DairyBusiness

Environment: California agriculture eyes deadline to replace high-polluting engines

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District reminds growers in the eight-county Central California region have until January 2010, to replace older, high-polluting, Tier 0 diesel engines greater than 50 hp with EPA-certified Tier 3 or Tier 4 engines.

The rule is the latest installment in complying with District Rule 4702, which regulates air pollution emissions from ag engines not used in tractors or ag implements, such as irrigation pump engines. Under parallel rules, the State Air Board said growers statewide will need to meet a similar requirement by January 2011.

In addition, San Joaquin Valley farmers and ranchers after January face more onerous permitting requirements if they plan to install or modify ag engines, depending on whether or not they qualify as a “significant polluter.” The cut-off for “significant polluter” will be lowered from 12.5 tons per year due to the severe non-attainment for ozone status of the SJV.

The classification is based on NOx and VOC emissions determined by type and number of internal combustion motors and hours of operation. Estimates indicate growing operations with as few as two or three irrigation pump motors greater than 50 hp may exceed the limit that allows them to register under the district’s Permit Exempt Equipment Registration (PEER) program. Those growers will instead need an “Authority to Construct” permit, which requires significantly more process and paperwork.

For more information, call the SJV Air Pollution Control District at 559-230-6000.

Education: Dairy producers meet to strategize on how to ‘Save-the-Cows’ at Cal Poly campus dairy

VISALIA – Dairymen and interested alumni met at World Wide Sires in Visalia recently to discuss solutions to the financial crisis at the Cal Poly Dairy.

Supporters in the crowd were clear, in showing their dedication to the Cal Poly Dairy Science Program. While they agreed that we are weathering tough economic times, the proposed solution to reduce the herd from 150 to 30 cows, was NOT the answer.

The interaction between the supporters and the university staff was collaborative, and a list of alternate solutions that came from the meeting included the following:

• Continuation of the Cull Cow Program. A program that was started earlier this year, dairy producers designate specific cull cows being sent to auction and the revenues are sent directly to the Cal Poly Dairy Program. This program will be streamlined to make the donation process easier for the dairyman and additional communication efforts will be implemented to more widely publicize the program.

• Sale of Elite Cal Poly Genetics. Recognized as one of the best Jersey herds in the US and one of the longest Progressive Breed Registry Holstein Herds, the University will be putting it’s efforts into cattle and embryo merchandising to generate revenue.

• Care -4- A Calf Program. A student driven program dedicated to raising money to help feed young stock on the dairy. A donor website and brochure is being developed by the student committee and will be launched in early December.

• Forage Donations. Costs can be reduced significantly if supporters donate forage to the dairy. The farm is in need of quality milk cow hay donations 55+ TDN hay. Alumni and committee member Joey Fernandes of Fernjo Farms has taken on this effort, for more information please e-mail fernjo@juno.com.

• Student Labor Program. Making the Cal Poly motto of “Learn by Doing” possible at the dairy farm is very costly, aside from feed, student labor is one of their largest expenses. Ideas to solve this problem ranged from the implementation of an on-farm work experience internship/lab to student parents or industry providing subsidies to cover student labor expenses.

HILMAR – A group of 16 Cal Poly  alumni dairy producers in the Hilmar area got together recently at Hilmar Cheese to discuss their concerns about the future of the university’s dairy operation. They met prior to the meeting hosted by World Wide Sires in Visalia.

The general sentiment voiced at the meeting was that they were onboard with the goals of those on the “Save-the -Cow” platform. Some of the key points they discussed were:

1)  There needs to be a decision on what the Cal Poly Dairy is intended for:  A) A Cal Poly Business unit or B) An educational facility. The general feeling is that this is an educational facility first and foremost, but needs to be ran like a business with the understanding that in it’s location and under the environment in which it operates will most likely not run in the black. However, efficiency and sound business decisions need to be utilized in it’s management.

2)  There is some disconnect between the Dairy Science Department and it’s alumni and dairy industry. Many alumni are frustrated with some of the direction the program has taken including the relationship between production and processing (research politics which have always been there), the feeling that alumni are contacted when Cal Poly Dairy needs a bailout but aren’t advised as to what is going on within the program until it’s too late.

3)  The idea of a Cal Poly Dairy Booster Club was discussed. There was a lot of support for this idea, and most of the people I spoke to would like to pursue the opportunity. Several fundraising options were mentioned.

4)  The subject of short term help vs. long term help was brought up. Along with the discussion of whether Cal Poly Dairy is realistically sustainable for the long term. Obviously something needs to be done in the next several months to improve cash flow and bring Cal Poly Dairy back to $0. However, the general feeling is that we need to be realistic with the unique situation of Cal Poly Dairy. If the “Booster Club” option became viable, the group could see the dairy’s success achieved for the long term. A well thought out plan and collaboration among alumni and Cal Poly Dairy Science was supported by those in attendance.

Animal Welfare: CDQAP expands 2010 animal welfare workshops

With a series of new workshops beginning next year, California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP) will continue its mission to provide dairy producers the best scientific and practical information on topics relating to the care, treatment, comfort and well-being of dairy animals.

CDQAP is collaborating with top California dairy animal welfare experts from veterinary and animal science fields to create the new courses.

“Providing producers with useful resources and training that can be easily implemented on the farm to maximize efficiency and effectiveness is always the goal of CDQAP,” said executive director Michael Payne. “For this reason, we are greatly expanding our educational offerings to producers and will focus on the most important aspects of dairy animal welfare, such as feet and leg health, optimal age for procedures, euthanasia plans and much more.”

