and Implications Dairy producers have many duties to carry out in their dairy operations, one of which is storing, handling and applying manure. Manure handling can be a significant cost on most dairies even when considering the value of the nutrients in the manure. Seldom do producers consider their costs of handling and applying manure on a per hundredweight (cwt) of milk sold basis like they do with many of their other costs.This project encompassed surveys of manure management systems and nutrient management practices on 22 Iowa Dairy Farms, including economic costs and returns. Key findings are that the cost of storing, hauling and applying manure averaged $306.13 per cow or $1.33 per / cwt. If we subtract the nutrient value of the manure applied (using book values and assuming perfect utilization) the net cost of storing, hauling and applying manure averaged $104.10 per cow or $$0.45 per / cwt. The tie stall barns had a cumulative cost per cwt. of $1.42; the mattress/waterbed barns had a cumulative cost per cwt. of $1.50; the 2 stage sand systems had a cumulative cost per cwt. of $0.97; the 1 stage sand systems had a cumulative cost per cwt. of $1.44; and the dried manure solid barns had a cumulative cost per cwt. of $1.24.
Nutrients present in manure are increasingly receiving attention for environmental, production, and financial reasons. Dairy producers continue to strive for better ways and educational opportunities to improve profits by evaluating fertilizer and value of manure to their operation and to protect the environment. These farming decisions which help producers stay economically viable also support and stimulate their local economy, which promotes a more vital rural community. This project encompassed surveys of manure management systems and nutrient management practices on 22 Iowa Dairy Farms, including economic costs and returns. The results served a large educational role by providing industry benchmarks as well as an "Economics of Manure Management" spreadsheet tool to determine cost of handling, storing and applying manure, less the cost of the nutrients gained in the manure for other dairy producers and dairy professionals.
Start to Farm: New Farmer Learning Networks were for beginning and early-career farmers looking for an edge in managing and growing their farm business. The ISUEO Dairy Team provided an opportunity to address ways to improve business practices and production techniques, tour successful farm operations, and form a community to share new ideas and profitable farming methods. The goal of the networks was to provide an open atmosphere for discussion, sharing of ideas and learning about resources for producers who are in their first 10-12 years of dairy farming. It is important to help producers make sound dairy farm management decisions that are backed by current and relevant information. Based on pre-post evaluations of all in class sessions and a follow up evaluation 1 month post workshops and dairy tours, participants attending the Start to Farm Dairy Series are making better decisions in different areas of their operation or prospective operations. They can evaluate the effect making changes has on their operation, which will increase profitability and sustainability of new and early career dairy farmers to continue in the business.
and Implications Precision management in calf care is needed as there are many ways to add value to these heifers before they join the milking string. A one-day workshop was hosted on August 31, for a first-hand look at how fellow dairy farmers are housing pre-weaned calves using technology to help manage their calf program. These included automatic calf feeders, pasteurizers, and milk cooling systems. Areas of focus included basic sanitation for automatic calf feeders, equipment hygiene, and housing and ventilation.
and ImplicationsThis educational pilot program is being implemented to provide training and education about care and management of dairy calves in English and Spanish. The language barrier among dairy owners, managers and employees limits the transfer of knowledge and training; this program seeks to bridge the gap and educate a sector of the dairy workforce to successfully raise dairy replacements. This is a collaborative effort between dairy extension specialists from Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska. Two dairy farms in Iowa and one in Nebraska served as pilot sites for a workshop addressing management practices and educating Hispanic dairy employees on topics such as importance of colostrum and its quality, proper use of esophageal feeders, and animal handling. Through these workshops, it was found that most employees had little to no experience handling calves prior to their current employment. In addition, many employees had limited training on proper procedures including hygiene protocols, colostrum quality assessment and animal handling. Long term goals of this program include an on-line repository of educational and training material available in English and Spanish.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.