Progressive Dairy provides updates on dairy-related organizations and companies, compiled from staff news sources and industry press releases. Email industry and organization news to Progressive Dairy Editor Jenna Hurty.
Business Digest Highlights
New product and services
Geno introduces Feed$aved trait to support more sustainable dairy cattle
A new trait has been developed to assist dairy farmers in identifying Norwegian Red genetics with improved feed efficiency. Norway’s cattle breeding organization Geno introduced a new breeding trait, Feed$aved, in March 2021. This new trait will help to breed cows with lower feed intakes without compromising milk value. It is based on feed intake and bodyweight maintenance.
The average Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) for the new trait is 0.65 kilogram, which indicates that the average Norwegian Red sire, when crossed with a 700-kilogram cow, will produce daughters that will eat 0.65 kilogram less dry matter a day. The top Norwegian Red sires for the trait have a PTA of slightly over 1 kilogram. This indicates that a crossbred daughter by one of these sires and out of an average Holstein dam will eat 1 kilogram or less per day than a purebred Holstein due to their smaller bodyweight. Data shows that the Norwegian Red x Holstein crossbred milk value will be within 1% or 2% for fat and protein production, and between 5% or 6% for milk volume of the purebred Holstein.
Visit Norwegian Red for more information.
Vytelle launches visionary Vytelle solutions
Vytelle has assembled an integrated technology platform built to accelerate genetic progress in cattle. This allows producers to sustainably deliver more protein with fewer inputs. The company’s brand is committed to transforming the industry by making individual animal management possible, helping cattle producers transform decision-making and bringing a new certainty to performance, health and genetic progress through Vytelle Sense, Vytelle Insight and Vytelle Advance.
Sense data capture helps seedstock and feedlot cattle producers measure key performance factors for better genetic and beef marketing management.
Insight enables better decision-making for cattle operations with phenotypic and genomic reporting and insights.
Advance is high-performance reproductive technology, utilizing in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique to help move producers’ cattle herds forward quickly by multiplying offspring from elite-performing animals, shortening generation intervals and improving reproductive efficiency.
Visit Vytelle for more information.
Golden Calf Company introduces new colostrum feeding bags made in America
Golden Calf Company introduced its new Calf Hero Colostrum Bags which are made in the U.S. The new bags offer a large opening and are partially see-through. The designated writing space for colostrum quality, quantity, date of collection, dam ID, as well as feeding time and calf ID make bags an essential tool for easily implementing and monitoring your colostrum protocols. The colostrum bags are available in three color-coded sizes, pink for 2L, black for 3L and blue for 4L.
Thanks to an engineered handle and unique spout, feeding with the new colostrum bag is convenient. Customers can choose to tube feed or nipple feed directly from the bag, or to combine the company’s storage cartridges with a backpack for more ergonomic handling.
Visit Golden Calf Company, call (715) 318-0897 or email dagmar@goldencalfcompany.com
Introducing Kuhn MM 701, 1101 and 1301 Merge Maxx hay mergers
Kuhn North America Inc. introduced the Kuhn MM 701, 1101 and 1301 Merge Maxx hay mergers. These machines offer pickup widths of 24 feet, 36 feet and 42 feet.
High-capacity pickups with integrated frames treat crop gently yet have been built and tested for extreme usage. The split bearing design with wear guards and anti-wrap discs decreases time needed for regular maintenance and improves pickup reliability. The floating windguard eliminates the need for operators to make adjustments when merging different crops or cuttings. The company’s crop netting limits leaf loss when transitioning onto the belt and into the windrow. Mainframes and wing arms on each merger model have been updated to allow for intense usage in the field. The company also added new hydraulic system upgrades for greater machine capacity.
All series’ twin and triple merger models now include the IntelliMerge system which allows an operator to run, adjust and receive machine diagnostics and feedback on an intuitive color display. The OptiSense belt stall system alerts the operator to when the belts start to slow down when approaching the capacity of the merger. All machine functions are controlled from the ISOBUS terminal from the cab.
Visit Kuhn North America Inc. for more information.
Select Sires now offers SimVitro HerdFlex beef embryos nationwide
Select Sires and the J. R. Simplot Company’s animal sciences division announced the company’s SimVitro HerdFlex-branded beef embryos are now available through all member cooperatives nationwide.
This partnership gives dairy farmers increased opportunity to sell 100% beef calves of high-quality born from pregnancies not needed for herd replacements. Simultaneously, dairies can advance elite genetics within their dairy herd and appropriately manage heifer inventories.
Cooperatives offering these beef embryos include All West/Select Sires, CentralStar, COBA/Select Sires, Minnesota/Select Sires, Premier Select Sires and Select Sires MidAmerica.
Visit Select Sires or J. R. Simplot Company for more information.
FERA introduces AccuMast Plus, adding S. Agalactiae identification to on-farm mastitis diagnostics
FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals launched AccuMast Plus, an on-farm mastitis culture test building on the innovation of the original system. It is an on-farm kit capable of differentiating common pathogens, including klebsiella, E. coli, lactococcus, Staph. aureus, enterococcus and streptococcus. The test uses the same lab-grade precision and convenience but also incorporates S. agalactiae identification.
Retaining the same color-based identification as its predecessor, the test adds a fourth section to the single-plate culture system. This new section contains an original media that only grows S. agalactiae for research-proven diagnosis.
