November 15, 2023

 Issue 170

IDP in Motion: Using Our Collective Voice

Here we are in November, the season of Thanksgiving. As I travel around the state and country representing Indiana dairy farmers, I am thankful to be part of this industry. There is no doubt dairy farmers are among the hardest working people out there, providing an essential, nutritious product.

I don’t take our industry for granted and continue to realize the importance of our collective voice to impact policies that are significant to each of our operations. For example, in late September I travelled to Washington DC to provide our elected officials with input on the Farm Bill. Legislative aides continue to contact me to learn our position on issues that affect the dairy industry. IDP is proud to be a “go to” source of information for dairy business realities. From milk price formula discussions to determining who controls the type of milk served in schools, there is never a shortage of topics which require our attention and voice.

There are end of year deadlines, manure to spread and all the other details of wrapping up a calendar year. Amidst all these busy tasks, I hope you have time to gather with friends and family to celebrate and enjoy a great meal or two – full of dairy products!

Steve

Steve Obert, Executive Director

Steveobert@indianadairy.org

812-779-6775 

Calendar of Events



• Partners in Success Luncheon
• November 15th
• IDP Regional Meetings
• February 6th - Monroe, IN
• February 7th - Plymouth, IN
• February 8th - Middlebury, IN

In This Issue

Our Industry in Action

Sponsor Spotlight

Industry Insights

IDP Member Moments

ZFS Food Ingredient Update



Our Industry in Action:  Indiana Dairy Farm & Industry Tour – Nov 9 to 11, 2023 

It was wonderful to travel with fellow dairy industry members on our recent bus trip to Kentucky! There were many memorable moments as we shared ideas and learned from our colleagues to the south. Getting to know each other better is also a big benefit of trips like this and helps build our network.

Thanks to IDP members who were part of this experience! 

Kaeb Sales, Inc. has been in business for over 30 years. Les Kaeb started the business in January 1989 as a Surge dairy equipment sales and service dealer. Kaeb Sales has grown into an industry leader in design, build, and service of all sizes of dairy facilities. There are 40+ employees in the company’s five state region. Facilities and offices are located in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky.

The company is proud to support Indiana’s dairy producers and emphasizes that food production across our nation plays a vital role in each of our lives. “We at Kaeb Sales recognize the impact Indiana Dairy Producers has on our industry and will continue supporting them as they help lead us forward,” the company says. “We see the opportunity to continue researching and developing to bolster our already strong dairy knowledge here in Indiana, and their efforts to bring this research and training to our community are greatly appreciated.”



Thank you, Kaeb Sales! To learn more about the company, visit their website at www.kaebsales.com 

Sponsor Spotlight: Welcome Harvey’s – New IDP Sponsor

The Indiana Dairy Producers welcome our newest sponsor, Harvey’s! We appreciate their support and provide some background information here on how they serve the dairy industry.

Harvey’s has been proudly serving the Great Lakes Region farming and feed community for over 80 years. Through each division, we provide customers with high-quality products to fit their farming goals. Our Commodities Division is able to fulfill customer orders timely and efficiently with strategically positioned warehouses and state-of-the-art logistics technology. Our Milling Division takes pride in offering high-quality feed manufacturing and services. From floor stock products to custom blends, they can find a feed to suit your needs - offering both half and full truckloads of feed and ingredients at competitive prices.

Our Seed Division provides customers with a wide variety of top-of-the-line corn, soybean, alfalfa, wheat, cover crops, and deer plot seeds. In addition, our Retail Division offers a wide selection of premium clothing, footwear, and specialty gift items. We are thrilled to announce our latest retail expansion with the opening of Harvey’s Trading Co. in Alden, MI.

Harvey’s believes in quality and integrity, and those values are reflected in the products and services they offer. Harvey’s values their employees and cares about their customers’ success.

At Harvey’s, we value our employees and care about our customers’ success.

We welcome you to visit our website to learn more about us.

Industry Insight: In the Milk House with BOAH: Before You Buy That Bulk Tank

Are you considering a change to your bulk tank setup—a replacement or an addition?

Bulk tanks are a common modification to a dairy farm. Before you make that purchase remember to take a few key steps first:

1. Complete and submit an Application to Install or Modify a Milking System form to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). The form may be found online at: https://www.in.gov/boah/dairy-inspection/dairy-farms/
2.  Include a blueprint of changes with the application to BOAH.
3.  Once the installation is complete, contact your BOAH inspector to make a site visit to complete an approval inspection. Equipment must be inspected and approved before use.
4.  Ensure the tank is empty, clean, and ready to use at the time of inspection.

Several farms across the state have recently added or swapped bulk tanks with used units—which is acceptable. However, before investing in a used tank, Amy Pettijohn, BOAH Dairy Farm Supervisor, recommends producers look carefully first:

•  Look at the inside of the used tank when it is clean and empty for any inclusions that would keep the unit from passing inspection. Heavy scratches, wrinkles, dents, etc. that are an obstacle to cleaning will not pass the installation inspection.
•  Check for chemical burns in the tank’s finish. A chemical burn is an automatic 10-point debit on a survey, unless the producer can provide a written letter from their chemical supply representative that states the unit has been examined and the inclusion cannot be fixed. In those cases, the automatic debit will drop to five points. Sometimes a chemical supplier can identify a remedy for the damage, avoiding any debit; however, that is not always possible.
•  Examine caps, gaskets, valves, agitator shaft boots, etc. to be sure they are in good repair with no inking or leaking.

