Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Call to order and introductions. Chair Ken Kalscheur called the meeting to order at 1:23 p.m. He asked attendees to introduce themselves and reviewed the agenda. Hugh Chester-Jones, local host, welcomed the group to Minnesota and reviewed plans for dinner at Victorias Ristorante and Wine Bar on Thursday evening and dairy farm tour on Saturday.

Washington update. Charlotte Kirk Baer, USDA/CSREES advisor for NC-1119, joined the meeting via telephone and discussed several topics with a Power Point presentation. She addressed: proposed reorganization of USDA (to combine CSREES and ARS), proposed establishment of the National Institute for Food and Agriculture within in CSREES, new animal health (including health, protection, and biosecurity) stakeholder comment opportunity, upcoming NRI Animal Growth and Nutrition grant proposal submission opportunity, recent changes in CSREES/USDA personnel changes, proposed FY2008 budget proposal for USDA, launch of DAIReXNET at World Dairy Expo, and the National Animal ID System Extension-NAIS Resource Center < http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/extension/ >.

Feed Analysis Consortium, Inc.,(FeedAC). Charles Schwab discussed the FeedAC effort (www.feeedac.org) and pleaded of members of NC-1119 Committee to get involved. University researchers are needed to form collaboration through NC-1119 or other CREEES regional projects to supply research feed samples for standardized feed analyses. Potential collaborators are asked to send a statement of interest on how they would like to contribute to FeedAC. Mission of FeedAC is serve animal and feed industry with a comprehensive data base of feed analyses, develop and improve methods of feed analysis, and improve diet formulation and evaluation models. Schwab described developmental evolution of the non-profit organization (501C-6) which incorporated and had its first Board meeting in 2006. Paul Kononoff, a member of the NC-1119 committee, will be first director of the organization and Fred Lundy is operations manager. Funding via $10,000 sponsorships from commercial companies has supported financial needs of start-up. Objectives for next year include:
a) sample acquisition and feed analysis
b) identify potential collaborators, and
c) generate income to support activities (future goal: 80% of financial resources dedicated to feed analysis).

Administrative advisor report. David Benfield reported briefly on proposed reorganization of USDA and indicated that NRI is to be appropriated more funds in proposed FY2008 budget. He congratulated the group on getting the new project approved (NC-1042) and indicated that the multi-state review committee is striving for more focus in new projects. In the future (in 2 years), a category for collaborative and leveraged funding will be added to regional projects reports. Our Final Project Report for NC-1119 will be due in mid-December. He encouraged the Committee to be thinking of other activities such as sponsored symposia, unique written papers, and other work (e.g. FeedAC effort). Four areas of emphasis for multi-state projects remain: focus, competitiveness (leverage funding), accountability, and impact. Station Reports. Chair, Ken Kalscheur, asked members to present their state project reports with a limit of 10 minutes per state to stay on schedule. Stations reporting Thursday afternoon were: UT, FL, GA, PA, WI, IN, MD, NB, and MN. The meeting was adjourned for the day at 5:20 p.m. The committee had an excellent dinner at Victoria's Ristorante and Wine Bar in Rochester.

October 12, 2007 (Friday)

Station Reports. Six additional stations (SD, MI, CA, VA, NM, and NH) presented station reports. Stations absent and not reporting at the meeting were: NY, VT, LA, OH, IA and TX.

Final Project Report (NC-1119). Many of the stations (n = 15) were very punctual about getting their Final Project Reports to Beede by October 8, 2007. Five more Final Reports are expected by October 18, 2007. Final (aggregate) Report for the entire project will be completed and submitted by November 1, 2007. Texas station no longer has a committee member and did not submit a Final Project Report. It is unknown at this time if/when Texas might provide a new member for the new project.

Invited presentation. "Sustaining Dairy Farm Profitability: Critical Financial and Other Parameters to Work With" was presented by Mike Fassler, Bob LeCocq, and Sarah Swenson of AgStar Financial Services. Questions, answers and discussion followed. Lunch was from 12 to 1 p.m. with continued discussions with our guests from AgStar Financial Services.

New Project [NC-1042] future work planned. Committee members present divided into sub-groups according to the new project's three main objectives ---"Heifers", "Cows" and "Whole Farm" --- and began discussing future plans of work, and listing possible collaborative efforts and joint grant submission possibilities. Some Committee members participated in more than one of the sub-group discussions.

