Holstein Breed Average for Fat Reaches 1,000 Pounds

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Now there will be more posts on Empire State Farming.

Here's one:

Holstein Association USA has recently calculated the Mature Equivalent (ME) Production Breed Averages for 2015 and for the first time, the average for fat has reached 1,000 pounds.

Along with this unprecedented level of fat, the Holstein ME for milk for 2015 is 26,690 pounds, and for protein is 810 pounds.  

“Reaching 1,000 pounds of fat production as a breed is an accomplishment all Holstein breeders should be proud of,” said Holstein Association USA CEO John M. Meyer. “Dairy farmers are paid based on the total pounds of fat, protein and milk produced. As such, Holsteins provide more lifetime profit per cow than any other breed.”

Measuring dairy cattle production levels by butterfat is one of the oldest and most valuable measurements of productivity. The Holstein Association has been calculating ME breed averages for many years. 

The oldest available ME Breed Average is from 1967, when the ME Fat level was 559 pounds. Fat production has increased by 441 pounds over the past 48 years, illustrating the tremendous progress of the Holstein breed.  

Similar breed average calculations done by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) also show the Holstein average for fat to be in excess of 1,000 pounds. The Holstein breed leads all other major dairy breeds for pounds of production for milk, fat and protein.  

Extension to Hold Winter Dairy Management Workshops on Milk Components March 18 and 20

Dairy farmers will be able to learn how to make more money on the milk they produce at the Winter Dairy Management workshops scheduled for March 18 in Carthage and March 20 in Malone.

The workshops will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will focus on how farmers can improve the production of milk components, such as butterfat and protein, that generate premium income. The agenda at each location includes the experience of a local dairy operator who increased farm profitability by raising milk components by applying nutrition and dairy environment practices that encourage quality milk production.

The workshop fee is $35 before March 8, $50 at the door; lunch and materials included.

To register for the Carthage workshop at the Carthage Elks Club, go online to https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Winter_Dairy_Management_2015_222 or contact Ron Kuck at CCE Jefferson County, 788-8450, rak76@cornell.edu or Terri Taraska, CCE Lewis County, 376-5270, tt394@cornell.edu.

To register for the Malone workshop at Mo’s Pub and Grill, go online to https://pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events.cfm or contact Kim Morrill, CCE St Lawrence County, 379-9192, kmm434@cornell.edu. 

Workshop presentations by Cornell University PRO-Dairy faculty will include how milk components impact milk check income, how managing income over feed costs impacts farm profitability and how feeding programs and dairy cow nutrition influence milk component production.

Presenters include Cornell PRO-Dairy Director and Animal Science Professor Tom Overton, dairy business management specialist Jason Karszes and Dairy Profit Discussion Groups Leader Kathy Barrett.