Kuenzler Dairy Equipment will host an Open House March 2 and we would love to see you there. Attendees will be able to see the Lely Astronaut A3 Next in action and have questions about robotic milking and the latest robotic milking technology answered by experts in the field.
To learn more about the Lely Astronaut A3 Next, click here.
What: Kuenzler Dairy Equipment Open House
When: March 2, 2010
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where:101 North Main St. Norwood, NY 13668 Get Directions
For more information:
Phone: 315-353-2075
Fax: 815-457-2346
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Visit Us at the New York Farm Show, Syracuse, NY Feb. 25-27
We would love to see you at the New York Farm show next week.
The Lely booth, B93 in the Horticulture Building, will display our latest product in our robotic milking line, the Astronaut A3 Next.
The Lely booth, B93 in the Horticulture Building, will display our latest product in our robotic milking line, the Astronaut A3 Next.
The show will feature educational seminars, hands-on activities for kids, and the latest in farm technology.
To learn more about show events, find lodging, and see a list of show exhibitors, click here.
To learn more about show events, find lodging, and see a list of show exhibitors, click here.
Are you planning on attending?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Cut Costs, Boost Bottom Line
AgriView’s Feb. 11 issue contained an article that shared tips with readers about how to continue to cut costs on dairy farms. Although milk prices are back to profitable levels, opportunities to cut costs still exist and can help increase your revenue.
Tips in the article provided by Iowa State University Extension dairy specialist Lee Kilmer included:
Tips in the article provided by Iowa State University Extension dairy specialist Lee Kilmer included:
- Never give up milk production. During tight times, it can be tempting to reduce or cut some ingredients from rations, but every time this happens, you cause production to drop and the value of that lost milk is greater than the value of your savings in feed.
- Always maintain milk components – protein and milkfat are the determining factors of your milk check.
- Don’t make feeding changes that could impact the health or performance of your herd. Be cognizant of the fact that these changes may not occur right away, but could take place over time, leading to a gradual loss in body condition.
Nutrition
Kilmer also provided reminders and tips about nutrition.
- Only when an animal has proper nutrition can it produce milk. Each pound of dry matter (eaten) above a cow’s maintenance requirement will support an additional two pounds of milk production.
Start thinking about feed costs as feed cost per hundredweight of milk sold, not per cow per day – this calculation takes into account both feed costs and production efficiency.
Trim the fluff. This could be feed additives. Some additives are marketed based on extensive research, such as rumen buffers, ionophores, and monensin (sold under the trade name Rumensin). Others; however, are marketed on hype. Work with your nutritionist to determine the best additives for your herd. - Evaluate the prices of byproduct ration ingredients since they are not as vital to milk production as good forages and corn and soybeans. Kilmer said the challenge for nutritionists and producers is to identify and take advantage of “good” feed buys, and he said avoid purchasing the “byproduct of the week.” He sited the Wisconsin FeedVal computer program and the Missouri Dairymen’s ByProduct Feed page as two excellent sources to get started.
Click here to read the full article.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Reduce energy consumption on your dairy
Progressive Dairyman’s February issue contained an article titled “Reduce energy consumption, reduce your costs.” The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that farmers nationwide spend about $10 billion on energy every year. For dairy operations, energy costs rank in the top five expenses.
The above figure shows how energy costs on a dairy are broken down according to a study by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
By reducing your energy costs you are benefitting in more than one way – you’re helping reduce energy costs, yes, but you’re also helping the environment, and helping secure reliable electricity for the future by reducing the stress on the electrical grid.
How do I reduce my dairy’s energy costs?
There are multiple steps you can take to help increase energy efficiencies on your dairy. In Iowa, a farm can save nearly $10,000 a year in energy costs as a result of installing a high-efficiency milk chilling system, the article stated. One dairy referenced used their cow’s solid waste for bedding, reducing the energy spent transporting bedding elsewhere.
