Business Digest Highlights
Industry news
Merck Animal Health receives FDA approval of Arovyn
Merck Animal Health has received U.S. FDA approval of Arovyn (tulathromycin injection) – a broad-spectrum, prescription antibiotic that treats the major organisms associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD), foot rot and pinkeye.
In beef and non-lactating dairy cattle, the antibiotic is indicated for the treatment of BRD and control of respiratory disease in animals at high risk of developing BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis. It also is approved for treatment of pinkeye or infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) associated with Moraxella bovis, plus treatment of foot rot associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum and Porphyromonas levii. In suckling calves, dairy calves and veal calves, it is indicated for treatment of BRD associated with M. haemolytica, P. multocida, H. somni and M. bovis.
The antibiotics will be available from or on the order of a licensed veterinarian starting in May 2022.
Visit Merck Animal Health for more information.
Kuhns Mfg. announces company name change to Norden Mfg.
Kuhns Mfg. announces a company name and rebranding change to Norden Mfg. They made the change to create clarity and reduce confusion in the marketplace. This will also allow opportunity to expand their product offerings for their dealers. By expanding their product lines, this will enhance long-term stability of the company.
Owner and inventor of the Kuhns Accumulator, Kenny Kuhns, stated, “As part of our focus on business development, our family believes that rebranding our company to a name that creates clarity of identity and reflects our values provides opportunity for us to offer a range of new products.”
Visit Kuhns Mfg. for more information.
Global agribusiness innovators unite to launch agtech powerhouse, EverAg
Dairy.com, ever.ag, and EFC Systems have come together to form EverAg, a company dedicated to empowering agriculture, food and beverage supply chains to feed a growing world. In addition to combining decades of proven experience, the merger unites supply chain, agronomy and risk management solutions for dairy, livestock, crops and agribusiness into one unparalleled portfolio.
As one integrated company, it has 450 team members in seven global locations. On a daily basis, it supports over 600 companies at 3,000 locations, ultimately serving over 200,000 farms.
Visit Ever.ag for more information.
DLF acquires OreGro Seeds
DLF has acquired the assets of OreGro Seeds, a forage, cover crop and turfgrass breeding company located in Albany, Oregon. OreGro’s proprietary cool-season forage grass, forage legume, turfgrass, cover crop and small-grain varieties are now offered exclusively through DLF and its distribution partners in the U.S. and abroad.
The acquisition includes three warehouse facilities totaling 75,000 square feet, equipped with blending and packaging capabilities. The company will also incorporate the research activities of OreGro into its North American and global research platform. Additionally, DLF has welcomed 20 of OreGro’s former employees to the DLF family.
Visit DLF for more information.
More power, more flow, more reach, more capabilities – Puck Force Feed Tandem Trailer
When it comes to maximum capabilities in one complete package, the new Puck Force Feed Tandem Trailer configuration gets the job done. As a platform, engineered and crafted by pumpers for pumpers, this feature-packed lead pump was designed to be the most versatile to date.
It is packaged with a high-pressure 6819MPC Cornell pump and the Caterpillar 13B US EPA Tier 4 Final certified engine. With the six-cylinder, 12.5-liter displacement, the engine delivers 577 hp (430 kW). Couple this to the larger submersible 10NNWH pump at the end of the boom, and you are on the way to effectively producing 3,500-plus GPM flow at current U.S. EPA emissions requirements.
With a tandem axle trailer configuration, the new Force Feed boom extends 15 feet longer than the previous designs and ultimately offers 45 feet of total reach.
The outflow is near the ground in the rear. For purging, the “pig” launcher port is located on the passenger side. It is isolated to
allow plenty of room for the air compressor to be paired with the machine during pumping operations and increases safety by keeping the operator distanced from the pressurized hose. Finally, the lagoon feeder connection is immediately below the hydrostat hookups required to pair with a lagoon feeder attachment.
With the tandem axle trailer platform, the boom device can reach out from either side as well as the rear. Additionally, toward the front of the trailer, there is open space to have storage. Located beneath this area is the large fuel tank (375 gallons) for extended pumping.
The boom design provides the diverse flexibility for multiple liquid storage scenarios, and the remote-control operation simplifies setting the boom in tight situations or small spaces. Plus, as standard, the pump controls allow automated operation with remote capabilities and monitoring via a single screen and a simple, intuitive, user-friendly design. New touch keypad controls allow the downriggers and gates to be controlled at the touch of a button without starting the engine.
Visit Puck for more information.
Vytelle expands network of bovine in vitro fertilization laboratories
Vytelle is progressing on a five-year plan to provide accessible hormone-free bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF) to producers across the globe. Part of the five-year plan, initiated at the conclusion of their Series A Funding, promised to double the laboratory capacity to produce bovine embryos through in vitro fertilization.
The company’s integrated technology platform combines Vytelle Advance, a breakthrough in vitro fertilization technology; with Vytelle Sense, an animal performance data capture system; and Vytelle Insight, an artificial intelligence-based genetic analytics engine. The platform provides progressive cattle producers the technology to make reliable data-driven mating decisions that improve the predictability of genetic progress, replicating the right genetics faster through the hormone-free in vitro fertilization process.
