BENTON AG Plus
Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022
End of year records BY ERIC SONNEK AND UPDATED BY DANA ADAMS University of Minnesota Extension The end of the year usually means a time for the holidays with family and friends. For a dairy operation, the end of the year is a good time to look over records and see if some changes can be made to strengthen the operation. It is also a time to re ect on recent changes, such as what has worked well on the farm and what has not. The following is a list of tasks that can be done at the end or beginning of the year. Take an accurate feed inventory. Feed is the largest single expense on any dairy operation, especially considering current commodity prices. By taking an accurate feed inventory at the beginning of each year, a decision can be made regarding what is needed to buy in the future. This kind of preparation gives a good benchmark to compare against from year to year. An example of how this could help is if corn silage is already half gone. Producers have a long way to go until the next corn silage harvest and may have to start thinking about future ration changes and how to source quality forages if low. Collect an accurate animal inventory. Both banks and farmers appreciate accurate numbers for what animals are on the farm. This is a great tool to evaluate stocking density and farm facilities. You can also look at the calf program and the number of calves that may have died this year. If the number is larger than expected, work with the veterinarian to determine why and look for ways to improve. Review cull cow records. There are a few things that can be evaluated with cull cow records. A good place to start is determining why cows left the herd. These records can also show the stage of lactation when cows are leaving the herd. If most of the cows are leaving about 30 days after calving, evaluate the dry cow or transition program for ways to improve.
Records page 2B
Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties
Success Growing
New farm instructor comes to area BY MAURA WENNER STAFF WRITER Two months ago, Central Lakes College in Brainerd welcomed the addition of Buckman resident Nicole Brixius to its farm business management team for the Milaca area. “When I found out about this position and what they were doing for the farm community and feedback from farmers themselves, I was excited,” Brixius said. “I love sharing information and teaching. It drew me in; I thought this could be something for me.” The college instructor position is special in the way that Brixius rarely teaches in a classroom setting. Rather her instruction is done on site; she travels to agricultural operations and teaches to others in the same place where their day-to-day tasks happen.
Brixius page 2B
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Nicole Brixius is a new farm business management instructor for Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Brixius will serve the Milaca region for Central Lakes College, which includes producers who reside in Benton, Isanti, Mille Lacs, eastern Morrison and Pine counties.
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