I-29 Moo University
A newsletter for dairy producers & industry~March 2020
Calendar of Events
2020
March24th: I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course; ONLINE. Access Agenda & Registration Here
April
14: Improve feed efficiencies: Reducing waste, shrink, and spoilage webinar. 11:00 am CST. Join the webinar at go.unl.edu/dairywebinar
May
12: Dairy webinar: Preparing for the FARM 4 Evaluation. 11:00 am CST. Join the webinar at go.unl.edu/dairywebinar
30-31: Moo at the Zoo; Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo
June
9: Dairy webinar: Improving Cropland Resiliency by Making Manure Part of Fertility Planning. 11:00 am CST. Join the webinar at go.unl.edu/dairywebinar
26: Nebraska State Dairy Association Butter Putter
July
14: Dairy webinar: Nutritional Energetics. 11:00 am CST. Join the webinar at go.unl.edu/dairywebinar
14-16: Dairy Experience Forum
August
11: Dairy webinar: Value of Manure. 11:00 am CST. Join the webinar at go.unl.edu/dairywebinar
September
8: Mindful Manure Management: 5 Tips for Staying Safe During Manure Application Season. 11:00 am CST. Join the webinar at go.unl.edu/dairywebinar
19: Nebraska Dairy tailgate vs SDSU; Lincoln, NE
I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course to be Held Online March 24 Due to COVID-19
BROOKINGS, S.D. - The I-29 Moo University Collaboration will host the annual Dairy Beef Short Course online on March 24. This educational opportunity will be offered as a webinar rather than face-to-face due to the cancellation of the Central Plains Dairy Expo and following South Dakota Board of Regents guidance regarding the current COVID-19 situation. The webinar will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and registered participants will receive instruction on how to join via email.
The event is geared toward producers and industry involved in dairy beef production, but it is open to the public.
“The presenters at this year’s Dairy Beef Short Course are industry leaders from across the country who are driving the national discussion on dairy beef,” said Tracey Erickson, SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist. “The Central Plains Dairy Expo is one of the premiere dairy beef events in North America, typically starting with the Dairy Beef Short Course on the first day. The cancellation is unfortunate, so we are utilizing technology to connect with and continue to serve dairy producers.”
Agenda
- 10:00 a.m. CST - Finishing Dairy Cattle for Beef, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Dr. Ty E. Lawrence, Professor of Animal Science, West Texas A&M University
- 11:15 a.m. - Processor Panel Discussion, Being Conscious of Packer Programs that Fit Dairy and Dairy Beef Carcasses - Bill Munns, Marketing & Product Management with JBS Beef, Kevin Hueser, Senior VP Beef Margin Management, Tyson Fresh Meats
- 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Lunch Break
- 1:30 p.m. - Health Considerations for Dairy Beef During the Feeding Period - Russ Daly, DVM, SDSU Extension Veterinarian
- 2:00 p.m. - Feedlot Cattle Lameness and Economic Impact - Jan Shearer, DVM, MS, Professor Vet Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University
- 2:30 p.m. - Question and Answer
Registration details
The new format has removed restrictions on attendance so additional registrations can be made at the events page. The registration fee is $25 and will be payable on-line. The links will be sent upon registration to the webinar. An electronic copy of the proceedings will also be emailed to participants at the conclusion of the webinar. The registration will remain open until March 24.
For more information, contact SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist Tracey Erickson at 605.882.5140.
To register, or go to the I-29 Moo University website.Email: tracey.erickson@sdstate.edu
Website: dairy.unl.edu/i-29-moo-university
Phone: 605-882-5140
COVID-19 and Livestock: Is there a connection?
By: Dr. Russ Daly, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian
When reports of the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the US, very few people had likely heard of coronaviruses—with some notable exceptions: cattle producers and their veterinarians.
It’s not that people involved with cattle health have any particular insight into the increasing human toll the novel coronavirus is inflicting. Rather, it’s a reflection that generations of cattle producers have recognized coronavirus as a significant cause of diarrhea in their young calves.
What’s the connection between the novel coronavirus (designated “SARS-CoV 2”) causing COVID-19 across the world and the “scours” germ cow-calf and dairy producers deal with? Except for the name, very little.
