Tulare County
Tulare County |
Milk Lines (December 1999) |
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The year 2000 has received a lot of attention, at least for Y2K glitches. This will be the lesser of problems as the low milk prices continue and make 1999 seem a good dream gone bad. So what else is new for 2000 other than these inevitable price cycles? Feed prices are supposed to remain relatively good, at least until the weather changes to something worse. Eyes are on the Midwest as carry-over supplies of corn and soybeans for next summer could dwindle fast if "La Niña" continues to cause problems. Again, what else is new? More environmental pressure, namely air quality, is coming.
Just when water quality and nitrate issues look workable, ammonia (NH3) emissions will be getting renewed attention from the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District (SJVUAPD). Questions on NH3 and "fugitive dust" are not new but have not been in the spotlight this past year as much as water quality has been. As with water quality, this will involve the same process of public hearings, reviews of guidelines, and technical report reviews. The University of California has been actively involved in the air quality question and will keep you informed of news.
On the other side of the coin, industry technological advances for improved dairy production and product utilization continues ahead. Research has shown that the long chain fatty acid in milk (Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA) is an anticarcinogen and can be increased with green forage feeding. Whether a premium milk price for this compound will justify ration change and lower milk yields remains to be seen for this region. Other current research shows transgenic, or genetically programmed, cows can produce a special milk protein that protects humans against a strain of hepatitis. This is but one of several compounds being studied in dairy cows for pharmacology uses.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, cost efficiency will continue to be the current goal to stay in the dairy business. With this in mind, improving cull cow prices could help. A recent study at Colorado State U. showed that 58% of dairy cull cow and bull carcasses had rear quarter injection site lesions, primarily in round cuts of meat. This was significantly higher than beef carcasses. This is no surprise for two reasons. Many injections on the dairy are from behind while the animal is in the stanchion, and the life of the average dairy cow at culling is over twice the age of a typical beef animal.
Contrary to common belief, not all dairy cull cow beef goes into hamburger. A large proportion remains in whole cuts of meat. Reducing injection site scar tissue could help marketability of whole muscle products. The National Cattleman's Beef Association has had a quality assurance program in place for years to reduce injection scars in beef. Trimming injection sites out of meat reduces economic value, and there is a lower tenderness score up to 3 inches out from the scar site. Consequently, marketability is affected and price to the seller is lowered.
Reducing the problem starts on the dairy and suggested changes involve seven steps. Step 1: Use the neck or shoulder as preferred injection site, when possible. Step 2: Read and understand injection product labels. Step 3: Avoid intramuscular (IM) injections when other labeled administration routes are available. Step 4: Products approved for subcutaneous injection should be done with the tenting technique by lifting animal hide between fingers and inject into the "tent." Step 5: Avoid mixing products as this causes more tissue damage, reduces product efficacy, and extends withdrawal times. Step 6: Ask your veterinarian about comparable tissue damage from different products. Step 7: Encourage promotion of tissue reaction information from injection product firms.
Obviously, the first step is the biggest obstacle. Large groups of dairy cows are not run through squeeze chutes like beef cattle. Injections in cows tossing their heads while in the stanchion can be dangerous. Is there an economic incentive from the buyer to justify the extra effort to reduce hindquarter injections? Tracing antibiotic residues and other concerns has been pursued in dairy cull cow carcasses. Tracing carcass quality back to the dairy would be needed to promote this type of quality assurance. It is not an all or none situation and partial improvements could be beneficial.
The USDA/NRCS and FSA are now taking sign-ups for FY2000 EQIP funds. Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 14th, 2000. This is for incentive and cost-sharing conservation projects that will be ranked as to environmental benefits. Contracts can be up to 50% cost-sharing for maximum of $10,000/year, not to exceed $50,000 for life of contract. Contracts are for a minimum and maximum of 5 to 10 years. Initial appointments are with FSA (Gloria) at 734-8732, ext. 117.
There will be a free "Planning Your Estate" seminar January 12th, 2000, at 1:00 p.m. at the Tulare County Farm Bureau on Ben Maddox in Visalia. Contact David Sharp, 559-636-8590, for details and call 1-800-688-8590 (Tanya) for reservations ASAP, as seating is limited.
UCCE is offering a free short course on "Using Lagoon Water Nutrients For Crop Production" for growers and dairy producers. For details and reservations call Carol Frate at 733-6363. The course includes: Session #1, January 31st: Manure Composition and Management. Session #2, February 7th: How to Measure & Adjust Lagoon Water Applications. Session #3, February 14th: Balancing Nutrient Applications With Crop Uptake. All three meetings are 1 to 3:30 at UCCE auditorium,Visalia.
Workshops: February 28th: Monitoring Wells On Dairies. March 2nd:Using Excel Spreadsheets to Track Lagoon Water Nutrient Applications. March 16th: Using a Palm Pilot Hand-Held Computer for Lagoon Water Applications. March 23rd: How to Use the Colorimetric Ammonium Quick Test.
All workshops are 9:30 to 12:00 at UCCE auditorium,Visalia. For all reservations call 733-6363.
Attached is the program for the South Valley Dairy Day at Edison AgTAC in Tulare, Thursday, January 20th. A variety of topics will be offered as usual for discussion, and the free-of-charge lunch reservations should be called in by January 18th.
Happy holidays, and may your Y2K glitches be small ones!
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