Northern New York Study Helps Keep Cows Cooler in Summer

Summer heat in New York state has been estimated to cost the dairy industry $23 million a year in total economic losses that include decreased milk production, decreased milk components, and impact on animal health and reproduction.

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program funded research by the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, Clinton County, to assess ways to help cows adjust to the hottest days of the year. 

The final report on different types of heat abatement systems for dairy cows is posted at www.nnyagdev.org

"Our investigation evaluated the impact of different heat abatement systems on the cows and milk production under Northern New York summer climate conditions for insight on the best ways to keep cows comfortable and healthy and to maintain milk yield in times of heat stress," said Miner Institute Director of Research Katie Ballard.

The project worked with three groups of Holstein cows at Minter Institute from June 10 through August 28, 2016. The types of heat abatement systems evaluated included the use of fans, an evaporative cooling system with water nozzles attached to fans, and different bedding types.

The cooling measures were applied in different settings, including barns, feed alleys and milking parlors.

The research team recorded temperature and humidity for each group every 15 minutes, wind speed in feed alleys and bedding areas, the amount of time the cows were standing and lying, and milk production for each cow. Milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein and other components which draw premium income.

"The higher producing cows appear to be more sensitive to heat stress. Providing maximum heat abatement measures over stalls and feed alleys helped keep the cows more comfortable, hold milk production steadier, and maintain milk fat percentage," Ballard said.

The results of the project will be presented at the 2018 American Dairy Science Association meeting in Knoxville, Tenn. Results of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program-funded dairy calf heat stress relief research conducted by Miner Institute were presented at the 2017 American Dairy Science Association meeting.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program-funded research on heat stress and its impact on dairy cattle performance continues in 2017 on four commercial dairies in Clinton and Franklin counties.

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program provides research and technical assistance to farmers in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Senate and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Register Today for Cow Comfort Conference March 20-21 in Syracuse

                                                                                                                                 

The Cow Comfort Conference is at the Holiday Inn in Salina, north of Syracuse, March 20-21.

Registration for the conference ends today March 17. To register, please visit: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/cowcomfortconference2017_10512

Titled “Working with What you Have and Looking Towards the Future,” the conference is a collaboration between the Cornell North Country Regional Ag Team, the South Central Dairy and Livestock Team, PRO-DAIRY and the Miner Institute.

For the agenda see the attached flyer or visit the website: http://nnyrap.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=421

Winter Dairy Programs Set for Northern and Western New York

From Cornell Cooperative Extension:

The Cornell Cooperative Extension associations of Northern New York, Quality Milk Production Services, and Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team are partnering to present winter dairy programs on cattle housing and handling, cow comfort, animal welfare, and communicating positive messages about cattle welfare.

Dairy specialists with the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Vermont Department of Animal and Veterinary Services will speak in programs to be offered from 10am to 3 p.m. on:

** Jan. 12 in Burrville at Farm Credit East
** Jan. 13 at Extension offices in Canton in Northern New York and in Albion, Canandaigua and Warsaw in Western New York and
** Jan.. 14 in Chazy at the Miner Institute.

Speakers at the Jan. 12, 13 and 14 programs are:
Dr. Katie Proudfoot, dairy handling and cow comfort
Dr. Julie M. Smith, animal welfare in the milking parlor
Dr. Kimberley Morrill, calf comfort an cold weather considerations.


Internet broadcasting and webinar technology will make the programs possible in multiple sites.

On Jan. 20, American Dairy Association and Dairy Council and Upstate Niagara Cooperative representatives will present information on the National Dairy F.A.R.M. Program and on communicating positive messages about dairy cattle welfare. The programs will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.in Burrville, Canton and Chazy in Northern New York and Albion, Canandaigua and Warsaw in Western New York.

F.A.R.M. is the acronym for Farmers Assuring Responsible Management. The National Dairy F.A.R.M. Program is a nationwide, verifiable animal wellbeing program being adopted by dairy producers and cooperatives across the United States.

Speakers at the January 20 program are:Beth Meyer, Vice President for Industry Communications with the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council
Sara Gillette, a Senior Animal Well-Being Specialist and Area Manager with the Upstate Niagara Cooperative, and a certified National Milk Producers Federation trainer and evaluator..

The fee to cover two programs in Northern NY is $75 if you preregister by Jan. 4 or $95 at the door. Contact 315-379-9192 or go to https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/_10512

Registration for two programs in Western NY is $75 for those enrolled in the Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crop Team program, $95 for non-enrollees. For more information or to register, call 585-786-2251 or go to http://wyoming.cce.cornell.edu/dairy-institute.