Animal Welfare Certification Options
Dr. Jim Reynolds, Western University
Dr. Reynolds, Professor of Large Animal Medicine and Welfare at Western University College of Veterinary Medicine, discussed current options in animal welfare certification, along with the value of certification and how to determine if you should become part of one of these programs.
View the recorded webinar here.
View Dr. Reynolds's PowerPoint presentation.
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Lameness, Hoof, and Leg Issues in Dairy Cattle
Dr. Ernest Hovingh, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Hovingh discussed some of the main causes of lameness and reviewed some ways to prevent production & well-being concerns.
View the recorded webinar.
View Dr. Ernest Hovingh's PowerPoint presentation: Part 1 and Part 2.
Managing TMR Variability
Dr. Tom Oelberg, Diamond V
Dr. Tom Oelberg discussed managing TMR variability through the use of TMR audits. He covered what a TMR audit is, as well as factors that affect TMR consistency such as bunker face management, overfilling, under-processing of hay, improper loading of liquid supplements, worn equipment, and under-mixing.
View the recorded webinar.
View and download Dr. Oelberg's PowerPoint presentation.
Appropriate Drug Use and Residue Avoidance Practices
Dr. Michael Apley, Kansas State University
Dr. Craig Shultz, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Drs. Apley and Shultz discussed the why and how of drug residue avoidance, as well as appropriate usage of medications on dairy farms.
View the recorded webinar.
View and download Craig Shultz's PowerPoint presentation.
View and download Mike Apley's PowerPoint Presentation.
Here is an example record sheet for recording treatments given to cattle.
Human Resource Management: Being a Boss or Building Relationships
Bob Milligan, Dairy Strategies
Dr. Bob Milligan, Cornell University Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management Professor Emeritus and Senior Consultant at Dairy Strategies, LLC, introduced the audience to the current thinking in human resource management. Current research substantiates that great leaders and supervisors focus on relationship building, communication, clarity and feedback rather than command and control.
This handout was used as part of the presentation; feel free to print it out and use it as you watch the recording.
View the recorded webinar here.
Handling High Commodity Prices
Normand St-Pierre, The Ohio State University
Dr. St-Pierre discussed how to control feed costs using various methods. These methods include: getting the full value of forage crops, purchasing ingredients that are favorably priced, inventory management, producing things that you are being paid for, managing the herd structure, cow grouping, and feed additives.
View the recorded webinar.
View and download Normand St-Pierre's PowerPoint presentation.
Impact on Air Quality and Climate Change- Where the Dairy Industry Stands
Frank Mitloehner
John Fiscalini
Dr. Frank Mitloehner discussed the most recent scientific findings as they relate to the impacts of dairy industry on environmental quality. He also summarized recent national and regional efforts to quantify and mitigate emissions, as well as the latest developments in the area of dairies and air quality regulation and litigation. John Fiscalini, a California dairy producer, discussed the more practical aspects of these issues.
View the recorded webinar.
View and download Frank Mitloehner's PowerPoint presentation.
View and download John Fiscalini's PowerPoint presentation.
How Low Can We Go: Nitrogen in Dairy Rations
Mike Van Amburgh
Mike McMahon
Dr. Mike Van Amburgh of Cornell University discussed how low we can formulate dairy rations for nitrogen, and what this means for the cost of the ration and for environmental impact. We also heard from Mike McMahon, a dairy producer, on the practical side of on-farm nitrogen management.
View the recorded webinar.
View and download Mike Van Amburgh's PowerPoint presentation.
View and download Mike McMahon's PowerPoint presentation.
Precision Phosphorus Feeding for Dairy Farms
Katharine Knowlton and Jimmy Huffard
During this session on February 7th, 2011, Katharine Knowlton of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Jimmy Huffard, a dairy producer in Virginia, discussed recent research into phosphorus requirements for dairy cattle, the bioavailability of different phosphorus sources, and how these impact the dairy farm and the environment.
View the recorded webinar.
View and download the PowerPoint file here.
Optimizing Facilities for Transition Cow Success
Ken Nordlund
During this session conducted on December 14th, 2010, Ken Nordlund reviewed field studies using Transition Cow Index (TCI) that suggest that limitations in housing are the primary risk factors for transition cow problems in freestall dairy herds.
View the recorded webinar here.
View and download Ken Nordlund's PowerPoint presentation.
Managing Somatic Cell Counts
This webinar, conducted on November 11, 2010, deals with somatic cell counts: a brief overview of SCC, methods for identifying trouble areas and problems cows, ways to reduce SCC, and changes in acceptable bulk tank SCC.
An Introduction to Somatic Cells
Ron Erskine
Origin of somatic cells and the importance of a cow’s immunity
How to Control Mastitis and Lower Herd Milk Somatic Cell Count
Larry Fox
Keys in prevention of mastitis and practices to lower and maintain lowered SCC.
Using Records for High SCC and Mastitis Problem-Solving
Jeff Reneau
Learn to use records to identify herd mastitis trends, herd SCC trends, and individual problem cows to improve udder health and milk quality.
View the recorded webinar here.
View and download Ron Erskine's PowerPoint presentation.
View and download Larry Fox's PowerPoint presentation.
View and download Jeff Reneau's PowerPoint presentation.
Public Perception of Dairy Farms
Held on October 12, 2010, this webinar included success stories of how extension educators have organized programs to educate the public, how they have used media/social media successfully, and how producers have reached out to communities.
Breakfast on the Farm
Faith Cullens
Faith discussed how MSU Extension has developed a statewide program to address bridging the gap between the producer and the public via educational farm tours entitled “Breakfast on the Farm.” She also talked about some strategies for successfully hosting an educational event with large crowds on a working farm.
Connecting with Your Community
Darin Mann
Darin discussed his efforts to engage and educate the local community about his family's heifer raising operation.
Reaching Out Through Social Media
Andy Kleinschmidt
Andy, an extension educator for The Ohio State University, discussed his use of social media in reaching out to the public.
View the recorded webinar here.
View and download Faith Cullens's PowerPoint presentation.
View and download Andy Kleinschmidt's PowerPoint presentation.
Financial Outlook for the Dairy Industry
DAIReXNET hosted its second webinar on November 10, 2008. The topics discussed in the webinar were “Financial Outlook for Dairy” and “Managing through Turbulent Times.”
Topics include:
- Financial Outlook for Dairy – Scott Brown, University of Missouri
Dairy Producers are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainty about milk prices and the cost of feed and other inputs. This presentation will try to make sense of the many factors that will affect dairy farm profitability in the coming months and will provide the best forecast possible.
- Managing Through Turbulent Times – Geoff Benson, North Carolina State University
This presentation will discuss selected herd management and financial management practices and priorities that dairy farmers can consider as they develop plans for coping with the financial challenges that lie ahead.
Audio Recording: Financial Outlook for the Dairy Industry
Powerpoints only:"Financial Outlook for Dairy"; "Managing Through Turbulent Times"
Surviving High Feed Cost
DAIReXNET hosted our first webinar on "Surviving High Feed Cost" for producers and allied industry on August 18, 2008. The topics that were discussed in the webinar were:
- Strategies to Lock in Milk and Feed Prices - Dave Byers, consultant from Virginia.
- Feeding Strategies with $5, $6, or $7 Corn - Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois.
- Alternative Feedstuffs for Corn and Soybean Meal - Randy Shaver, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Audio Recording:Surviving High Feed Cost
Powerpoints only:"Strategies to Lock in Milk and Feed Prices"; "Feed Strategies with $5, $6, or $7 Corn"; "Alternative Feedstuffs for Corn and Soybean Meal"
