Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

NC-1119 Annual Meeting - Minutes October 10 and 11 (2004) Orlando, FL Participants: Dave Benfield (Administrative Advisor, OH), Albert DeVries (FL), Basil Eastwood (CSREES Advisor, MD), Lane Ely (GA), Pete Erickson (NH), Jud Heinrichs (PA), Tim Johnson (IN), Kenneth Kalscheur (SD), Al Kertz (Guest), Mike McGilliard (VA), Peter Robinson (CA), Chuck Schwab (NH), John Shirley (KS), Normand St-Pierre (OH), Mike Tomaszewski (TX), Matt VanBaale (AZ), Cathy Williams (LA) October 10 Call to order and Introductions: Chair Normand St-Pierre called the meeting to order at 1:30 PM. Normand explained the problems with the NC-1119 list serve during the past year, which was caused by a hacker but is now corrected. All attendees introduced themselves to the group. Albert DeVries welcomed the group on behalf of Florida State University and outlined the changes in the farm tours due to hurricane damage in the south part of the state. Albert also gave an overview of he program and meeting facilities. Washington News and Reviews, Basil Eastwood Basil outlined changes in the CSREES web site relative to funding programs. Budget figures are publicly available. Special research grants will likely be unchanged from last year. Sizable increase to special research budget (but not certain) as well as Department of Homeland Security while rural development funds will likely decline. NRI funds will likely be up and air quality and food biosecurity are priorities (there are others as well). Henry Tyrrells ex-position will likely be advertised soon. There have not been problems getting applicants for similar positions. CSREES recently underwent a review on impacts of funds expended and CSREESs presentation of expenditure impacts. Overall score was high. The score impacts future budgets. A concern relative to extending outputs to users (stated in several different ways including poor evidence of tech transfer) as well as better reporting of results and definition of objectives relative to outputs. Lack of documentation of tech transfer and impacts on commercial agriculture was challenged (Shirley). Suggestion that each annual report should contain an impacts statement (Shirley) was vigorously supported by Basil as he felt that it would positively impact future multi-state project funding decisions. Best here (Basil) is quantitative data on productivity and/or economics. Administrative Address, Dave Benfield Phil Larsen retired (partly) in the past year and gave up his responsibility for NC-1119. Dave indicated that he is here to help however he can and encouraged multi-institutional and multi-discipline grants within and outside the NC-1119 committee. Other committees have been successful in this regard and Dave indicated that he has experience in this area. Dave brought the committee up to date on the NCRA Newsletter and the types of information that was included. Dave also outlined changes in committee nomenclature and the expansion of the NIMSS system as the major system for information dispersal. Dave outlined the meaning of impact statement as, basically, economic impacts rather than outputs. Be sure to add impact statements to annual NC-1119 reports as accountability means impact statements. Oral Station Reports (15-20 min each) Florida (DeVries) Objectives 2C and 2D Louisiana (Williams) Objectives 1A and IC Ohio (St-Pierre) Objective 2A Arizona (VanBaale) Objective 2A Kansas (Shirley) Objective 2A Indiana (Johnson) Objectives 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A and 2B South Dakota (Kalscheur) Objectives 1B, 1C, 2A and 2B. Pennsylvania (Heinrichs) Objectives 1A and 1B New Hampshire (Erickson) Objectives 1B, 1C and 2A New Hampshire (Schwab) Objective 2A Texas (Tomaszewski) Objective 2C Adjournment for the Day Chair St-Pierre adjourned the meeting for the day at 5:30 PM. October 11 Call to Order: Chair Normand St-Pierre called the meeting back to order at 8:10 AM. Oral Station Reports (15-20 min each) California (Robinson) Objectives 2B and 2D Virginia (McGilliard) Objective 1B Georgia (Ely) Objective 2C Breakout Groups The group broke out by objectives to assess current progress relative to project objectives. Objective 1: Develop and integrate decision support systems to promote efficient, environmentally sound, and economically viable management systems for dairy young stock (Discussion Leader: Heinrichs, Recording Secretary: Robinson) A. To enhance understanding of nutrient requirements of young calves and growing dairy heifers and identify nutritional strategies that maximize the efficient use of dietary nutrients and reduce excretion into the environment 1A1 Complete