Weekly Hay Auction Report

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Jun 29, 2017

Receipts:  106 loads    Last Week:  91 loads    Last Year:  80 loads

Compared to last week:   Alfalfa and grass hay sold mostly steady to lower.  All sales FOB Rock Valley, Iowa, vicinity.

Alfalfa:  Premium:  Large Squares, 5 loads 117.50-130.00; Large Rounds, 2 loads 120.00-140.00.  Good:  Large Squares, 5 loads 100.00-112.50, Large Rounds 24 loads 95.00-115.00; Small Squares, 1 load 110.00.  Fair:  Large Squares, 7 loads 77.50-92.50; Large Rounds, 16 loads 75.00-92.50; Small Squares, 130 bales at 2.75 per bale.

Grass:  Premium:  Large Squares, 1 load 127.50; Large Rounds, 3 loads 117.50-125.00.

Good: Large Squares, 1 load 90.00; Large Rounds, 21 loads 80.00-107.50.  Fair:  Large Rounds, 11 loads 65.00-77.50.  Utility:  Large Rounds, 1 load 60.00.

Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Good:  Large Rounds, 2 loads 90.00-92.50.

Straw:  Large Squares, 1 load 40.00; Large Rounds, 1 load 20.00.

Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 4 loads 37.50-45.00, mostly 45.00.

Good Planning When Hauling Livestock Prevents Disasters On The Road

While towing a livestock trailer is a common practice on most farms, with the summer show season, additional precautions should be observed. The safety of cattle, young showmen and family members give drivers added responsibilities when loading, unloading and on the road.

Continue reading “Good Planning When Hauling Livestock Prevents Disasters On The Road”

Sioux County Dairy Board Recognizes Local Dairy Family

 

The Sioux County Dairy Association recognized Glen Rozenboom and family as the 2017 Dairy Promoter of the Year at the Monday evening banquet.

The 50th Annual Sioux County Dairy Banquet hosted by Sioux County Dairy Association was held on Monday, June 26 in Hull.

Every year, the banquet is a family event that includes a meal, award ceremony and entertainment. Continue reading “Sioux County Dairy Board Recognizes Local Dairy Family”

Weekly Hay Auction Report

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Jun 22, 2017

Receipts:  91 loads    Last Week:  103 loads    Last Year:  74 loads

Compared to last week:   Alfalfa hay mostly steady, grass hay steady to weak, bedding higher.  Overall quality not as attractive as last week’s offering.

Alfalfa:  Premium:  Large Rounds and Squares, 4 loads 122.50-132.50. Good:  Large Rounds and Squares, 18 loads 95.00-115.00; Small Squares, 1 load 3.00 per bale.  Fair:  Large Rounds and Squares, 20 loads 77.50- 90.00.  Utility:  Large Squares, 2 loads 50.00-75.00; 1 load very poor 32.50.

Grass:  Premium:  Large Rounds, 7 loads 100.00-127.50.  Good: Large Rounds and Squares, 14 loads 80.00-95.00.  Fair:  Large Rounds, 4 loads 65.00-77.50.  Utility:  Large Rounds and Squares, 2 loads 60.00-62.50.

Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium:  Large Rounds, 1 load 110.00.  Fair: Large Rounds, 1 load 70.00.  Utility:  Large Rounds, 1 load 50.00.

Straw:  Large Rounds and Squares, 2 loads 70.00-72.50.

Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 6 loads 35.00-42.50.

Heat Stress Is A “Profit Robber” For Dairymen

It is not a question of “if” we will have days in Northwest Iowa that cause heat stress in milking herds, but rather, how many days we will have. Heat stress decreases feed intake and milk production, decreases milk components including fat, lowers breeding efficiency and compromises the immune system plus the heat and humidity is a near perfect environment for mastitis pathogens to thrive.

Continue reading “Heat Stress Is A “Profit Robber” For Dairymen”

Hay Auction Report

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Jun 15, 2017

Receipts:  103 loads    Last Week:  111 loads    Last Year:  91 loads

Compared to last week:   Alfalfa hay mostly steady, grass hay steady to weak, bedding higher.  Overall quality not as attractive as last week’s offering.

Alfalfa:  Premium:  Large Squares, 2 loads 142.50.  Good:  Large Rounds and Squares, 30 loads 105.00-130.00. Fair:  Large Rounds and Squares, 25 loads 80.00-100.00.  Utility:  Large Squares, 2 loads 55.00- 72.50.