There are many different versions of human and animal coronaviruses throughout the world. Many animal caretakers have probably dealt with coronavirus infections for years without realizing it. Swine producers and their vets have fought Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) Virus and (historically) Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE) Virus. Companion animal veterinarians recognize Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Virus as a cause of illness in cats – all coronaviruses. Click here to continue reading.
Email: Russell.Daly@sdstate.edu
Website: extension.sdstate.edu
Phone: (605) 688.6589
WEBINAR: What Ag Producers Need to Know about COVID19
Date: March 23, 2020 Time: 12:00 pm-1:15 pm CDT Summary: Coronavirus has gained attention worldwide as an emerging infectious disease. This webinar is intended to share evidence-based information about COVID19 and to help agricultural producers identify strategies for responding on their farm. Intended Audience: Agricultural producers, ranchers, farmers, farmworkers, veterinarians, Extension personnel, rural health care providers, and others who work in agriculture. Objectives: At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: · be aware of common signs and symptoms of COVID-19 · understand the transmission risk to yourself, employees, and potentially your animals · describe infection control principles and appropriate strategies for limiting disease transmission · locate resources and training for Ag producers related to infection prevention If you cannot attend the live event, a recording of this webinar will be available in the AgriSafe Learning Lab shortly after the event is over.
To register for this webinar, please click on the 'register here' box below. Registration will take place in the AgriSafe Learning Lab. If you are not currently an AgriSafe member, you can still register after setting up a guest account.
Novel Coronavirus Prevention & Control for Farms
By Richard Stup, Cornell University
Permission granted to repost, quote, and reprint with author attribution.
The U.S. is confronting an outbreak of a novel coronavirus that causes serious respiratory disease and may be deadly for older people and those with weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization is now calling the outbreak a global pandemic because it is affecting countries all over the world. People and organizations can still fight coronavirus by taking steps to prevent transmission of the disease, the whole point of widespread cancellation of events is to create “social distancing” to lower the infection rate and prevent health care systems from being overwhelmed. New York State Department of Health has a Coronavirus Website with English and Spanish posters for preventing coronavirus infection (https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/).
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) provides clear guidance about preventing infection in both English and Spanish. They also provide a number of printable factsheets and posters in English and Spanish suitable for use in the workplace. (Download at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html)
Employer Actions Steps
Your farm workforce is not immune to coronavirus, please begin taking steps to protect yourself and your employees.
- Talk with your employees about coronavirus, how it spreads, and how to prevent getting infected.
- Print the CDC factsheets and posters, post in your workplace and employee housing facilities.
- Provide guidance to help employees clean and disinfect employer-provided housing. Follow up with employees and manage the process to be sure that this happens. Set up a regular weekly and daily schedule for cleaning.
- CDC guidance for cleaning homes: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/cleaning-disinfection.html
WEBINAR: “The National Dairy FARM Animal Care Program—Version 4.0 Updates and Initiatives”
Dairy Cattle Welfare Council
Webinar Series
https://dcwcouncil.org/
These one-hour live educational sessions are available to attendees from around the world. Live webinars are free of charge, but you must register (recordings are available to members of the DCWC).
“The National Dairy FARM Animal Care Program—Version 4.0 Updates and Initiatives”
By: Emily Yeiser Stepp, Vice President of the National Dairy FARM Program
Date: April 1, 2020
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Webinars are geared toward dairy farmers, veterinarians, consultants, industry, Extension/academia, and government representatives interested in many aspects of dairy cattle welfare. Professional, undergraduate, and graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate.
The Three-Legged Stool
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (3/4/20) — On September 11, 2018 I received a phone call I will never forget. A close friend and farmer I work with often called me to tell me about an area farmer that had died by suicide the day before. The pain in his voice was palpable; a usually jovial man, hearing him so upset struck me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. The next words out of his mouth changed the direction of my work and ultimately my life. After a long pause, he said, “what are you going to do, Emily?”
By September 2018, many farmers across the country were already feeling the strain of low commodity prices, high debt loads, and increasing interest rates. Unfortunately, the agricultural economy has not seen much improvement and farmers continue to deal with a long list of stressors. Now more than ever, it is critical that we think about and discuss the need for mental well-being in farming and across agriculture as a whole.
Back to that farmer’s question, what am I going to do? I am very fortunate that in my work with UMN Extension I have been able to explore my interest in farm safety and health. That phone call in September of 2018 opened my eyes to the fact that I could play a role in supporting farmers during these tough times; we can all play a role. Since then, work in this area from Extension and many other organizations has taken off. Read more...
