Texas Dairy Review


	Helping central Texas dairies is critical to welfare of entire industry Dairyman "hits jackpot" when he finds Texas lady North Dakota specialist: supplemental lighting on milk production Cattlemen opinions differ on USDA’s plan to reopen Canadian border Why the negative PPD? Happy Birthday Texas Dairy Review
	Helping central Texas dairies is critical to welfare of entire industry
	Very few problems are solved by going to court---and the litigation between the City of Waco and Central Texas dairy producers is no exception. However, the alleged water quality issues in Waco's lawsuits against these specific dairies could have serious and far-reaching ramifications, impacting the entire dairy industry. Even though these dairies constitute only a small number in the Texas Association of Dairymen's (TAD) membership, the outcome of the lawsuits is of major concern to the industry as a whole. Through financial and other means, TAD is substantially supporting these dairies in their legal fight. John Cowan, executive director, explains TAD's role in their support efforts. "First, it's important to understand that TAD is not a party to the lawsuit and board members are being very careful not to say or do anything that could be detrimental to the legal defenses these dairies are developing through their legal representation. "Although our organization believes the lawsuit is the wrong approach to protecting water quality in Lake Waco, there is little choice when the City of Waco continues to point the finger of blame solely at the dairy industry. Scientific studies have shown that a number of sources, including the City of Waco itself, may be contributing to the aquatic vegetation growth in Lake Waco. For this reason, TAD believes it must be actively involved in this attack by Waco against Central Texas dairies and the industry as a whole. "The financial aid provided to the defendants in the lawsuits by TAD and the Greater Southwest Milk Marketing Agency is helping to defray some, but certainly not all, of the expenses incurred by the individual dairy producers in preparing their defenses. Even though some dairies have settled their lawsuits, TAD will continue to support those dairies that choose to remain in the lawsuits. "Of the utmost importance, the TAD board of directors sees this financial assistance as an investment in the future of the state's dairy industry. The lawsuit raises legal questions that represent a substantial threat to all of our dairies. Decisions in these cases could set precedents for harmful policies or requirements that have statewide and perhaps national ramifications on how we operate our dairy businesses. Cowan said TAD's overall mission is to represent the state's dairy cooperatives and to work for the interest and benefit of all Texas dairy farmers. Lending financial help and additional assistance to Central Texas dairy farmers is an important part of TAD's mission. "It is imperative that we recognize and appreciate that these dairies that are shouldering legal fees, coping with undue stress and an uncertain future, are not only doing it for themselves but on behalf of all dairy producers. They deserve the support and thanks of the entire dairy industry.”
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	Dairyman "hits jackpot" when he finds Texas lady
	There's no better way to express Valentine's Day than with a true romance story. Although "true romance" may only be a fleeting thought to some folks, there are cases where it actually happens and even has a good ending. When Pete Schouten came to Texas from California in the summer of 1988 to search for a dairy, he never dreamed that not only would he find a dairy---but a wife and an entire family along with it. Some may ask, how lucky can a guy get? Others may look at it and say it was fate. One thing for sure, something unexplainable was floating in the air. After a few disappointments and inconsequential inquiries, Pete happened upon a small dairy in Selden, Texas. When he asked about it, much to his surprise he learned that an attractive, unattached true Texas lady named Nova owned it. He also found that yes, she would lease it to him, although she hadn't really thought about it until he asked. With such a pleasurable landlady to deal with, Pete pushed his luck a little bit further and mentioned he also needed a place to live. Yes, she just happened to own a rent house, too. Some folks would say Pete had hit the jackpot. Astounded by his incredibly good luck, Pete enthusiastically stepped into his new endeavor along with two of his four children, Pete, Jr., and his daughter, Erin, who had accompanied him to Texas. Soon, the Schoutens settled in and became acclimated to dairying in the Selden community. Meanwhile, Nova, who lived in a farm house located at the dairy site, stuck to her own business, going to work at her job at Tarleton State University (TSU) and raising her own children. While her oldest son, Kirk, had already left home, her daughter, Kim, was attending TSU and living with Nova along with her brother Shawn, who was still in high school. A niece and nephew were also living with them. Needless to say, Nova’s plate was full and she gladly collected the rent check from Pete each month. But, something unusual began to happen behind the scenes of what appeared to be a fairly ordinary situation. Someone was sprinkling magic dust and starting to play cupid. Kim, being a typical young female student