CowManagement february 2012

ED ITION U .S. V O LU M E 4 N O 1 FE BR UARY 2012

IN THIS ISSUE

BREED IN G

Breeding for animal health around the world H ERD REPO RT

Russian mega business invests in automation despite low cost of labor M ILK Q U A LITY

Milk sensor technology provides health status clues and can sort milk CMUS01_Cover 2

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C ONTENTS

FEATURES

5 17 24 31

Cow talk Trouw Nutrition news Vet practice: pregnancies CRV breeding information FARM REPORTS

10 Wargo Acres keeps things simple 20 Russian farm milks with robots EVENT

12 World Ag Expo, Tulare CONFERENCE

25 Temple Grandin MANAGEMENT

26 Silage quality 28 Milk sensors POLITICS

32 Farm Bill

Craig Carncross: “We strive to produce genetics for various markets.” 10

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Mimicking nature’s way in calf rearing is proving healthy for calves.

Jaap van der Knaap The world is full of dairy experts

I

was impressed by the numbers and size of the investments made by Russian dairy producer, Farit Rakhimovo in our herd report on page 20.

Producing high quality milk in the coldest regions of Russia isn’t easy, That, and a good growing season is especially important for producers with large cow herds to hit the difference between losses or profits. Rakhimovo invests in milking robots; unusual given his herd size and low wages. But similar to the US, good employees are hard to find. Reading about the huge investments, made possible because of low interest rates and good connections in politics, you wonder if producers such as Rakhimovo will become competitors with US dairy products on the world market. I doubt about it.

Russia is a huge country with a large population and a shortage of milk.

Russia is the seventh largest milk producer in the world, but with an

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average herd size in of 2.8 cows the country has many big steps yet to take.

Steps in milk quality for example. In our feature on page 28 you can read about the technology for inline milk samples. There is a lot of information in milk, but much of the information is unused or unknown. The use of products as Afimilk and Herdnavigator allow you to sample milk in your own parlor and are just the beginning of data collection applications.

Identifying and collecting data is also the topic in our breeding feature on page 14. There is an interesting overview of how breeding values and indexes are gathered and used in countries around the world.

All three of the features I’ve highlighted provide new insights and new knowledge. You pick which new ideas fit the best. The world is full of dairy experts and new products. Let’s use them.

Series Reproduction

Around the world, producers are using health traits not evaluated in the United States.

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Blood testing for pregnancy is changing the role of the veterinarian.

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grassland genetics FOR the pasture or the freestall

Grassland genetics focus on fertility and functionality Grassland genetics are proven in New Zealand, where fertility is key to seasonal milk production.

Contact us at 1-800-400-CRV4all to find out how it could work in your herd.

CRV, 2423 American Lane Madison, WI 53704 P 608 441 3202 www. CRV4all.us

BETTER COWS | BETTER LIFE

071-12 Ad CM USA grassl.indd 1

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C O W

TA L K

New research on treating Gram-negative mastitis Cornell University research published in the Journal of Dairy Science shows an 89 percent cure rate of mild or moderate Escherichia coli mastitis infections when treated with extended intramammary antibiotic therapy.

Conducted at five dairy herds of 500 or more cows in New York, the trial looked at mild and moderate cases of Gramnegative mastitis and evaluated the efficacy of treating for five consecutive days with Spectramast® lc (ceftiofur hydrochloride) Sterile Suspension.

Results showed that treated cows had

USDA school meal nutrition standards USDA’s new Nutritional Standards for School Meals bring the nation’s school children lunches and breakfasts that meet federal dietary guidance for good nutrition. The standards encourage students to meet federal recommendations for dairy consumption by requiring that either fat-free flavored milk or low-fat or fat-free white milk be offered with each school meal.

While the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends increasing intake of low fat and fat free milk, especially among children, the new school meal standards include a provision that all flavored milk offered in school be fat-free.

The updated nutrition standards reflect a school meal environment that goes beyond lunch with more students taking advantage of school breakfast programs. Nutrient-rich foods, such as low-fat and fat-free milk, cheese and yogurt are important options for school menus to help students fuel their day in a nutritious way.

The National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in cooperation with the USDA, launched a unique inschool nutrition and physical activity program called Fuel Up to Play 60. The program encourages consumption of low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole

grains, and achieving at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Fuel Up to Play 60 is helping empower students to play a leadership role in shaping the nutrition and physical activity opportunities in school for themselves and their peers.

For more information about dairy’s important role in child nutrition and access to resources for educators and health professionals, visit NationalDairyCouncil.org or follow @NtlDairyCouncil on Twitter. To learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60, visit FuelUpToPlay60.com.

Source: National Daiy Council website

higher cure rates than untreated cows and support that antibiotic treatment of Gram-negative mastitis can be successful. 89 percent of cows treated with spectramast showed complete, cures, compared with 53 percent of untreated control cows. Cows that were completely cured gave 8.8 more pounds of milk at the second test day when compared with uncured cows.

Visit: https://animalhealth.pfizer.com for more information on this study and its results Source: Pfizer Animal Health website

Funding to rebuild and repair land

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an important package of disaster assistance to help farmers, land owners, communities and others recover and rebuild after a year in which a wave of natural disasters swept across all regions of the United States.

The funding, totaling $308 million, provides financial and technical assistance to help rebuild and repair land damaged on account of natural disasters in 33 states and Puerto Rico. Funding is provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) as well as the Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP).

For more information, visit USDA.com Source: USDA website

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Neil Anderson: “We need to look at housing and feed ing

Mimic nature with gro u Group feeding and housing resonates with today’s animal care conscious consumers. Plus, research and on-farm application finds that in a grouping system, calves are socially and nutritionally healthy and their caregivers are happy with the labor savings. text Julie Berry

“G

roup feeding gives calves and their caregivers a better life,” said Neil Anderson, a veterinarian and researcher with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs during a Cornell University PRO-DAIRY symposium in Syracuse, NY. “We have an ancient contract (with animals) to nourish, to give calves what they need for life, growth, health and comfort. Nourishment goes beyond providing calves with nutrients, protein and fat.”

“Working conditions are a consideration too,” he said. “This topic is really important. Producers are looking for practical alternatives to hutches. It’s the right thing to do. We need to look at housing and feeding systems rather than always chasing bugs with drugs.”

Mimicking Nature’s Way Today, producers typically feed calves two or three meals a day but calves would sooner eat seven or eight times a day, Anderson said. In nature, calves may nurse for 48 minutes, but now may suckle less than five minutes when fed using nipple bottles. The inter-meal interval may be three to five hours in nature, but eight and 16 or 10 and 14 hours on the modern dairy.

Daily intake may be greater than 20 percent of body weight with natural suckling of a cow compared to about 10 percent with conventional feeding practices. Intake is eight to 12 quarts per day in nature, but only four to six quarts in conventional dairy systems. Gain per day may be two pounds per day nature’s way and less than a half a pound conventionally.

Nature’s way provides calves free access to whole milk but nurse cows are not a practical option on large dairies. Freeaccess feeding with acidified milk, feeding with automated feeders, or enhanced feeding with nipple bottles are worthy alternatives. In enhanced feeding with conventional systems, similar goals and weight gains to free-access acidified-milk feeding are possible by adjusting quality, volume and

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eed ing systems rather than always chasing bugs with drugs”

o up feeding and housing frequency of feeding. Free-access and enhanced feeding prevent hunger, weight loss, stress and diarrhea, while promoting normal suckling behavior, a healthy abomasum and growth potential.

How to get started?

Anderson advised participants at the Syracuse meeting to start simple with free-access acidified milk feeding. On most farms, producers train newborn calves to a nipple immediately after bottle-feeding colostrum. They start calves in single pens and move them to a group pen at two days of age.

Anderson recommends five to eight calves per pen but some producers have groups of 20 to 25 calves. In simple acidifiedmilk systems, the milk reservoir is a barrel with nipples attached to it and plastic lines and check valves within the barrel.

Anderson learned about acidifiedmilk feeding from colleagues in Finland. Acidifying milk inactivates or kills bacteria and allows milk to be stored at room temperature. The Finns used formic acid and Anderson has been recommending its use in Ontario.

In Ontario, producers may purchase 85% formic acid or 9.8% formic acid.

Neil Anderson: The weaker concentration is ready to “Group feeding gives calves and use for acidifying milk. To prepare their caregivers a better life” concentrated formic acid (85%) for use, add one part to nine parts water; stir vigorously to mix thoroughly; mix in large batches to minimize exposure and risk; follow safety precautions for working with strong acids; and post the mixing instructions.

To prepare acidified whole milk, add 3.8 ounces of dilute formic acid to one gallon and stir while adding the acid. Use cold or cool whole milk for adding the acid; allow contact time of 8 to 12 hours; and warm to 72ºF for feeding. Warm whole milk will form cottage cheese with the addition of acid.

For milk replacer; add 3.8 ounces of dilute acid into each gallon; stir while adding the dilute acid; and feeding may be immediately without contact time. In Ontario, milk replacers contain skim milk and to prevent the creation of cottage cheese during acidification, producers prepare the milk replacer at 70ºF or less before adding the acid.

The target pH is 4.0 to 4.5 and the mixture should be stirred three or more times per day. Protein, fat, lactose and antibodies are not changed by acidification. Prepare and feed cool, not cold, milk. Given free access, calves will eat

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approximately 10 L of acidified milk a day.

