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December 2008 DairyNet Newsletter
Welcome to our winter, 2009. dairy newsletter! You are invited to attend one of our 2009 IL Dairy Days across Illinois. You can review dates and locations near you using our calendar of events feature in DairyNet. Two Internet classes will be offered this spring 2009 semester.
- Advanced Dairy Nutrition begins on January 26th for 10 weeks (go our class web site at http://online.ansci.uiuc.edu/ for details, fees, enrollment, and class syllabus) which is led by Mike Hutjens and four faculty members.
- Milk quality and mastitis will be offered for 11 weeks beginning on January 28th. Dick Wallace will lead this class along with three faculty members.
Several new articles and resources are listed below including the 2008 Illinois Dairy Report featuring 22 articles and research reports that are key word searchable.
Another web site you may want to visit the national dairy extension which is can be found at: www.extension.org/dairy_cattle. This web site has peer reviewed fact sheets, state news letters, and state web sites along with answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Events
Papers
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Michael F. Hutjens, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois
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Betsy J. Thering, Massimo Bionaz, and Juan J. Loor
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Gene C. McCoy and David J. Miller
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Roger D. Shanks
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Massimo Bionaz and Juan J. Loor
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Paola Piantoni, Juan J. Loor, Daniel Graugnard, Massimo Bionaz, Michael Akers, Kristy M. Daniels, Robin E. Everts, Sandra L. Rodriguez-Zas, and Harris A. Lewin
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Dale H. Lattz
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Michael F. Hutjens, Jimmy H. Clark, Richard L. Wallace, James K. Drackley, James G. Endress, David B. Fischer, Juan J. Loor, Gene C. McCoy,David J. Miller, Neal R. Merchen, and Roger D. Shanks
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James G. Endress
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James G. Endress
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Tanya F. Gressley, Karen E. Karvetski, Jessica M. Velasco, Eric D. Reid and Geoffrey E. Dahl
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John A. Herrmann and Richard L. Wallace
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Richard L. Wallace
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Deana J. Rincker, Nicole A. Janovick Guretzky, Perry H. Doane, and James K. Drackley
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Rebecca A. Ebert and James K. Drackley
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Betsy J. Thering, Daniel Graugnard, Paola Piantoni, Richard L. Wallace, Robin E. Everts, Sandra L. Rodriguez-Zas, Harris A. Lewin, and Juan J. Loor
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Betsy J. Thering, Daniel Graugnard, Paola Piantoni, Richard L. Wallace, Robin E. Everts, Sandra L. Rodriguez-Zas, Harris A. Lewin, and Juan J. Loor
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Michael F. Hutjens
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Michael F. Hutjens
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Santiago M. Reynal, Ignacio R. Ipharraguerre, Maximo L. Liñeiro, Andre F.Brito, Glen A. Broderick, and Jimmy H. Clark
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Kathryn E. Cowles and Michael R. Murphy
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Michael F. Hutjens and Johan Osorio Estevez
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First-Lactation Milk Production For Cows Fed Control or Intensified Milk Replacer Programs as CalvesJames K. Drackley, Brent C. Pollard, Heather M. Dann, and Jennifer A. Stamey
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Gene C. McCoy
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Gene C. McCoy and David J. Miller
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Roger D. Shanks
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David B. Fischer
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Kathryn E. Cowles and Michael R. Murphy
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Jim A. Morrison and Lyle Paul
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Neal R. Merchen
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Randy Fonner
Conclusions
As we look ahead to 2009, milk prices appear to be level at near to below break-even prices depending on fuel, fertilizer, and feed costs. Dairy managers must not make economically "wrong" decisions (saving a dollar today while losing ten dollars six months later). Three thumb rules are listed below to consider.
Rule one: Never give up milk yield as income will drop faster than expenses. One pound of ration dry matter can cost 9 to 11 cents. One pound of dry matter above maintenance can support two pounds more milk. Reducing one pound of dry matter saves 10 cents while losing 36 to 40 cents of milk income potential.
Rule two: Maintain milk components; milk protein which is worth $3.40 a pound and milk fat is valued at $1.80 a pound (Nov, 2008). Low milk components can reflect incorrect feeding program changes, impaired rumen function, and lost milk income potential).
Rule three: Guard against feed changes that can impact the dairy herd long term (such as reduce fertility and herd health). While lost milk yield and/or components may respond in several weeks after getting the ration corrected, getting cows pregnant, getting lame cows to walk, or reducing somatic cell counts can take months to an entire lactation to improve or lead to culling.
Have a great Holiday Season and hope to see you in 2009!