840 Means Born in the USA

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it is reserving the use of animal identification numbers with the 840 prefix to only animals born in the United States. The number 840 is the U.S. country code and appears at the beginning of all animal identification numbers issued in this country.

The ability to quickly locate an animal's origin during an animal disease investigation is absolutely essential, says Bruce Knight, under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs. “The more quickly we can determine the source and extent of an outbreak, the more effectively we can contain it. The use of animal identification numbers with the 840 prefix on U.S.-born animals provides animal health officials with key information about the animal's origin immediately,” he adds.

By reserving use of this number, producers who use the 840 animal identification numbering system will have a convenient and cost-effective method which documents the origin of their animals in the United States to packers for country of origin labeling (COOL). Packers can rely upon this information for their origin claims on products at retail, in accordance with COOL.

With this interim rule, animal identification numbers with the 840 prefix will be used only on animals born in the United States. In the event of a disease outbreak, this will enable USDA to use the animal identification number to more quickly determine the animal's origin.

While USDA does not require the use of the 840 animal identification number for individual animal identification, producers who do use it will be able to use that 840 number for more than just identification. For example, 840 animal identification numbers also can be used in animal health programs, marketing programs, animal movement records, genetic programs and breed registries.

Also, any imported animal that loses its country of origin identification device cannot be retagged using an 840 animal identification number. These animals can be retagged only with an official identification device using a numbering system other than the 840 animal identification number.
 
Finally, this interim rule makes it unlawful to remove any official animal identification device, including those applied in other countries and officials recognized by APHIS for animals entering the United States. These devices are essential for the complete and proper traceability of imported animals.
 
This interim rule is necessary to enhance animal traceback capabilities for both domestic and imported livestock as well as better contain disease outbreaks.
 
This interim rule was published in the Sept. 18 Federal Register.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Nov. 17.

If you wish to comment, send two copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to: Docket No. APHIS-2008-0077, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

 

Minnesota DHIA offers 840 tags compliant with USDA regulations, and compatible with DHIA records.

 

Johne’s Disease Update from the National Institute for Animal Agriculture

BOWLING GREEN, KY—It is estimated that one out of 10 cows going through a livestock auction facility has Johne’s disease, and a vast majority of producers selling these animals have no idea that they are infected with Johne’s disease. Producers simply know that the animals are thin and have unresponsive chronic diarrhea. In the case of dairy cows, milk production is also significantly down, and, in the case of beef cows, weaned calves are also lighter than they should be.

Johne’s disease experts maintain that dairy and beef cows are leaving herds way too fast—before they are tested for Johne’s disease. They note that producers who have culled one or more animals for unresponsive chronic diarrhea combined with reduced milk production and thin condition should suspect and test for Johne’s disease.

“Johne’s disease is a slow and progressive bacterial disease of the intestinal tract that affects ruminants and is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis,” states Dr. Michael Carter, National Johne’s Disease Control Program Coordinator, National Center for Animal Health Programs, USDA-APHIS-VS. “Infected animals can shed large numbers of the disease-causing bacteria in their feces, leading to contamination of feed and water sources without ever showing clinical signs. Infected animals can also shed the bacteria in their colostrum and milk, and infected dams can pass the disease on to their offspring.”

Johne’s disease is estimated to be present in 68 percent of U.S. dairy operations and in eight out of 100 U.S. beef herds. A 1996 National Animal Health Monitoring Systems study found that dairy herds with a low Johne’s disease clinical cull rate experience an average loss of $40 per cow while herds with a high Johne’s disease clinical cull rate have on average of $227 per cow loss, with losses resulting from reduced milk production, early culling and poor body condition at culling.  Although a dollar amount has not be estimated for Johne’s disease in beef herds, Johne’s-infected beef cows are known to produce less milk resulting in lighter calves at weaning and can be slower to breed back.

“The new brochure is a result of work undertaken by the National Johne’s Education Initiative, a USDA-APHIS-VS program designed to help educate producers about Johne’s disease,” states Michele Vise-Brown, chief executive officer of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. “The testing brochure is written for the producer and helps producers become familiar with recommended test regimen for the detection of Johne’s disease in cattle based on herd type and testing purpose. Thanks to USDA-APHIS-VS funding, this brochure is free to producers.”

To obtain your copy of “Think Healthier Bottom Line —Test for Johne’s & Know Your Herd’s Johne’s Disease Status” or to learn more about Johne’s disease, please visit www.johnesdisease.org or call the National Institute for Animal Agriculture at (270) 782-9798.

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) is dedicated to programs that work towards the eradication of diseases that pose risk to the health of animals, wildlife and humans; promote a safe and wholesome food supply for our nation and abroad; and promote best practices in environmental stewardship, animal health and well-being.  NIAA members include producers, veterinarians, animal scientists, researchers, state and federal officials, and agribusiness executives. More information is available at www.animalagriculture.org.

Minnesota DHIA customers can access the Milk ELISA Johne’s test through either the Sauk Centre or Zumbrota labs.  Just over 28,000 cows have been tested so far in 2008, with 5.9% showing up as positive.  Cost is $6 per sample for lab, field, and reporting.  Ask your Field Rep next sample day. 533 herds are using the milk Johne’s test.