at MN, PA 1A2 In progress at SD, LA, VA, PA, NH, NY (probable Van Amburgh) 1A3 In progress at SD, KY (probable Franklin) 1A4 To be initiated year 4 B. To evaluate effects of different nutritional management strategies on performance and economic efficiencies of dairy replacement heifers 1B1 Complete at PA, IA 1B2 In progress at MN, WI (probable Hoffman) 1B3 In progress at MN, WI (probable Hoffman) C. To elucidate metabolic processes and endocrine relationships in the biology of colostrums and nutrient intake, and environment stressors on immune function and calf performance 1C1 Complete at LA, PA, IA 1C2 In progress at NH, IN, MN, KY 1C3 In progress at IN Objective 2: To develop strategies and systems to optimize nutrient utilization, economic returns, and environmental goals for management of dry, pregnant and lactating dairy cows. (Discussion Leader: Schwab, Recording Secretary: St-Pierre) A. To develop and evaluate management and feeding systems for optimal cow performance, comfort, well-being health and behavior 2A1 Complete and in progress at CA, KS, IN, AZ, SD, VA 2A2 In progress at KS, MI (probable Beede) 2A3 Complete and in progress at CA, NH, KS 2A4 In progress at IN (NE and WI will not complete their aspects) 2A5 Complete at CA 2A6 In progress at AZ, KS B. To address environmental challenges of dairy production and determine strategies to achieve environmental goals 2A1 In progress at CA, KS, SD 2A2 In progress at VA, SD 2A3 Complete and in progress at CA, GA, SD, NH, OH, IN 2A4 In progress at NH (has assumed leadership), OH C. To develop and expand financial, production, and management databases, perform financial analyses, and integrate data information into decision support systems to optimize efficiency of dairy management systems 2C In progress at TX, GA, FL D. To develop strategies and models for the profitable culling, replacement and breeding decisions  replacement economics 2D1 In progress at FL 2D2 In progress at FL, CA, MI (probable) Guests arrived: Calvin Covington (Southeast Milk, Inc.), Steve Elliot (Alltech, Inc.), Mitch Flinchum (Everglades Res. & Ext. Center), Brent Lawrence (Alltech, Inc.), Pat Miller (Everglades Res. & Ext. Center), Ann Sharkey (Alltech, Inc.) Invited Presentations (30 - 40 min each) Elliott (Alltech Inc.,) on organic selenium in general and the Alltech Sel Plex organic selenium product specifically. Miller and Flinchum (Everglades Res. & Ext. Center) on environmental challenges facing Florida dairy producers with particular emphasis on Okeechobee county and lake area. Calvin Covington on issues related to supply and demand of milk in the southeast US. Adjournment for Lunch Break Chair St-Pierre adjourned the meeting for a lunch break at 1:00 PM. Call to Order: Chair Normand St-Pierre called the meeting back to order at 2:00 PM. Business Meeting: Mike Tomaszewski motioned and John Shirley seconded approval of 2003 meeting minutes. Passed on voice vote Old Business: Website Committee (McGilliard): There were few updates last year but the site will be better maintained in 2004/2005. Discussion of combining with NIMSS website was suggested but concerns of inability to edit the NIMSS site was the reason not to do so. Historian Committee (James): absent from meeting. No report. Publication Committee (St-Pierre): Review of publications noted at 2003 meeting. Dairy Heifer Conference in NY in February 2005 is a possible NC-1119 publication. Symposia Committee (St-Pierre): Review of 2003 minutes and noted that the previously scheduled symposium (Chaired by Mike Hutjens, IL) did occur. Previous motion was suggested to continue to be tabled. Motion by Tomaszewski, seconded by Shirley, passed on a voice vote. New Business: Election of new secretary: Albert DeVries nominated by Chuck Schwab, seconded by John Shirley. Passed on a voice vote. Attendance at annual meeting: Turnout of both states and persons in NC-1119 at first and second annual meetings is poor this is impacting NC-1119 performance (St-Pierre). Query of how to do deal with this issue, as many NC-1119 members do not receive any funds to support NC-1119 projects directly. Washington is aware of the issue but can do little to address the issue (Eastwood). Eastwood agreed to follow this up informally within the system and report back to the 2005 meeting. St-Pierre will contact all non-attendees to ask why they were not at the 2004 meeting, and if NC-1119 can do anything, and report back to the 2005 meeting. Location of 2005 Meeting: Robinson outlined options to have a one day meeting without outside speakers, or a two day meeting with outside speakers. The initial consensus was first to hold a day and a half meeting with