Purdue Dairy Digest

Today's episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about an unusual facility used to produce milk near large population centers. We will talk about a prototype of a dairy farm build offshore as a way to reduce transportation costs associated with dairy production as well as some large potential concerns with this approach. Listen to today's podcast to hear about the first offshore dairy farm.

Today's episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about the optimal range for milk urea nitrogen in dairy cattle. We will discuss the biology behind why milk urea nitrogen can be a valuable tool to evaluate protein status of dairy cattle and provide insight on what is happening inside of the rumen. Listen to today's podcast to learn more about milk urea nitrogen and see if you can use it to improve protein efficiency on your farm.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest discusses the use of genomics to predict future health outcomes in dairy cattle. We will review a convincing study that shows differences in disease outcome based on the ranking of genomic predictions of individual diseases. Listen to today’s podcast to see if you are convinced of the potential of genomics to improve health.

Today's episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest discusses what may be the future of the dairy industry using facial and pattern recognition to identify dairy cattle. This technology is in the early stages but may have applications in improving health and welfare on dairy cattle. Listen to today's podcast to learn some of the potential uses for facial recognition software and the benefits of identifying individual cows within group housing.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest discusses our current understanding on how daylight length influences milk production. Research has been conducted that demonstrates that altering daylight length for lactating and dry cows increases milk production. While we are still working to understand the role of external stimuli on the onset of lactation, daylight length appears to be an influencer of mammary development and therefore milk production.

Today's episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest discusses how much cheese is in cold storage around the United States and what some of the reasons are for all of that cheese to be stored. Because milk is perishable, cheese is an option to provide longer term storage of dairy. We may now be sitting on a mountain of cheese with not enough demand to use it all. Listen to this podcast to learn a little bit more why we are storing so much cheese in warehouses around the US.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about the use of lung ultrasonography to assess health in calves. With pneumonia still a large health concern for dairy calves and the risk of pneumonia increasing as we see fluctuations in temperature and humidity, this may be a tool to use to determine the extent of lung damage on farms. Previous research has indicated that lung damage can be predictive of future performance of an animal. Listen to this podcast to learn a little bit more about how to use lung scans to determine health status of calves.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about what impact the USMCA, or new NAFTA, has on dairy in the US. While not yet approved by Congress, USMCA has the potential to have a positive impact on dairy exports to Canada from the US. The USMCA is welcome progress as we continue to produce more milk in the US than we can use domestically.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about what tariff relief for dairy farmers looks like.  The initial indication of tariff relief for agriculture was announced in July 2018 but we will discuss how much of that relief, both direct and indirect, is going to dairy farms.  It is uncertain how long retaliatory tariffs will be in place but our best bet as an industry is to quickly negotiate trade deals that will allow us to continue to export dairy products.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about the importance of dairy consumption especially for an aging population. Dr. Jim Aldrich from CSA Animal Nutrition will discuss some of the ongoing research that supports dairy consumption to promote health and muscle mass as Baby Boomers, the largest single generation in US history, reach more advanced years. While milk consumption is beneficial to all age groups, there are some unique struggles that Baby Boomers face that milk can help address.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about milking frequency in early lactation. There is research to support both sides of increasing and decreasing milking frequency in early lactation. However, to reduce negative energy balance in early lactation, reducing milking frequency may make sense.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about milking frequency in early lactation. There is research to support both sides of increasing and decreasing milking frequency in early lactation. However, to reduce negative energy balance in early lactation, reducing milking frequency may make sense.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about best management practices related to corn silage harvest. As we approach corn silage harvest it is important to remind yourself of when to harvest, goals for chopping, and storage in order to put up high quality corn silage for the next year. Before you start chopping corn silage, be sure to remind yourself of best management practices in order to put up the highest quality forage.

Today’s episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest talks about the science behind the A2 milk that is available on store shelves. There is considerable misunderstanding surrounding dairy products labels on store shelves, one of those misconceptions is related to connecting A2 milk and lactose intolerance. Please listen to this podcast to hear more about if it makes sense for you to drink A2 milk.

This episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest gives an overview of the new California Federal Milk Marketing Order. While California dairy producers voted in favor of becoming part of the Federal Milk Marketing Order it remains to be seen if joining a federal order will improve milk prices for California dairies and what impact this may have on the rest of the US. Be sure to listen to this podcast to hear more details about the new California Federal Milk Marketing Order.

Dairy producers in Indiana been fortunate the last 20 years or so to seek the advice and guidance of Dr. Mike Schutz. First as dairy extension specialist and more recently as ANR extension coordinator. Mike has opened a new chapter of his life this June as he assumes the position of Department head of the Animal Sciences Department of the University of Minnesota. In this episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest, Mike takes a minute to reminisce about Purdue, Indiana and of course the dairy digest.

This episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest gives an overview of the impact that inflammation has on liver function and metabolic disease. Activation of the immune system has been shown to increase fat in the liver, reduce feed intake and reduce glucose synthesis. Be sure to listen to this podcast to hear about strategies to reduce inflammation during the transition period.

This episode of the Purdue Dairy Digest discusses research presented by Dr. Milo Wiltbank at the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference on the impact of body condition score on reproductive success. Body condition score at breeding as well as change in body condition from calving to three weeks post-partum were found to be an indicators of reproductive success. Be sure to listen to this podcast to hear more about this research and the implications it may have on defining optimal body condition in dairy cows at different stages of lactation.

On this episode, Dr. Jackie Boerman explains that changes that take place when you ensile corn fodder to make corn silage.

Mark your calendars for the Tri State Dairy Nutrition Conference, April 16-18, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This week Dr. Jackie Boerman, gives us some of the highlights of this important event.