Dave Beede had to leave the meeting to catch a flight. Allen Young ably completed the minutes.

Chair, Ken Kalscheur, asked for reports from each of three new project (NC-1042) objectives on plans for future work. Below are listed bulleted outcomes reported by each sub-group.

Objective A: Heifers.

Hugh Chester-Jones reported. In general, it was commented that everyone had a great deal of data and everyone had agreed that it was important to compile this information into one source. This information by station was as follows:

WI

• P balance and N balance in heifers with the intent to feed no supplemental P at ages 3-23 months
• Limit feeding DMI and rumen volume
• Management practices at breeding
  - Heifers x age and BW
  - If breed by BW - shift variance to age and vice versa
  - Model variance under natural estrogen exposure
  
• Efficiency and rearing of cross bred heifers
• Distillers forage source balanced with amino acids using a tropical corn
• Zeolite in bedding and sequestering N and P

PA

• Forage particle (lactating effective fiber)
• Limit fed heifers using alternative quality of forages-(> growth and N utilization)
• Pasteurized colostrum (PA/MN/NH)

IN/SD/WI/PA

• Co-product feeding to heifers and nutrient balance (high fat)
• Odor/air quality
  - Fresh manure
  
• Ammonia emissions
• Urine volume/dilution

  Waseca MN/PA/NH
  

  • Alternative protein sources - MR formulations
  • Nucleotides/CHO strategies group feeding
  • Calf starter
  • Limit feeding during transition period
  • High fat diets/ co-products
  • Group feeding calves
  • Milk replacer formulations

  Objective B: Cows.

  Steve Berry itemized the following:
  

  • DDGS feeding (SD)
  • FeedAC (NH). It was reemphasized that they would like samples and will pay for analysis.
  • Methane production from DDG (NE)
  • Dietary manipulation and emissions and whole farm (MI)
  • Temperature sensing and correlation with periparturient events and diseases (MD/IN)
  • Lameness incidences (lactation 1; 2; 3) on concrete; bedded pack (IN)
  • Lameness survey-effect of lameness on reproduction; production and culling (CA)
  • Effects of facilities on lameness (MN)

  Objective C: Whole Farm.

  Lisa Holden reported.
  Overall theme: Develop and share decision-making tools for dairies.

  • Risk assessment approaches (IN; NM)
  • Dairy business analysis (FL; GA; PA)
  • Statistical Process Control (UT; OH; PA)
  • New and alternative housing (MN)
  • Effect of environment on whole farm systems (UT)
  • Whole farm N budgets (UT; NM)
  • Dietary manipulation with methane and ammonia (MI)
    - Data for emissions; whole farm system modeling and C credits

    Possible collaborative projects:

    • AFFI systems - inline milk component analysis systems (FL, PA, UT?, VA?, IN?)
    • NRI integrated grants
      - Water quality
      - SARE across regions
      - Economic/commerce-farm financial management

      Business Meeting

      Ken Kalscheur called the Business Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Minutes of the 2006 NC-1119 meeting were approved as written.

      Website report. Mike McGilliard. There is a new web site for NC-1042. All historical information is still on the NC-1119 site. General sense was that we wanted to maintain a tie with the historical site even though the project has a new number. Mike will ask for LINKS to be added to the site. It was suggested that we also may want to add a section of "Impacts" on the web site. Mike will look into this.

      Historian report. Mike McGilliard said he will work on getting the history of the project updated.

      Publications and symposia report. Hugh Chester-Jones said that he will be chair of the Midwest meetings in 2009 and felt that he could arrange for a symposium for the NC-1042 Committee. Discussion was on whether distillers grains should be the topic and most felt it would be timely because there is a lot of interest in the subject.

      Location and date for 2008 meeting. Lisa Holden reported on information she and Dave Beede had developed on having the 2008 meeting (study tour) in The Netherlands. The NC-119 - 1119 groups went to The Netherlands in 1993 and to New Zealand in 2000. A handout was provided of possible times and areas of interest of faculty in The Netherlands. A vote was taken for interest in going to Europe. Vote was in the affirmative. Next question was if there were other places in Europe where people wanted to go rather than The Netherlands. After much discussion it was decided to use The Netherlands as a base and look at the possibility of adding another country. We are still looking at October or early November 2008 as the time for this study tour. An ad hoc Committee was formed to pursue the topic further and look at possible alternative countries (France?) and sites to visit. Ad hoc Committee consists of Lisa Holden (lead), Hugh Chester-Jones; Albert deVries; and Dave Beede. They asked for ideas of what we wanted to see while on study tour. List consisted of: nutrient management, animal welfare, veal, robotic milkers, biofuels, digesters, organic systems, air quality projects, and whole systems management. The ad hoc Committee will report back soon so that we can formulate justification for approval. This needs to be developed quickly within the next few months.