the second day concluding in early afternoon. Negative issues related to this proposal were more time away from the office and that shortening the time required to attend the meeting may increase attendance. The final consensus was to hold a one day meeting on Friday followed by a dairy facilities tour on Saturday. Initial plans are a visit to a progressive CA freestall dairy, a pasture-based dairy, a dairy using robotic milking systems, followed by a visit to Hilmar Cheese. The meeting will be in Visalia and move north to Sacramento during the dairy tour on Saturday. All members indicated their intent to attend the dairy tour on Saturday. Dates for the meeting/tour were fixed as October14/15, 2005. Adjournment Cathy Williams moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Shirley and passed on a voice vote.

Objective 1: Develop and integrate decision support systems to promote efficient, environmentally sound, and economically viable management systems for dairy young stock. A. To enhance the understanding of nutrient requirements of young calves and growing dairy heifers and identify nutritional strategies that maximize the efficient use of dietary nutrients and reduce excretion into the environment. IA reported that pre-weaned calves fed 28% protein:20% fat (28:20) milk replacer had higher rates of gain and increased feed efficiency.Calves fed a 28:20 or 20:20 milk replacer had lower wither height measurements, whereas a 28:20 diet resulted in higher body mass indexes and better body condition compared to lower plasma glucose levels, total carcass, liver and empty intestine weights for calves fed the 20:20.Feed efficiency was higher in Jersey and Holstein calves, but not crossbreds, on 28:20 diets (VA).LA reported diets with >16% CP with or without fish meal (RUP source) did not improve growth or N balance in weaned calves.MN found no benefit increasing molasses levels in calf starter above 6% through 8w of age, whereas, PA reported adding extra molasses to calf starter decreased intake and structural growth, possibly reduced weight gain, but increased blood VFA and ruminal development.Weaning calves by feeding milk replacer 1X daily (morning or afternoon) for 7d did not impact consumption of calf starter (PA). NY reported that development and nutritional regulation of steroid receptor mRNA expression and epithelial cell proliferation in the prepubertal bovine mammary gland is regulated by tissue specific cellular genes.Calves (birth to 85 kg body weight) fed diets with the medium triglyceride caprylate, rather than long-chain saturated fatty acids as a source of calories, had greater glucose clearance suggesting a lack of feedback inhibition of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-I and greater glucose uptake.Energy intake in prepubertal calves is also important for proper development and growth.Daily retention of tissue energy (TE) >0.91 Mcal/d increased the proportion of TE that is deposited as EE rather than CP, however, daily CP deposition continues to increase.Decreases in mammary PAR DNA associated with elevated rates of gain result from a reduction in time to puberty and not impairment of epithelial cell proliferation and PAR DNA accretion.Thus, mammary gland maturation is genetically determined and independent of nutrient status. There were no differences in feed efficiency and structural growth of prepubertal Holstein heifers fed a slow-release, polymer-coated urea product rather than soybean meal as a N source in high or low forage rations (PA).Increasing DM intake of dairy heifers resulted in:a linear reduction in rumen pH;an increased total VFA, and bacterial N flow to the duodenum;no change in molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate and rumen ammonia levels and in bacterial N produced/unit OM consumed;an increase in fecal and urine N excretion correlated with increased N and DM intake;and an increase in absorbed N but retained N peaked at intermediate levels of DM intake. MN determined that it is more cost effective to raise heifers by management intensive grazing.Thus, raising dairy heifers on productive cropland is a viable option if per acre returns are comparable to those from crops. B. To evaluate effects of different nutritional management strategies on performance and economic efficiencies of dairy replacement heifers.IA reported that management costs were lowest through 42d of age when feeding 20:20 milk replacer in an early weaning program, highest with a 28:20 in an accelerated program and intermediate with a 28:20 in a modified early weaning strategy.Heifers fed corn meal carrier with 350 mg of chlortetracycline had lower amounts of circulating