July1999
Volume 2, Issue 4

Inside this Issue
Maintaining Quality Grain in Storage - John Smith
Wet Conditions Increase the Chances for Pesticide-Contaminated Forages - Lynn Willett
Motivating Employees Through Incentive Programs - Chris Zoller
Calendar of Events
The Tri-State Advantage
Features of the Ohio Dairy Ration Program
 

Maintaining Quality Grain in Storage
John Smith, Extension Agent, Auglaize County

If you had $15,000 to $30,000 in cash sitting in a grain bin, would you check it often?  You know you would.  So why not check your grain that is worth that much?

When you store wheat, oats, rye, barley, grain sorghum, shelled corn, or any other grain on your farm for extended periods, you must take steps to preserve its quality and prevent economic loss from insect and mold damage.

Properly managing grain in your storage bins, it is important to maintain quality.  Factors that can cause grain to go out of condition are:

1. Presence of insects
2. The amount of fines and foreign-material left in the stored grain during filling of the storage
3. Initial quality of grain going into storage
4. Grain moisture content

The market or feed value of infested grain may be substantially reduced if the number of insect-damaged kernels is sufficient to lower the grade of the grain to be designated “infested” on the grade certificate.  Producers often have to pay discounts to buyers finding live insects in their purchased grain.  And some grain dealers may refuse to accept heavily infested grain that might contaminate their storage facilities.

Heavy infestation of insects and mold greatly reduces the feed value of grain. Molds can produce toxins that can cause abortions, low fertility, poor production and poor growth rate.

Insects in farm-stored grain will also affect its eligibility in the Grain Reserve Program for farmers.  Conditioning of the storage structure and that of the stored grain are factors that must be considered by the Farm Service Agency commodity inspectors when determining eligibility for a farm-storage loan.  When a loan is approved, the storer, who is often the producer, is responsible for any loss in quantity or quality of the commodity caused by insect and mold infestation or rodent damage during storage.

Grain temperature must be controlled to limit moisture movement through the grain.  Lower grain temperature decreases molds and insect activity and increases safe storage times.  More grain goes out of condition due to temperatures not being controlled than for any other reason.

As spring and summer temperatures warm up, it is very important to monitor the  temperature and moisture in the stored grain.  Temperatures can increase quite rapidly and that will increase insect activity.  The grain in storage needs to be monitored often to prevent temperature and moisture increases and increase in insect activity.

There are insect traps available that can be inserted into the grain mass to monitor insect activity.  If you value your money in the bin, keep a watch on the grain for insect activity, temperature rise, and excess moisture.?

Wet Conditions Increase the Chances for Pesticide-Contaminated Forages
Lynn B. Willett, Professor, Animal Sciences

The use of organochlorine pesticides such as DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, lindane, etc., has been banned for approximately 30 years.  Therefore, they should not present a risk of actionable residues in milk or meat products.   Unfortunately, the latter statement is not quite true.  Each year there are a few instances of unsuspected contamination, and these usually occur following periods of wet weather.  By understanding the conditions that  contribute to the contamination of forages, the likelihood of an expensive incident can be reduced.

Organochlorine pesticides were the first formulations to receive widespread use beginning with the production of DDT in the 1930's.  Large quantities of these materials were used before they were discovered to be persistent in the environment and  accumulate up the food chain.  As the undesired side effects of these chemicals became known, tolerances were established to limit exposures to human foods, and ultimately in the late 1960's and early 1970's, organochlorine pesticides were banned or severely restricted in their use.  So how can they still be a problem today?

The foremost characteristic of this class of chemicals is that they are extremely stable compounds and readily do not degrade.  Likewise, they remain persistent in the soils where they were applied.  Organochlorine pesticides are relatively insoluble in water.  As a result, they do not leach downward through the soils but remain near the soil surface or within the plow zone. They may migrate with surface water, but it is usually a case where the pesticides move attached to soil particles or organic materials.  These chemicals are also lipophilic, which means that they will associate with fats and oils.  Thus, when consumed by animals they will accumulate in adipose tissues and will be excreted in milk fat if the animal is lactating.  With the stringent tolerances that are in place for residues in milk and meat, only small amounts of these pesticides need be consumed to result in exclusion from the market.

