November 2009
VanEss Dairy Travels 1,500 Miles to Relocate in Northwest Iowa
“It’s not about the size of the dairy; it’s about doing a good job with cows. Our highest goal is simply to be very good dairymen. We want to take great care of our animals, and treat our neighbors with respect,” says Harvey Van Ess about VanEss Dairy located in O’Brien County near Sanborn, IA.
Equipment Notebook - Grain Carts
If the purchase of a new or used grain cart is in your plans before harvest 2010, these sales figures will give you an idea of what your old cart should sell for (if you’re upgrading) or what you might expect to pay for a used one. They could also help you spot an auction sale bargain.
Kinze’s 1050 grain auger cart has a 1,050 bushel capacity and powerful auger system for unloading. The cart, featuring a 20” vertical auger encased in a 22” tube, empties in about 2.1 minutes, emptying at a rate of 500-600 bushels per minute.
Dairy Efficiency an Important Consideration for Reduction of Methane in South Dakota
In the face of environmental concerns about methane production from agriculture, dairy producers are reminded that optimum production actually leads to a more environmentally friendly approach to milk production.
That’s according to South Dakota Cooperative Extension Dairy Specialist Alvaro Garcia, who said that methane from agriculture results primarily from fermentation in the gastrointestinal tracts of ruminants due to their particular digestive system.
Four Generations Held Together by Guernsey’s
For over 50 years, in the rolling hills and valleys of northeast Missouri, there have been registered Guernsey cows on Timber Ridge Farms. Through the years, the Messer and Gates families have overcome countless obstacles and financial hardships to maintain their milking herd. Ethel Messer, matriarch of the Timber Ridge dynasty, grew up over the hill from where Timber Ridge Farms is located today in Jacksonville, Mo. In 1944, Sam Messer’s family moved into the area, and the couple married in 1950.
Silent Threat
Whether a dairy farmer has 20 cows or 20,000, the need for a comprehensive biosecurity plan has never been more important. Even though bioterrorism threats have increased in recent years, international biosecurity is just one element of a sound plan to prevent the introduction or spread of infectious disease in a dairy operation.
Effects of Flooring on Lameness in Dairy Cattle
That’s Lame!
Lameness constitutes a significant burden on dairy herds. Severe mobility problems may force the producer to cull potentially productive cows. Less severe impairments can lead to delayed estrous, difficulty with natural breeding, lower milk yield, shortened lactation and weight loss. These issues directly impact profitability, and failure to recognize the underlying factor may again cause the dairyman to cull cows with good potential for productivity.