thyroxin on d 32,40 and 44 but no change in pregnancy rate, estrous cycle length or growth characteristics (NH).SD evaluated the growth of dairy heifers fed alternative feed sources of wet corn distillers grains (WDG) ensiled with soybean hulls (SH) or corn stalks (CS). WDGSH has no effect on average daily gain but wither height increased, whereas, calves fed WDGCS had lower average daily gains and shorter hip heights. C. To elucidate metabolic processes and endocrine relationships in biology of colostrums and nutrient intake, and environment stressors on immune function and calf performance. IA found increased mortality rates for calves fed 28:20 milk replacer on an accelerated program in a facility with marginal ventilation. IN reported that of several body and facial sites evaluated that thermal imaging of the eye gave the most consistent with rectal temperatures in calves inoculated with Salmonella dublin.A diet supplemented with beta-glucan and ascorbic acid delayed elevated body temperatures in 21d old S. dublin challenged calves and improved feed efficiency in pre- but not post-challenge calves. LA determined that arginine and ornithine stimulated insulin release and decreased glucose concentrations in 1 and 3 month old calves.Two commercial glucometers were not as accurate as the conventional assay used to measure plasma glucose levels, but were useful for detecting changes in blood glucose. NC studied whether feeding colostrums at different times or sex of newborn Holstein calves impacted serum leptin and fatty acid metabolism.Leptin was higher and increased with time for the FF group, whereas, NEFA was lower and decreased over time for the FM group at 3, 6, and 12h after birth.Serum leptin appeared to be negatively correlated to NEFA in baby calves after birth. VA analyzed health and first lactation records of 2556 cows born 6/98 to 6/01 to determine if prior calfhood diseases impact performance.Age of heifers at first calving was influenced by respiratory disease, but in concert with enteric disease and season of birth.Increased occurrences of respiratory diseases decreased protein yield in milk but not 305d milk or fat yield or SCC.Calfhood diseases had no influence on illness as an adult cow.Winter calves usually gave birth 0.9d later than spring calves. Objective 2: To develop strategies and systems to optimize nutrient utilization, economic returns, and environmental goals for management of dry, pregnant and lactating dairy cows. A. To develop and evaluate management and feeding systems for optimal cow performance, comfort, well-being health and behavior.AZ reported that increased milkings (3X to 6X) of early lactation multiparous (mp) cows offered no production, performance, health or economic advantages. Cows receiving rbST and milked 6X produced more milk than control cows and rbST had no effect on levels of milk fat, milk protein content or plasma NEFA.Lengthening the photoperiod for mp cows is a management practice that can improve milk production in high producing dairy herds.IN reported that force and limit fed dry cows produced less milk than ad libitum fed cows.Liver lipids and B-OH-butyrate in plasma were reduced in force fed cows.Prepartum milking decreased the severity of udder edema;increased mastitis;heifers consumed more feed after calving; and produced more milk from 2w before to 3w after calving.NFC is a key dietary component in the performance of late lactation dairy cows and wet corn gluten feed as 40% of total diet DM reduced the ability to achieve a balance of RDP and RUP (KS). OH evaluated rumen degradability and effects of 3 sources of methionine in lactating cows. The proportion of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (HMB) passed into the omasum was 5.3 ± 1.5% of the amount consumed.Only 2.3% of isopropyl HMB was found as HMB in the omasum, indicating that little HMB escapes ruminal degradation through passage to the omasum and that the site of HMBi absorption is pre-omasal.Rumen-undegradable methionine improved N utilization and reduced N excretion and environmental load. NH determined that the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus and Propionibacterium freudenreichii have little impact on performance and total digestibility in early lactation Holstein cows.Diets containing either one of two ratios of probiotics had no effect on DM intake, milk production, milk composition, except that milk fat yield was lower.Cows fed either probiotic had higher DM and NDF digestibility.Corn-based diets supplemented with urea in DM impacted ruminal ammonia concentrations, ruminal fermentation and passage of microbial N to the small intestine of lactating