Gradual weaning over 10 to 14 days is the method of choice. Producers either dilute the milk or milk replacer gradually each day with water or reduce the volume over the weaning period.

Pellet intake will increase rapidly as milk decreases.

Free acces to milk Calves reared in a group feeding system will rest, suckle and frolic. Free access to milk and nipples satisfies the biological needs and calves seldom suckle each other. Calves are typically quiet with no bawling in the group rearing system, Anderson said.

Producers use various feeding systems to feed acidified milk, for example, the Stewiacke warm-box milk bar (plans online at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/ english/livestock/dairy/facts/milkbox. htm), milk-line systems, or computerized, automatic feeders.

In a study of free-access acidified milk with two pens of four calves, with two nipples per barrel and two calves per nipple, calves on average ate 7.4 meals a day, sucked for 48 minutes clustered around dawn and evening. No calves chose 10 or 16 hour intervals between meals, as occurs with conventional feeding systems. Regular meals ensure a healthier abomasum and prevent bloat and ulcers by moderating pH levels, Anderson said.

Calves fed free-access acidified milk or milk replacer should have free choice water, grain and forage available to them. “Calves want forage. If we don’t give it to them in a clean manger they’ll eat contaminated bedding,” he said.

In group housing for milk-fed calves, Anderson recommends service alleys along outside walls as a way to get calves away from cold walls and drafts.

A barn is certainly more comfortable for employees to work in than working outside with hutches. But a warm calf nursery may be “a very sick barn,” Anderson said. Enhanced milk-feeding does not cure wet bedding, substandard ventilation, shoddy sanitation or inferior management, he said. l

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The effect of growth rate of calves has hugh effect on milk yield

The long view in calf care Improving nutrition for calves prior to weaning can add up to 5,000 pounds of milk in first three lactations, according to Cornell University. text Julie Berry

“Treat them nice as babies and they will be better adults,” said Cornell University animal science professor Mike Van Amburgh. “What we do in the first hour of life carries into lifetime productivity.”

Early life nutrient intake has long-term effects on productivity. Van Amburgh analyzed 10 published research papers and found a 1,706 pound gain increase in the first lactation. This is similar to an average rbST response in first lactation cattle.

“If we can’t use rbST, feed your calves better,” Van Amburgh said.

Van Amburgh and colleagues then used the Cornell Test Day Model – the same math as the sire summary – and found the Cornell herd had a growth rate range of 0.23 to 3.5 lbs per day to weaning.

Some of the difference in rates of gain was explained by birth month. Calves born in warmer If calves don’t eat protein synthesis decreases

weather made more milk as cows. This because protein synthesis decreases weather, Van Amburgh said.

“In the winter we need more calories,” “The only way I know to get that is feed.”Every one pound ADG prior to weaning increased milk yield 706 lbs in the first lactation.

is likely in cold he said. through

Nutrient intake effects milk In this evaluation, 22 percent of the variation in first lactation milk yield was explained by pre-weaning growth rate up to 42 to 49 days of age.

“The effect of growth rate and thus nutrient intake prior to weaning had a more direct and significant effect on Mike Van Amburgh: milk yield than genetic selection for “Treat them nice as babies and production,” Van Amburgh said. they will be better adults” Pre-weaning calf nutrition and management can yield four to eight times more milk than the 250 to 250 pounds of milk from genetic selection per lactation, he said.

Diarrhea in calves did not affect milk yield later.

Calves provided antibiotics as a treatment for respiratory illness produced 1,087 pounds less milk in the first lactation. Calves don’t eat as much when sick, which decreases growth and nutrients available for protein synthesis, which might be the signal for enhanced milk producing ability as adults.

For the 450 animals with three lactations, the lifetime effect of enhanced ADG was 5,023 lb of milk for every pound of daily ADG prior to weaning.

Inadequate colostrum intake will decrease growth of calves even if they are on intensified feeding programs. Regulation of feed intake or satiety is most likely influenced by colostrum post weaning and the combination of the two effects lasts for life, Van Amburgh said.

To capture feed efficiency for life achieve breeding weight at an earlier age, reduce age of first calving, increase the potential for internal herd growth and increase milk yield and herd life, farmers should adopt pro-active calf program goals, Van Amburgh, said.Calf goals include: double the birth weight of a 90 pound calf by 56 days, reduce mortality to less than five percent, and reduce morbidity treatments to less than 10 percent. l

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Wargo Acres Inc. – focusing on cows and people to improve and diversify their herd

Wargo Acres, Inc. Emily and Gordon Carncross; Jen, Craig and Gavin Carncross; Caroline (Carncross), Nate and Karmen Altfeather.

Number of cows: Amount of land: Rolling herd average: BAA:

F

Meeting varying market demands Keeping things simple while improving on the herd’s genetic Lodi

core seems to work. The evidence is a 30,400 pound rolling 425 360 owned; more rented 30,400M 3.8F 3.1P 107.1

or nearly four decades, the Carncross family of Wargo Acres in Lodi, Wisc. has produced cattle that thrive in various makets. While the dairy has undergone many changes along the way, their focus on cows and people has allowed them to remain true to the core goal of breeding high producing, longlasting cattle.

Wargo Acres was established in 1946 when Warren and Marvel Carncross purchased the farm. Warren bought the first registered Holstein in 1958.

The farm was incorporated in 1975 after their son, Gordon, graduated from the UW-Madison. He married Emily, who took on an active role in the dairy.

Gordon and Emily’s son, Craig, is now the third generation at Wargo Acres. He

herd average with a 3.8 percent fat and 3.1 percent protein on 400 cows and a 107.1 BAA on 200 cows. text Amy Ryan

joined in 1999 after graduating from UW-Madison with a degree in dairy science. Four years later, when Craig married his wife, Jen, Wargo Acres was home to 60 Registered Holsteins.

The operation’s continued growth prompted change. In 2006, the Carncrosses began investigating expansion. “Our original plans included expanding to 150 and now we are milking over 400,” says Craig. “We chose 400 head as we felt it was manageable for our family size and would allow us to remain a breeder herd, providing genetics to multiple markets. It also fits well with our land base.”

In spring of 2008, the Carncross’ herd moved into their new facility, and today, the farm is home to 425 milk cows and

380 young stock. Craig, Gordon and Emily are actively involved in the day to day operations, where Craig serves as the general manager, Gordon does all the crop work and much of the feeding and Emily handles the calves and record keeping. They have eight employees.

Managing and marketing Several management strategies have proven successful for their dairy.

“Employee training is invaluable and allows us to delegate tasks,” he says.

“Before expansion, we treated every cow as an individual and we continued this approach, which has improved SCC, mastitis and fresh cow health.”

“We have always strived to harvest the best forages possible to maximize

The facilities at Wargo Acres help maximize herd genetic potential

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closely and make needed adjustments.”

Youngstock are raised on the farm for most of their lives, but they also have a custom heifer grower. Calves are raised in hutches until weaning and move into barns on the farm until they reach 400 pounds. They go to a heifer grower until they’re 13 months old, when they return home to enter the breeding program.

Pregnant heifers are kept outside year round. In summer, they use a supplemental rotational grazing program. In winter, heifers move to corn stubble and are fed hay and a TMR along with constant access to water.

Expanding and transitioning

Craig with Wargo-Acres Blton Mopsie-ET EX-91

our herd’s genetic potential,” Craig continues. “When we outgrew our tiestall facility, we felt expansion would also help us maximize that potential.”

Wargo Acres, Inc. is a registered Holstein herd whose genetics appeal to various markets. “We analyze where the cows can take the breeding program and choose sires that will help improve the next generation,” says Craig. “While having many Excellent cows is desirable, we also appreciate the cow’s ability to do their jobs in our environment.”

They have a multi-faceted breeding philosophy to making marketable genetics. The majority of the herd is mated to type-oriented, solid health trait bulls (high productive life and daugther pregnancy rate), while specialty genomic sires are used on some pedigrees that warrant special attention. Finally, young sires are used after three services.

With a 30,400 pound RHA and 107.1 BAA it seems that this philosophy has been successful. It has also helped them develop bulls for A.I. and market genetics to registered and commercial producers around the world.

Facilities aid in management The cows are housed in a four-row freestall barn and bedded with sand.

Manure is mechanically scraped to the center and pumped into a two million

gallon lagoon. The barn has four pens of cows seperated by age with one pen being a bedded pack for fresh and special needs cows. This pen is divided into two with separate lanes to the parlor.

“This approach allows us to maximize space and performance in each pen,” says Craig. “Most importantly, it helps us closely monitor the whole group and individual cows within each group.”

Cows are milked three times a day in a double-eight herringbone parlor.

Optimizing land availability All the milk cow groups receive the same TMR, and the Carncrosses have a special arrangement for cropping due to feed and land availability. They own 360 acres and have several long-term arrangements with neighbors for land and feed.

They work with a 4,000-acre grain operation that has 500 acres in their manure management plan and grows 100 acres of corn silage and winter wheat for them. In return, the Carncrosses buy most of their corn and other grain from this producer. They also rent 70 to 100 acres of hay ground from a relative.

“Feed availability and inventory is a challenge for our area,” notes Craig.

“Our two agreements offer viable solutions for growing forages and nutrient management. We buy our grain and cottonseed, monitor input costs

The Wargo Acres, expansion and transition involved much time and consideration. “Each partner has different ideas of how to advance the farm and the best ways to do it as they are vested differently,” says Craig.

