it were now mature. M.E. factors are used to adjust the record in progress for days in milk (305), number of times milked per day (2X), age of cow and month of calving. Factors designed for the Minnesota region for each breed are used. The Standardized M.E. takes the 305-2X-ME record and standardizes it to 3.5 percent fat and 3.0 percent protein. The value printed on your report is an estimate of a mature cow with a 305-day milk yield if the cow had produced milk that was 3.5 percent fat and 3.0 percent protein. Adjusting for fat and protein allows for comparisons between cows producing the same quantity of milk with differing quality. For example, two cows producing 20,000 pounds of milk but different fat and protein levels will have different Standardized ME's. The one producing 20,000 lbs milk, 4.0 percent fat and 3.5 percent protein will have a much higher Standardized ME than the one producing 20,000 lbs milk, 3.0 percent fat and 2.5 percent protein. The Standardized ME encompasses many important production factors, but because it includes information for the entire current lactation it will not vary much from month to month. You may want to change your M.E. choice each month to keep abreast of other comparisons. Some of your other choices include ME Milk, ME Fat, ME Protein, ME $ Value, Projected 305 Milk, Lactation-To-Date $ Over Feed, Energy Corrected Milk, Sire and Service Sire. If you would like more information on these or would like to change your ME option, please visit with your field rep on test day.
HOT JULY COMPUTER SPECIAL!!! Are you getting tired of spending hot summer days sitting and toiling over your handwritten books and management records? Are you ready to upgrade to a new and more powerful computer system? Now through July 31, we are offering desktop computers for just $625. These computers are equipped with Intel Pentium III- 677Mhz processor, 128MB memory, 20GB hard drive, 52x cd-rom, 56K v.90 modem, AGP video, 3D sound, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and Windows 98SE. We also have 15" monitors available separately for only $170. Call Andy or Joyce for more information at 800-827-3442.
MORE THAN MILK TESTING
Minnesota DHIA offers more than just milk testing services. We have a wide variety of dairy management tools and services available, including: LAB SERVICES: - Milk Analysis including Other Solids - Water Testing - Milk Urea Nitrogen Testing - Manure Testing - Feed & Forage Testing MASTITIS CULTURING: Both Bulk Tank and Individual Cow culturing services are available. See accompanying article for field reps who have received training in mastitis culturing. EARTAGS: Z-tags and Fearing brand available. Studies show the Z-tags have up to a 95 percent retention rate. COWS FOR SALE: Looking to buy or sell animals? We can help. To list animals for sale, just indicate to your field rep on test day which animals and we will add them to our Cows for Sale system. To list whole herds, you can also call our office. MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE: - Dairy Comp 305 => Designed for the large dairy with unlimited customizable reports. Daily Milk interface software is available to support interaction between DC305 and the parlor. - Scout => Designed for the small to average dairy. It gives you day-to-day herd management information at your fingertips. COMPUTERS: Some of the latest in technology at a very affordable price. We offer Desktop systems, Laptops, Palm Pilots and Handspring Visors. Desktops and laptops are available with or without the Dairy Comp 305 or Scout software installed (sold separately). PC CLEAN: Protect yourself from a sudden loss of data and hours of frustration. PC Clean can alert you to many possible problems before they occur. Trained technicians will visit your farm and perform a comprehensive cleaning and diagnostic routine. These people can also assist you with DHIA records and services. To learn more about these services or schedule an appointment, please visit with your field rep on test day or call our office at 800-827-3442.
Did you know... Thomas Jefferson was the first "Big Cheese." The phrase was coined when a cheese maker gave a 1,235 pound cheese wheel to President Jefferson in 1801. Those who passed by were amazed by the spectacle and dubbed it "the big cheese."
FIELD REPS CERTIFIED FOR MASTITIS CULTURING
Minnesota DHIA offers bulk tank and individual cow mastitis culturing. Samples will go to the University of Minnesota's premiere culturing lab unless specified otherwise. Remember, one of the keys to getting an accurate reading is to take the sample correctly. If you like, our certified field reps are available to take samples and send them to the lab of your choice. The following field reps have received training in Bulk Tank and Individual Cow mastitis culturing. They are listed here alphabetically by town: Angie Hopp, Atwater Andrew Alsleben, Glencoe Tom Matson, Hinckley Cyndi Stifter, Howard Lake Wayne Kozitka, Howard Lake Harley Bork, Jasper Ellis Holl, Kensington Ed Sprout, Lake City David Susag, Lake City Armond Yotter, Lake City Dave Abramson, Meadowlands Kevin Krist, Milaca Jo Pedersen, Murdock Jim Sheehan, Plainview Eugene Stoeckel, Princeton John Kelzer, Randall Bruce David, Rice Alan Lanners, Royalton Kevin Knoblach, Sauk Centre Jason Wesenberg, Sauk Rapids Karen Schwartz, Slayton Violet Pramann, South Haven Jim Rahman, Thielman Gary Bruns, Trosky Daryl Hook, Tyler Ray Buettner, Wadena In addition, these field reps have received training in Bulk Tank culturing: Kerry Baumgartner, Battle Lake Judy Rickbeil, Browerville Tom Quist, Center City Greg Larson, Erhard Ron Klindworth, Northfield Jim Boser, Pierz
JOHN HALVORSON HONORED BY CITY OF BUFFALO
The city of Buffalo presented John Halvorson, former general manager of Minnesota DHIA, with the 2001 Most Honored Citizen award at a royalty banquet held on June 11th. John first moved to Buffalo in 1967 when he accepted a position with the Wright County Extension Service. In 1979, he became the first general manager of Minnesota DHIA. John was instrumental in many of the changes that took place at DHIA over the years. John has always been active in the Buffalo communtiy. He is extremely involved in the Rotary and has won the Paul Harris Fellow award, Rotary's top honor, several times. John still serves on district Rotary committees and was once a district governor. In addition to his Rotary activities, John also coached and helped organize youth sports activities, was a co-chair of Friends of the Orchestra (Buffalo Community Orchestra) and is a charter member of the Buffalo Jaycees. Congratulations, John!
DAN ELLERING RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING FIELD REP
Dan Ellering of Stearns County was recognized earler this year as one of only six field reps in the state to receive an Outstanding Service Award. He was chosen on the basis of test interval, quality of service, herd recruitment, equipment care and overall professionalism. Ellering has been beating the roads to dairy farms in Stearns County for over 20 years. He is currently testing 69 herds with more than 5,000 cows. In the last year, Dan added 2 new herds and was still able to visit his herds an average of every 33 days. Dan is extremely efficient when it comes to getting milk testing results sent out to herdowners. For the past year, his average turn time (test date to process date) was just 0.76 days. That means that most of his herds' reports are being mailed the very next day after testing. No other field rep is faster! Over the years, Dan has seen a lot of changes in dairying and Minnesota DHIA. He has readily kept up and is eager to offer any new service to help his herd- owners. He currently has 7 on-farm DairyComp 305 and Scout users. Thanks Dan for the great service!
COWS FOR SALE
For Sale - 3 registered Holstein heifers. For more information, please call the Heins & Fredericks farm at 507-536-0060. Warren Kamstra of Mille Lacs County is selling his entire herd of 47 Holsteins. Call 763-389-3196 for more information. For Sale - 5 Springing Holstein Heifers, due to calve from July to October. All are registered, AI & AI bred. For more information, please contact Leonard Hoen, Jr. at 952-466-2088. Springing Holstein heifers for sale. Due to calve in July and August. Call Mike & Kate Steinhagen at 952-442-2581 for more information. 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.