TheDairySite Newsletter - 21 October 2010

TheDairySite Weekly Newsletter

Friday 22nd October 2010

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Understanding Dairy Farming

With consumer, media and political interest in British dairy farming systems growing following the application for a ‘large scale’ unit in Lincolnshire, the British National Farmers Union has produced a briefing document for politicians to spell out the intricacies of dairy farming.

The National Farmers Union says that while the dairy industry as a whole is working hard to promote a positive image of the sector to consumers and the general public, the media has generally focused on the negative aspects of such plans – often playing on consumer conscience with emotive headlines that suggest a move to ‘factory farming’, poor animal welfare, pollution risks and the end of the British countryside as we know it.

The NFU said it is important for policy makers, journalists and consumers to have access to factual and unbiased information on the different types of dairy farming systems.

Scientists in Denmark are working on finding traits that can be used in breeding to predict if cows are prone to developing mastitis.

By comparing data from automatic milking systems with data regarding the number of times cows are treated for mastitis, scientists hope to find an improved tool for breeding for robust and healthy cows.

In Canada, a new federal complex for dairy production research at the Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre in Sherbrooke has been opened.

This new facility, containing research equipment at the leading edge of technology, enables the centre to continue innovative scientific research recognised worldwide and to retain its reputation as a leader in the field, according to the Canadian agricultural industry.

With heavy rains warming up South Dakota, the conditions have caused concern for dairy producers because of the potential threat mycotoxins pose to their cows.

Alvaro Garcia, South Dakota Coop-erative Extension dairy specialist, said dairy cows pose a particular challenge because of the wide-ranging variety of feeds that make up their diets.

In order to avoid this problem, producers must engage in meticulous daily feed-out processes from the entire face of the silage pile and at least 10 inches in depth.

In Russia, there has been a state grant of 33.58 million rubles for dairy cow holders in Udmuntia, due to the particular difficulties they face in raising and rearing their animals.

Earlier in August, there was a windfall grant of 1000 rubles per cow from the republic.

Chris Harris

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 5 new features this week:

Has Any Progress Been Made In Mastitis Control?
Reporting from the 2010 British Mastitis Conference, Charlotte Johnston, TheCattleSite junior editor speaks with John Sumner, an independent dairy consultant, about whether the UK has made any progress in mastitis control since the 1960's.

Dairy Farming Systems in Great Britain
Following the recent application for the development of a ‘large scale’ dairy unit in Britain there has been a huge increase in consumer, media and political interest in British dairy farming systems.

Cell Counts For Farmers Producing Cheese
Marco Nocetti, is the Head of Laboratory for the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano in Italy. At a recent Pfizer Animal Health press briefing he told Charlotte Johnston, TheCattleSite junior editor why low cell counts are a must for farms that supply milk for cheese.

EU-27 - Livestock and Products Annual 2010
Beef and pork exports are expected to recover this year, writes Bob Flach in the latest GAIN report from USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Between 2009 and 2011, EU cattle and pig numbers are projected to shrink 2.3 and 1.6 per cent, respectively.

US Feed Outlook - October 2010
Corn planted and harvested areas are both increased this month, but a 6.7-bushel-per-acre decrease in yield lowers forecast corn production 496 million bushels. Production also is decreased for sorghum, barley, and oats, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS).

Company News

Boluses Protect Against Retained Placentas
IRELAND - A veterinarian experienced in bovine health management matters says a trace element bolus is one of his preferred means of getting selenium into cows to safeguard against retained placentas post-calving.

Global Dairy Cattle Industry News