      Indiana agreed to be a backup location if the trip to Europe is not approved. Bob Peters moved to accept and Marcia Enders seconded. Motion was approved.

      Election of secretary 2007-2008. Albert deVries moved to nominate Allen Young as secretary for 2007-2008. Motion approved. Confirmation of 2007-2008 Chair. Committee confirmed that Dave Beede is new chair.

      Other business. It was moved to thank Hugh Chester-Jones for his efforts in hosting an excellent meeting. In addition a motion was made to thank Ken Kalscheur for chairing this year's NC-1119 meeting. Both motions were seconded and approved enthusiastically. Hugh will write thank you notes to Hubbard and AgStar for their support and participation in the meeting.

      Meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

      October 13, 2007 (Saturday)

      Farm Tour. Committee members attending the farm tour included: Ken Kalscheur, Hugh Chester-Jones, Albert DeVries, Lane Ely, Chuck Jud Heinrichs, Bob Peters, Steve Berry, Mike Schutz, Tamilee Nennich, Mike McGilliard, and Rich Larson of Hubbard Feeds.

      Minutes submitted by David K. Beede on October 23, 2007.

Sub-objective 1A. Because of the research work in this regional project, estimation of nutrient requirements of calves and heifers improved and nutritional strategies to maximize use of nutrients and reduce excretion were developed. Collaborators in New York, Illinois and Virginia developed a new database to examine nutrient requirements for growth and mammary development. From birth to weaning, NRC (2001) requirement estimates were too high for energy and too low for protein. NRC requirements for post-weaned heifers were reasonable. But, NRC prediction of protein requirements was uniformly biased, but modifiable with the new database. NRC Requirements of minerals for growing Holstein heifers were reasonable, except that Fe and Cu digestibilities were variable. Jersey calves (Virginia) fed milk replacer (21% CP and 25% fat fed at 15% of BW) had poor growth and feed efficiency compared to calves fed milk replacer with 27% CP and 25% fat. Maintenance requirements for Jersey calves were greater than estimated by NRC (2001). Reduction in disease of milk-fed calves is crucial. Supplementation of lactoferrin (1 g/d) improved growth with conventional milk replacer, but not with high protein milk replacer; morbidity was 50% for calves fed conventional milk replacer without lactoferrin (New Hampshire). Also, calves fed high protein milk replacer grew faster than calves fed conventional milk replacer; but, after weaning growth advantage disappeared. In Pennsylvania, weaning age and a variety of feeding systems did not affect short-term growth or health at 8 wk of age or have impacts on calving age or milk yield.

Over 3,000 heifers from 3 Minnesota farms were custom-raised to age 6 mo on nutrition studies evaluating milk replacers, calf starters, and calf health profiles in conventional and intensive feeding systems. Doubling birth weight by 60 d of age was possible with economic benefits and minimal health challenges in both systems. Heifers reared in feedlot confinement or by management intensive grazing had similar growth rates; but, grazing system had less feed and machinery costs.

Dry matter intake prediction models for growing heifers were developed (Wisconsin). Limit-feeding gravid Holstein heifers improved feed efficiency, reduced feed costs and manure excretion without compromising future lactational performance. In Pennsylvania, limit feeding growing heifers high concentrate diets resulted in greater digestibility with greater retained N than high forage diets with equal N digestibility. Growth rates with limit-fed concentrates and conventionally-feeding were similar. Feeding trace mineral complexes to pre-gravid Wisconsin heifers improved claw health in first lactation.

Increasing N intake increased digestibility of organic matter in 6 to18-mo old Pennsylvania heifers. Digestion of N is quite high with majority of fecal N of endogenous origin. Dietary forage level may differentially affect fecal N output. Feeding increasing dried distillers grains with solubles (DG) to 25% dry matter (DM) basis) did not alter total N output, but shifted N excretion to feces with reduced urinary N (South Dakota). At higher dietary DG levels phosphorus (P) excretion increased when in excess of requirements.