“Considering each partner’s perspective and goals for the operation are key to developing a plan that is comfortable for all involved parties.” Their resource team included a nutritionist, veterinarian, financial consultant, CPA and lawyer.

Overall farm goals include: employee retention, optimize production from available feed stuffs, lower cull rate and financial viability. With goals in mind, they toured facilities and talked with many producers before expanding.

Based on what was learned, the Carncrosses closely monitored investment per cow, made decisions they felt would allow them to maintain their core registered Holstein business and designed facilities focused on attracting and retaining employees.

Stay the course Craig feels that with the market changes in the last few years, their expansion and diversification has produced additional flexibility to develop the herd.

“My father has done a lot of the ground work to build a strong foundation for our herd,” says Craig. “I feel if we stay our current course of breeding from our core group of cows while developing our cow families, we will continue to improve our herd as well as meet the diversified demands of a changing marketplace.” l

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Automated rotary parlor eye catcher at national ag industry show

What’s new in Tulare?

A variety of dairy industry tools and products will be showed during the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California from 14-16 February. A few highlights.

Cow comfort assured with Pasture Gel Mat™ Promat Inc. has developed the (patent pending) Pasture Gel Mat. Throughout the design process they have used the same digital pressure point body mapping device as used for burn patients in hospitals.

The Pasture Gel Mat™ is made of a reinforced PVC exterior that contains a super absorbent polymer that creates the gel interior. The result is a

soft cow mattress; cows will not bottom out when dropping to their knees when lying down. Through observation using time lapse photography, reviewers are seeing cows shifting and moving less, lying down longer; comfortable cows are also more productive. Dairymen are seeing a return on investment with the Pasture Gel Mat™.

Manage colostrum clean and simple The ColoQuick MAXX from Golden Calf Company LLC is a complete colostrum management system. It reduces cross-contamination risks by keeping the colostrum in one bag from the time its quality is measured through pasteurizing, freezing and thawing until feeding. The system includes a filling station for testing colostrum and filling disposable bags

hygienically. The four-liter bags are kept inside green cartridges which prevent bag damage and make it easy to thaw or pasteurize the colostrum. When a calf is born, pull out the appropriate portions of colostrums and place the cartridge in the unit. In 15 minutes the colostrum is ready to feed to the newborn calf.

New clothing keeps dairy workers clean and dry The new V-neck scrub from Udder Tech is the only one of its kind on the marketmoisture can’t leak through it. Made of waterproof nylon fabric to meet the needs of dairy producers, the lightweight scrub has short sleeves with elastic. “Customers have been asking for just this kind of item,” says Cheryl Mohn, president of Udder Tech,

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Inc. “Many have used our waterproof bibbed pants and wanted a top made with the same great fabric.”

Great for surgery, delivering calves, herd checks and other dirty, wet jobs, the machine wash and dry scrub comes in blue or black and is available in sizes ranging from small to 2-XL.

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HealMax offers three ways to prevent heel warts Applied as a foam, spray or footbath, HealMax treats, prevents and stops the progression of costly outbreaks of digital dermatitis or hairy heel warts in dairy cattle. “It’s highly effective and inexpensive,” claims the maker, AgroChem, Inc. “It’s a safe-to-use product on the market that can control this painful, contagious and costly illness,” the company reports. The biodegradable product contains no heavy metals, formaldehyde

or acids and independent clinical tests show it produces results in less than a week.

HealMax Foam offers an economical treatment and preventative care for the entire herd.

Application through a portable unit provides visible coverage and extra contact time. HealMax Footbath Concentrate is a ready-to-use footbath additive. For spot treatments, HealMax Wart Spray is applied directly onto individual lesions.

ai24’s SCR HR-Tag monitors heats and rumination time Worn around the neck of dairy cattle, the ai24™ SCR HR-Tag™ from Micro Dairy Logic monitors a cow’s rumination time. It uses SCR’s Heatime® activity monitoring platform to provide an accurate and easy-to-use heat detection tool. This tag also uses a specially-tuned microphone to monitor a cow’s rumination time, chewing rhythm and time between feed boluses, a key indicator of a cow’s health.

Rumination activity helps validate heat detection in cows displaying only

slight increases in activity enabling dairy producers to determine optimal insemination times. Rumination monitoring allows dairy producers to monitor post-partum recuperation and identify any early-lactation metabolic issues.

The system automatically flags cows displaying lower rumination time during the first week of lactation.

Treated cattle can also be monitored with the tag. A single, daily report provides all the necessary information to focus on effective action.

Automated rotary parlor revolutionizes high-capacity milking Designed to improve productivity and profitability for dairy producers milking more than 300-head of cattle, the DeLaval AMR is the first automated milking system for rotary milking parlors. The 24-position rotary system provides about 9 to 12 minutes of milking time, completing one rotation in about 12 to 15 minutes. Cows access the system in the same way as they do in a traditional rotary. Once on the platform, the cow is taken to the teat preparation position. The entrance gate includes electronic ID so the cow’s teat positions are pre-stored for the robots to use and the infra-red laser camera to locate.

The AMR can be set-up with two robots-one for washing, stimulating, drying and one for attaching the milking cups – for milking 300 to 400 cows at the rate of 50 cows per hour. Two more robots can be added for larger operations.

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Around the world, dairy producers are using health and management traits not evaluated in the United States

Breeding for animal health around the world Breeding values used in different countries provide tools for

and health. Values such as hoof health, udder depth, body

culling data and evaluated by the USDA, while correlated linear traits are calculated by the Holstein Association, USA and milk production traits by the USDA.

condition score and locomotion are a few of the traits scored in

Trait udder health is based on SCS

dairy farmers that can increase herd performance, genetics,

international systems to improve health and management. text Mara Budde

S

ire evaluations provide an excellent tool with breeding values and indexes that farmers use to build better herds.

These include values on production traits, linear and composite scores as well as some health and fertility traits.

Health and management traits are now becoming increasingly popular among producers, according to Bennet Cassell, Extension Dairy Scientist, Genetics and Management for Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.

Many countries around the world track and score traits that are commonly not evaluated in the United States. Each does have their own method of calculating fertility, longevity, linear and composite traits and production traits. Different countries map out different health and management traits to better aid farmers in choosing bulls that will enhance future generations’ genetic potential and health.

Each country varies in health and management traits tested, ranging from basic traits such as somatic cell score (SCS) for udder health, to traits such as hoof health and opinion to determined traits like milking temperament.

U.S. dairy farmers have more

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opportunity to incorporate health and management focused traits from around the world.

U.S. The United States tracks traits such as SCS, daughter stillbirth rate, calving ease, daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) and productive life (PL), besides merit scores and linear trait. Somatic cell score is determined by averaging the cell counts from test days in the first 305 days in lactation. This is used as an indicator for udder health.

Daughter stillbirth rate and calving ease can both greatly affect farm profit.

Stillbirth rate is calculated from the average number of calves that die as a difference from the base number eight percent, according to the information of the USDA. Calving ease is broken up between service sire calving ease and daughter calving ease. Used as an indicator of fertility, DPR is evaluated based upon large amounts of data on millions of cows in the U.S. Direct traits and correlated traits such as production and linear traits are the two main components of PL. The direct traits are determined from

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breeding value

country

definition

Body Condition Score (BCS) Hoof health Lactation persistency Liveweight Locomotion Maturity Rate Milkability Milking speed Milking Temperament Residual Survival Udder depth Udder health

CZ, NZ, NL, DE NL Can, NL NZ NL, CZ NL NL, CZ, DE CZ, NZ, Can., NL NL, Can, NZ, DE NZ Can NL, DE

System to evaluate body reserves Trait used to determine claw health Rate of decline in milk production after peak production Weight of the animal contributing to breeding worth, economic value and production System used to track the animal’s mobility How fast cow matures and reaches peak A multi-trait value that determines cows overall ability to milk Rate at which a cow milks out How the cow reacts in the milking parlor, can have a number value or word description Value for reasons other than production, somatic cell count, liveweight etc., for leaving the herd Value to determine udder health Complex value based off of statistical data for SCS (DE). NL takes into account infection, infection severity as well as SCS

Table 1: Healthtraits around the world

Netherlands Numerous traits are evaluated breeding values in the Netherlands, some being more heritable than others. Due to the high access to numerous databases, relationships with organizations, legislative regulations and direct input from farmers, the Netherlands has the ability to create specific breeding values.

Farmers have a large say in what they want from genetics, allowing different breeding values to be created to meet their individual needs, breeding goals and management styles.

The Netherlands has a mandatory animal registration system which they can pull a vast array of data from. Legislation also plays a role in the research and development of breeding values.

Traits such as locomotion and body condition score have medium heritability, making them values that

improve more quickly with selection.

Low heritable traits have slower genetic progress where highly heritable traits can provide a quicker genetic gain. Low heritability is below .15, medium heritability between .15 and .40, and high heritability is over .40. Low heritable traits include hoof health and udder health. However these traits are still important to consider since they have high economic value to a herd.

A healthy udder will have minimal susceptibility to contracting mastitis.

Udder health is a unique breeding value that is determined through a combination of SCS at days 150 and 400 in lactation, presence of mastitis infection, severity of infection, and peaks in cell count. Infection occurs if a cow experiences a SCC above 150,000 cells/mL between days five to 400 in a lactation. Severity is the duration of

days above 150,000 cells/mL threshold.