Lely’s Energy-Reducing Practices
Reducing energy costs is something we at Lely have been striving to help producers with, as well. With our most recent addition to our robotic milking line, the Lely Astronaut A3 Next, we’ve further streamlined the robotic arm movements to help reduce energy costs. The Astronaut A3 Next has significantly fewer movements required for teat cup connection and removal, and only one pneumatic system.
There are multiple steps you can take to help increase energy efficiencies on your dairy. In Iowa, a farm can save nearly $10,000 a year in energy costs as a result of installing a high-efficiency milk chilling system, the article stated. One dairy referenced used their cow’s solid waste for bedding, reducing the energy spent transporting bedding elsewhere.
Lely’s Energy-Reducing Practices
Reducing energy costs is something we at Lely have been striving to help producers with, as well. With our most recent addition to our robotic milking line, the Lely Astronaut A3 Next, we’ve further streamlined the robotic arm movements to help reduce energy costs. The Astronaut A3 Next has significantly fewer movements required for teat cup connection and removal, and only one pneumatic system.
Click here to read the full article.
What steps have you taken or do you plan to take to help reduce energy costs on your dairy?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
CBS Will Air Part I of Antibiotics in Livestock Report Tonight
As we follow conversations on Twitter and in the news, we’ve seen many of you discussing the much anticipated CBS Evening News report on antibiotic use in livestock. After repeated delays, the report is set to air tonight.
Dairy Herd Alert reported today that viewers of The Early Show received a glimpse of what the broadcast will entail, and the preview referred to use of antibiotics in food-animals as a “ticking time bomb.”
In addition, the website teaser contained the following copy: Experts warn that the overuse of antibiotics in animals is leading to creation of new strains of drug-resistant bacteria - that can infect you and me.
Visit the following link to see the preview of tonight’s report:
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/09/couricandco/entry6190288.shtml
Tom Quaife, editor of Dairy Herd Management wrote: Food-industry watchers believe this report is one of many orchestrated efforts under way to get Congress to pass a ban on antimicrobial use in food-animal production. Such legislation has been proposed in the House and the Senate, but action had stalled.
It’s important for producers to speak out on this issue and tell consumers how you care for your animals. Please click here to share your comments on the CBS website, and please also share your comments here so we can help spread the message.
Dairy Herd Alert reported today that viewers of The Early Show received a glimpse of what the broadcast will entail, and the preview referred to use of antibiotics in food-animals as a “ticking time bomb.”
In addition, the website teaser contained the following copy: Experts warn that the overuse of antibiotics in animals is leading to creation of new strains of drug-resistant bacteria - that can infect you and me.
Visit the following link to see the preview of tonight’s report:
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/09/couricandco/entry6190288.shtml
Tom Quaife, editor of Dairy Herd Management wrote: Food-industry watchers believe this report is one of many orchestrated efforts under way to get Congress to pass a ban on antimicrobial use in food-animal production. Such legislation has been proposed in the House and the Senate, but action had stalled.
It’s important for producers to speak out on this issue and tell consumers how you care for your animals. Please click here to share your comments on the CBS website, and please also share your comments here so we can help spread the message.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Justice Department Sues Dean Foods for Antitrust Violations
The below information is gathered from Agri-View’s January 28, 2010 issue.
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust violation suit against Dean Foods, alleging Dean Foods has been trying to stifle competition and force lower milk prices.
The focus of the lawsuit is Dean Foods’ purchase of the consumer products division of Foremost Foods. The suit aims to force the Dallas, Texas-based Dean Foods divest itself of that acquisition. It also aims to force Dean Foods to give at least 30 days notice before acquiring additional dairy plants.
Dean Foods says it will contest the lawsuit, stating the acquisition of the De Pere and Waukesha fluid milk processing plants from Foremost Farms is “fully compliant with antitrust laws.”