Questions about the process for modifying your milking system may always be directed to your BOAH dairy inspector or contact the central office at 317-544-2391. 

IDP Member Moments: Circle the Spot: Seven Hills Dairy

Henk Sevenhuysen and his wife Linda both grew up in the Netherlands and moved to Canada in 1996. As they looked for a permanent home for their dairy operation, they set out on a road trip across the Midwest. After driving through Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, circling possibilities on the map, Indiana stood out. A key criterion was that the area be pro-agriculture and accepting, in fact Sevenhuysen went directly to the courthouse to see if there were issues with their dairy. The communities in Benton and Newton Counties were helpful and the Sevenhuysen family is happy to call them home.

The operation started out with 700 cows and now has 2,400. Originally with 80 acres, they now farm 1,200 to supply their feed. A crossbred herd serves their purposes as they focus on being a low cost input dairy and building more of a longevity cow.

A fourth-generation dairy farmer, Sevenhuysen has served on the Indiana Dairy Producers board twice, wrapping up his second stint of service in 2023. “To me it is an honor to be on the board,” he says. “It (board service) opened my eyes to see all that happens behind the scenes – both good and bad – to better understand how the industry works.”

He points out there is opportunity in the dairy industry, yet of course many challenges as well, especially considering rising costs. Managing it all would not be possible without his wife. “Linda is 110% involved and is a big part of the operation as she manages the office, payroll, insurance and all those important aspects beyond the cows,” Sevenhuysen says. Their son, Pete, is now part of Seven Hills Dairy, coming back after graduation from Purdue University. Daughter Sharon is at Purdue studying Public Health.

He is passionate about community and working together. “The IDP is a really good group working for the dairy industry. If you have issues and problems there will be an answer, Sevenhuysen says. “It is a no brainer to be a member, we all have to stay connected to make our industry better.”  

INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Make the Most of Manure!

“Tis the season for cleaning manure storage structures on the farm. Manure is valuable and beneficial to crops and soils. As you apply, be mindful of the following:



• Apply at correct agronomic rates. Don’t over apply!
• Keep accurate, up to date records.
• Know your permit requirements.
• Don’t apply on snow covered land.
• Staging dry manure in fields must be bermed unless applied in 72 hours.
• When applying liquid manure, prevent discharges through drainage systems.

Getting the most from this valuable resource begins with keeping it in your field.

Zeeland Feed Ingredient Update

As harvest wraps up for farms and bunks and bins are filled, the markets continue to change daily. We have seen the soybean meal market rally after strong export sales over past month, and a little less yield on soybeans, though they have traded down. We have to remember that several proteins trade vs. the soybean meal futures, including canola meal and cottonseed meal, rapeseed meal, linseed meal, etc. so as buyers get them priced along with their basis, this can push the futures a bit up. As a few groups watch for South American crop progress, others are locking in prices for margins here domestically.

Canola meal is the normal spread to soybean meal basis, so work with your nutritionist to decide what works best for your ration overall. Supply is good as crush ramps up.

Cottonseed has been making its way into rations as the price has fallen about a hundred dollars per ton over last winter, with deliveries in the low $300s vs soybean meal future DEC $442 today. Fiber is still tight in Midwest and Midsouth which could move some tonnage that direction into new year. Carriers are less plentiful than years past to move tons so be sure to give lead time to merchandisers. We are using all logistics possible to bring it closer to you, let us know if we can help.

Corn gluten plants have finished up their maintenance programs which were extensively longer than planned this year. Pellets are finally being produced at all locations in the tri-state area, hoping that will bring price down a bit. Yet production demands for syrup and starch are still not like a few years back. So, supply will remain tighter into December on pellets as they also catch up on rail car order shipments that were running behind on at plants.

DDG ethanol plants are getting their new corn in and bringing down some of the toxin level issues from past year averages. Ask your merchandiser for their level ppm weekly. Values are good for rations vs other protein sources still available and seem to stay in forward rations. Offers for three months usually are available.

As corn seems plentiful in the countryside, hominy has come down in price a lot over last month as their food side demand has pushed production up hard, giving many opportunities for those that can store some this month at a good price.

Beet pulp pellets are being offered at lower prices this year as their crop is bountiful and less exports are happening, so give a look for your ration.

Soyhull pellets are inching down in cost as more production kicks up after new beans came in. Give a call to lock in your fiber needs for 6 months or so, as supply is available; before rail moves in steadily.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving all!