Grass:  Premium:  Large Rounds, 12 loads 105.00-122.50.  Good: Large Rounds, 11 loads 85.00-100.00; Small Squares, 2 loads 115.00.  Fair: Large Rounds, 3 load 72.50-80.00.  Utility:  Large Rounds, 1 load 62.50.

Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium:  Large Rounds and Squares, 4 loads 110.00-120.00.  Good:  Large Rounds and Squares, 4 loads 95.00-107.50. Utility:  Large Rounds, 1 load 50.00.

Straw:  Large Squares, 2 loads 85.00-90.00; Large Rounds, 1 load 112.50.

Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 2 loads 45.00-47.50.

Weekly Hay Auction Report

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Jun 8, 2017

Receipts:  111 loads    Last Week:  71 loads    Last Year:  52 loads

Compared to last week:   Quality of grass and alfalfa hay improved this week, large volume of new crop hay.  Good demand for all types of hay as drought conditions in South Dakota have hay users concerned.

Alfalfa:  Premium:  Large Rounds and Squares, 4 loads 140.00-155.00. Good:  Large Rounds and Squares, 33 loads 100.00-132.50. Fair:  Large Rounds and Squares, 25 loads 80.00-100.00.  Utility:  Large Rounds and Squares, 3 loads 70.00-77.50.

Grass:  Premium:  Large Rounds, 6 loads 115.00-132.50.  Good: Large Rounds, 15 loads 95.00-110.00; Small Squares, 1 load 102.50.  Fair: Large Rounds, 3 load 80.00-95.00.

Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Premium:  Large Rounds, 3 loads 125.00-130.00. Good:  Large Rounds, 4 loads 95.00-105.00.  Fair:  Large Rounds, 2 loads 85.00.

Straw:  Large Squares, 3 loads 55.00-70.00, 1 load poor 37.50.

Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 7 loads 32.50-37.50.

Bilingual Calf Rearing Program Begins In NW Iowa

Dr. Ramirez explains the importance of colostrum to the new born calf.

On Tuesday, June 6, the first two farms to have Spanish-speaking employees trained in their native language on aspects of calf rearing where taught in Northwest Iowa.  Dairy Specialist Hugo Ramirez taught the classes with other dairy specialists assisting including Kim Clark from UNL and NW Iowa Dairy Specialist Fred M. Hall.

Employees from Multi Rose Jerseys at Rock Rapids and Maassen Dairy at Maurice received hands-on training on newborn calf and colostrum management and equipment cleanliness and hygiene.

In addition, these first two herds allowed us to video and photograph parts of the training for use in webinar presentations later this year.

Northwest Iowa herds interested in having the bilingual training for Spanish speaking employees on newborn calf and colostrum management, monitoring calf feeding equipment cleanliness and hygiene, handling stress and fear in dairy calves, or calf nutrition basics are encouraged to contact me to set up the training.

Area Exhibitors Did Well At Cream of the Crop Show

Judge Chad Sickles share some advise during the Cream of the Crop Show.

I had the opportunity to attend the 18th annual Cream of the Crop Show at West Point Nebraska on Saturday. My friend Chad Sickles from Marengo, Iowa was the judge and did his usual great job with the kiddos. This was the largest show ever with 91 head from three states.

We had several youth exhibitors from Northwest Iowa entered including: Adam Hansmann from Boyden; Austen Gonnermann from Sanborn; Jacob Eggink from Sibley; plus Anna and Zach Mercer from Fonda.

Congratulations to the Iowa exhibitors and I look forward to seeing you on August 5 at the Sibley Dairy Youth Show.

Weekly Hay Auction Report

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Jun 01, 2017

Receipts:  71 loads    Last Week:  110 loads    Last Year:  48 loads

Compared to last week:   Alfalfa and grass hay steady with weaker undertones noted at times.

Alfalfa:  Good:  Large Squares, 6 loads 87.50-117.50; Large Rounds, 5 loads 85.00-95.00. Fair:  Large Squares, 2 loads 82.50-85.00; Large Rounds, 23 loads 70.00-82.50.  Utility:  Large Squares, 2 loads 67.50-70.00.

Grass:  Premium:  Large Rounds, 4 loads 90.00-115.00.  Good:  Large Squares, 3 loads 72.50-85.00; Large Rounds, 11 loads 70.00-85.00.  Fair:  Large Rounds, 1 load 60.00.  Utility:  Large Squares, 3 loads 30.00-50.00.

Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Good:  Large Squares, 2 loads 82.50-95.00.

Straw:  Large Squares, 3 loads 30.00-45.00; Large Rounds, 1 load 55.00.

Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 5 loads 27.50-37.50.