|
Corn Molds and Mycotoxins Information
|
Harvest in the Midwest has been a challenge and are corn molds are found in some fields. The following links offer advice on harvest, storage and feeding moldy feedstuffs with potential mycotoxins.
Michigan Dairy Review web site lists several papers on molds and mycotoxins
U Nebraska Lincoln
Ear rot and molds common this year
Disease and Mycotoxins Purdue University
Iowa State
|
 |
Cladosporium ear rot may also develop as dark (brown to green) fuzzy mold growing on and between kernels. (Photo: Robertson, Iowa State University Extension) |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Contact Information
G. William “Bill” Robb
District Extension Dairy Educator
Ottawa County MSU Extension
12220 Fillmore Street Suite 122
Phone: (616) 994-4580
Fax: (616) 994-4579
|
|
|
|
|
The Spartan 3 Validation Project was conducted on Michigan dairy herds to validate the dry matter intake formula of the new software being developed at MSU. This poster was presented at the National Association of Agricultural Agents National meeting in September 2009. Click on the link below to view the Spartan 3 poster.
|
|
|
|
|
CornPicker®for Silage: A Partial Budget Approach
The link below will take you to the MSU Michigan Dairy Review website where you can download CornPicker® for Silage Hybrids in Excel spreadsheet to your computer. You must have MS Excel 2002 or later to run the CornPicker spreadsheet.
http://www.msu.edu/user/mdr/
|
|
|
|
|
|
MSU Extension with sponsorship of DFA, MMPA and local Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) held a Compost Barn workshop in Ottawa County. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Wayne Schoper presented the history and success of the compost barns on dairy farms in Minnesota. Cow comfort and reduced health issues lead to less turnover in compost barn herds versus prior housing facilities. Management (tilling twice per day and using fine dry sawdust) are still important criteria to success. In Michigan a consistent supply of quality sawdust should be arranged before considering a compost barn.
Compost Barn Links
University of Minnesota
Kevin Janni, Professor and Extension Engineer, University of Minnesota
A. E. Barberg*, M. I. Endres*,1, J. A. Salfer and J. K. Reneau*
Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota
J. Dairy Sci. 90:1575-1583 © American Dairy Science Association, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Darryl Warncke, Crop and Soil Sciences
With the continued high price of potash many farmers are considering cutting back on the amount that is applied. In making decisions about how much potassium to apply or how much one can cut back, it is very helpful to have soil test information indicating the available potassium (K) status of the various fields being farmed.
When the K soil test value is less than the critical value, applying no potassium will definitely result in yield loss. The critical varies with the CEC (cation exchange capacity) of the soil. For soils with CEC values of 6, 12 or 18 the critical value will be 90, 105 or 120 ppm K, respectively. The further the soil test value is below the critical value the greater the yield loss will be. This applies for all crops.
For farmers looking to cut back on potash, it is best to look on fields where the soil test is above the critical value where the normal recommendation is to apply an amount equal to crop removal. A 180 bu/a corn crop will remove about 50 lb K2O/acre and a 60 bu/a soybean crop will remove near 85 lbs K2O/acre. The risk of significant yield loss from applying no K or a reduced rate on these fields is generally low for the current growing season. However, it needs to be recognized that as K is removed from the “soil bank” a reduction in the available soil K level will occur. The decrease occurs more rapidly in sandy soils than in clayey soils. At some point in time this will need to be replaced.
In soils with CEC values of 6, 12 and 18, the available soil K test value may decrease approximately 1 ppm for about each 5-6, 9-10 and 13-14 lbs K2O/acre removed from the soil. Therefore, if 50 lbs K2O/a is removed and none is applied, the available soil K may decrease in the neighborhood of 9.1, 5.2 and 3.7 ppm per year. Applying 25 lbs K2O/a in the starter fertilizer will reduce this rate decrease. Prioritize potash use for those fields with soil test values below the critical K soil test value and look to cut back on fields that have soil K values above the critical value where yield is less likely to be impacted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Artisan Cheesemaking Classes
Two three-day Artisan Cheese classes were held in 2009 at the MSU Dairy Plant on the campus of Michigan State University. Participants learned about milk quality, ingredients, processes for making a variety of cheeses, techniques and requirements for aging cheese, and planning to establish a farmstead or artisan cheese business.
The heart of the workshop was the hands-on opportunity for participants to make a number of different cheeses including Gouda, Tomme, Baby Swiss, Apenzeller, Ricotta, Fresh Mozzarella, Lactic fresh cow milk cheese and fresh goat milk cheese. Renowned cheesemaker Peter Dixon from Vermont and Dr. John Partridge, MSU Food Science Department were the instructors. Another class may be scheduled in March 2010. For inquires email robbg@msu.edu.
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs for nearly all commodities are higher this year. For many dairy farms, total input costs were above milk income in 2006 and continue to cut into profit margins during early 2007. Michigan dairy farm business analysis summaries and budget estimates can be obtained from the local Extension office or on-line at the dairy team web site http://dairyteam.msu.edu/. The USDA reports an estimate of Michigan milk production costs. You can see the whole report at http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/ (search for “monthly cost of production”). On-line Microsoft Excel® budgets for crops and dairy are available to down load from District Farm Management Educators web sites at http://www.msu.edu/user/betz/ and http://www.msu.edu/user/steind/. Work sheets are available to estimate costs and compare these to your farm records to prepare for 2008 or help in developing market plans. Cost of production budgets of other upper Midwest states are available from the University of Minnesota Finpack Fin Bin summaries at http://www.finbin.umn.edu/CropEnterpriseAnalysis/Default.aspx. If you have not sharpened your pencil, or cranked up your computer lately you can use the above links to gain information to compare your farms cost of production.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DAIRYLINES
Newsletter for the West Central Michigan Dairy Industry; Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana & Ottawa Counties
Current Edition:
Previous Editions:
Addendum to May 2007 issue:
The Dairylines Newsletters are sometimes large files that may take a few minutes to load.
|
|
|
|
|
Phil Taylor and Bill Robb, MSU Extension District Dairy Educators have put together a list of tips and advice for dairy producers to help you get through these tough economic times. Click here to read. |
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