Where dairy production is concerned, as long as these pesticides remain bound in the soil, there should not be a problem.  The problem occurs when there is a route of transfer to the cattle.  Fortunately, these pesticides do not translocate through the roots of plants into the forage or seed portions of plants.  However, two routes of transfer have been identified.  The first is fairly obvious.  If animals consume sufficient quantities of contaminated soil, they will accumulate organochlorine pesticides.  Whether this will become a problem depends on the amount of soil consumed and the concentration of the pesticide in that soil.  Studies have been conducted that have shown that cows on pasture will consume up to 4.5 pounds of soil per day.  Lesser amounts were consumed when pastures were lush, because grazing was higher on the plants, with less ground contact and with less soil material splashed on to the forage.  Certainly, with a sufficient pesticide concentration in soil, consumption can result in undesirable residue concentrations in milk and meat, yet it is rare.

The most prevalent mechanism of contamination is the condensation of volatile pesticides on forage materials.  To varying degrees, the different organochlorine formulations will volatilize from the soil surface and then recondense on the cool plant canopy.  This process is not consistent, which can be good or bad, depending on the point of view.  If consistent, we could readily identify land that is not suitable for pasturing or forage production.  On the other hand, we currently use land that is only intermittently a pesticide hazard.   In the early 1990's, we identified that the forage contamination process was related to the moisture content of the soils.  When the soil moisture content exceeded 20%, the volatilization of the pesticides increased markedly as they codistilled with water.  Thus, the transfer of these chemicals increases after a significant rain or following irrigation.  Soil concentrations do not have to be particularly high to provide sufficient volatile pesticides, resulting in contamination of grazing or forage-fed cattle.  Our studies revealed that soil concentrations of DDT (or its metabolite DDE) as small as 1 part per million can produce  residues in cattle that exceed tolerances.

What can be done to alleviate the problem?  The best approach is to avoid any forage production (or pasturing) of land that has a history of heavy pesticide application.  The prime example of such land in the Midwest would be old orchard sites.  Historically, these areas have had large quantities of a variety of undesirable chemicals added (often DDT, DDE, lindane) which are probably residual in the soil.  Land that was heavily treated for alfalfa weevil (heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide) also may cause problems.  Purchase of Southern or Southwestern hay that was grown on old cotton production ground (DDT, DDE) may contain residues if the time of precipitation or irrigation closely preceded harvest.  If these types of contaminated land are identified, the land should be used for the production of combined grains.  These are naturally “wrapped” so the condensation of volatile materials is not a factor.  Remember, do not feed the straw or stover, because it will contain residues.

What can be done to confirm that land contains sufficient organochlorine pesticide residues to cause a problem?  The best approach is to refer to records of the amounts and types of chemicals applied to particular fields.  However, this rarely is well documented over the last 50 years.  The remaining methods require a laboratory that can conduct an organochlorine pesticide profile.  Shallow (no deeper than the plow zone) soil cores may be submitted for analysis.  Unfortunately, a lot of samples may be necessary to or saturated with ethylene glycol and suspended in plastic jugs that have bottoms removed, can be placed at strategic locations in the field or pasture.  The paper strips can then be submitted for the pesticide profile.  If cattle are known to contain residues or  the forage has been tested, the severity of the problem can be estimated with the following equation: [pesticide, µg/g] milk fat = 0.28(daily dose, mg)0.82.  Similar equations have been published when body fat concentrations of pesticides are known or need to be predicted.

Although such contamination incidents are not frequent, when they do occur they can be devastating.  Clearly, the chances of such an occurrence are much greater following periods of wet weather.  Eliminating forage production on land with known or suspected organochlorine contamination is good insurance against violative residues in milk or meat products.

Motivating Employees Through Incentive Programs
Chris Zoller, Extension Agent, Tuscarawas County

Most business managers work toward maximum productivity from their employees.  This is desirable when efficient production of a product depends on each employee having their bolt in place in time for the next employee to put the nut on.  We don't have this direct "assembly line" production process in producing milk efficiently.  However, there is still a place for highly motivated employees on your dairy farm.

Motivation causes some action.  The action might be right or wrong, fast or slow, useful or wasteful.  Productivity measures the effectiveness of this action.  Therefore, don't confuse motivation with productivity.  Even proper motivation may not increase productivity because employees lack the skills, knowledge, equipment, or time to improve output.  For example, your goal may be to milk 90 cows per hour and you convince your milkers this is a good idea.  After all, they will probably be home sooner.  However, physical limits allow only 80 cows per hour through the milking parlor.  The milkers may set up their routine to milk cows faster, but they simply end up with more time to wash their boots and visit with each other.  Here you have proper motivation with no change in productivity.
 
