TheDairySite Newsletter - 27 July 2012

TheDairySite Weekly Newsletter

Friday 27th July 2012

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Dairy Industry Battles Weather and Prices

Drought and heat hits dairies in the US

In California, there are some dairy herds of 10,000 head or more losing more than $1 million a month. This was reported at a Wyffels-Hybrid conference last week attended by TheCattleSite senior editor, Sarah Mikesell.

The reasons for the large losses could be many, including escalating costs of production, particularly feed costs, along with a relatively low milk price being prime.

In the Midwest, there have been reports of an increasing number of calf deaths due to the rising heat. It is suspected that young calves have succumbed to the heat because of their tendency not to drink much water when 10 days old or younger.

Producers are also being urged to check calf housing to ensure adequate ventilation is in place.

Protests in the UK continue

Meanwhile, farmers in the UK have shown great unity in recent milk price protests.

In response, some retailers have raised the farmgate milk price, however, the pressure is still on, as the majority of farmers are being paid less than the cost of production.

Having a week of sunny weather is somewhat of a rarity in the UK and despite being under pressure to cut silage, demonstrators have turned out in force, with some processing plants being forced to shut down production.

An agreement was reached earlier this week on the principles of a voluntary code of practice, to better manage the relationship between farmers and milk processors. Final details will be released in August.

Milk production increases in NZ

There is some positive news for dairy farmers in New Zealand this week, as the Ministry of Agriculture released a report showing favourable climatic conditions for dairy farming.

Production of milk solids increased 11.5 per cent in the March 2012 quarter to 511,000 tonnes, and 13.2 per cent in the year to March 2012 (to 1,655,000 tonnes). This increase was due to favourable climatic conditions boosting milk yield per cow and an increase in cow numbers.

Charlotte Johnston

The DairySite Book Focus

Bovine Genomics
Bovine Genomics is the first book to bring together and synthesize the information learned through the bovine genome sequencing project and look at its practical application to cattle and dairy production. Providing wide-ranging coverage of the topic, Bovine Genomic, is an essential guide to the field. The basic and applied science will be of use to researchers, breeders, and advanced students.
NEW RELEASE - Order Now Online

Cow Signals Checkbook - Working on Health, Production and Welfare
The Cow Signals Checkbook is a collection of the 54 most important checklists, score cards and instruction cards designed to help dairy farmers manage their day-to-day operations. These cards cover all aspects of cow husbandry. This Check Book is part of the successful Cow Signals series.
Order Now Online

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 4 new features this week:

New Programme to Control IBR
An outbreak of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis in dairy cattle in the UK could cost producers around two litres of milk per cow per day or the equivalent of about £180 in a year, writes Chris Harris, Editor in Chief.

Milk Pricing in the UK - An Overview
With the recent farmgate milk price drops, farmers have taken to the streets in protest. Here, Sophie Stoye from FAI Farms, Oxford, gives an overview of the milk pricing situation in the UK to date.

DairyCo July report - Production Peaks in EU
There appears to be more confidence in European dairy markets as we move through the EU milk production peak and milk supply moderates, according to DairyCo, the UK levy board.

Impact of Dry Cow Cooling on Subsequent Performance and Health
There is compelling evidence that cooling dry cows improves milk yield in the next lactation, writes G.E. Dahl, University of Florida.

Market Reports

» USDA Cattle on Feed - July 2012
» USDA Cattle - July 2012
» Irish CSO Milk Statistics July 2012
» Irish CSO Livestock Slaughterings July 2012

Company News

High Levels of Worm Exposure in 68% Dairy Herds
UK - Bulk milk surveillance for stomach worm exposure in dairy cows has found high levels in 68 per cent of herds, with “probable sub-clinical effects on health and production” according to the test guidelines. Between September 2011 and March this year, 449 milk samples submitted by dairy vets and SQP animal health advisers were analysed independently for Pfizer VPS and the programme continues.

National All Breeds Secures 3-Year Sponsor
UK - Pfizer Animal Health is the new main sponsor of the National All Breeds Show, being staged at Livestock 2012 on 4-5 September at the National Exhibition Centre.

Global Dairy Cattle Industry News