As the first harvest of hay for the year approaches, K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk urges producers to exercise caution when baling – making sure the forage is not too wet, which can cause heating and decrease protein and carbohydrates. He also encourages producers to review their crop insurance to make sure they have adequate coverage.

Dairy producers can improve their operation by tracking deaths and disease within their herd. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (brook) says there are benchmarks for both mortality and morbidity and that tracking animals for the first year will improve the health of the herd and increase milk production.

Horned cattle pose an injury risk for humans and other cattle. As a result, dairy cattle are often dehorned. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (brook) says genetic advances may make dehorning a thing of the past. He explains that genetic companies are already identifying polled bulls for the dairy industry and that many producers are using them in their herds.

Many dairy farms in Kansas milk six-to-eight hours a day – with some milking more than 22 hours a day. The wear and tear on the equipment requires regular maintenance. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says producers should set up the regular maintenance schedule based on how many hours the parlor is actually used. He says it’s also important to address any milking parlor problems that surface before the next scheduled maintenance.

A recent tour of dairy farms on the eastern side of the Midwest by K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk revealed some common problems with cooling cows. Some dairy operations lacked fans or had fans that were poorly positioned, feed line soakers were absent or improperly installed and there were too many systems that simply moved hot air over hot cows. Brouk thinks producers have forgotten the magic of putting water over the cow’s back to keep them cool. He discusses the benefits of evaporative cooling.

Kansas State University and Kansas Farmer Magazine, sponsors of the annual Kansas Distinguished Dairyman of the Year award, has announced the recipient for 2013. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk highlights some of the many accomplishments this successful family dairy operation has achieved over the last 25 years.

Although spring has been relatively cool, hot summer weather isn’t far off. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says there are several things dairy producers can do now to help avoid summer slump in milk production. He covers several of the steps that can be taken before the summer heat arrives.

Dairy producers, including those in Kansas and the region, have been steadily making progress in increasing milk quality by reducing bulk tank somatic cell counts. This can be difficult, but it can also be financially rewarding. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (brook) says somatic cell counts under 100,000 have been achieved – and he wonders how low they can go?

Alfalfa is an expensive crop and dairy producers who raise their own alfalfa can help control feed costs. However, alfalfa weevils can damage the crop and reduce profitability. As a result, producers should be scouting fields for early signs of alfalfa weevils. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says researchers at K-State have developed an equation that calculates growing degree days for alfalfa weevils.

It’s common for dairy producers to see a slight increase in somatic cell counts in the herd as we transition from winter to spring. The increase in somatic cell counts can usually be traced to the cold weather and moisture. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says providing good bedding, a clean environment and changing dips will help protect the dairy herd from teat damage.

According to dairy industry numbers for 2012, Kansas ranks 16th in the nation in total milk production. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says milk production in Kansas increased 5.6% in 2012 – and nearly 25% since 2007. He says this is occurring while many states to the south, including Missouri and Arkansas, are seeing a decline in milk production.

Many dairy producers have been working with their lenders to set a budget for 2013. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (brook) says some expenses will remain relatively stable, while others may fluctuate wildly. Feed, fuel and labor costs will probably have the biggest impact on the budget. However, the world economy could also have an impact on a dairy operation’s budget because nearly 15-percent of the U.S. milk supply is exported. As a result, Brouk encourages dairy producers to keep their budgets current throughout the year.

With the financial books closed for 2012, dairy producers should be thinking about potential minefields they may encounter in 2013. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk encourages producers to analyze each part of their operation to see how each one affects the overall financial picture of the dairy. This should include analyzing feed costs, culling decisions, costs associated with raising young stock and whether heat abatement systems should be improved to increase summer milk production.

Because calves are born without immunity to disease, they are dependent on colostrum consumption for the immuglobulins to provide antibodies against disease until they can produce their own. Dairy producers know that feeding colostrum to calves should occur within the first few hours after birth. However, K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says producers can improve the quality of colostrum by reducing bacteria content through how it is stored and cooled.

Data from the 2012 Central Order, where most of the milk in Kansas is marketed through, includes some interesting findings. The average milk price was $17.21, there was 13.4 billion pounds of milk marketed and fluid milk utilization was 36%. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk  explains how the 2012 data compares to previous years.

Many dairy producers currently have late lactation cows in the herd and are feeding them a single TMR – total mixed ration – which contains more crude protein than needed. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk  suggests producers talk to their nutritionist about reducing crude protein in the ration. If producers can save a pound of crude protein per animal per day, Brouk says that’s approximately two pounds of soybean meal or three-and-a-half pounds of distillers grains.

Because dairy calves are born without antibodies to protect them from diseases, the first two hours of life is a critical time for delivering colostrum. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says this early treatment of colostrum has a big impact on a dairy cow’s future productivity and the economic viability of producers.

Digital dermatitis is the leading cause of lameness in dairy cattle – with each case costing producers around 105-dollars. K-State Research and Extension dairy specialist Mike Brouk says prevention and early treatment are the keys to controlling digital dermatitis.

Kansas dairy producers are dependent on corn silage and alfalfa hay to feed their animals. Although these are excellent feeds, they’re raised in the same growing season and that can be like putting all of your eggs into one basket. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk suggests producers consider other feed options to spread the risk over a broader season and then incorporating those into their feed and forage plan for 2013.