The 2010 animal welfare workshops continue CDQAP’s earlier work to support animal well being. Earlier this summer, CDQAP hosted four workshops on the prevention, care, treatment and euthanasia of non-ambulatory cattle. And in 2004, CDQAP published the Dairy Welfare Evaluation Guide, which enables producers to conduct a thorough self-guided assessment of their facilities and animals (the guide can be downloaded at www.cdqa.org).

There is growing interest among consumers and media outlets regarding issues related to care and treatment of livestock.

“Consumers are expressing increased concern over how their food is raised on the farm and in response, many companies are asking their milk suppliers to provide animal welfare assurances through comprehensive programs,” said Bill Van Dam, Dairy Cares chairman. “We’re pleased to see CDQAP expanding its role to prepare and educate producers for successful participation in these animal wellbeing programs. They’ve helped producers effectively meet the toughest environmental regulations in the nation, and they will be a key resource in assisting producers on issues related to animal care and well-being.”

More will be distributed when available via dairy trade associations, creameries and UC Cooperative Extension.

Herd Health: UC dairy specialist offers information on prevention and control of Johne’s disease

By Gerald Higginbotham

UCCE Fresno-MaderaCounties

Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP), the organism that causes Johne’s disease, is widely spread in United States dairy herds.

A national study of U.S. dairies, Dairy NAHMS 2007, found that 68.1% of our nation’s dairies are infected with MAP, and that at least 25% of U.S. dairies may have relatively high percentage of Johne’s disease-infected cows in their herds.

Lost productivity due to Johne’s disease is estimated between $200 million and $250 million annually.

Johne’s disease is a slow, progressive, contagious, untreatable bacterial disease that ordinarily infects calves. Infected animals tend not to show clinical signs until three or more years of age. These signs include unexplainable weight loss, diarrhea that does not respond to treatment and loss of milk production. In the later stages of the infection, animals can become weak.

Transmission of Johne’s disease

Infected animals shed bacteria in their feces, colostrum and milk. Also, infected mothers can pass the disease on to their offspring. Most commonly, calves are infected by ingesting MAP bacteria from manure-contaminated udders, milk, water or feed. MAP is an extremely hardy bacterium that can survive in the environment for one year, as it resists heat, cold and drying.

Management risk assessment

Johne’s disease should be managed as a herd problem and not treated as an individual cow disease. To manage the spread of Johne’s disease in your herd you should:

1. Prevent newborns from ingesting MAP contaminated manure while in the maternity pen. Considerations include ground and pen surfaces, contaminated udders and teats, suckling colostrum from an infected cow or manure contamination of a calf’s body surfaces.

2. Prevent young calves from ingesting MAP contaminated manure. Consider all sources for potential manure contamination including colostrum or milk from infected cows, accidental contamination of any colostrum, milk, feed, or pen surfaces from mature cattle, utensils, equipment, traffic splatter or people.

Focus on prevention. Your veterinarian can help you develop a Johne’s disease prevention and control plan and can implement testing strategies to identify the most infectious animals.

Industry: Hilmar Ingredients named Exporter of Year

Hilmar Ingredients was named 2009 Exporter of the Year by the U.S. Dairy Export Council and co-sponsor Dairy Foods magazine. The award recognizes Hilmar Ingredients’ leadership in driving global demand for U. S. dairy products.

Hilmar Ingredients is the whey protein and lactose products division of Hilmar Cheese Company. As Hilmar Cheese Company makes cheese, a liquid called whey is drained. This liquid contains whey protein, lactose and water. Whey protein is a nutritious ingredient used in products such as infant formula, nutrition bars and sports drinks. Lactose is also used in infant formula, as well as in chocolate and baked goods. Through a processing system of filters and driers, Hilmar Cheese Company is able to capture the healthy nutrients of protein and lactose, and recycle the remaining water.

For Hilmar Ingredients the journey to becoming a leading exporter began in 1994. The company shipped their first container of lactose from the nearby Port of Oakland, Calif. to customers in Asia.

Today, Hilmar Ingredients’ whey protein and lactose products are sent to more than 40 countries. Cheese from Hilmar Cheese Company is also sold abroad with the popularity, especially in Japan, of American fare such as pizza and burgers.

“Our employees and the dairy farmers who ship their milk to Hilmar Cheese Company have accomplished so much together,” said John Jeter, CEO and President of Hilmar Cheese. “From a small cheese plant on the corner in 1984 to this recognition for leadership exporting products around the globe, we are grateful to the employees, dairy farm families and communities that have supported our success.”

“We have traveled the world to learn first-hand how to provide customer service and to meet the unique needs of people in different countries,” said Kevin Vogt, vice president and general manager of Hilmar Ingredients. “We listen closely to customers in China who want different products from customers in Mexico. From our interactions, we pick up valuable insight – whether about a new product or a new appreciation of culture and attitudes. Although the U.S. market is core to our business, exports are a significant contributor to the success of Hilmar Ingredients and contribute to our growth.”

“U.S. Dairy exports totaled more than $3.83 billion for 2008, so its also essential that we are aware of dairy’s value to the local economy in Hilmar, in Dalhart, and throughout the United States,” added Jeter. “We have to be strong here before we can compete abroad. We have a dedicated team of almost 1,000 skilled employees operating some of the most innovative equipment in the industry. It is the fact that our people are always doing new and better things – from international customer service to the latest in water reclamation that led to this recognition.”

WUD to host session on managing risk price

Managing risk price on your dairy will be the topic of a seminar Dec. 15 in Modesto and Dec. 16 in Tulare. The sessions sponsored by Western United Dairymen will provide an introduction to price risk management. Information will be provided by the leading brokers and consultants in the field: Blimling, Downer-O’Neil/FC Stone and First Capitol Ag. Seminar topics include The Changed Economic Landscape; Risk Management as Margin Management and California Uniqueness, Execution and Outlook.