The peak cell count measures clear peaks throughout lactation where cell count is high at three specific measurements.

Poor hoof health can cause lameness, mastitis, low fertility, decreased production and metabolic disorders.

Over 70 percent of cows have one or more hoof disorders, making this an important economically valued trait.

Milking speed, temperament, persistency, and maturity rate are all other traits that Dutch bull evaluations contain.

Czech Republic Breeding values used here are milking speed, milkability, body condition score and locomotion. Milking speed is an important trait because if cows milk out too fast, it increases the chance of

Information for trait hoof health is collected in the Netherlands

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a n i m a l

h e a lt h

Body condition score is important in New Zealand

getting mastitis, but a very slow milking cow is undesirable due to increased time milking.

Canada Canada gives values to functional health traits. Traits that differ from traits tracked in the U.S. include milking speed, milking temperament, and lactation persistency. Udder depth value also plays a role in health. This trait is a component in the health and fertility portion of the LPI calculation, the Canadian performance index. A cow with a very deep udder is more susceptible to contracting mastitis. By tracking this trait, animals with an acceptable udder depth can be bred to reduce mastitis and a lower SCS.

or third lactation, since cell count increases as a cow ages. Udder health also has its own separate index, proving that this is a very important trait in Germany. Other breeding values include milkability and milking temperament.

New Zealand Shed traits are farmer opinion based rankings on adaptability to milking,

shed temperament, milking speed and overall opinion of the cow as a herd member. The shed is the NZ equivalent to our milking parlor. Good shed traits indicate that the animal is a sound herd member and may require less farmer effort while milking, especially when it comes to temperament or adaptability to milking.

Management traits in New Zealand account for 36 percent of the NZMI Index. These traits include liveweight, residual survival, and body condition score. Animals with a higher liveweight generally require a higher feed intake, making economic figures negative.

However, some large animals are still great feed converters so they are still efficient milk producers. Residual survival accounts for animals leaving the herd, not due to production, fertility, somatic cells, and liveweight.

This was created to avoid double counting of longevity.

How to use health traits Incorporating breeding values health and management traits greatly depends on the producers’ breeding goals and management style.

Since health and management traits generally have high economic value, looking into using these traits may improve farm profit and overall performance of the herd. l

Locomotion is scored to track the animal’s mobility

Germany The functional herd life index (RZN) is the second most valued index when determining the total net merit of a German Holstein. Accounting for 20 percent of the overall merit, this index is crucial to dairy producers. The index takes into consideration udder health (SCS), feet and leg score, body depth, udder depth and calving ease. SCS is calculated in a similar fashion to the way the U.S. evaluated the trait. Higher weight is placed on cows in the second

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TROUW NUTRITION NEWS

Trouw Nutrition has a positive outlook for 2012 Trouw Nutrition USA Agri Business finished a challenging yet rewarding year in 2011, leaving us in our best position to start the coming year.

Jay Clary, Vice President of Agri, stated, “This past year, we were able to serve many customers in our business segments that faced almost unprecedented challenges to their own profitability.” Everyone felt the struggles in 2011 from drought like conditions, to extreme volatility in the market place and increased prices. This past year has made it hard on everyone to look forward to entering 2012. At Trouw, we are taking a different approach. We are eager to enter into 2012 and see continued Bill Bayless progress while evaluating opportunities.

One recent change that has taken place is Bill Bayless has been promoted as the new National Sales Manager. He is looking forward to managing his team to help them reach their goals for 2012. Bill is a native of Farmington, Missouri with a B.S. in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University.

Bill has also completed graduate course work at Fontbonne College in St. Louis and completed course work in animal nutrition and management at Southwestern Illinois College. Bill has over 30 years’ experience in the animal nutrition and swine production industries, with a total of 12 years with Trouw Nutrition. Prior to re-joining Trouw, Bill spent 2 years with The Maschhoffs as Associate Director of Wean to Market Production. During Bill’s career, his focus has been on production management with emphasis on sustainability. Bill has a lot of experience in the industry and brings a lot to the table. We are excited to see Bill’s progress with his team. Please help us congratulate Bill on his new promotion. Our team at Trouw Nutrition is ready, willing and able to assist our present customers, as well as those of tomorrow, in facing those challenges successfully.

Industry sponsor and educator

Jay Clary

The dairy industry is very important to Trouw Nutrition. Each year, we continue to sponsor industry tradeshows and work to educate and help our customers stay up to date on industry news and information that is vital to their business. “This is one of the main reasons Trouw’s Agri Business has become known as “Your Resource for Innovative Solutions”. Our focus on unique ways to approach Farm Animal Health and Nutrition in Dairy, Poultry and Swine – coupled with our strong Field Sales, Marketing and Technical support teams – Trouw has made a key difference for many of our customers, stated by Jay Clary.”

Looking forward to Industry events Look for Trouw Nutrition at the up and coming shows in your area. We will be at I-29 Dairy Conference, Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Conference, Central Plains Dairy Expo, Tri- State Dairy Nutrition Conference and Mid-South Nutrition Conference.

For more information on products and services of Trouw Nutrition International: Tel. 800.328.8942. www.trouwnutritionusa.com COW MAN AG E ME N T

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R E P R O D U C T I O N

S E R I E S

Blood testing for pregnancy is changing the role of the veterinarian and focusing on open cows

Early pregnancy detection Series about reproduction Getting animals pregnant is critical to maintaining herd longevity and profitability. This last article in the reproduction series highlights blood testing for pregnancy diagnosis.

In an ever changing dairy industry, a basic principle remains;

Part 1: Transition cows Part 2: Heifers Part 3: Lactating cows

accurate method to optimize the number of pregnant females.

cows need to be pregnant to stay and heifers must become pregnant to enter the herd. Blood pregnancy testing is an

text Amy Ryan

W

hile blood testing for pregnancy may not be common practice in the U.S. (only four percent of dairies use them – NAHMS for Dairy 2007), some operations are realizing time and money savings with this technology.

One example is Country Dairy; a 1,350cow operation in New Era, Mich. Johan Vosloo, Country Dairy manager says they implemented blood testing to improve reproductive efficiency and have seen a reduction in veterinarian costs and cow stress.

“With three facilities in a 10-mile radius, we found our herd check/health process was inefficient, leaving cows and people waiting,” Vosloo says. “We

now work with our veterinarian to use blood testing for pregnancy detection.

Results are accurate and it works for us.

Our vet is more a consultant now, which has benefited our operation greatly.”

Changing roles, healthier cows Country Dairy’s veterinarian, Robert Vlietstra, DVM, now serves as consultant and educator for the operation Vlietstra has been with the West Michigan Veterinary Service (WMVS) since the mid-1990s. Country Dairy began using the BioPRYN blood pregnancy test (one of four tests available – see below) in 2006 and WMVS began offering the test through its own laboratory in 2008.

Vlietstra is director of this laboratory.

“Pregnancy blood testing enables the veterinarian time to practice production veterinary medicine,” Vlietstra says.

“Our value is medical knowledge and analytical skill. This test allows us to provide dairyman that valuable service, as it shifts time away from palpation.”

Serving as a consultant can dramatically decrease metabolic disease issues, which optimizes first service conception rate (CR), and voluntary culling status.

“We focus on the Transition/Fresh cow and monitor her with our ‘21-day contract’,” he says. “We watch her temperature, rumen fill, udder fill, vaginal discharge, and feed bunk

Current blood pregnancy tests Jeremy Howard, with BioTracking, LLC in Moscow, Idaho says there are four blood pregnancy tests available, all detecting pregnancy specific proteins from the placenta. The first is BioPRYN®, (2002) from BioTracking, LLC. It detects pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), a protein fraction of various pregnancy specific proteins including pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs).

The other three new (2010-2011) blood tests for pregnancy are DG29™ from

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CRI in Shawano, Wis., BioPRYNQK from BioTracking LLC, and the IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy Test from IDEXX Laboratories in Westbrook, Maine. All four are ELISA tests that monitor concentrations of these proteins in the blood to establish pregnant and non-pregnant animals.

BioPRYN can be used 28 days after breeding and 73 days postpartum; BioPRYNQK can be used 28 days after breeding and 90 days postpartum; DG29 can be used 29 days post breeding and

90 days postpartum; and IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy Test can be used 28 days post breeding and 60 days postpartum. The results for BioPRYN and DG29 are a 24hour turnaround time after receipt in the lab. With BioPRYNQK, results can be available four hours after sample receipt, and the IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy test has an assay time of 2.5 hours with availability of results depending on the processing lab. The costs of the tests range from $2.40 to $5.00.

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good results,” he says. “My expectation for CR is 45-55 percent per week. Plus, cows are in better condition meaning less metabolic issues at calving.”

Blood pregnancy testing finds the open cow early and reenrolls her in a program. “Pinpointing open cows earlier than palpation allows you to focus on infertility,” he continues.

Finally, Vosloo finds blood testing is cost effective and convenient. It means less time/cost for the vet palpating on the farm and less stress on the cows due to sorting and long lock-up times.

“It is typical that a dairyman can P1 and P2 (preg check 1, 28-34 days & preg check 2, 65-72 days) cows with the chemical test for the same cost as a P1 rectal palpation,” says Vlietstra.

