Milk production in Iowa during March 2018 totaled 450 million pounds, up 2 percent from the previous March according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during March, at 220,000 head, was unchanged from last month but 4,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,045 pounds, unchanged from last March.
Continue reading “Iowa March Milk Production Up 2 percent Over 2017”
Research has proven that with each incidence of lameness the loss of milk production, lowered conception rate and treatment cost exceeds $120 and over 90 percent of foot rot cases, digital dermatitis and sole ulcer cases can be treated.
Finding cows early and treating them right away will shorten the duration of disease and limit the probability of relapse, but the knowledge and training of the hoof trimmer in paramount in a herd program that lowers lameness.
A Master Hoof Care training will be held on May 8-9 at the Iowa Dairy Center at Calmar, Iowa.
The United States Department of Agriculture made changes to the Margin Protection Program (MPP) for dairy producers within the Bipartisan Budget Act which was signed into law on February 9th, 2018. These changes included a new signup for 2018 which began April 9th, 2018 and will end on June 1st, 2018.
To learn more about the revised Dairy Milk Protection Program (MPP) producers are invited to attend the upcoming webinar on Wednesday, May 2 at 11:30 a.m., CST. The webinar will feature Marin Bozic, University of Minnesota Assistant Professor in Dairy Foods Marketing Economics.
Continue reading “Margin Protection Program Changes: Understanding the Changes”
Learn the latest information in dairy nutrition and management by attending the 2018 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference on June 13 and 14 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa. This premier conference will feature using new low lignin forages, fatty acids and better ration predictions to improve cow performance and health.
Continue reading “Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference set for June 13 and 14”
Rock Valley Hay Auction for Monday, Apr 23, 2018
Receipts: 34 loads Last Week: 14 loads Year Ago: 19 loads
Alfalfa: Good: Large Squares, 3 loads 157.50-175.00; Large Rounds, 4 loads 155.00-172.50. Fair: Small Squares, 1 load 190.00; Large Rounds, 2 loads 145.00-147.50. Utility: Large Squares, 1 load 70.00; Large Rounds, 1 load 100.00.
Grass: Good: Large Rounds, 2 loads 150.00-177.50. Fair: Large Rounds, 3 loads 120.00-122.50. Utility: Large Squares, 1 load 110.00; Small Squares, 1 load 125.00; Large Rounds, 1 load 112.50.
Alfalfa/Grass Mix: Fair: Large Squares, 1 load 140.00.
Oat Hay: Large Rounds, 2 loads 85.00.
Millet Hay: Large Rounds, 2 loads 75.00-80.00.
Straw: Large Squares, 2 loads 80.00-117.50.
Corn Stalks: Large Rounds, 7 loads 37.50-52.50.
Alfalfa guidelines (domestic livestock
Rock Valley Hay Auction for Thursday, Apr 19, 2018
Receipts: 46 loads Last Week: 93 loads Last Year: 71 loads
Alfalfa: Premium: Small Squares, 1 load 220.00. Good: Large Squares, 4 loads 162.50-175.00; Large Rounds, 3 loads 162.50-170.00. Fair: Large Squares, 4 loads 145.00-155.00; Large Rounds, 11 loads 140.00-157.50. Utility: Small Squares, 1 load 105.00; Large Rounds, 2 loads 117.50-122.50.
Grass: Good: Large Rounds, 5 loads 160.00-170.00. Fair: Large Squares, 4 loads 135.00-150.00; Large Rounds, 3 loads 140.00-150.00. Utility: Large Rounds, 2 loads 117.50-130.00.
Alfalfa/Grass Mixed: Good: Large rounds, 1 load 160.00.
Millet Hay: Large Rounds, 2 loads 115.00-117.50.
Straw: Large Squares, 2 loads at 100.00-112.50; Small Squares, 1 load 5.00 per bale.
The March 2018 milk production budgets for Iowa and Nebraska compiled by UNL Extension Educator Robert Tigner shows the 20,000 pound March 2018 budget has a negative $1.70 per cwt, 8 cents per cwt worse than February. When calculating net revenue after all variable costs are paid, there is only $0.595 per cwt to pay fixed costs and management. Unfortunately the fixed costs are $1.55 per cwt in the 20,000 pound budget. Feed costs rose by $0.415 per cwt but income was higher by only $0.105 per hundredweight. Corn was 10 cents per bushel higher, soybean meal $24 per ton higher and cottonseed $6.25 per ton higher. On the income side, total income rose due to increased protein and butterfat prices as well as a rise in pounds of butterfat. A slight decline in protein pounds and a big move to a negative PPD, -$0.30, softened the improved component prices effects.
One more comment on this dairy budget series. It is intended to be a sort of index of returns for milk production for the I-29 corridor and much of Iowa. Fixed costs have not been updated since August 2009.
The free stall budget is available Copy of March-dairy budget 2018
The tie stall budget is available Copy of March-dairy budget tie stalls 2018.
Rock Valley Hay Auction for Monday, Apr 09, 2018
Receipts: 21 loads Last Week: 20 loads Year Ago: 44 loads
Alfalfa: Good: Large Rounds, 2 loads 167.50-175.00. Fair: Large Rounds, 1 load 140.00.
Grass: Good: Large Rounds, 4 loads 145.00-160.00.
Alfalfa/Grass Mix: Fair: Large Rounds, 1 load 147.50. Utility: Large Rounds, 1 load 122.50.
Rye Grass: Utility: Large Rounds, 1 load 102.00.
Straw: Large Squares, 3 loads 92.50-105.00.
Corn Stalks: Large Rounds, 8 loads 45.00-52.50.