E-Dairy News and Views

In This Edition  Herd in the Barn  Forage Update  Iowa Stray Voltage Guide  October Events

 Additional Information October 2014 Visit Online | ISU Extension and Outreach | ISU Herd in the Barn Contact Margin Protection Program for Dairy Operations ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Kristen Schulte, ISU Extension and Outreach Farm Mgt Field Specialist Field Specialists Jenn Bentley (NE) Producers can enroll in Margin Protection Program 563-382-2949, (MPP) from September 2 to November 28, 2014 for [email protected] 2014 and 2015. MPP offers margin protection for u operations, and the calculated margin trigger was designed to reflect the well-being of dairies across the Larry Tranel (NE/SE) U.S. This program is designed to assist operations in 563-583-6496, [email protected] times of lower margins, and has an insurance structure

with levels of coverage and related premiums. ISU State Dairy Extension and A complete description can be found at: Outreach Specialists Margin Protection Program for Dairy Operations Dr. Leo Timms, 515- 294-4522, [email protected] The ISU Dairy Team needs your help evaluating this newsletter! Dr. Jan. Shearer, 515-294-3731, [email protected] The ISU Extension Dairy Team would like to continue to offer this newsletter, but we need your input! To make this an effective communication tool, please respond to the following survey so we can continue to provide you with timely information!: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_aXA8OCsstjOdmCh Forage Update

Brian Lang, ISU Extension & Outreach Agronomist

FORAGES – Immediate Management Following a Frost

Forages that receive a killing frost can damage the plant, cause harvest issues and/or possibly cause feeding issues. In particular are the Sorghum-Sudan grasses, Alfalfa, Clovers, and other potential bloat forages. Read Brian's:

Forages-Immediate Management Following a Frost

Iowa Stray Voltage Guide

Collaborative effort of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa State Dairy Association, Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, and Alliant Energy

If you are not aware of this resource, The Iowa Stray Voltage Guide outlines the steps farmers, electricians, utilities and their advisors can take to discover and resolve stray voltage concerns on livestock farms. When farmers and utility companies can work together, stray voltage concerns are more likely to be satisfactorily resolved. The information in this guide is intended to provide a base level of knowledge for those who are concerned about whether animals on a livestock farm are experiencing a level of stray voltage which may be impacting animal behavior, performance, or production.

Iowa Stray Voltage Guide

Upcoming Events/Information Manure Handling Systems Field Days

Join the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Team as they take a comprehensive look at ways producers are handling manure and the economic impact that manure handling and storage has on the dairy operation. Various locations throughout Iowa, find them at:

Manure Handling Systems Field Days

Tri-State Ag Lender's Seminar

The 28th Annual Tri-State Agriculture Lender's Seminar will be held on Wed., October 29th at the Midwest Best Western Hotel in Dubuque, Iowa from 9:45 am - 3:00 pm. This year's focus is on the market outlooks for livestock, grains and dairy in addition along with the issues of crop budgeting, crop insurance and the farm bill. More info at:

Tri-State Ag Lender's Seminar

Midwest Dairy School

"Maximizing Robotic Milking Systems" will be the focus of this year's Midwest Dairy School on Thursday, November 13th from 10-2:30 at the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation in Calmar. Join Jim Salfer and Marcia Endres, dairy specialists from University of Minnesota Extension as they give an update on robotic milking systems and ways robotic dairies are feeding their cows. There will also be a Q&A session with producers and industry related to robotic milking systems. Full agenda and registration can be found at:

Midwest Dairy School

Women Managing Dairy Cattle Course to be held in Holy Cross

Women Managing Dairy Cattle is an outgrowth of the national program, Annie's Project, which empowers farm women to be better business partners through peer networking to help them develop their management and decision making skills for their farm operation. Sessions will provide education and support materials for key production and business issues for a dairy operation. Brochure with dates/topics/registration can be found at:

Women Managing Dairy Cattle

2014 Farm Bill Workshops-Margin Protection Program

This workshop will feature Dr. Marin Bozic from University of MN and your local FSA representative. Dr. Bozic will present MPP rules and case studies, and through a set of engaging interactive activities, you will examine what stability and profitability advances this program offers your operation.

This workshop will be held in 4 locations in Iowa, visit www.iowadairy.org for complete agenda and registration.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250- 9410 or call 202-720-5964.