dairy cows.The NRC 2001model predicted that RDP was slightly deficient in the basal diet and adequate with 0.3% urea supplementation but there was no effect on ruminal true digestibility of DM, OM and N or digestibility of NDF, ADF and starch.Flow of microbial N to the duodenum and microbial efficiency truly digested were maximum with 0.6% and 0.3% urea, respectively.Milk urea N concentrations increased with 0.6% urea indicating excess urea was provided.SD evaluated methods to deliver glycerol to dairy cows to provide gluconeogenic precursors to the liver.After glycerol delivery, rumen acetate reached the lowest concentration within 4 h, whereas, propionate and butyrate increased and peaked at 4h.The ability of glycerol to increase plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin depends on rapid delivery. B. To address environmental challenges of dairy production and determine strategies to achieve environmental goals.CA developed a model to predict waste stream outputs of various nutrients and six CA dairies are using this model to document input/output nutrient streams.Inputs include various descriptors of animals divided by groups as defined by the dairy operator and characteristics of the rations fed by group. Outputs include whole farm summary input/output balances for the nutrients.SD compared the use of WDG and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in diets of dairy cows. Increasing WDG in the diet results in: decreased DM intake, milk yield and calculated fecal N;unchanged milk component yield, MUN and urinary N;and increased total tract digestibility of CP. Cows fed increasing levels of DDGS had decreased DM intake, milk production, yields of milk fat, milk components and protein, while MUN increased. Varying concentrations of WDG and beet pulp (WBP) ensiled in silo bags alter the fermentation process and resulting silage.Milk production was improved with blends of WDG/WBP substituted for alfalfa haylage in dairy cow diets. C. To develop and expand financial, production, and management databases, perform financial analyses, and integrate data information into decision support systems to optimize efficiency of dairy management system.A joint FL and GA Dairy Business Analysis Project (DBAP) for 2003 has had good participation from producers due to concerns with low milk prices, reduced profits and higher expenses.DMAP is now web based (550 hits from 13 countries and all 50 states in 2003). Dairies (n=24) located in FL and GA, and one in AL, contributed financial and production data to the DBAP SAS database, where farms are ranked relative to cost and net farm income from operations per cwt milk sold and per cwt milk equivalent unit (total revenues/milk price).MI determined that consuming 0.21% P (34 g P/d) was adequate to meet the needs of prepartum dairy cows.Using SAS as a base, TX developed a standardized method to access data from DHI, calculate critical production indicators using similar algorithms, generate a user report via E-mail, minimize user interference and enable users to request a statistical analysis via web (SAS/Internet). D. To develop strategies and models for the profitable culling, replacement and breeding decisions replacement economics. Health and production records from 10 CA dairies indicated that: mp cows with no lameness in previous lactations had more female calves;older mp cows had the highest twinning rates;periparturient problems in previous lactation were not associated with perinatal death loss in the current lactation;perinatal death loss within 48h of birth was higher for mp cows with multiple services for conception;and perinatal death was 0.4% and 2.4% higher for each additional service for singles and twins respectively. Dystocia was most common in mp cows with twins, least in cows that gave birth to females, resulted in higher perinatal death loss and more frequent in mp cows with prior experience with dystocia. Analysis of DHI records from FL and GA indicate that the calendar month of first calving has a significant effect on productive life and cow performance in F (FL).An optimal culling and replacement model was developed with an Excel interface with selected input parameters (prices, lactation curves, conception) and the ability to calculate economic impacts of culling/replacement on herds.This model allows producers to evaluate several production and other parameters in making decisions to cull/replace cows.Often decisions for culling cows are made on one parameter, for example high SSC, without regard for other production parameters such as milk yield and reproductive status of the cow.

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