Vet’s arm is “gold standard” Vosloo emphasizes blood pregnancy testing does not replace good animal management or the vet. They sleeve cows as needed and the vet’s arm is still the “Gold Standard”. They also have a registered herd on an intensive embryo transfer program, and use ultrasound with that group.

Vlietstra adds the following as considerations for pregnancy blood testing: it cannot determine days bred accurately; its inability to distinguish between two A.I. breeding dates; it cannot determine pathology in cases of infertility; producers must P2 cows if P1 is done early, due to early embryonic death; and space availability issues for extra calves, dry cows, transition and fresh cows due to more pregnancies.

An accurate routine Blood pregnancy testing finds the open cow early

behavior. We examine all fresh cows at 21 days to determine uterine status.

Cows with metritis or endometritis are excluded from the breeding program until these issues clear up.”

Focus on open cows “Dairymen give me 100 days to get their cows pregnant (100-200 DIM),” says Vlietstra. “The first service (presynch/ ovsynch=G-6-G) goal is 60 percent; random ovsynch goal is 40 percent; and estrus breeding goal is 20 percent.”

The breeding program parameters are: • Days to first service: 80-100 DIM) for cows; 120 DIM for 1st calf heifers • 1st service: presynch protocol (usually G-6-G) • Subsequent breedings: presynch/ ovsynch or random ovsynch (depends on DIM and number of eligible animals).

This philosophy has benefited Country Dairy. “We have pushed the open enrollment period up two weeks, and if you comply with the program, you get

While only a small percentage of producers use blood pregnancy testing, the option is readily available.

For Country Dairy, it has many advantages with the biggest being better use of their vet budget and the spending more time with their cows and heifers.

“Our keys to success are: sticking to a routine, keeping accurate cow records and watching the records to make sure cows are not missed,” he says. “Most importantly, believe that the system can work for you.” l

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FA R M

R E P O RT

Farit Rakhimovo In 2009 Farit Rakhimovo built a completely new dairy unit with 16 milking robots. In 2012 he is going to double the size of this unit, bringing his total investment to 45 million dollar.

Number of cows: Annual milk sales: Unit size: Average milk yield:

Kazan Russia

1,150 43,000 lbs per day 15,750 acres 17,600 lbs, 3.9% fat, 3.5% protein

Farit Rakhimovo and Nazip Gataullin

Cows are milked 2.4 times each day

Russian mega business invests in automation despite low cost of labor

Milking with 32 robots By the end of 2012, Farit Rakhimovo, will double the size of Rakhimovo Farm from 16 to 32 milking robots. The young Russian wants to be less dependent on a work force and has opted for automatic milking.

A

t the entrance to Rakhimovo Farm there is a small, plain house. The little building has one window and it is the accommodation for the security guards keeping watch over the huge Russian farm. The door opens and a member of the staff steps out. He

text T캐men van Zessen

The freestal barn is divided in four sections with 120 cows per department

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Milk is collected daily by Danone

calls his boss on his mobile phone and discusses whether the farm manager is expecting a visit.

In Russia guarding property is not a luxury. It is essential, particularly if new and properly functioning equipment is involved. Since 2009, 16 milking robots from DeLaval have been operating on Farit Rakhimovo’s farm and as many again are on their way there. And this makes Farit’s by far the biggest dairy in the world using milking robots.

Australian heifers Farit lives in Kazan, the third largest city in Russia with a population of 1.1 million, which is about two hours drive from his farm. ‘I’ve always wanted to work in the agricultural sector, in the Soviet era my grandfather was manager on a state farm in this region for 35 years,” says Farit. He is proud of his agricultural roots and in 2008 formed a joint venture with investors who wanted to build up a dairy unit from scratch with him.

Russia’s milk production is increasing slowly because the number of cows is declining. To stimulate milk production, the authorities set up the ‘Agriculture

A security guard keeps a close watch

development 2008-2012’ program in 2008. The program subsidised qualified projects with a virtually interest-free loan. Farit was eligible for the scheme, possibly helped by the fact that his father has a seat in the Duma, the Russian parliament.

He invested 45 million dollar at a net interest rate of 1 percent. This is a huge sum that includes the cost of all the equipment, buildings, mechanisation and breeding stock – around 21,000 dollar per cow.

With 32 robots, 65 cows per robot and 17,600 lbs of milk per cow, the sum amounts to a 6.2 dollar investment per lbs of milk.

“We had five plane loads of heifers flown over from Australia – that’s 200 heifers per plane. And we also imported 478 head of young cattle by sea,” explains Farit, totalling up the considerable sum invested.

He also invested in land – 15,750 acres in total. In the Kazan region, land costs about 200 dollar per acre.

Training course The unit’s buildings and installations occupy just 50 acres. In 2008 Farit was

Loads of snow during many months of the year in Russia

taken by DeLaval to Mason Dixon Farms, Pennsylvania – a family run business in the US with 20 milking robots and a herd averaging 22,000 lbs – to find inspiration for his plans.

Farit became an instant enthusiast and wanted to set up a comparable farm with similar productivity. DeLaval supported him in setting up the farm and advised a ‘feed-first system’ with supplementary concentrates.

The lactating cows are divided between two barns each with four sections of 120 cows and two robots.

In Russia, where the wages are relatively low, the choice of robots for milking is not an obvious one. Rakhimovo employs 50 staff, each with an average salary of 600 dollar per month. “It is difficult to find motivated staff that have the necessary capacity and are sufficiently reliable. Many Russians choose a job outside agriculture,” says Farit.

He has devised a training course to teach new staff how to milk with a robot. But is 50 staff for the current number of cows perhaps too many when there are robots in the barns?

“They don’t all work directly with the cows. We have two people looking after Small lab to test milk quality

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FA R M

r e p o rt

Big production – but still not enough milk Russia is the biggest importer of dairy products in the world. Although it produces 30.2 billion kilogrammes of milk and is worldwide the seventh largest milk producer, there are insufficient dairy products for the improving Russian economy.

Almost half the milk is produced on farms with less than five cows. The national average herd size is 2.8 cows (see Table 1). During the Soviet era these little farms were crucial for sustaining people living in the countryside.

Now, in these more prosperous times, little farms are slowly but surely disappearing.

To stimulate milk production, Russia

≤ 0,4 > 0,4 – ≤ 2 >2–≤5 > 5 – ≤ 10 > 10 – ≤ 15 > 15 no data

Figure 1: Milkproduct in tons (kg) per square kilometre in Russia (source : IFCN)

subsidises the dairy industry, both at the level of family farms (100 to 150 cows) as well as via mega projects, such as that of Farit Rakhimovo. “Rakhimovo

Table 1: Dairy farming statistics in Russia (source: IFCN)

1996 milk production in FCPM production (billion kg) number of cows (x 1000) average milk yield per cow (kg) dairy farming design number of dairy farms (x 1000) number of cows per farm

2004

2006

2008

2010

31.52 29.50 29.27 30.66 29.48 16,557 13,837 12,771 11,873 10,425 1,900 2,100 2,300 2,600 2,800

29.28 9,647 3,000

30.52 9,129 3,300

30.22 8,800 3,400

3,135 3.1

3,160 2.9

3,160 2.8

— —

1998

2000

— —

the feet, three for AI, two looking after young stock, one for general co-ordination of animal health and one herd manager for feeding the livestock.

“But we also have people involved in harvesting forage, administration, security and cleaning the buildings.”

Disciplined approach In Russia there is more uncertainly about growing and harvesting sufficient forage than producers are used to elsewhere. Average rainfall in the region round Kazan is between 20 inch and 22 inch and in 2010, due to drought, Farit had to buy in additional feed and forage, while the milk production per acre was still well under 6600 lbs.

“And the unit will soon be operating 32 robots at full capacity. So we now have 50,000 kg tonnes of forage in store that’s enough to feed the herd for two years and is meant as a buffer,” he explains. “This year we harvested

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— —

2002

2,222 5.3

2,679 3.9

45,000 kg of maize and 4,000 kg wheat per hectare, the previous year that was 8,000 kg and 1,300 kg per hectare respectively, due to the drought.”

Of the total area of 15,750 acres, 8,250 acre is intended for the production of forage, 5,000 acres for high moistre corn and 3,250 acres for alfa alfa.

Rakhimovo uses 6,250 acres for corn and 600 acre for potatoes.

Besides high moistre corn alfa alfa, the ration at Rakhimovo consists of sugerbeet pulp, sunflower seed, soybean pulps, corn and supplementary concentrates. This ration supplies maintenance plus 33 lbs of milk per cow, the animals must get the rest from concentrates, to a maximum of 26 lbs.

The advantage of the feed-first system is that cows first fill up on forage at the feeding alley and then only get concentrates in the robot. This prevents disturbances in feeding, according to Farit.

is one of our most important clients in Russia. But we see more and more farms that milk more than a thousand cows.

In Russia, we have 60 clients with more than 2,000 cows,” says the marketing director for DeLaval in Russia, Bo Weifeldt. Most of the milk production is concentrated in the south west of Russia (see Figure 1). The federal republic of Tatarstan, where the Rakhimovo farm is situated, is one of the most productive regions with more than 15,000 kg of milk produced per square kilometre and a production of 4,800 kilos of milk per cow in 2010.

The system pays close attention to feeding times because cows have to visit first the robot before the can go to the feeding alley. If the ration at the feeding alley is put in front of the cows too late, there is automatically a lot of pressure on the milking robot due to hungry cows and heavy cow traffic, with the result that the cows have to wait longer to be milked.