In addition, Dean Foods said the acquisition has “benefitted Wisconsin dairy farmers by providing a stable and growing outlet for their milk.”
Attorneys general in Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois have joined the lawsuit, stating they are working to ensure a competitive landscape for dairy farm families as well as consumers.
According to the lawsuit, Dean Foods has acquired more than 100 smaller companies in the past 14 years. The recent acquisition, the lawsuit says, leaves some school districts with just one milk supplier, and gives Dean Foods a 57 percent market share in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois.
Click here to read the full article.
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust violation suit against Dean Foods, alleging Dean Foods has been trying to stifle competition and force lower milk prices.
The focus of the lawsuit is Dean Foods’ purchase of the consumer products division of Foremost Foods. The suit aims to force the Dallas, Texas-based Dean Foods divest itself of that acquisition. It also aims to force Dean Foods to give at least 30 days notice before acquiring additional dairy plants.
Dean Foods says it will contest the lawsuit, stating the acquisition of the De Pere and Waukesha fluid milk processing plants from Foremost Farms is “fully compliant with antitrust laws.”
In addition, Dean Foods said the acquisition has “benefitted Wisconsin dairy farmers by providing a stable and growing outlet for their milk.”
Attorneys general in Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois have joined the lawsuit, stating they are working to ensure a competitive landscape for dairy farm families as well as consumers.
According to the lawsuit, Dean Foods has acquired more than 100 smaller companies in the past 14 years. The recent acquisition, the lawsuit says, leaves some school districts with just one milk supplier, and gives Dean Foods a 57 percent market share in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois.
Click here to read the full article.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Proposed USDA Budget Hits Ag Hard
Dairy Herd Management reported President Barack Obama’s suggested federal budget proposal this week, stating agriculture, though carrying a trillion dollar price tag, took a huge hit. The total suggested budget is estimated to save $10 billion over 10 years.
In the proposed budget for 2011, Obama suggested a drastic reduction in income that qualifies for crop supports, implemented over a three-year period. The move would save $2.26 billion over 10 years.
An estimated $8 billion would be saved over 10 years by ending “huge windfall profits” of crop subsidies by reforming the administration of the federally subsidized crop insurance system. The Agriculture Department is negotiating a new agreement with insurers that would reduce overhead payments.
Crop subsidies would disappear for people earning more than $250,000 adjusted gross income from off-farm source or more than $500,000 on-farm AGI. Those caps are currently set at $500,000 off-farm AGI and $750,000 on-farm AGI.
The budget also included a request for a 25 percent cut to $1.2 billion, of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
“Despite the administration’s rhetorical desire to support conservation and agriculture, and address such issues as climate change and renewable energy, “reductions of over one-half a billion dollars in mandatory conservation program spending will make it much more difficult for farmers and ranchers to make changes necessary to protect our air, land and water,” said Jon Scholl, America Farmland Trust president.
To read the full article, click here.
In the proposed budget for 2011, Obama suggested a drastic reduction in income that qualifies for crop supports, implemented over a three-year period. The move would save $2.26 billion over 10 years.
An estimated $8 billion would be saved over 10 years by ending “huge windfall profits” of crop subsidies by reforming the administration of the federally subsidized crop insurance system. The Agriculture Department is negotiating a new agreement with insurers that would reduce overhead payments.
Crop subsidies would disappear for people earning more than $250,000 adjusted gross income from off-farm source or more than $500,000 on-farm AGI. Those caps are currently set at $500,000 off-farm AGI and $750,000 on-farm AGI.
The budget also included a request for a 25 percent cut to $1.2 billion, of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
“Despite the administration’s rhetorical desire to support conservation and agriculture, and address such issues as climate change and renewable energy, “reductions of over one-half a billion dollars in mandatory conservation program spending will make it much more difficult for farmers and ranchers to make changes necessary to protect our air, land and water,” said Jon Scholl, America Farmland Trust president.
To read the full article, click here.
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