For more information, call (607) 342-3082 or email marcela@feraah.com
Industry News
Rock River Laboratory – Texas opens in Edmonson
Rock River Laboratory Inc. opened Rock River Laboratory – Texas, a licensed local associate laboratory. Based in Edmonson, Texas, the new lab will provide animal nutrition analysis and support services.
The new laboratory offers NIR analysis of feed and forages using the company’s extensive set of calibrations. Founded on research and supported through a cloud-based system, the calibrations maintain consistency of analyses across the company’s network of labs.
The laboratory is currently accepting forage and feedstuff samples for analysis. Visit Rock River Laboratory Inc. for more information.
Titan introduces new AgraEDGE tire line
Titan International (Titan) introduced the Titan AgraEDGE: a new, full-line tire offering. These tires initially are available in 17 of the most popular front and rear row crop MFWD tractor sizes – with a range of additional sizes being introduced throughout 2021 for four-wheel-drive tractors, combines and grain carts.
The tire line is a radial R-1W and features improved compounding, the latest engineered materials, state-of-the-art construction techniques and modern lug angle. In addition, new construction in the sidewall and lug angle provides excellent roading capability. The tire and footprint shape allow for minimal soil compaction.
The initial sizes available range from 380/85R28 up to 520/85R42.
Visit Titan International for more information.
University research confirms greenhouse gas reductions using HydroGreen’s Hydroponic Fodder System
CubicFarm Systems Corp. announced that a scientific journal has published a case study involving HydroGreen Inc. This article finds that HydroGreen’s technology has great potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the animal agriculture industry. It warns of the imminent pressures on our food systems through demand for consumption of animal products, which are becoming more apparent as our global population increases.
“Hydroponic fodder and greenhouse gas emissions: a potential avenue for climate mitigation strategy and policy development” was published by Canadian Science Publishing in FACETS, the official journal of the Royal Society of Canada’s Academy of Science.
The article explores the potential for hydroponic fodder production for contributing to climate mitigation in fodder agriculture. Case studies compare GHG emissions and the carbon sequestration potential of hydroponically grown sprouted barley fodder to conventional barley grain fodder. The case study analyzed fresh livestock feed grown in the controlled environment using the company’s grow system when compared to traditional farming methods.
Study results indicate that incorporating hydroponic systems into barley production has the potential to reduce GHG emissions. Results also show that hydroponic farming can provide greater carbon sequestration opportunities than simply shifting to no-tillage farming.
Visit Facets to read the article and CubicFarm Systems Corp. for more information.
Organization news
Dairy MAX named official nutrition partner of Complexity Gaming
Dairy MAX has partnered with Complexity Gaming. The council is part of the National Dairy Council and is the official nutrition partner of the Dallas Cowboys.
This multifaceted partnership, which designates the council as the official nutrition partner of Complexity, aims to optimize e-sports player performance and extend career longevity. Together, the organizations will educate the emerging e-sports community on the importance of proper nutrition inclusive of dairy, building healthy habits and promoting overall well-being while also exploring the impact of dairy on cognitive and physical performance.
As part of the partnership, the organizations will host and produce a five-episode cooking series, “Cooking with Complexity,” where players and influencers can learn to prepare healthy, balanced meals that feature dairy as a key ingredient. Professional e-sports athletes, casual gamers and fans alike will have access to cooking demonstrations via YouTube and social media channels, with the goal of providing nutritious recipes and insight on making health- conscious choices no matter your sport. Additionally, Dairy MAX will have access to Complexity players to support ongoing research into the impact of dairy and nutrition on performance and lifestyle.
FARM expands involvement with new members of Animal Care Task Force
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Animal Health and Well-Being (AHWB) Committee approved nominations for the FARM Animal Care Task Force members who will serve as FARM Animal Care Version 5.0 discussions commence. The new version will be launched in July 2024.
Stakeholders across the U.S. dairy industry nominated the new members to fill existing vacancies on the task force, formerly called the Technical Writing Group. Open seats included spots for two veterinarians, two academics and one dairy processor. Remaining seats are held by members involved in previous program updates.
The task force consists of five farmers of varying operation size and geography, five representatives from co-ops and processors, four veterinarians, four academics and one representative from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Photos and biographies of all task force members can be found on the FARM Animal Care Task Force page.
Visit National Dairy Farm for more information.
The Decade of Ag movement calls on food and ag leaders to unify and share strengths for bold action
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action celebrated National Ag Day by announcing the growing list of companies, organizations and individuals who have joined the Decade of Ag, a movement to align to a shared vision for the next decade centered around investing in the next generation of agricultural systems, restoring our environment, regenerating natural resources and, in doing so, strengthening the social and economic fabric of America.
Leaders supporting and endorsing the vision include the following across the value chain:
- Organizations representing farmers and ranchers: Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Native American Agriculture Fund, National Association of Wheat Growers, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, American Egg Board, Manna Fish Farms, American Sugarbeet Growers Association, Dairy West, Maryland Grain Producers, Pennsylvania Soybean Board, Montana Farm Bureau, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Maryland Soybean Board
- Agribusiness: Corteva Agriscience, Bayer, Cargill and EcoGem LLC
- Renewable energy: POET and Jordan Energy & Food Enterprises
- Consumer products and food service companies: Conagra Brands, Nestlé USA and Danone North America
- NGOs: Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, The Aspen Institute, The Nature Conservancy and Texas Agricultural Land Trust
- Consulting, marketing and media: Bader Rutter, Supermarket Guru, CLUTCH and Sustainable Environmental Consultants
Visit U.S. Farmers & Ranchers for more information.
