🛑 Biosecurity barriers 🐔 Colorado's HPAI count goes up 🐝 Add honey to yogurt

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Barriers to biosecurity on dairies (>30 minute read)

Ontario (yes, that’s Canada) dairy producers and veterinarians were interviewed to assess understanding of and barriers to implementing biosecurity practices on dairies. Vets and producers both associated biosecurity with preventing the spread of disease onto farms, with closed herds being one of the most important practices, but also noted the importance of limiting the spread of their disease to other herds and people (zoonosis). Limitations to implementing biosecurity practices included lack of resources (finances, time, facilities, technology, and knowledge), perceptions of biosecurity (lack of value, low disease risk, and resistance to change), and lack of industry initiative (limited employee compliance, limited industry personnel compliance [including salespeople, researchers, nutritionists, drovers, milk haulers, veterinarians, and hoof trimmers ignoring posted biosecurity protocols], and an industry mentality that does not prioritize biosecurity). Producers cited animal health, cost benefits, forced implementation, a collaborative approach, and public perception as influencers of biosecurity implementation. Proposed solutions included increased funding, more incentives and discipline, increasing biosecurity education, learning from peer practices, and research to show the economic benefits of biosecurity.

A comparison of manure solids and sawdust in Swedish dairies (>30 minute read)

In a relatively short observational study, Swedish researchers investigated the viability of substituting recycled manure solids (RMS) for sawdust as bedding for dairy cows. Thirty-four (17 each sawdust and RMS) herds were included and evaluated over an eight-month period. Although researchers found higher bacteria counts in fresh and used RMS, there was no difference in bulk tank bacteria counts or herd somatic cell counts. Foot health was better in the RMS herds, with lower total claw disorders, dermatitis, and sole ulcers. The (milk quality) results of this study are consistent with previous studies.

Milk prices face competing pressures (4 minute read)

Milk prices have been increasing but concern is growing that they may decrease before the end of the year. Prices have historically followed corn prices, which has declined substantially and may decrease further as farmers bring inventory to the cash market. The cheese market is trading in balance, although inventories have decreased from a year ago. The market will likely move higher as further inventory is used to supplement fresh cheese supplies through the end of the year. Italian cheese production has increased and outpaced American-type cheese production, following the growing popularity of Italian-type cheeses like Mozzarella and Ricotta. Income of feed cost is substantially better than a year ago, at $11.66 for June, compared to $3.65 a year ago.

British dairy consolidation continues (4 minute read)

Between April 2023 and 2024 England lost 440 (5.8%) of its dairy farms, the largest drop since beginning the annual survey in 2019. Lower milk prices and higher input costs are cited as reasons producers have elected to exit. British farmers are also facing increasing regulatory pressure requiring long-term investments some dairymen aren’t willing to make. Limited succession options are also leaving retiring farmers facing the common issue of not having anyone willing or available to take over the farm. Analysts expect this trend of consolidation to continue.

Ever.Ag launches dairy sustainability platform (2 minute read)

Ever.Ag officially released their sustainability platform, targeting use by manufacturers, processors, and producers. The platform provides a verifiable data stream for implementing and tracking sustainability initiatives, including "low carbon" ingredients. Ever.Ag has been collaborating with Milk Specialties on the platform for the past year.

Colorado bulk tank testing reveals nine new outbreaks (1 minute read)

More than half (63) of Colorado dairies have suffered from an HPAI outbreak, many of them in Weld County. Beginning July 22, mandatory bulk tank testing was instituted. Since the order went into effect nine new outbreaks have been identified in dairy herds as a result of the monitoring. Colorado is one of 13 states requiring regular bulk tank surveillance.

USDA confirms more HPAI in dairy cows, wild birds, and small mammals (1 minute read)

USDA APHIS has confirmed an additional three dairy herds (in CO, SD, and TX) affected by HPAI, raising the total to 181 dairies in 13 states. Weld County in Colorado has been a recent hot spot for outbreaks in dairy and poultry, and human cases. Many of the reported small mammal and wild bird confirmations are from this area. Weld County confirmations included wild doves, sparrows, starlings, and pigeons, as well as deer and house mice, a rabbit, and a vole on the small mammal side. In total, more than 100 new wild bird detections and an additional 27 confirmations in small mammals were reported.

The Ohio State University plans new dairy facility (3 minute read)

The Ohio State University is replacing its aged dairy facility with a new one that will be part of the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory in Columbus. The new 60 cow dairy will occupy the same site as the previous facility, demolished in March, and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2025. The new dairy will showcase the use of robotics in dairy, including for milking, feeding, and manure removal. Space will also be reserved for a future on-site milk processing facility.

Honey helps protect yogurt’s probiotics (3 minute read)

Two studies, one in vitro and one in vivo, looked at the protective effect of adding honey to Greek yogurt. Specifically, the researchers were interested in protecting the yogurt’s probiotic bacteria, including Bifidobacterium animalis, from the enzymes present in the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Adding honey, particularly clover honey, protected the viability of B. animalis during the in vitro simulation of the intestinal phase of digestion; no difference was seen against oral and stomach digestion. The in vivo studies showed similar results, with enhanced survival of probiotic bacteria in the 66 study participants.