Fortunately, you can control productivity limits, like skills and equipment, if you identify them as limiting production and plan ahead to improve them.  Let's define motivation as "increasing the employee's concern for a task."  As a farm manager you want them to show up for work on time, to write down cows accurately detected in heat, to care for sick calves immediately, to carefully practice good hygiene in the parlor, to operate your equipment as if they owned it, and so on.
There are some general fallacies floating around about motivating employees.  They seem to make sense, but they just don't work.
"Happy employees are motivated employees."  Wrong!  Happy employees are just happy employees.  They are nice to be around and may stay longer, but are not faster, nor more thorough in performing tasks.  A cheery personality will not show that you have motivated the employee to better performance.

"Strong discipline motivates employees."  Fear can motivate, but if a scolding changes employee performance, it is likely the employee didn't understand their job responsibility well before the incident.  More often, discipline used to increase productivity breeds discontent and imparts an attitude that "money is more important than me."  Obviously, discipline is required to correct poor work habits, but you must be careful of the methods you choose.

"Money is the best motivator."  Money will motivate employees to a point.  Once their basic family needs are satisfied, it takes a lot more money to improve performance.  It will generally take about 10% more of an employee's current wage or salary to stimulate even better performance or additional duties.  This is significant even when milk prices are good.  Then why do some financial incentives work to improve employee performance?  Probably because they also satisfy additional employee needs.

"If I could only find that one thing that would motivate my employees..."  Every employee is different.  Some are easy to motivate; others difficult.  Some respond to kind words; others need firm explanations.  Each employee has different financial needs.  There are no universal motivators.  Your biggest job is identifying the unmet needs of the employee and devising a reward to help satisfy part of that need.  Each employee's incentive to perform to their maximum capability will likely be different.  However, common incentives can work.  A paycheck bonus for improved milk quality will probably stimulate all employees a little, but some will respond better than others.

The hard part of motivation is identifying an individual employee's needs.  A basic need is money to clothe, house, and feed themselves and, possibly, their family.  Beyond the basic need, it becomes more difficult to find what will provide additional satisfaction and incentive to work well.  These more subtle needs usually fall into three areas: 1) Recognition, 2) Involvement, and 3) Communication.  These needs are somewhat related.  That is, satisfying one may help satisfy another.

Recognition - Most people like to be recognized for things that are important.  Recognition in front of other employees, friends, family, and other dairy farmers for good work is very motivating toward further good work.

You and other workers recognizing a birthday also makes the employee feel involved in the operation, satisfying two of the three subtle needs.  Offering positive comments on work performance stimulates communication, again increasing satisfaction.  As much as possible, recognition should be offered in front of others.  This helps increase employee esteem and may spur other employees to seek recognition through good performance.

Be specific when commenting about or rewarding good work.  Talking about the great job of shortening the calving interval will seem more important when you also mention how it will improve milk production per cow.

Involvement - If you want to "increase an employee's concern for a task," they will need to be involved.  The task, and the entire operation, must be important to them personally.  Milkers should be involved in milk quality improvement.  Breeding employees need to be involved in the genetics, heat detection, and reproductive health programs.

Step one of involvement is usually helping the employee understand "why" a task is performed, not just "how."  For example, milkers should understand that that are teat dipping kills mastitis-causing bacteria and prevents 50% of new mastitis infections leading to fewer "bucket" cows and better milk quality.  They need to know how the task fits in the overall operation and its effect on other tasks or the cow's milk production.

Involving an employee in a task or the operation requires an investment by you in them.  This investment may be training, incentive pay for meeting a goal, delegating some of your responsibility to them, or your time.  Taking employees to meetings, inviting them to work with you and your veterinarian, allowing them to make some decisions on purchased products or services, and listening to their suggestions for improving the work routine will involve employees more.

Communication - is the most important need of employees and comes as close to the "universal" motivator as we can get.  Offering recognition or stimulating an employee's sense of involvement takes good communication.

Communication is not difficult.  Some folks have a little more "talent" in communicating with others, but the basics are always the same.  Good communication does not mean saying all that's on your mind, only what is important.  Communication must be two-way and you need to listen carefully to employees.  If employees have suggestions to improve the business, listen to them.  You probably can't implement all the suggestions, but employees want to know you heard them and, maybe, why a suggestion can't be put into practice.

A regular (6 month or 1 year) performance appraisal helps you to communicate with each of your employees.  They have an opportunity to list their strengths and weaknesses, to talk over their complaints with the job, and to hear your plans for the operation and how they are important in reaching your goals.

Employee management presents many challenges and opportunities to you as the farm manager.  Motivating your present work force to achieve their maximum potential can help lead to improved production and a positive working environment.  Recognize, involve and communicate with your employees often!