So Farit knows that the critical success factor on his unit is discipline.

“Everyone doing what they have to do on time leads to a good result. But if the feed isn’t on time then losses occur.”

Milk samples The herd average yield for 2010 was 18.000 lbs per lactation, or 50 lbs per cow per day. At the moment, many of the cows are dry or in late lactation, so the production of 850-cow herd runs at 43,750 lbs of milk per day. “In March I expect to produce 55,000 lbs of milk

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per day,” says Farit, looking ahead.

Right now, milk production is lucrative for the Russian – the milk price is 57 dollar per 220 lbs, while the cost of producing 220 lbs of milk is just 40 euros. “The cost of feed and fuel are high. Including the costs for the cultivation of the forage during the past year we spent five per cow per day on forage. Depending on the level of production, that is between 19 and 25 dollar per 2200 pounds of milk.” Milk quality-based payment is also becoming more common in Russia. Milk with a lower bacterial count earns more.

Proudly, Farit tells us that in the past year his farm even carried off the Danone Cup for milk quality. “The figures for butterfat and protein also count,” adds herd manager Nazip Gataullin. “The basic price assumes 3 percent protein. For each tenth of a percent above that Danone pays a bonus. In 2010 we achieved, on average, 3.9 percent butterfat and 3.5 percent protein.”

Nazip is responsible for something that is unusual in Western Europe – he takes a sample from each milk delivery and performs analyses on it in his own laboratory. Corruption is not a rarity in Russia and Farit wants to eliminate

A model of Rakhimovo Farm, with a cross-section of one of the dairy barns

deliberate mistakes. “I’d say that about three times a year we ask an independent laboratory for a second opinion.”

Debt free Farit also pays his workers according to performance. Those responsible for ensuring that the cows are milked each

The ration contains alfa alfa, corn silage and sugerbeet pulp

day are paid more according to the number of milkings per cow per day, which currently averages 2.4. The number of ‘too late’ cows, the number with mastitis and the somatic cell count (now 220,000) also have an impact on the salary. In total there are between 10 and 15 incentive parameters.

Farit is conscious that the performances on his farm cannot yet compare with those on a Western European dairy farm. Farit studied in England and compares the herds there with herds in Russia.

“The average production per cow in this part of Russia is less than 11,000 lbs of milk per year. So we are producing relatively efficiently, but things could be better.

“In breeding we aim strongly at increasing productivity with bulls such as Bonair, Lobby, Larez, Diabolique, T-Derek, Harmony and various Russian O Man sons. We must also work hard to reduce calf losses. For every 100 heifer calves born only 75 will end up in our milking herd.”

If Farit succeeds in raising the technical performance to the Western European level, then he will cash in on the current market situation. “Our interest subsidy is based on a 12-year loan and I’m expecting that we shall pay off our debts in 11 years.” l

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F R O M

T H E

V E T E R I N A R I A N

D R .

R I C H

P R A C T I C E

V E E M A N

Dr. Rich Veeman from Veterinary Services of Oregondiscusses the importance of generating enough pregnancies per month to maintain herd size and herd health.

Number of pregnancies per month indicates reproductive performance

How many pregnancies?

W

e see and hear a lot about important reproductive performance measures: pregnancy rate, conception rate, heat detection rate, 21-day pregnancy rate, average Days in Milk (DIM), average DIM at first breeding, percent of herd pregnant, etc. All these measurements are helpful to pinpoint the best areas to address when evaluating reproductive programs.

However, when it comes to evaluating overall reproductive performance, there is one number that is more important than all of the rest – how many new pregnancies do you have each month? When it boils down to it, this is what is most important in terms of reproduction. Are there enough pregnancies monthly to maintain herd size and keep the herd healthy?

I have seen herds with great conception rates and horrible 21-day pregnancy rates because the inseminator only breeds cows with really strong obvious heats. Semen deficiency is the common name for it. For example, if you need to have 20 cows pregnant every month, you need to breed about 60 cows (depending on your conception rate ~33%). Semen is inexpensive compared to the cost of a pregnancy.

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There is a minimum number of pregnancies needed to maintain herd size and any pregnancies achieved above that number allows room for growth, the sale of animals off the farm, or the opportunity for involuntary culling. The target number of new pregnancies is dictated by herd size and to some extent calving interval (or breed).

For example, if milking 500 cows, divide 500 by the herd calving interval; let’s say 14 months for Holsteins and 13 months for Jerseys. Dividing 500 by 14 gives us (35.7). About 36 animals need to be pregnant each month to maintain herd size. In this example, more than 36 creates room for growth or the ability to cull cows, while fewer than 36 pregnancies a month will mean reduced herd size or health.

Some months more animals calved than other months and the monthly pregnancies will also reflect this.

The number of new pregnancies per month indicates if a herd is succeeding or failing in their reproductive goals. It does not, however, identify where problems lie, or how to fix them. If goals are not being met, I suggest that producers analyze their records and work with their veterinarian, and A.I. technician to develop a plan to improve things.

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C O N F E R E N C E

Animal handling is possible to standardize and quantify for better production and safety

Constant measurement

Scale-up problem

“Maintaining high standards requires constant measurement,” stated Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal scientist from the Colorado State University at the Vermont Grass Farmers Conference held in Fairlee, Vermont recently. text Danyel Hosto

I

Temple Grandin

‘Too many animals per employee create holes in quality for animal handling’

using constant measurement to improve and maintain standards. In 1996, only 30 percent of animals were killed on the first try with humane slaughter methods.

By 2009, Grandin reported a success with this measurement being nearly 100 percentkill on the first try.

n 1996, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) enlisted Grandin, working as animal scientist at the Colorado State University, in an effort to standardize the way animals are handled. Being able to implementing clear and easily measurable standards, involving no subjective judgment, were key when she began work to improve animal handling at slaughterhouses.

For example, one critical control point used to audit slaughterhouses today is that only three in 100 animals are allowed to vocalize, or “bellar” while in the slaughter plant. Grandin pointed out that quiet means animals are not stressed, scared or in pain. Easy to measure, behavior-based outcomes of handling are the core for evaluation of humane animal handling.

The slaughter plant industry has made leaps and bounds in improvement by

According to Grandin, dairy operations are most likely to have trouble maintaining high quality cattle handling standards when expanding operations too fast. “As things get bigger, it just gets harder to do things right. It’s called the scale-up problem,” Grandin said.

Too many animals per an employee during expansion or piecemeal facility design create the largest potential for holes in high quality animal handling, causing unnecessary stress for animals and the farm business.

To help dairy producers correct animal handling issues, Grandin offered several suggestions. Training programs for employees that focus on appropriate animal handling practices tend to work best. Begin by measuring simple outcomes such as number of slips in the parlor or how often an electric prod is used with a goal for reducing both.

In any system, be it a slaughter plant, ranch, farm or road way, constant measurement maintains high quality standards of behavior.

“Everyday police patrol the roads enforcing speeding laws,” said Grandin.

“Would you drive the speed limit if you knew you wouldn’t get a ticket?”

This everyday example illustrates the general principle that is applied by good managers on any farm. A few easy measurements, good training and constant attention will assure that you do the right things for your animals. l

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F ee d in g

High quality silage starts with harvesting on time and good storage

Timing is everything Now is the perfect time to evaluate the success of last year’s silage. Are all the necessary management tools in place to ensure production of high quality silage? Important steps include: harvest timing, storage conditions, fermentation type, face management and feeding practices.

Each factor directly affects milk production and profitability. text Richard Ernsberger

P

roper timing of the silage harvest is key to high quality forage production. If the silage is harvested too soon, the plant is immature and the moisture content will be too high. An early harvest will result in lower dry matter yields (higher moisture content), leading to nutrient losses from seepage, poor fermentation, and increased risk of clostridial growth of the ensiled crop. Harvesting too late may lower the feed digestibility as starch becomes crystalline and plant dry matter rapidly increases, making it difficult to get the crop packed properly, allowing heat damage and an increase in molds and yeast. The main indicators of maturity are shown in table 1.

In addition to plant maturity, adequate kernel processing and a theoretical chop length of ž inches are also important to improve the nutrient utilization by cattle. Meeting these parameters is the first step in the production of good silage.

Storage conditions Silage has to be stored properly or it will spoil. The primary ensiling/storage methods include: upright silos, bunkers, and silage bags (see table 2). When evaluating what storage method works for your production facility, match the desired silage inventory to the storage facility type available and how much silage will be fed daily. Ensure that the facility chosen is in good repair before harvest. Silage layers or filling silage Proper Face Management 26

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bags and silos should be completed as quickly as possible. When packing bunkers, always have more packing tractors than choppers in the field in order to pack promptly and minimize the risk for spoilage. The leveling tractor should keep the layers thin (about 6 inches) and needs to pack 1 ton every 2-4minutes. This averages about 30 ton per hour. The weight of the packing tractors may also have an effect on the final density. Silage density should be 15 DM pounds per cubic foot of silage. A feed preservative should be mixed with the last layer of silage added to a bunker to minimize spoilage.