 

 

 

 

 

Higher DCRs: better management info, larger young sire payments

From National DHIA and Dairy Business Communications

 

Just as all milk production records aren’t created equal, neither are young sire programs or on-farm management reports. Yet, young sire programs share a common benefit – participation can significantly (if not entirely) offset milk testing costs. Increasing your milk testing service level may improve the data’s accuracy and reliability, and lead to higher young sire program benefits.

In general, a higher level of service requires a higher fee. But, before you balk at a higher fee, look at the big picture and consider how a “full-service” milk testing program may actually cost you less in the long run. The benefits of a slightly higher-priced testing program may more than pay for the additional costs.

 

How can that occur? A “traditional” milk testing program (monthly, certified supervised milk tests with all milkings weighed and sampled for all lactating cows in your herd) yields a data collection rating (DCR) of 100. Milk testing programs at a lower service level yield a lower DCR. Records for cows that are tested monthly with a supervised AM/PM type plan where one of two milkings are weighed and sampled receive a DCR of about 95. Cows with supervised monthly testing where one of three milkings are weighed and sampled get DCRs of 88-90. In contrast, records from Owner-Sampler testing programs receive DCRs of 70-75. Nearly all AI organizations provide higher young sire benefits for records with higher DCRs. Testing plans that weigh and sample a full-day’s milkings earn higher benefits than AM/PM plans and supervised testing plans earn higher benefits than Owner-Sampler plans.

 

At the farm level, monthly DHIA tests generate more useful management information so you can make better feeding, reproduction, herd health and culling decisions to enhance your dairy’s profitability. Testing less frequently than once a month lowers the DCR as well.  Testing frequency also impacts how records are recognized by breed organizations, AI, and DHIA.  Bottom line: DHI testing provides sound information to objectively manage your business.

 

AI organizations consider DCRs when setting young sire program benefits, because higher DCRs generate more accurate and reliable information. Not only do accurate and reliable milk and component production records help evaluate young sires, they also help identify the best prospective bull mothers through USDA’s cow indexes.

 

“The objective of any successful young sire program is to identify the true genetic value of the bulls being sampled,” explained Chuck Sattler, Select Sires vice president, genetic programs. “Accurately evaluating a sire’s early daughters is critical for future satisfaction of the many dairy producers who use semen from proven sires.”

 

Select Sires, for example, provides semen credits for each young sire daughter that produces a lactation record usable in genetic evaluations. The value of these credits depends on the value of the herd average DCR for milk weights and component testing. Select Sires awards $50 certificates for a herd DCR of 90 or higher, $40 for a herd DCR of 80-89, and $30 for a herd DCR of 70-80.

 

As you can see, spending just a little more on a more reliable and accurate milk testing program can yield payments that offset increased milk testing fees. Visit with your milk testing service provider and AI reps to discover how an enhanced milk testing program can yield more accurate and reliable information, and generate larger young sire program benefits.

 

 

September 2008 Udder Health Top 100  ranked by Linear Score (Log) SCC

 

 

 

 

 

$$ behind your DHIA numbers – Preg Rate

 

 

How much can you make on your herd?

 

Number cows _________  x  $15  x  Change in Pregnancy Rate of 1% ________

 

 

= $ _______________  gained/lost this year

 

 

Reproductive performance has a big impact on your bottom line.  According to the good folks at Dairy One,

the day the average cow gets pregnant, her value increases by about $300.  This "pregnancy value" increases as the calf gets bigger so that on average, when the cow freshens it is equal to the cost of replacing a cull cow (replacement cost minus cull beef cost) or about $1000.

 

What is the value of increasing a pregnancy rate by one percent? Here is one approach.  If a 1000 cow dairy has a 15% pregnancy rate, it could normally have somewhere between 25% to 30% eligible to be pregnant during any given 21-day cycle. If we say that averages 300 cows, 15% or 45 will get pregnant during each cycle. If the rate goes up 1% then that will be three extra cows per cycle. Assuming 17 21-day cycles in a year, that is 3 x 17 or 51 extra pregnancies. This multiplied by $300 (minimum average pregnancy value) is over $15,000 or about $15 per cow per year for each 1% increase in pregnancy rates.

 

Find your pregnancy rate on the Consultant side of the Herd Summary, under the Reproduction Summary on the right side, and look under Pregnant Animals.

 

 

Top 10 Farm Safety Tips for Kids

1. No seat, no rider.  Do not allow children to be extra riders on farm equipment, even if they are helping with chores.
2. Keep small children from playing on, in or under machinery or equipment.  Provide an alternate safe-play area.
3. Know where children are before starting machinery and farm vehicles.
4. Train and closely supervise youth who will be operating farm machinery and equipment.
5. Keep ladders out of reach.
6. Keep small children away from large animals, particularly animals that have recently given birth.
7. Do not let children under age 12 operate an all-terrain vehicle.
8. Keep children from playing on, or in, silos and grain bins or wagons.
9. Do not leave children unsupervised around farm ponds or manure pits.
10. Hold monthly family farm safety review sessions.

September Milk Quality Top 100  based on Raw SCC