🐦 HPAI challenge model 🛒Consumers positive about dairy 💉Robotic injections in rotaries

Later DIM at conception associated with greater persistency (>30 minute read)

Researchers examined the relationship between DIM at conception (DIMc) and persistency in milk production using records from 23,908 cows in Belgium and the Netherlands. First lactation animals were more persistent than older cows. A slight decrease in persistency was seen in all groups over the course of pregnancy. Cows with a lower DIMc were less persistent than those conceiving later in lactation. [My note: bear in mind this research was looking at persistency not overall production for the lactation or, arguably more importantly, lifetime of the animal]

USDA researchers develop challenge model for HPAI in cattle (4 minute read)

USDA researchers successfully infected four yearling heifers via respiratory route by exposing the animals to an aerosol mist containing the HPAI virus; heifers became infected but developed only a sporadic, mild nasal discharge. In a separate study, two non-pregnant lactating dairy cows were infected by "inoculating the teats and udders," developing signs consistent with natural infection (inappetence, decreased rumen motility, decreased milk production, and thick, yellowish milk) within 48 hours. The findings of these studies support the conclusion that respiratory transmission is not a primary route of infection and provide a challenge model that can be used for further study of the disease under laboratory conditions.

Choline supplementation benefits cows and their calves (2 minute read)

Choline is a nutrient commonly grouped into the B-vitamin family; it is produced by most mammals, but must also be consumed to ensure adequate levels. In dairy cows, choline must be protected to prevent rapid breakdown in the rumen. A meta-analysis of published studies showed increases in milk, components, and energy-corrected milk production in transition cows supplemented with rumen-protected choline (RPC), as well as a trend toward decreased mastitis and RPs. Additional research has shown calves from RPC-supplemented dams have improved passive transfer of immunity, better weight gain, and produce more milk in their first lactation. Similarly positive results have been seen in beef-on-dairy crosses: increased ADG, frame size, and marbling at slaughter when their dams were supplemented with RPC.

Consumers feel good about farmers but have no idea what they do (4 minute read)

Consumers have trust in farmers, but limited knowledge of farming practices. These knowledge gaps make them susceptible to influence by one-off examples of farming on social media or elsewhere. With a growing range of food choices, consumers must understand how food is produced to wade through the marketing. Reintroducing cooking skills into school cirricula and increasing information campaigns from producer groups, boards, and co-ops are two avenues to increase knowledge of farming systems.

Growth in dairy driven by cheese, butter, and yogurt (3 minute read)

Even as per-capita consumption of fluid milk continues its decades-long decline, overall dairy sales have been increasing and are expected to remain strong. A growth rate of 15.4% over the last three years has been fueled largely by increases in cheese, butter, and yogurt purchases, with more room to grow (for example, American only consume about half as much cheese as Europeans). Consumers are looking for healthier, less processed options and see the short ingredient list on many dairy products as a positive. The full report from cobank can be found here.

China's domestic dairy growth impacts exports (2 minute read)

Between 2018 and 2023 China added about 25 billion pounds to their annual domestic milk production (roughly equivalent to Wisconsin). Imports of fluid milk, packaged milk, and whole milk powder have decreased as China's own production covers 85% of their needs, up from 70%. Whey proteins, a byproduct of cheese production and one of the largest US exports remains relatively unaffected because China has not expanded cheese production.

Pharm Robotics enhances SureShot robotic injection system (2 minute read)

Pharm Robotics introduced the SureShot inoculation system two years ago. The system uses a restraint and robotic arm to administer injections to cows as they enter the milk barn/parlor, following identification via the cows' RFID tag. The recent integration of Intel's RealSense 3D camera is expected to improve efficiency and injection-site accuracy. A cooling unit with refrigerated lines has also been fitted to maintain product temperature and reduce waste. A test unit is slated to be deployed to a 50-cow rotary in California to assess performance in rotary parlors.

Iowa State hosts series on cybersecurity for farmers (7 webinars, ~30-60 minute watch time, each)

Earlier this year, Iowa State University hosted a conference and series of webinars focusing on cybersecurity for farms. The live webinars have passed, but recordings are available. The series includes videos on: online security best practices, securing financial data, and managing email compromise, among others. The site also includes links to other cybersecurity resources.

Cheer on these three dairy champions at the Summer Games (2 minute read)

Elle Purrier St. Pierre (track & field), Katie Ledecky (swimming), and Simone Biles (gymnastics) are all advocates for and include dairy as part of their training routines. All three women are, again, competing at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, take a moment to cheer them on!

My updates:
🥇 Biles (and her teammates) won Gold in the women's team competition
🥉 Ledecky won Bronze in women's 400m freestyle
🏃 Purrier St. Pierre will be competing in the women's 1500m, Aug. 6-10

Use of NSAID in Indian cattle wiped out vultures and led to increased human mortality (>30 minute read)

The use of NSAID diclofenac in Indian cattle became widespread in the 1990s, following its patent expiration. Diclofenac is toxic to vultures, a bird farmers have long relied on to dispose of cattle carcasses (they can consume an entire carcass in under an hour). Trace amounts of diclofenac in cattle carcasses led to a 95% reduction in the vulture population in only a few years, increasing environmental pathogen loads from carrion accretion. This negative sanitation shock is estimated to have increased human death rates by 4.7% at an annual cost of $69.4 billion. The authors used the vultures' population collapse as an example of the value of protecting "keystone" species.

NYS diagnostic lab given $19.5M for expansion in light of HPAI demand (3 minute read)

New York legislators allocated $19.5 million on Monday to expand the Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC). The expansion money will allow the lab to increase testing and research capacity for HPAI with the growing demand from the dairy sector. The AHDC has been involved in testing dairy cows for HPAI from the first cases in Texas and continues processing samples from within and outside New York.

Minnesota State Fair cancels live birthing (2 minute read)

The Minnesota State Fair's 'Miracle Birth Center' will not feature live births this year due to concerns over HPAI. At least one cow-calf pair will be featured in lieu of live births, but the cow will be dry and the calf weaned. The fair made this decision out of an abundance of caution.

'The Milk Cup' to be the largest women's e-sports prize in 2024 (2 minute read)

As part of the 'Gonna Need Milk' campaign, MilkPEP is sponsoring a women's Fortnite tournament to the tune of $250k, with a top prize of $75k, to be awarded this fall. The campaign says they are helping to level the playing field for women in e-sports, especially in pay disparity, while celebrating and empowering girls and women.