Dairy Programs Set For Sac And Pocahontas Counties In December

The Dairy Directions Seminars are scheduled for Tuesday, December 5 in Sac County and Wednesday, December 6 in Pocahontas County. Both programs will be held at the local county Extension office. “Dairymen in these areas with have the opportunity to have the most current researched-based dairy information presented at their local Extension office” says Northwest Iowa Extension Dairy Field Specialist Fred M. Hall. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the program begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. A free lunch is included and the program will adjourn at 1 p.m.

Continue reading “Dairy Programs Set For Sac And Pocahontas Counties In December”

Weekly Hay Auction Reports

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Oct 26, 2017

Receipts:  63 loads    Last Week:  46 loads    Last Year:  85 loads

Compared to last week:   Alfalfa hay sold steady to stronger, grass steady to 10.00 higher.  Bedding materials sold firm with good demand.  Overall quality was better than seen in previous weeks.

Alfalfa:  Premium:  Large Squares, 2 loads 117.50-120.00; Large Rounds, 7 loads 120.00-140.00. Good:  Large Rounds, 6 loads 105.00-115.00.

Grass:  Premium:  Large Squares, 3 loads 120.00-130.00; Large Rounds, 16 loads 120.00-150.00. Good:  Large Rounds, 14 loads 95.00-117.50.  Fair:  Large Rounds, 2 loads 75.00-87.50.

Alfalfa/Grass Mix:  Utility:  Large Rounds, 1 load 60.00.

Oat Hay:  Large Rounds, 1 load 77.50.

Rye Hay:  Large Rounds, 1 load 90.00.

Millet Hay:  Large Rounds, 3 loads 87.50.

Straw:  Large Squares, 1 load 112.50; Large Rounds, 3 loads 107.50-110.00.

Cornstalks:  Large Rounds, 3 loads 70.00-110.00, mostly 105.00-110.00.

 

Spencer Livestock Hay Auction for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017

Large Rounds: Grass Hay, 1 load $130/ton

Large Squares: Grass Hay, 1 load $41/ bale

Small Squares: Grass Hay, 12 loads, $2.50 – $5.25 /bale

Straw: Sm Squares; 1 load $4.5/bale

Western Iowa Dairy Alliance Announces New Executive Director

Western Iowa Dairy Alliance (WIDA) would like to welcome Scott Schroeder as their new Executive Director. Scott is excited to join the WIDA team and looks forward to being a part of the growing dairy industry in Northwest Iowa.

Continue reading “Western Iowa Dairy Alliance Announces New Executive Director”

Alfalfa and Frost Issues

ISU Agronomist Brian Lang outlined information on Alfalfa and frost in his current Crop Notes. Here is the basic information.

Alfalfa and Clovers: A killing frost is considered to be around 24oF for a few hours. However, a frosty morning can increase the chance of bloat. A 26oF to maybe 28oF can cause some frost damage. Combine that with heavy morning dew and you have a short-term risk of a higher bloat potential. For an explanation of this and suggested management, please read the following article.

     “Alfalfa is not Bloat Safe After a Killing Frost”  by Dennis Cosgrove – UW River Falls, Peter Jeranyama – SDSU, Dwain Meyer – NDSU, Paul Peterson – UM, and Dan Undersander – UW Madison

Continue reading “Alfalfa and Frost Issues”

Iowa Milk Production Up 4 Percent From A Year Ago

Milk production in Iowa during September 2017 totaled 420 million pounds according to the USDA Iowa Ag News report released on October 20. This was up four percent from the previous September. The average number of milk cows during September was 219,000, the same as last month and 5,000 head more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,920 pounds, up 40 pounds from last September.

Continue reading “Iowa Milk Production Up 4 Percent From A Year Ago”

Weekly Hay Auction Reports

Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Oct 19, 2017

Receipts: 46 loads Last Week: 54 loads Last Year: 61 loads

Compared to last week: Light offerings today, as corn and soybean harvest is in full swing. Best demand was seen for grass hay.

Alfalfa: Premium: Large Rounds, 14 loads 110.00-122.50. Good: Large Rounds, 3 loads 100.00-107.50.

Grass: Premium: Large Squares, 2 loads 120.00-155.00; Large Rounds, 5 loads 117.50-130.00. Good: Large Rounds, 14 loads 87.50-107.50.

Alfalfa/Grass Mix: Good: Large Rounds, 1 load 110.00.

Oat Hay: Large Rounds, 2 loads 67.50-77.50.

Straw: Large Squares, 1 load 117.50; Large Rounds, 1 load 102.50.

Cornstalks: Large Rounds, 2 loads 40.00.

Bean Stubble: Large Rounds, 1 load 50.00.

Spencer Livestock Hay Auction, Oct. 17, 2017

Large Rounds: Grass Hay $62.50-$120/bale

Large Squares: Mixed Hay $30/ bale

Small Squares: Mixed Hay #1.75- $3.50; Alfalfa $350-$4.00/bales

Straw: $3.00-$5.00/bale

Registration Deadline For Dairy Lenders Seminar Is Oct. 27

The deadline to register for the Siouxland Dairy Lender’s Seminar is Friday, October 27. The seminar will be held on Thursday, November 2 at the Forester Community Center in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Lenders who serve agricultural clients and especially lenders who work with dairymen in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota are encouraged to attend. This year’s focus is on market outlooks for livestock, grains and dairy, long-term weather influences for agriculture plus dairy finances and ag policy.

 

The list of nationally recognized presenters include; David Oppedahl, Senior Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago presenting “A Fed’s Look at Dairy Economics”; Larry Tranel, ISU Extension Dairy Specialist presenting “Millionaire Model Dairy Farms”; Chad Hart, ISU Extension Economist presenting “Commodity Market Review and Outlook”; Harry Hillaker, Iowa Climatologist presenting “Agricultural Weather Outlook”; and Robert Tigner, UNL Extension Educator presenting “Dairy Market Review and Outlook”.

The cost of the program is $80 for the first person from an institution and $50 for each additional person that have made the registration by October 27. After that date, including at the door all registrations will be $100 and will not include the lunch. The program begins with registration at 9 am, with programs running from 9:30 am to 4 pm. To register, contact the Sioux County Extension office at 712.737.4230 or email Fred M. Hall at fredhall@iastate.edu for registration information.

September Production Budgets Show Little Change From August

The September 2017 milk production budgets for Iowa and Nebraska compiled by UNL Extension Educator Robert Tigner showed very little change in the budgeted breakeven price for Sept 2017 compared to August. All of the following comparisons will be utilizing the 20,000 pound freestall budget. Total income declined by $0.104 per hundredweight but feed cost declined too, 8.55 cents per hundredweight. Total variable costs were down at 8.7 cents per hundredweight. Return to management declined by 1 cent per hundredweight to $1.81.

Even though the PPD and butterfat prices were lower month over month, BF and protein test rose which offset the loss of component prices.

His detailed report can be found by clicking here:

https://dairy.unl.edu/september-dairy-budget

Tigner will give the the milk outlook at the Siouxland Dairy Lenders Seminar in Rock Rapids on November 2.

Block and Bridle Little North American Dairy Showmanship Contest Was Fun For The Judge

Reasons for one of the novice dairy classes at the LNA on Sunday.

On Sunday I had the opportunity to judge the dairy division of the annual Block and Bridle Club Little North American Showmanship Contest at the Hanson Center in Ames. It was the first time I had attended the event in many years and lots has changed. The event chairmen and their team deserves lots of kudos- the event was very professional.

Continue reading “Block and Bridle Little North American Dairy Showmanship Contest Was Fun For The Judge”