Improvement in nutrient management in heifer grazing systems was assessed with N-Grazing a computer program developed to determine carrying capacity and amount of N depleted in grazing systems (available at http://dairy.nmsu.edu: Tools).

Sub-objective 1B. Different nutritional management strategies were evaluated as they affect performance and economic efficiencies of replacement heifers. In Minnesota over 3,000, 2 to 4 d-old heifers were custom-raised to age 6 mo on several dietary regimens. Regardless of dietary regimen, heifers consumed DM at about 3% of BW and gained about 1 kg/d. Post-weaning results provide growth and DMI benchmarks up to 6 mo and suggest several options to refine concentrate and forage feeding programs. A Wisconsin survey showed that farmers over-supplement minerals by as much as 200%. Additionally, cost of production of calves has doubled and cost of rearing replacement heifers increased 41% since 1999.

Combining wet distillers grains (WDG) with feedstuffs deficient in protein, energy, and P, can result in blends to meet and exceed target heifer growth rates (South Dakota). Work in New Hampshire showed that calves can discern tastes in feeds (in order of preference): non-medicated feed, lasalocid-containing feed, and monensin-containing feed.

Only 473 or 2556 cows born in a commercial dairy in Virginia in 3 yr were free of respiratory and digestive diseases. Multiple bouts of digestive disease delayed calving and multiple bouts of respiratory disease delayed calving. Survival through 730 d in milk was lower for cows that experienced multiple bouts of calf hood disease, but was most affected by daily milk yield in first 305 d.

Prepartum milking of heifers 3 wk before expected calving reduced stressors at calving, increased early lactation milk yield, and reduced udder edema and somatic cell counts in milk (Indiana). No effects on calving difficulty, gestation length, or subsequent rebreeding were found. Heifers milked prepartum had greater DMI at and following calving than those not milked pre-calving.

Sub-objective 1C. Research evaluated metabolic processes related to feeding colostrums and nutrient intake, and environment stressors on immune function and calf performance. Oral colostral immunoglobulin (Ig) supplements were poorly absorbed resulting in poor passive immunity; addition of an emulsifier did not enhance Ig absorption (Iowa). Addition trypsin inhibitor (1 g) to a colostrum supplement did not enhance IgG uptake (New Hampshire); nor, did lactoferrin addition to colostrum replacer enhance IgG uptake or xylose absorption.

In Wisconsin, on-farm waste milk pasteurizers were an effective system to provide healthy liquid feed to calves. In contrast, collaborators in Virginia, California, and North Carolina found that on-farm pasteurizers failed at least once a month and sanitization of pasteurizer and feeding equipment was often incomplete.

Objective 2: To develop strategies and systems to optimize utilization, economic returns, and environmental goals for management of dry, pregnant and lactating cows.

Sub-objective 2A. Management and feeding systems were evaluated and developed for optimal cow performance, comfort, well-being, health, and behavior. A dry period length for multiparous cows of 40-d was adequate for colostrum production and subsequent milk yield, however, for primiparous cows 60 d was more optimal (New York). Colostrum volume did not affect Ig content; properly vaccinated first lactation heifers produced colostrum with Ig content similar to that of mature cows. A system was built in Maryland to continuously monitor body temperature within the vagina of postpartum cows and to transfer data to a cow-side palm pilot. Vaginal temperature was similar to rectal temperature. System has potential for use to detect fever in early postpartum cows. In Indiana, automated temperature monitoring and body condition scoring and use of activity accelerometers were tested in farms. Lying behavior was assessed by an automated activity monitoring sensor. Production level, time relative to calving, day, and week influenced lying time.

Health and production data from 10 commercial California dairies were analyzed to determine effects of: periparturient problems. Multiparous cows not lame in previous lactation had more female calves. Older multiparous cows had more twins with greater incidence of assistance. Perinatal death loss was greater for multiparous cows more services per conception. Multiparous cows that had an occurrence of dystocia during previous lactation experienced more dystocia in current lactation. In other work, claw lesions were not different between rubber flooring vs. concrete floors; but, heel erosion was greater on concrete. Cows on concrete had higher risk of becoming lame. In a follow-up study clinical lameness was less with rubber flooring, indicating that interlocking rubber flooring improves welfare of lactating cows.