in college, had been scrutinizing the main tenant (Pete)---while talking to him and asking many questions. Obviously a romantic at heart, she concluded that these two enterprising adults (Pete and her mother) should be closer than just a dairyman and a landlady. Following her own intuition, she began to work on Pete, suggesting he ask her mother to go out. Pete liked the idea, but claimed Nova probably wouldn't be interested. After all, Nova was busy minding her own business. However, when Nova needed an escort to a Tarleton banquet, Kim jumped at the opportunity and convinced her mother to ask Pete. He accepted, and the rest is history, even though Pete laughs and still says, "I was afraid to say no. She might have kicked me out." As the story goes, the romance led to marriage. Nova got Pete and four more children. Pete got Nova, and the dairy, and her three children. And now, some 13 years later, they have a thriving dairy, eleven grandchildren and a new house. Pete and Nova own P&L Dairy and operate S-Cow 10 Dairy. Between the two facilities, they milk 800 cows and raise heifers at Mountain Road Dairy. They employ eleven fulltime and two part-time dairy hands. They've made several improvements to P&L along with building two free stall barns a few years ago. Although they share dairy responsibilities, Pete oversees the main operation while Nova manages the young livestock and cow records. The Schoutens are involved in several dairy organizations. Pete is currently president of the Texas Association of Dairymen (TAD) and was on the Dairy Max board for 9 years before resigning recently. Nova is actively involved in the Erath County Dairy Committee and the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee. Who would have guessed that Pete, with his "California ways" and extroverted personality and Nova, with her Texas lady ways and quiet demeanor would find true marital bliss? Especially since they had a language barrier right from the start. But stranger things have happened. Pete laughed, then winked and said, ""she was pretty worldly for a Texas lady."
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	North Dakota specialist discusses the effect of supplemental lighting on milk production
	Whether expanding or retrofitting, producers want to employ the best technology to offset construction costs. One such technology is photoperiod or supplemental lighting. As far back as fifteen years ago, there was interest in supplementation of light to dairy cattle during the winter months. A series of experiments at Michigan State University compared the milk production response of cows exposed to 16 hours of light during October to March. In the first study, cows were housed in an unheated free stall and supplemental lighting was provided by fluorescent lights with an intensity of between 11 and 19 foot candles. The supplemental group produced 10% more milk during the first 100 days of the experiment. Percentage of milk fat was unaffected by the length of photoperiod. In a second trial cows were housed in stanchions and provided with 16 hours of light or natural light of between nine and 12 hours duration. Cows in early and late lactation were included in both groups. Cows receiving supplemental light produced 6.7% more 4% fat corrected milk during the winter months when exposed to 18 hours of light per day. However, there was no response in milk yield or composition for first-calf heifers. Supplemental light was provided by high pressure sodium vapor lamps and the average light intensity was 24 and 12 foot candles during the day and night, respectively. More recently researchers at the University of Maryland investigated the possible hormonal responses to supplemental lighting. One group of 20 cows was exposed to 18 hours of light and six hours of darkness for 84 days. The control group was exposed to natural winter photo-period of less than 13 hours. Supplemental light intensity was 35 foot candles. Cows exposed to supplemental lighting produced 79.4 lbs. compared to 74.6 lbs. for the controls. This response became significant after 28 days of treatment. Unlike previous research there was a numerical but not a significant increase in dry matter intake. The hormone insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was increased in the light supplemental cows. This increase in IGF-1 may reveal one possible physiological mechanism for the increased milk yield response. Michigan State researchers noted one side effect of exposing cattle to long days in the autumn/winter season is that they lose their long winter hair coats early and grow a summer length hair coat over a two to three-month period. In their experiments, in which cattle were housed in unheated barns, no health problems were observed in photoperiod-induced, short-haired cattle during winter. However, what effects short hair may have on energy expenditures to maintain normal body temperature and health of cattle directly exposed to outside winter climates have not been reported. In the trials summarized above, there were no reports of any adverse effects on reproduction. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal light intensity and the long range effects of supplemental lighting on production and reproduction. In summary there is a positive production response when supplemental lighting is provided during the winter months. It appears that 16 to 18 hours of light with an intensity of between 15 and 25 foot candles is necessary. Cost analysis which considers the extra electrical expenses and fee costs indicate that the additional gain in milk yield makes this a profitable management tool. The extra production associated with a longer photoperiod will probably be seen in those herds where nutrition and milking management are close to optimum. There are some other benefits which may result from the additional lighting. More secondary signs of heat (mucus discharge, swollen and a reddened vulva, etc.), standing and mounting behavior, abnormal discharges and feeding behavior will be noticed during the extra hours of light. How many signs of health and reproductive problems go unnoticed in poorly lighted barns? The NDSU Dairy Research Center recently installed metal halide lights to an intensity of approximately 30 foot candles. We also added an automated timer for 18 and six hours of light and darkness, respectively. We're in the process of collecting milk yield and intake data to document the impact of this investment. To date, I can say that metal halide's white color is more conducive to recognizing estrous signs (sodium vapors look red) and reproductive performance is on an upswing. It's certainly a nicer place to work with all that light! *By J.W. Schroeder, North Dakota Dairy Connection
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	Cattlemen opinions differ on USDA’s plan to reopen Canadian border in March
	While the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) said recently that Canada appears to be complying with key safeguard measures against spreading mad cow disease or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), other beef organizations are not so sure. In a recent news release, NCBA representatives said the Canadian feed industry appears to be in compliance with its feed ban, based on visual inspections and audit reports, after delegates visited Alberta feedlots. NCBA said they have reasonably concluded that exposure to feed produced before 1997 is the potential cause of four cases of BSE. Although a final report is due to be presented at the association's national convention in early February, it's is too soon to know if American ranchers are satisfied with Canada's BSE efforts. Other organizations, such as the Texas Farmers Union (TFU) and Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas (ICA), have clearly expressed their deep concern toward the reopening of the Canadian border. TFO said the latest discovery of BSE in Canada is further proof that the U.S. ban on Canadian live cattle should continue. "There are 14 million head of cattle in Texas," said Wes Sims, president of TFU. "If the border is opened to Canadian cattle, you can be there will be a dramatic drop in the markets and it could be years before it would rise again. I can't imagine any Texas cattle producers who would be willing to take the risk of selling their cattle cheaper." Sims said it's unwise to rush to reopen the Canadian border while Canada continues to uncover BSE positive animals. "While USDA, the Canadian government and a few other farm groups are standing behind 'sound science' ---a reason to reopen the border, it doesn't matter much if our domestic and foreign consumers are not convinced." ICA representatives said while they applaud Canada's efforts and diligence in addressing the BSE infection in their cattle, it appears that BSE in the Canadian cattle herd could be much worse than previously thought. ICA leaders and members are calling on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take appropriate action to protect the U.S. cattle herd and the U.S. beef industry. They said the border should be closed to all beef and feed imports from Canada until the prevalence of BSE in Canada is determined and an audit of the effectives of the Canadian feed ban has been conducted. No matter about 'sound science' ICA said, the fact remains that there have been four cases of BSE discovered that have originated in Canada in the past two years and none in the U.S. The new rule by USDA to reopen the border on Mar. 7 should be rescinded, they said.
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	*Why the negative PPD?*
	What causes the negative PPD on your milk check? The Producer Price Differential (PPD) is a part of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) program. However, many dairy producers have found the PPD hard to compute or understand, especially when it’s a negative figure. An article entitled “Why the negative PPD” written by Dr. Craig Thomas, Michigan State University, explains in depth how the PPD works. The article provides examples, charts and tables. For your information, this article has been reprinted in the February 2005 edition of the Texas Dairy Review. Please call the Texas Dairy Review for a copy of the article printed in our newspaper: 800-344-4901.
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	Happy Birthday Texas Dairy Review
	This month marks the beginning of the Texas Dairy Review's 14th year. We want to sincerely thank all of our advertising customers for their continued business and the dairymen who have supported our efforts throughout the years. We hope to continue to give our readers and supporters valuable newsworthy information. If you have any comments or would like to know more about our publication, please email me or call 800-344-4901. — Sherry Webb, publisher
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	VOLUME XIV, NO. 2	FEBRUARY 2005