After packing the silage or filling the

crop type maturity DM % CP% (DMB)

corn

alfalfa

grass

1/2 -2/3 milk line 30-35 8-10

bud 30-35 20-25

boot 30-35 10-20

Table 1: Crop maturity and nutrient content

type

advantages

disadvantages

upright silos

bunker

silage bags

utilize minimum area, fill and pack quickly, good for low feeding and storage losses large storage capacity, fast feed out storage and feeding site flexibility, ensile small amounts of forage, minimal capital investment

capital output, fixed location, set amount of storage capacity require large amounts of labor to fill and pack requires special equipment, disposal of plastic bag, moderate storage and feeding losses

Table 2: Differences between silage storage facilities

silo, the storage facility must be sealed properly to minimize oxygen and water exposure. Sealing procedures vary depending on facility type. Bunkers need to be covered with heavy plastic and weighted down. Silos and silage bags need to be closed properly according to manufactures recommendations.

Fermentation type High quality silages must fully complete the four steps of fermentation: aerobic phase, lag, fermentation, and the stable phase. Oxygen is consumed by the breakdown of plant tissue and bacterial growth in the aerobic stage. Once the oxygen is depleted there is a lag phase before the anerobic bacteria proliferate.

During the fermentation (anaerobic) stage, lactic acid-producing bacteria utilize carbohydrates to produce lactic acid, the primary acid responsible for lowering the pH of silage. As lactic acid builds up, the pH continues to drop, and bacterial growth slows. This leads to the stable phase of ensiling as the pH and bacterial growth have leveled off. The fermentation will take two to three weeks to complete depending on environmental temperatures.

Do not plan on using any of the silage during this time. When the silo is opened, remember to blend new and old feed to allow cows time to adjust to be done gradually.

Face management The face of the silage bunker needs to be managed to prevent spoilage. The

face needs to be as smooth and perpendicular as possible, to minimize exposure to oxygen. It is also important not to loosen any more feed than will be used for each feeding. Depending on the density of the pack and temperatures, most bunker faces should be fed at 6-12 inches per day (upright silos and silage bags 4-6 inches fed per day). If there is spoiled feed, it should be disposed of immediately to avoid contaminating the remaining silage. Feeding moldy or damaged feeds will have a negative effect on dry matter intake and milk production.

Feeding practices Even with proper harvesting and ensiling, silage must be fed out in an appropriate manner to ensure maximum nutrient intake. When silage is removed from the bunker, it is exposed to oxygen causing an increase in bacterial and mold growth. As silage sits in the bunk, aerobic fermentation begins to degrade nutrients. Through the use of organic acids bacterial growth can be slowed and nutrient quality maintained. This is especially important in the warm summer months when bunks can heat rapidly. Use of feed preservatives can extend shelf life, maintain palatability, and reduce nutrient losses.

By focusing on these key parameters in the silage making process, producers can increase profitability throughout the year. management as it’s in a position that’s not so nice. l

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M A N A G E M E N T

Milk sensor technology provides health status clues and can sort milk by a variety of parameters

Conducting a milk scene investigation A crime scene investigation (CSI) reactively looks at an unfortunate event, whereas a milk scene investigation (MSI) proactively (and reactively) looks not only at milk quality and solids content but also provides clues to cattle health. Early detection of disease pathogens via daily milk sample test results often prevents a disease from becoming clinical. text JoDee Sattler

T

oday’s milk sensor systems consist of devices that measure a physical property of milk and convert it into a signal that’s read by an observer or instrument, explained Albert De Vries, University of Florida animal sciences associate professor. Technologies can now routinely and automatically record milk component data on individual cows at each milking time.

Milk samples hold a vast amount of data useful to manage individual cow and herd health, rations, reproduction programs and productivity – and ultimately, profitability. Just like blood, urine and fecal samples, milk samples contain indicators that help identify animals at risk for disease prior to clinical onset.

Convenient and safe The beauty of using milk samples (whether it’s through a Dairy Herd Improvement program or milk sensor technology) to detect potential health challenges is convenience, safety and affordability. There’s no need to restrain animals, use needles or assign labor to collecting blood or fecal samples –

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yielding significant time and cost savings.

“Milk components, such as electrical conductivity (EC), somatic cells, color, lactate-dehydrogenase, betahydroxybutyrate, fat, protein, lactose, blood and progesterone, are the leading indicators in identifying potential diseases,” stated De Vries.

He noted that milk protein percentage is fairly steady for individual cows.

Conversely, milk fat percentage fluctuates. For example, excessive mobilization of body fat (caused by a negative energy balance shortly before and during the first weeks of lactation) triggers an elevated milk fat percentage.

Based on research from Duffield et al., 1997, a fat-to-protein ratio greater than 1.4 is an indicator of ketosis.

There’s another way to detect ketosis early. The Herd Navigator milk sensor (in use in Canada and Europe and uses dry stick technology) measures betahydroxybutyrate (BHB) ketone bodies, which is a direct measure of negative energy balance and (sub) clinical ketosis.

De Vries noted that it does not make

sense to sample every cow every day for any or all of these measures (e.g. BHB, EC, lactose and progesterone). For example, it’s not logical (not a good return on investment) to measure progesterone two days after breeding.

However, it is logical to measure progesterone 20 days after breeding. On the other hand, it’s logical to measure EC on a daily basis to monitor milk quality. Algorithms help determine which cows to sample.

Just like milk protein percentage, lactose concentration (approximately 4.7%) is remarkably constant from milking to milking within a cow.

However, a lactose decrease may indicate the onset of subclinical mastitis. Mastitis decreases the amount of lactose in milk (Auldist et al., 1995; Le Maréchal et al., 2011).

Electrical conductivity De Vries said that EC measures the resistance of a material to an electric current. The concentration of anions and cations determines milk’s EC. When a cow has an intramammary infection, her milk EC readings can increase. The normal EC pattern by days after calving follows the lactation curve of somatic cell count (Norberg, 2005). Different pathogens may have different effects on EC. For example, infections caused by E. coli often are characterized by a rapid and severe increase in EC, but of a rather short duration, as observed for SCC. To detect a case of (sub) clinical mastitis, EC from the most recent milking is compared with the expected EC, which is a simple moving average of past EC or based on more complex functions such as time series.

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How can we use data?

Progesterone

Beta hydroxybutyrate

– Detect (an)estrus, pregnancy, abortion – Monitor compliance

– Cows at risk for ketosis – Rumen acidosis, displaced abomasums, lameness

L-Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

Urea

– (Sub)clinical mastitis

– Over or under supply of feed protein – Adjust (herd) feed ration

The Herd Navigator milk sensor uses dry stick technology

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m a n a g e m e n t

Some milking systems measure SCC at each milking, along with EC. In its double-12 milking parlor, the University of Florida Dairy Unit uses the AfiLab system (AfiMilk), which has a nearinfrared analyzer at each stall. The system determines four levels of SCC – 0-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 400,000800,000 and 800,000+. It also measures fat percentage, protein percentage and lactose percentage at every milking for every cow. Because light is used to analyze the milk, there is no cost per measurement after installing the system.

This reading is helpful if you want to sort out poor quality milk in your parlor. If your milk processor provides milk quality premiums, it may make sense (cents) to divert higher SCC milk and not send it to market. Or, maybe a processor wants milk at a certain fat or protein level.

Detecting immune responses

The University of Florida Dairy Unit uses the AfiLab system (AfiMilk), with a near infrared analyzer at each stall, to determine the SCC level

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An increase in the enzyme LDH is a result of a cow’s immune response against intramammary infection, De Vries explained. “The level of LDH is highly correlated with SCC and linked to the presence of mastitis.” At present, the Herd Navigator (DeLaval and Foss) measures LDH on selected cows because the test is expensive. Early results are promising.

The information found in milk samples based on sensor readings and DHI milk samples can also detect bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and leukosis. (Cows shed BVD virus in milk.)

BVD infection can severely impede a dairy operation’s bottom line. Work with your veterinarian to develop a screening program if BVD is strongly suspected or found in your herd. On individual samples within positive groups, research has shown 100% agreement between BVD milk ELISA and traditional analysis.

Leukosis tests are extremely accurate, with assay sensitivity and specificity greater than 95%. The antibody to leukosis infection is rapid, substantial and persistent.

Allowing Johne’s, BLV and/or BVD to attack a cow’s immune system not only suppresses immune response to these diseases but also interferes with

vaccination programs. For vaccination programs to be successful, immunized cattle must be healthy.

Fine-tune feeding programs Individual fat and protein percentages measured at each milking might be of value in feeding management when cows can be individually fed, De Vries added. For example, André (2011) described an application where cows receive concentrates depending on their milk production response to the amount of concentrates fed. The amount of concentrates fed is adjusted daily, based on the value of milk sold (fat and protein) and cost of concentrate. This dynamic feeding strategy appears to be widely implemented in the Netherlands.

De Vries shared the results of a University of Florida research project, where 29 cows were individually fed concentrates, depending on their daily changes in body weights and energy output in milk. The energy in the milk was calculated from the fat, protein and lactose measured twice daily by the AfiLAb system. The individually fed cows produced 7.26 pounds per day more milk, on average, than the 29 control cows that all received the same ration. Initial results indicate that precision-fed cows had $1 greater income over feed cost per day than the control cows. “Obviously, the challenge now is how to apply precision feeding in groups fed total mixed rations,” de Vries added.

By using the convenience of milk samples to look for disease indicators, veterinarians and producers have implemented successful testing strategies with absolutely no interference to their cows or daily farm operations. Milk sample test results help producers and veterinarians make treatment and/or culling decisions.