"Compost barns" for lactating cows in Minnesota resulted in superior comfort and better feet and leg health. Lameness was 3 times less in compost barns than free stall barns with concrete floors. Lying behavior, social interactions, and natural lying positions indicated that compost barns are an adequate housing system for cows. Mastitis infection rates were lower than in previous housing system for 67% of farms evaluated.

Data were collected and analyzed to determine optimal samplings of concentrates and forages for nutritional management (Ohio). Then a total cost function for quality control process of forages was developed incorporating all costs associated with the process while in and out of control. Approach allows identification of optimal sampling schedule for all feeds on a specific farm. Forage quality had a significant effect on cow productivity and farm profitability. Forage sampling in combination with laboratory analyses reduced substantially variation in nutritional content of diets. Method developed is both scientifically coherent and robust. Other Ohio research studied impact of variation in nutrient supply on productivity of lactating cows. Two conclusions were: unless one can quantify response to supply variation, one can not design an economically efficient feed quality control program on farm; and, nutrient requirement tables have little value to predict effect of variation in daily supplies.

Collaborators from New Hampshire, Ohio, Nebraska and South Dakota studied nutritional management of protein requirements and supply for lactating cows. New Hampshire results confirmed NRC requirements for rumen-degradable N. Metabolizable (MP) requirements of Jerseys for milk yield and protein production in Ohio were linear at least to 120% of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) requirements. Efficiency of MP utilization for milk synthesis was less in Jersey cattle than assumed by NRC (2001). Other New Hampshire RUP trials showed that less than 50% of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoic acid (HMBi) was available to cows as MP-Met.

Increasing level (10 to 40% of DM) of corn milling co-products (wet corn gluten feed, DG, corn germ, or corn bran) replacing corn, soybean meal, and forages resulted in similar milk production and yield of fat and protein (Nebraska). Also, feeding very high levels of corn milling co-products in rations, in excess of N requirements, increases N excretion. Glycerol fed at 0, 5, 10, and 15% of ration DM, resulted in similar milk yields; but,. DMI suffered initially but BW gain was greatest with 15%.

Sub-objective 2B. Strategies were developed for environmental challenges and to help achieve goals of dairy farms. The Farm Profit Model includes ration formulation, milk production, and manure utilization for plant nutrients (Georgia). In Michigan, a model that predicts P excretion is widely used to estimate P in manure for planning fertilization strategies and comprehensive nutrient management plans. In New Mexico, substantial seasonal variability in manure excretion exists and opportunities to better recycle nutrients through on-farm management practices were accomplished using a model to assess seasonal manure excretion (http://dairy.nmsu.edu: Tools).

South Dakota validated previous work showing that 20% maximal inclusion of DG in lactation diets. Feeding some DG meets P requirements of high producing cows without supplemental P. Nebraska showed that RUP values for corn milling co-products were similar to assumed values, but estimated digestible RUP was 10 to15% greater; indicating greater N availability and need for lower supplementation to reduce N excretion. A California model based on characteristics of the cow herd and rations predicted whole farm input/output balances for N, Ca, P, K, Mg, S, Na, Cl, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Se.

Sub-objective 2C. Financial, production, and management databases were built for analyses, and to integrate information into decision support systems. Dairy Business Analysis Project (DBAP) used financial and production data from Florida and Georgia farms (http://dairy.ifas.ufl.edu). DBAP reports are used farmers to secure loans and others interested in financial performance of dairies. In Pennsylvania, farm business analyses and management training programs resulted in improvements in farm profitability. Three key concerns emerged: low return on assets; too high investment per cow; and, too few cows per worker. Most profitable farms had both exceptional capital and financial efficiencies. In New York, Dairy Profit Monitor tracks short-term business performance and key drivers of profit: milk production; herd health; milk check; efficiencies; and, financial management (www.dairyprofit.cornell.edu). In New Mexico decision support systems were developed to optimize farm risk management, calibrate crop simulation models to analyze with whole farm systems, and create a universal nutrient management plan for record keeping and reporting to regulatory agencies (application available at http://dairy.nmsu.edu: Tools).

Sub-objective 2D. Models were developed for more profitable culling, replacement, and breeding decisions in commercial farms (version 1.0 of DairyVIP is available at http://dairy.ifas.ufl.edu). Another model calculates optimal decisions for purchasing, insemination, and culling. In Utah analyses showed that breed, age and season affected age at death. Overall, impaired reproduction, leading to longer days in milk before getting pregnant, appears to predispose cows to an increased death rate.