June 8, 2021 | Volume 2, Issue 2
Summer is finally here and most have finished planting their corn and started making hay. This last week brought some much-needed rain to the region which should help get the corn going. Keep in mind that as we get into summer, we also need to worry about heat stress. Cows begin to feel heat stressed when the temperatures rise above 75°F at humidity levels that are typical for our area. Calves and heifers are also susceptible to heat stress, as are dry cows. Provide fans if possible, or at a minimum, access to shade and plenty of clean water.
In this issue, we will focus on tips to help you think about profitability, heifer management, fly control, and pasture management.
If there is a specific topic that you would like to learn more about in future issues, please contact me (sbpotts@umd.edu; 301-432-2767 ext. 324).
We will be hosting a Dairy Field Day on July 13th and there are several online educational opportunities coming up that may be of interest; see page 14 for details. Visit our new extension page for additional resources: go.umd.edu/dairyextension.
Best Regards,
Sarah Potts
Extension Specialist, Dairy & Beef
How Much Does It Cost You to Produce a CWT of Milk?
Dale Johnson, Extension Specialist, Farm Management
What price are you getting per cwt of milk? Like most dairy farmers, you know the price or you can get it quickly by reviewing milk check receipts. How much does it cost you to produce a cwt of milk? Like many dairy farmers, you may not... Read more>>
Do your heifers measure up? Tips for Evaluating your Heifer Program
Sarah Potts, Ph.D., Extension Specialist, Dairy and Beef
Raising a replacement heifer to first calving is often the second or third largest expense on the dairy. Thus, it is important to fine-tune the heifer program to optimize heifer productivity and economic return. While the pre-weaned calf... Read more >>
Sarah Potts, Ph.D., Extension Specialist, Dairy and Beef
Summer is here and with that comes, what often seems like, a never-ending battle with flies. Flies can pose a significant problem... Read more>>
Amanda Grev, Ph.D., Extension Specialist, Pasture and Forages
When it comes to something like mowing or clipping pastures, there are certainly two sides to the fence: those that think mowing or clipping pastures is just something that has to be done, and those that think it is a waste of time and fuel and offers... Read more >>
Pasture Management Program
Interested in implementing rotational grazing or improving pasture management practices on your farm and looking for a place to start? Enroll now to have University of Maryland experts visit your farm and assist you with developing a personalized grazing plan for your farm!
Program includes complimentary soil and forage analysis, pasture assessment, and registration for an upcoming Maryland Grazing School.
OPEN TO ALL LIVESTOCK SPECIES!
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Want to know more? Visit go.umd.edu/pastureprogram or contact Amanda Grev at agrev@umd.edu or (301) 432-2767 x339 with inquiries.
Events & Announcements
- Women in Agriculture Webinar: Tips for Successful Family Meetings - June 9, 2021
- Women in Agriculture Webinar: Forage Sampling and Forage Analysis Interpretation - June 23, 2021
- Backyard Farming General Education Sessions:
- Tractor Safety - June 10 at 7 pm
- Integrated Parasite Management - June 17 at 7 p.m.
- Farm Safety - June 24 at 7 p.m.
- UME Dairy Field Day - July 13 at 10:30 a.m.
- MD Holstein, MDIA, MD Dairy Shrine Picnic - July 17
- 4-H Dairy Judging Practices: Contact Brian Schnebly (bschnebl@umd.edu) for more info
- July 7 at 10 a.m. Spring Valley Jerseys, Wayne, and Allen Stiles, Westminster, MD
- July 15 at 10 a.m. Maple Dell Farm (Ayrshires), The Patrick Family, Woodbine, MD
- Week of July 19 - TBA practice/contest at Wash Co. Ag Expo, Sharpsburg, MD
- July 29 at 10 a.m. Crown Stone Farm (Guernseys), The Schnebly Family, Clear Spring, MD
- Aug. 1 at 9:30 a.m. Carroll County Fair Practice (multiple breeds), Westminster, MD
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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