Email: krek0033@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/dairy
Location: St. Cloud, MN, USA
Phone: (605) 882.5140
Coping with Farm & Rural Stress
Farming is one of the most stressful occupations in the United States. This is particularly true for dairy farmers as they are experiencing an extended period of low milk prices.
Below are some resources available when dealing with stress.
Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline: 833-600-2670
Ted Matthews, Rural Mental Health Counselor, no cost, no paperwork; 320-266-2390
Nebraska Rural Response Hotline: 800-464-0258
South Dakota Ag Mediation Program: 605-773-5436 or 605-280-4745
South Dakota Rural Help Line:800-664-1349South Dakota Suicide Prevention Hotline: 605-339-8599
Iowa Concern Hotline & Resources: 800-447-1985
Illinois Agriculture Mediation Program: 618-549-1200, ext. 1001
Rural Services of Indiana, Inc.: 574-299-9460
Kansas Ag Mediation Services: 800-321-3276
Missouri Agricultural Mediation Program: 573-751-5520
New York State Ag Mediation Program: 518-687-2240 or 866-669-7267
New York Farm Net: 800-547-3276
North Dakota Mediation Service: 844-642-4752 or 701-328-4158
North Dakota 211 Help Line Mental Health Association in North Dakota: 800-472-2911
North Dakota Agricultural Mediation Services: 800-642-4757 or 701-328-2061
Wisconsin Farm Center Hotline: 800-942-2474
Disaster Resources Available with Recent Weather Events
Available resources include
South Dakota Department of Agriculture website (sdda.sd.gov)
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP)
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Emergency Loans
Farm Stress Help
University of Nebraska Lincoln website (flood.unl.edu)
- Cattle producers post flood checklist
- University of Nebraska feeding assistance program
- Dealing with flooded hay and grain
- Disposal of flood soaked grains and forages
- Emergency disposal of livestock carcasses
- Flood-related diseases in poultry and livestock
- Hay donations
Many more resources available at the websites listed above.
About Us
Location: I29 Corridor
Facebook: Facebook.com/I29DairyOutreachConsortium
University of Minnesota Dairy Extension
Contacts:
Jim Salfer: salfe001@umn.edu; phone: (320) 203-6093
Karen Johnson: ande9495@umn.edu; phone: (320) 484-4303
Brenda Miller: nels4220@umn.edu; phone: (320) 732-4435
Emily Wilmes: krek0033@umn.edu; phone: (320) 255-6169, ext. 3
South Dakota State University Extension
Contacts:
Tracey Erickson: Tracey.Erickson@sdstate.edu phone: (605) 882-5140
Heidi Carroll: Heidi.Carroll@sdstate.edu; phone: (605) 688-6623
Maristela Rovai: Maristela.Rovai@sdstate.edu; phone: (605)688-5488
Nebraska Dairy Extension
Contacts:
Kim Clark: KimClark@unl.edu; phone: (402) 472-6065
Robert Tigner: Robert.Tigner@unl.edu; phone: (308) 696-6734
North Dakota State University Dairy Extension
Vacant Position
Iowa State University Dairy Extension
Contacts:
Fred Hall: FredHall@iastate.edu; phone (712) 737-4230
Jennifer Bentley: jbentley@iastate.edu; phone: (563) 382-2949
Allied Partners
Mitch Schulte: mitchschulte@iowadairy.org; phone: (319) 7745-3451
Western Iowa Dairy Alliance: Scott Schroeder: westerniowadairy@gmail.com; phone: (712) 441-5308
Minnesota Milk Producers Association: MNMilk.org
Lucas Sjostrom: lucas@mnmilk.org; phone: (320) 249-8701
North Dakota Livestock Alliance:
Amber Boeshans: amberboeshans@ndlivestock.org; phone: (701) 712- 1488
Nebraska State Dairy Association: NebraskaMilk.org
Kris Bousquet: KrisBousquet@NebraskaMilk.org
phone: (531) 207-4291
South Dakota Dairy Producers: SDDairyProducers.org
Tom Peterson tom.peterson@sddairyproducers.org; phone: (605) 251-2439
Minnesota Dairy Initiative-SW Region
Becca Schulze becca.schulze@co.pipestone.mn.us; phone: (507) 531-0443