(adapted from: Mike Gamroth, Extension Dairy Specialist, Oregon State University)

Calendar of Events

Annual Summer Picnic of Progressive Dairy Producers of Ohio
August 11, 1999
Ed and Jenny Pfeifer's Farm
Contact: Debbie Ayers 419/938-6270

Dairy Field Day
August 17, 1999 (note the date in the newsletter is wrong)
Indian Run Dairy (The Elliott's)
Contact: Mark Armfelt
              740-668-4831 at the Licking or Knox County Extension Offices

Dairy Cattle Skillathon
The Dairy Cattle Skillathon is open to all Ohio 4-H and FFA members visiting or exhibiting
at the Ohio State Fair.
   *Friday, August 6, 1999, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
   *Saturday, August 14, 1999, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
   *Friday, August 20, 1999, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Inaugural Tri-State Dairy Management Conference
November 10-11, 1999
Fort Wayne, Indiana

The Tri-State Advantage

The inaugural Tri-State Dairy Management Conference, scheduled for November 10 and 11 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, promises to be a place for dairy producers and their advisors to network, fine-tune management skills, and learn from leading producers and experts from around the country.  Organized by Michigan State, The Ohio State, and Purdue Universities, along with producers and industry providers, the conference will deliver state-of-the-art technology pertaining to the management of competitive dairy herds in the Tri-State area.  Dairy producers, allied industry personnel, and Extension advisors are the intended audience.

The program includes six sessions, with the initial one focusing on the many advantages of dairying in the Tri-State area.  The next five sessions address a variety of topics: (1) Management eye on the cow, (2) Labor and employee management, (3) Animal health and well-being, (4) Business management, and (5) Dairying and the environment.  Four of those sessions are in a breakout format with three concurrent presentations.  The attendees can select to attend two of the three presentations.  This format allows for smaller groups and considerably more interactions between the presenter and the attendees.  Presenters include 10 producers, 12 scientists, and 3 experts from allied industry.

Conference registration materials are available through county Extension offices, or contact Ms. Jennifer Winkler at 614-688-3143 / Fax 614-292-1515, or via e-mail (winkler.35@osu.edu).  The registration fee is a modest $99 per person if received before October 15, 1999.  Fees include a conference proceedings, refreshments, two noon lunches, one breakfast, and the conference reception.  For additional information, contact Dr. Normand St-Pierre (614-292-6507, st-pierre.8@osu.edu), Tom Noyes (330-
345-6516, noyes.1@osu.edu), or Dianne Shoemaker (330-537-3325, shoemaker.3@osu.edu).

Features of the
Ohio Dairy Ration Program
(Released in January 1999)

Dairy offers several features that can provide information of high value in the management of a feeding program for a dairy herd.  The program is user-friendly and allows for some user-defined system operations.  Features of Dairy include:

- Evaluation of diets for meeting the nutritional needs of lactating and dry cows and heifers.

- Formulation of least-cost rations for lactating and dry cows and heifers.

- A library of feeds with typical nutritive composition.  Names and composition of feeds can be modified and feeds not in the library can be added.

- Feeds can be individually selected for a batch mix and the batch can be saved as a “feed” for use with more than one animal group.  Quantity for the batch can be selected based on a desired weight or number of animals in a group.

- A summary of amounts and costs for feeds fed to all animal groups to provide total feed costs and feed cost per cwt. of milk for the dairy herd.  This option also offers a feature to monitor forage inventory and nitrogen and phosphorus output in manure.

- Reports can be altered before printing by adding and deleting text lines, and reports can be printed to the printer or disk file.

- Several options are available for tailoring both the screen to your computer system and the operation of dairy based on your specific interests.

Operation Requirements:

The Ohio Dairy Ration Program is distributed on a single floppy disk in the standard format of a 1.2 MB 3.5 inch disk.  The program operates with PC-compatible DOS microcomputers.  A minimum hardware configuration would be 640 KB of RAM (random access memory), a floppy drive, and a monochrome display.  A minimum disk space requirement for DAIRY is approximately 350 KB but increases as herd files are added.

A printer is recommended but not required because all output information is available on-screen.

Authors:

Maurice Eastridge
Associate Professor
Animal Sciences

William P. Weiss
Professor
Animal Sciences

James Lemon
Programmer/Analyst
Section of Communication and Technology

For more information on the Ohio Dairy Ration Program contact:

 Jennifer Winkler
 The Ohio State University
 221 Animal Science Bldg.
 2029 Fyffe Road
 Columbus, OH 43210
 614/688-3143
  (winkler.35@osu.edu)