INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Nutrition:
Feed Costs: Corn Silage or Alfalfa
Dr. Bill Weiss,
Dairy Extension Specialist,
Department of Animal Sciences,
The Ohio State University
Which forage is usually more economical for Ohio dairy farmers to produce and feed to their cows? This article provides the answer to that pressing question.
Economics:
The Costs of Nutrients and Comparison of Feedstuffs Prices
Dr. Normand St-Pierre, Dairy Management Specialist,
Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio StateUniversity
The cost of dietary energy took a tumble last month, whereas the cost of metabolizable protein went up. The Cow-Jones Index, a measure of profitability in the dairy sector, surged $2.54/cwt, a 37% increase over September, and stood at $9.34/cwt in October, indicating modest but positive profits on Ohio dairy farms. Regardless, careful selection of feeds to make up a dairy ration can still help improving margins.
Milk Price Outlook
Dr. Cameron Thraen,
State Specialist, Dairy Markets and Policy,
The Ohio State University Extension,
Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics
Summary of projected production and price information issued in the Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry Outlook/LDP-M-171 / November 17, 2008 Economic Research Service, USDA.
Judging:
2008 Ohio Dairy Challenge
Dr. Maurice Eastridge, Dairy Extension Specialist,
Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University
The 2008 Ohio Dairy Challenge was held November 14-15 and was again sponsored by Cargill Animal Nutrition. The farm selected for the contest this year was R-Style Holsteins in Edison, OH, and it is owned by Bill, Joyce, and Brian Rausch. There were 13 teams and 46 students that participated in the program, the largest participation ever.
OSU Youth Program News
Bonnie Ayars,
Dairy Judging Coach and Program Specialist,
Department of Animal Sciences,
The Ohio State University
Results of the Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, and news of our 4-H, FFA, and OSU Dairy Judging Teams.
Web links to Milk Marketing Information: Ohio Dairy Web - http://aede.osu.edu/programs/OhioDairy/; eDairy, Inc. - http://www.dairy.nu/