The theme for the 2009 Illinois Dairy Days will be "Economic Expectations". Nine regional meetings will be held across Illinois to provide the latest research results and extension recommendations in a fast pace format. Titles and speakers are list below.
Feeding Challenges with Today's Milk Price—Mike Hutjens
Managing the Replacement Herd—Dave Fischer
Evaluating Economic Alternatives—Jim Endress
Economic Implications of Cull Dairy Cattle—Dick Wallace
Dairy Updates
- Impact of Technology on the Dairy Carbon Footprint—Mike Hutjens
- Manure—A Valuable By-Product—Dave Fischer
- Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy—Jim Endress
- Herd Health Update—Dick Wallace
Meetings start at 10 am (the Jerseyville meeting (Jerseyville meeting at 7:30 pm) and end at 2:30 pm with commercial booths. A registration fee and meal charge will be collected at the door. Copies of the 2009 Illinois Dairy Report will be provided free this year as industry companies have donated funds to support the publication. Visit the website at: http://www.livestocktrail.uiuc.edu/dairynet and click on calendar of events.
El Paso at the Community Center, Thursday, January 8
Arthur at the Yoder's Country Kitchen, Friday, Jan 9
Quincy at the Adams County Farm Bureau Building, Tuesday, Jan 13
Jerseyville at the Super 8 Motel, Tuesday night, Jan 13 (7:30 pm)
Okawville at the Community Club Building, Wednesday, Jan 14
Breese at the American Legion, Thursday, Jan 15
Elizabeth at the Community Center, Tuesday, Jan 20
Freeport at the Highland Community College, Wednesday, Jan 21
Harvard at the Stratford Inn, Thursday, Jan 22
Livestock Gross Margin Insurance for Dairy (LGM-Dairy)
The LGM-Dairy for Illinois dairy farms became available in August, 2008. It is a federally reinsured dairy insurance program run through the U.S. crop insurance program. It provides protection against unexpected declines in milk prices and increases in corn and soybean prices (defined as gross margin). No producer premium subsidy is available and dairy managers pay a premium. The allowable deduction amounts range from zero to $1.50 per one hundred pounds in 10 cent increments. Premiums depend on the amount of coverage selected, producers marketing plan, futures price, and price volatility. Advantages of the program include convenience to sign up, customization with flexibility on coverage, bundled options, no brokerage account, simple to enroll, guaranteed pricing, and availability in Illinois (32 states are eligible for this program). Dairy managers can study this program by going to these websites.
http://future.aae.wisc.edu.lgm_dairy.html (underline between lgm_dairy)
http://www.rma.usda.gov/livestock
http://www.uwex/ces/dairymgt/dairy.cfm
Marking Correct Feed Decisions
With milk prices dropping and feed prices changing weekly, dairy managers are making key decisions that impact profit margins. While "cheaper" feeding programs can be a plus, making correct decisions will be important. Three "golden rules" are listed below that apply when considering and/or making feed changes.
- Golden Rule #1: Never give up milk yield as income will be reduced faster than expenses. At today's feed prices, one pound of ration dry matter may cost 9 to 11 cents. One pound of dry matter can support 2 to 2.5 pounds more milk for Holstein cows (one pound above maintenance or the last pound of dry matter removed or added). By not feeding one pound of dry matter results in 10 cents savings, but this decision results in losing 36 to 40 cents of milk income per day per cow.
- Golden Rule #2: Maintain milk components, especially milk protein which is worth $3.27 a pound. Milk fat is valued at $1.82 a pound (September, 2008 prices). Low milk components can reflect changes in feeding program and/or reduced rumen function.
- Golden Rule #3: Guard against feed changes that affect the dairy herd long term (for example reduced fertility, heifer growth, and herd health). While milk response can be response after correcting over several weeks, getting cow pregnant and reducing somatic cell counts can take months to improve.