Timely management decisions may help prevent the spread of a problem that can result from long turnaround times or lack of knowledge of the cause of the infection. It’s easy to get excited about technology and the information you can find, but it’s best to prevent cattle challenges such as illness and lameness in the first place,” De Vries remarked. l

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CRV

B R EEDING

N E W S

Hushon joins CRV in PA Dan Hushon, Quarryville, PA has joined CRV as a genetic consultant for Pennsylvania. In his new role, he will responsible for helping dairy and beef producers identify their genetic needs, and providing the insight and mating tools to help them improve their herds. With many years of experience in the A.I. industry, Dan brings a wealth of

knowledge and on-farm practical understanding to the producers he will be working with. His keen interests in helping producers breed and develop better animals for their farm set-up will be put to good use. Tools like the CRV mating program, SireMatch, will aid Dan’s cow-sense in this process.

To get in contact with Dan, please call our toll free number, 1-800-400-crv4all.

We’re hiring CRV, based in Madison, Wisconsin, is hiring for two full time positions.

The first is an area sales manager for the Wisconsin area. This role will be responsible for the continued development of sales networks and cultivating customer relationships.

The second opportunity available is product coordinator which will be based out of our Madison office. This role will work on an array of projects and tasks ranging from influencing company communications to helping source new genetics for the breeding program.

Please submit a resume for either opportunity to jobs@crv4all.us.

New Grassland and Fleckvieh bulls available The New Year brings an updated line up of Grassland and Fleckvieh genetics to US producers. Diversity of selection against the traditional US bloodlines and breeds is refreshed with these bulls.

Whether you seasonally breed your animals to take advantage of the best grazing conditions, or operate a conventional dairy and need to shorten up your days open, fertility is key aspect to your farm. That focus is a central theme in the 2012 lineup of CRV’s grassland genetics sourced from New Zealand and Fleckvieh genetics from Europe. As always, the 2012 group of bulls maintain the same focus on increasing fertility and high conception rates for your herd.

A couple Grassland highlights include our perennial favorite, Firenze. This Holstein Friesian bull now has over 18,000 daughters in his production proof and is still held in high regard by farmers that milk these daughters. On the Jersey side, Murmur now has some company near the top of the NZMI, New Zealand Merit Index, list. New Jersey sires, Bandit, Manzello and Pioneer offer increased production and capacity while maintaining overall functionality.

On the Fleckvieh end, the dual purpose ability of the breed is represented throughout the offering. The same as the Montbeliarde, daughters of these bulls are milking well with increased components, while maintaining more body condition so daughters breed back more easily.

To request a catalog or information on either lineup of bulls, call our office at 1-800-400-crv4all (608-441-3202).

Lanno Firenze 10, daughter of Firenze

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P O L I T I C S

It’s going to be one of those very interesting, fascinating years for farm policy

Dairy policy and the odds of the unknown What does farm and dairy policy have in common with coin tosses, solar flares, El Nino/La Nina? Answer: Each as a variable probability for an unknown future outcome. As 2012 opens, dairy producers are looking at Washington D.C. and asking for answers about the possible fate of The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act more commonly called “The Farm Bill.” text Sevie Kenyon

A

ctual answers, however, are educated speculation. Speaking during the recent 2012 Wisconsin Agricultural Outlook Forum, Joe Outlaw, Co-Director, Agricultural and Food Policy Center, Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M

University, summed up some of the recent history of farm bill legislation and offered his observations about what may happen going ahead.

“This farm bill is going to be a huge mess trying to do (legislate) on the house floor in an election year,” Outlaw

said. “They say they will try to get farm bill done this year. I don’t think they’re (legislators) going to do anything of any consequence after May. But I don’t know. I just think it’s going to be very, very difficult.”

Super Committee Outlaw said he’s betting the farm bill is most likely going to get legislative attention in 2013. Until then, existing farm and dairy programs will continue in effect. There is some likelihood that the provisions for a farm bill ironed out and submitted to the “Super Committee” last year will become a starting point for legislative action when work on the bill actually begins.

“I think it’s going to be one of those very interesting, fascinating years for farm policy and it’s really hard to script,” said Mark Stephenson, UW-

Cuts into the USDA budget are going to happen it’s only a matter of sooner or later

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Madison Dairy Policy Analyst. “But we do have dairy policy that we know has been introduced and it’s likely that will at least be the starting point for discussion.”

While having a solid starting point sounds good, once the process of writing the legislation begins, the door is open to any interest group with an idea.

Dairy processors, the Farm Bureau or any number of groups can and probably will come forward to offer changes to the farm bill and its dairy provisions, Outlaw said. The idea of squeezing farm bill legislation into the Super Committee budget cutting effort was to avoid a fight on the floor of the house, he added.

“One of the things I find interesting about dairy is that I can’t really recall another set of processors that spend as much time worrying about how producers are going to be supported,” Outlaw said. “Because milk price regulation is so intertwined with what the processors can do, it makes it completely different and one of the things that makes dairy so interesting to study.”

Subsidized insurance Oddly enough, there are a few “near certainties” producers can consider.

The first certainly is cuts to the USDA budget. Agricultural interests and the USDA were the only ones to offer specific cuts during the failed Super Committee process, he said. Cuts are going to happen it’s only a matter of sooner or later. Secondly, direct payments to producers are going to go away in future farm bills. Subsidized insurance is the probable compromise.

“I firmly believe that the future of the (farm policy) safety net is going to be... on the insurance side,” Outlaw said. “At its most basic element, a safety net is something that allows you to live to fight again another year. But too many people are against providing that safety net. The future of this is on the insurance side.”

The dairy provisions in the proposed legislation reflect some of the changing philosophy in a shift toward insurancelike safety nets.

“That’s a very different (dairy) policy than we have today. It would get rid of the MILC program, as an example, it would get rid of dairy product price support program, it would replace that with a margin insurance,” UWMadison’s Stephenson said. “That (insurance) is not required, but could be signed up for. And if you do that, it would also carry with it the obligation

to reduce milk production or not be paid for a portion of your milk, when we’re in a bad margin situation.”

Dysfunctional process Simple enough, but recent legislative history isn’t encouraging when it comes to working out suitable solutions. Even the prevailing market conditions at the time debates begin can influence legislation. Low prices may lead to more sympathetic legislation while high prices at the time could result in less sympathetic outcomes, Outlaw said.

“The process is very dysfunctional,” Outlaw said.”Back when I started doing this work, we would go into Washington and do all this work and it didn’t matter who asked for it, a Democrat or Republican, house or senate, we’d go do it and give two briefings - house side and the senate side.”

“When we go in now, we have to do four briefings.

Democrats and Republicans, even on the ag committee, the most bipartisan committee, do not sit in the same room and listen. Why is that? It’s because they’re trying to pick fights. That’s where we’ve come,” Outlaw said. “It’s going to be very difficult.” l

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C O N TA C T S

SHOWS AND EVENTS

Cows enjoying their optimal cow comfort Picture: Harrie van Leeuwen

2012 Feb 14-16: World Ag Expo, Tulare, CA Feb 22-24: Western United Dairymen Convention, Temecula, CA Feb 23-25: New York Farm Show, Syracuse, NY March 7-8: Northeast Dairy Producers Conference, Syracuse, NY March 13-14: Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Annual Business Conference, Madison, WI March 20-21: Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Conference, Visalia, CA March 26-29: National Institute for Animal Agriculture Annual Conference, Denver, CO March 29-March 31: Spring Dairy Expo, Columbus, Ohio April 3: Dairy Heat Stress Road Show, Stephenville, TX April 4: Dairy Heat Stress Road Show, Clovis, NM April 6: Dairy Heat Stress Road Show, Tulare, CA April 13-16: NY Spring Dairy Carousel, Syracuse, NY April 21: Midwest Spring National Show, Jefferson, WI May 17-18: Western Spring National Show Richmond UT

C O N TA C T S Cow Management is published six times per year by CRV Publishing

Editorial team Publisher Rochus Kingmans Chief editor Jaap van der Knaap Contributing writers Julie Berry, Mara Budde, Richard Ernsberger, Dayel Hosto, Sevie Kenyon, JoDee Sattler, Amy Ryan, Tijmen van Zessen Editing, design and production CRV Publishing

COMING UP

C o w h ealt h an d f eed q u alit y

Chief editor’s address P.O. Box 454, 6800 AL Arnhem The Netherlands Phone 0031 26 38 98 829 Fax 0031 26 38 98 839 E-mail veeteelt@crv4all.com

April 2012 – In our spring issue we will focus on cow health. Good cow health starts with a good ration, but also breeding and housing have big influences. We also will take a look at producers in other parts of the world and feed quality.

Subscriptions Cow Management is available free of charge to customers of CRV, 2324 American Lane, Madison, WI 53704.

If you want to ask for a subscription or to cancel a subscription send an email to info@crv4all.us

Advertisements Andrea Haines Phone 301 514 2927 Willem Gemmink, Froukje Visser Fax 0031 26 38 98 824 E-mail advertisements.cmus@crv4all.com

Illustrations/pictures Photographs by CRV Publishing Photography, Wargo Acres (10) and Rosalie Winard (25).

Disclaimer CowManagement does not necessarily share the views expressed by contributors. No responsibility is accepted for the claims made by advertisers. No responsibility can be accepted by CRV Holding BV for the opinions expressed by contributors. Whilst every effort is made to obtain reliable and accurate information, liability cannot be accepted for errors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher.

Printer Schumann Printers Inc.

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