As 2012 winds down, dairy producers should look at how closely they figure the margins in their operation. They need to consider how they make some of their management decisions. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says one way to do this is by using a system known as “figuring on the pennies.” He explains how producers can use this system to improve the overall efficiency of their dairy operation.

Kansas dairy producers are encouraged to keep testing their feed for aflatoxin contamination. According to K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk, the corn crop for 2012 appears to have been contaminated with aflatoxin and the contamination is fairly widespread across the state. He discusses steps producers can take to avoid the problems associated with aflatoxin.

As consumer trends in the dairy industry continue to change, dairy producers need to be aware of where their milk is going to end up and how it’s going to be utilized in the market place. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says milk going to a cheese plant and milk being used in the fluid sector will have different management programs – which can impact buying and feeding programs and even the type of cattle a dairy producer keeps on the farm.

Now may be a good time for dairy producers to sit down and evaluate their records and look for trends in the dairy herd. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says producers should look at the average days in milk, the average milk production and the peak milk as a monthly average in the herd. If milk production isn’t fairly consistent from month-to-month, he says producers may need to look at the reasons why production falls off at certain times of the year.

As we move closer to winter and temperatures continue to drop, dairy producers should watch for signs of chapped lips. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says there is often a correlation between when a dairy producer gets chapped lips and dairy cows start to experience chapped teats. This typically occurs when there is a temperature shift of about 30 degrees. Brouk says this temperature change can cause several problems for the herd and producers.

With each passing day, we’re moving closer to harsh winter weather.  This week, K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk asks dairy producers if their operations are ready for winter’s worst. He says now is the time to go through a checklist of things that need to be done around the facility, well before the temperatures turn bitterly cold and the snow starts to pile up.

As profit margins continue to shrink, a study shows increasing reproductive efficiency in the dairy herd can result in increased profitability. The study looked at the effect of increasing the 21-day pregnancy rate from 13% to 22%. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says that increase alone would equal about $188 per cow…or more than $37,000 for a 200-herd dairy.

Economic trends in the agricultural sector over the last several years shows prices are up significantly for both soybeans and corn. However, the overall blend price for milk has been up and down.  K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says the milk industry is probably facing more pressure than other agricultural sectors and he doesn’t expect that to change anytime soon. As a result, dairy producers will need to increase efficiency and continue to control costs.

A recent frost has brought a new threat to Kansas dairy producers that might be utilizing grazed forages in their feeding programs. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says a frost can cause new plant growth in some fields which may put animals at a higher risk for prussic acid poisoning. Brouk says it’s important for dairy producers to test forages before turning animals out to graze.

As dairy producers review their fall and winter feeding program for calves, K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk encourages them to look closely at their liquid feeding program. He says increasing nutrient intake, particularly through a liquid feeding program for the first 56 days of life, has an impact on how well they do on rate of gain, fighting off disease and performing in their first lactation.

As dairy producers look at narrow margins, one of the things they need to consider is how they can increase cash flow. When looking at overall farm efficiency, K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says increasing the capacity of the milk parlor can be important for cash flow. This week, he discusses steps producers can take to maximize the efficiency of the milk parlor.

As corn harvest continues in Kansas, we continue to see some of the grains are contaminated with aflatoxin. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (brook) says this is a major concern for dairy producers because it can increase the amount of aflatoxin in milk. As a result, he says dairy producers should be testing their corn and corn silage to make sure it’s not contaminated.

The official end of summer and the beginning of fall is a reminder that winter is just around the corner. For dairy producers, that means securing enough bedding material for a normal winter. Because of the dry summer, K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk (brook) says there may be less hay and straw available, so producers should be making arrangements now to secure the bedding they’ll need this winter.

Mycotoxins in feed can reduce the milk production of dairy cows, decrease their immune function and increase the incidences of metabolic disease, such as fatty liver. Using various binders and agents to sequester mycotoxins in feed can reduce the level of aflatoxin. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk looks at some of the options available to include in feed to reduce the possible effects of aflatoxin in the dairy herd.

As dairy producers calculate their fall feed costs, K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says current feed prices may leave them with some sticker shock. However, many producers raise some of their own forages and grains, so the cash outlay for raising these may be less than what it would cost to buy them in the market. Brouk encourages producers to carefully consider what their feed costs are and to understand where they stand economically as we enter into some unsettling times in the next several months.

As we transition from summer to fall and winter, dairy producers should be taking steps to keep their calves healthy. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says the first step is to reduce the risk of calves developing respiratory disease – the second greatest threat to calves in the fall. He also suggests dairy producers clean up hutches to reduce exposure to pathogens and review calf procedures and protocols, and vaccination records.

Dairy producers might be able to cut feed costs this fall by following three recommendations: test all forage for nutrients; feed cattle what they need, but don’t feed in excess; and ration balance dry matter intake to provide the proper amount of crude protein. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says producers can work with a nutritionist to determine the proper balance of dry matter and crude protein.

Corn harvest samples have been showing some levels of aflatoxin – with some containing fairly high levels. K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk says high levels of aflatoxin in feed is a concern for dairy producers, especially those with lactating dairy cows. He discusses the acceptable levels of aflatoxin in corn and other feeds and how dairy producers can make sure the levels aren’t too high.