Our Mission in Action: Time to Nominate for IDP Awards, Apply for Scholarship

Our organization is proud to each year honor outstanding producers and students through our awards program. We hope you will take a few minutes to think about deserving recipients for the Indiana Dairy Producer of the Year and the Indiana Young Dairy Producer of the Year Awards. These awards are to recognize outstanding accomplishment, professionalism, and leadership among Indiana’s dairy producers. Award recipients will be announced at the 2024 Indiana Dairy Regional Meeting.

Encouraging the next generation is also important, and we encourage those pursuing higher education to apply for the $1,000 scholarship, also to be awarded at the 2024 Dairy Regional Meeting.

Eligibility for this scholarship is as follows:

• Student must plan to attend a trade school, technical school, community college, or university starting in the fall of 2024.
• Student must currently be in their final year of High School, or already graduated and will be attending a post-secondary institution in first, second, or third year for the 2023-2024 school year.
• Student must be a current dues-paying member of Indiana Dairy Producers or;
• Student must have a spouse, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian who is a current dues-paying member of Indiana Dairy Producers or;
• Be a current employee of a current dues-paying member of Indiana Dairy Producers.

Link here to download the nomination form for the producer award.

Link here to download the scholarship application form.

Thanks for helping us identify our 2024 award winners! 

Industry Insight: No Consensus on Dairy Cattle Longevity

By Jackie Boerman, PhD, Associate Professor, Animal Sciences, Purdue University 

At the end of October, a Discover Conference centering around dairy cattle lifespan brought together different perspectives about what is an optimal lifespan for dairy cattle. What we consider normal in the United States is not the norm around the world, with average age of culling in Europe around one year older than what we see in the United States.

You may have heard Gavin Staley, Diamond V, talk about making a farm full of “Golden Girls,” cows that are in their 3^rd lactation or greater and have paid for themselves and are now hitting their full mature equivalent for milk production. He would argue that we want the largest proportion of these older cows in our herd in order to minimize the cost for replacements and maximize milk production. Whereas Steve Eicker, Cornell University, would argue that we want to fill slots with the most productive animals and that higher herd turnover allows for the most productive animals to be in the herd.

Through economic modeling, Albert DeVries, University of Florida, has determined that the optimal productive life to maximize dairy farm profitability is between 2.5 and 3 years, meaning that cull rate would be 33 and 40 percent. While there was healthy debate, there was certainly no consensus for optimal lifespan of dairy cattle.

All speakers at this conference agreed that we need to grow heifers so they calve in ready to milk; this investment in heifers pays for itself in first lactation milk. Most cows don’t pay for their heifer rearing costs until into the second lactation but well grown heifers that are making more milk can reach this sooner in their second lactation. Similarly, we want to be able to voluntarily cull cows that are not broken, this will result in higher cull prices and improvements in animal welfare.



There are likely scenarios that work best for specific farms but as an industry, we want to ensure we produce less broken cows and allow farms to voluntarily cull whichever animals make that farm the most profitable.

Industry Insight: Coming Soon: Indiana Dairy Benchmarking Newsletter



Ever wonder how your herd performance compares to other Indiana dairy farms? Ever wonder which areas of your dairy are your performance strengths or weakness? Are you looking for an objective way to decide which performance area to focus on for improvement in the coming year?

Then stay tuned for the Indiana Dairy Benchmarking newsletter, an anonymous dairy performance sharing tool, which will be open for enrollment at the 2024 Regional Meetings.

IDP is working with Purdue’s Dairy Team and Dairy Veterinary Extension group to develop a way to provide collective data in a way that enables industry members to lock arms and share information and do so in anonymous way to alleviate privacy concerns. This effort can help us all learn and improve, building our industry for the future. You will hear all the details as this benchmarking rolls out in 2024 

Industry Insight:  Healthy Soil, Clean Water, Viable Farms



The Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance (IANA) is dedicated to keeping Indiana at the forefront of proactive nutrient management and soil health practices that improve farm viability and, ultimately, reduce nutrient loss to water. Fourteen agriculture and conservation organizations, including Indiana Dairy Producers, have come together since 2018 to achieve these common goals.

Aggressive nutrient reduction targets have been set nationally in waterways Indiana’s croplands drain to, like the Gulf of Mexico and Western Lake Erie Basin. We risk increased regulatory action dictating how fertilizers and manures are managed on farm. Across the state, a large number of public and private sector agencies and organizations are working toward the same goal — reducing nutrient loss and improving water quality. How are we moving forward?

Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance has established practice adoption goals across Indiana to more clearly communicate the type and scale of practices needed and to more clearly demonstrate our progress. Framed in the concepts of the 4Rs of nutrient management (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place) and soil health, we want farmers to be able to see where they are today and consider what incremental changes they can make to their operation to improve their nutrient use efficiency and farm profitability.

Our partnerships through IANA have led to the development of the Indiana 4R Certification Program, the Indiana Science Assessment, Indiana Cover Crop Premium Discount Program, and many other resources and projects pointing towards are shared goals.

Want to learn more? Visit www.inagnutrients.org for more information about IANA and its goals, as well as information about best practices, programs and other opportunities to get involved in ensuring Indiana’s Healthy Soils, Clean Water, and Viable Farms.