The three laboratories will be operational and accessible to cattle producers within the first quarter of 2022. The locations are:
- Albany, New York
- Brock, Texas
- Gainesville, Florida
Producers are able to access the company’s bovine hormone-free IVF solution by bringing as few as one donor to any of the more than 20-plus satellite locations across the U.S. or by scheduling an on-farm ovum pickup. Visit Vytelle to learn more.
Organization news
DCRC opens Herd Reproduction Award nominations
Nominate an outstanding dairy herd for the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council’s (DCRC) 2022 Excellence in Dairy Reproduction Awards program. Dairy industry professionals may nominate dairy herds with reproduction excellence. This awards program recognizes outstanding dairy operations for reproductive efficiency and well-implemented procedures. Nominations are due April 30.
Herds earning Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze are invited to attend the DCRC annual meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 15-17, in Middleton, Wisconsin. Visit Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council for program updates.
NMPF website update offers enhanced resources
NMPF announced important updates to its website, National Milk Producers Federation designed to offer more information to dairy farmers and their cooperatives as well as an easier-to-navigate interface.
Updates include an improved menu navigation, expansion of key issue areas and a streamlined sign-up for users seeking to stay up-to-date with the latest news from the organization. Visit National Milk Producers Federation – subscribe for more information.
DCRC calls for Scholar applicants
The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) is accepting applications for its Scholar program. The recipient will earn an expense-paid trip to attend the DCRC annual meeting, Nov. 15-17, in Middleton, Wisconsin. The application deadline is April 30.
Eligible candidates must be a member and graduate student enrolled full time at a college or university in a dairy, animal or veterinary science, microbiology or related program at the time of application deadline, with an area of interest that includes dairy cattle reproduction. To apply, complete the application form, submit an interest statement that details the applicant’s interest in dairy cattle reproduction, career goals and research project, and provide a letter of recommendation.
Go to Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council – scholar for more information.
Professional Dairy Producers Foundation announces grant awards
Professional Dairy Producers Foundation (PDPF) has awarded grants to three programs focused on building healthy and vibrant dairy communities.
The following programs will receive funding:
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Animal Ag Alliance, Arlington, Virginia: Grant awarded for the Animal Ag Allies Communication Training to support one dairy-specific speaker and for dairy curriculum development with their training.
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Farm Technology Days, Wisconsin: Grant awarded for educational signage, training materials, cordless microphones (for tours) and dairy product promotional brochure to educate local consumers about what happens on a dairy farm.
- Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment, Freeport, Maine: Grant awarded for curriculum development for the 2022-23 Farm Discovery School program, which will bring dairy-focused, on-site educational programming to middle school students.
Applications for grants are accepted on an ongoing basis, with the next deadline on June 1, 2022. Organizations with a tax status of 501(c)(3) or (5) may apply for grants up to $5,000. Visit Professional Dairy Producers Foundation for more information.
National DHIA honors Mark Adam with Outstanding Service Award
Mark Adam, a past National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) president, received the organization’s Outstanding Service Award on Feb. 22, during the awards banquet held in San Antonio, Texas. Before his retirement, Adam (of Eaton Rapids, Michigan) served as the CentralStar Cooperative Inc. chief executive officer (CEO).
Adam earned a certificate for completing the Purdue University Agricultural Short Course program, worked as a relief DHI and A.I. technician, and worked for various dairy farms in northern Indiana. He then accepted a position with Sire Power Inc. as district sales manager, followed by employment as the dairy herd manager for Dr. G.W. Snider and Ron Kline in Goshen, Indiana. Next, Adam returned to Sire Power as a regional sales manager for 13 years. In 2000, Select Sires purchased Sire Power, and Adam became the NorthStar cooperative director of DHI Services, a new business unit that was formed by the merger of NorthStar-Select Sires, Michigan DHIA and Fox Valley DHIA in Wisconsin.
When Adam embarked on his career with NorthStar, the cooperative had approximately 135,000 cows on DHI test, 92 employees and $9.7 million in gross revenue sales. At the time of his retirement in 2020, those numbers jumped to 500,000 cows on test, 400 employees, with earnings exceeding $58.5 million.
Adam spent much of his career engaging with employees and colleagues. He developed sales and service training programs and educational seminars to enhance employee performance. He strived to implement, develop and coordinate field account teams to ensure optimal utilization and integration of staff – to provide a focused approach to sales, service and customer care.
In 2002, Mark was elected to the National DHIA board of directors. A year later, he became vice president, followed by president in 2006.
In addition to his “day job,” Adam served on the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) Devices Subcommittee and co-chaired the 2008 ICAR biennial meeting held in Niagara Falls, New York. Additional duties included serving on the Council of Dairy Cattle Breeding Dairy Data Working Group, Michigan Animal ID Task Force and Dairy Record Management System (DRMS) Long-range Strategic Planning Committee, and chairing the National DHIA Quality Certified Services.
Adam often reflects on the two phrases he identified himself with. “Live like you’re being interviewed every day,” and “Surrounding yourself with good people helps make your entire organization stronger.”
