December 17, 2021 | Volume 2, Issue 4
Welcome
Despite the mild weather over the last week, winter is finally here! Fluctuating temperatures are hard on all animals, particularly when temperatures go from below freezing to well-above freezing in a single day. Be sure to watch out for signs of respiratory illness and digestive disorders.
Don’t forget to sign-up for the FSA’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for 2022 before February 18th. USDA has made several updates to the program for 2022 and MDA has announced that it will cover premiums for 2022 enrollment. Visit https://go.umd.edu/2022-MDA-DMC for more details.
Next month, there will be a Technology (bus) Tour to Kutztown, PA, sponsored by AMS Galaxy. See page 19 for additional details about that event as well other educational opportunities.
In this issue, we focus on farmland transition, winter calf management, management of high fertilizer prices, and updates on the dairy extension team’s recent grazing study with bred heifers. If there is a specific topic that you would like for us to focus on in future issues, please contact me (sbpotts@umd.edu; 301-432-2767 ext. 324).
Best wishes for a Happy New Year in 2022!
Best Regards,
Sarah Potts Extension Specialist, Dairy & Beef
By Jeff Semler Extension Educator, Washington County
Depending on your source, it is estimated 40% to 70% of family farms will transition over the next 15 years, and 80% of the rented farmland in our country could be owned and controlled by those who didn't grow up on the farm or operate...Read more
Winter Calf Management Tips for Mitigating Illness
By Sarah Potts, Extension Specialist, Dairy & Beef
Although in our region we are not typically subjected to the brutally cold winters that are characteristic of the Upper Midwest, we are challenged by temperatures that fluctuate dramatically throughout the winter months. It is not...Read more
Research Update: Effect of an Improved Grazing Management System on Dairy Heifer Performance
By Amanda Grev, Extension Specialist, Forage and Sarah Potts, Extension Specialist, Dairy & Beef
This past spring, we initiated a study at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center Clarksville Dairy farm to investigate the effects of improved grazing management on bred heifer performance. The objectives were to determine the effect of improved grazing management on heifer...Read more
Managing Soil Fertility in Times of High Prices
By Amanda Grev, Ph.D. Extension Specialist, Forage
Fertilizer prices have continued to climb, with prices increasing as much as 76 to 151% within the last year alone (Figure 1). Current predictions are that fertilizer prices are expected to remain elevated for at least the next six...Read more
Potomac Edison Agriculture Incentives
Are you interested in reducing your energy consumption and saving money on your electric bill? Potomac Edison's Energy Solutions for Business Program offers incentives to their Maryland commercial and industrial customers for installing high-efficiency agricultural equipment. Incentives cover up to 50% of the total project cost and are available for:
- Automatic milker takeoffs
- Dairy scroll compressors
- Dairy refrigeration tune-up
- Engine block heater timers
- Heat reclaimers
- High-efficiency ventilation fans
- Livestock waterers
- Low-pressure irrigation
- VFDs on dairy vacuum pumps
For a full listing of eligible measures and incentives, please visit https://energysavemd-bizsolutions.com/agricultural-incentive
For questions, please contact Melissa Felton at melissa.felton@clearesult.com or 443-529-0855
Events & Announcements
- Dairy Margin Coverage Program - sign up through February 18th. MDA has announced that it will cover premiums for Maryland farmer’s Tier I production in 2022 at the $9.50 margin coverage level. Visit https://go.umd.edu/2022-MDA-DMC for more details.
- Farm Stress Management Webinar: Farm Finance Check-Up - December 20th @ 9 am. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-farm-stress-management-education-tickets-215675560407 to register.
- Technology Bus Tour (sponsored by AMS Galaxy) - January 11 from 7:15 am to 4:45 pm. The event is free, but you must register to reserve a seat on the bus. Visit https://forms.office.com/r/CW2tEhDgmB or contact Suzanne Meck (suzanne.meck@amsgalaxyusa.com; 484-648-1365).
This tour will feature several kinds of automated technology including Automated calf feeding, robotic milking, automated bedding, and robotic feed pushing. The bus will leave the Washington County Extension office, 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, MD at 7:15 am and return between 4:45-5 pm. Space is limited, so register now!
- Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences - January 18, 19, 25, and 27 at various locations. Visit http://www.foragecouncil.com/event for more information and to register.
- PA Dairy Summit - February 2-3 in Lancaster, PA. Visit padairysummit.org for more info.
- Women in Agriculture Webinar: Ages and Stages of Financial Wellness - February 23rd @12 pm - Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-wednesday-webinars-tickets-170324907383 to register.
- Women in Agriculture Webinar: Calf Care 101 - March 9th @12 pm - Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-wednesday-webinars-tickets-170324907383 to register.
Maryland Milk Moos is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that is focused on dairy topics related to Nutrition and Production, Herd Management, and Forage Production. To view previous editions click here...
Comments and suggestions regarding the newsletter are always welcome. References to commercial products or trade names are made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the University of Maryland Extension is implied. Articles and photographs may be reprinted with permission.
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