MARATHON COUNTY MILK MONEY PROGRAM

The Team Concept…

For information on the Milk Money Program in Marathon County, contact Mike Wildeck, Dairy Agent. The Milk Money Program also has an excellent website with additional information at www.uwex.edu/milkquality. Milk Money is offered to all Wisconsin dairy producers as a program to improve your profitability by improving milk quality. With Milk Money, you gather a team of local consultants and advisors to work together on milk quality issues most important to your dairy. You meet with your team once a month for four months as you set priorities and assign duties. Successful teams usually include your veterinarian, a county Extension agent, a dairy equipment dealer, and a representative from your milk plant.

Getting Started…

You begin by deciding who you want on your team. Then, register and set a date for your first team meeting. It's good to have some information on hand such as herd production records, on-farm computer records, and milk plan payment slips and premium plans. Milk Money provides the resources to help your team succeed. You'll get a comprehensive manual, a free bulk tank culture, a visit from our milk quality veterinarian, a milking skills video in English or Spanish, and more.

LOCAL SUCCESS STORIES

Farm A:

From April through September, 2003 I served as the Team Leader on a 108-cow Milk Money Farm in the Marathon City area. During that time we documented a bulk-tank SCC drop from 350,000 to 280,000, clinical cases decreased from 10 to 2 per month, and milk/cow/day increased from 59 to 70 pounds. The financial impact to this farm improved net profits by approximately $1,197 per month ($504 increase in Milk Quality premiums, $143 reduced production losses due to subclinical mastitis, and $550 reduced expenses from treatment of clinical cases and discarded milk) and also increased gross receipts by $4,276 per month through increased milk production. This amount was not adjusted for changes in the number of cows or the recent increase in milk price. The team implemented changes such as 1) milking equipment alterations, and 2) reducing incidence of staph infections (wasn't aware of prevalence until Milk Money Team). Electricians and the power utility are scheduled to improve electrical system deficiencies and hopefully decrease SCC even more.

Net Profit Increase = $1,197/month (plus milk receipts increased $4,276/month)

Farm B:

From August, 2003 through January, 2004 I served as the Team Leader on a 221-cow Milk Money Farm in the Hatley area. In the early stages, laboratory cultures had identified environmental pathogens as the primary causative organism so that was an important consideration in the action plan. Significant changes implemented by the team included 1) improved treatment sanitation and procedure to maintain sterility, 2) changes in grouping and housing location, 3) modified treatment protocols, 4) improvement in the early detection of abnormal milk, 5) milking procedure improvements, and 6) increased dry-off observation. Additionally, specific changes made since the 3rd meeting included 1) close-up cows on sand free stalls in transition barn and then in a large clean pen, 2) loading new sand in the front of free stalls and letting cows move it back, and 3) using a dry period teat-end seal to reduce milk leak prior to calving. Positive results have included improved teat-end condition. Previously 75% of the herd scored category 1 and 2 for teat-end condition and more than 90% were category 1 and 2 by meeting 4. There is also less clinical mastitis requiring treatment, and less severe cases. Clinical cases decreased from 17 to 4 per month over the same period. Financial impact over the 4-meeting period has improved net profits approximately $6,388 per month. This total includes a $3,747 increase in Milk Quality premiums, $829 in reduced production losses due to subclinical mastitis, and $1,812 in reduced expenses from the treatment of clinical cases and discarded milk. For a more accurate comparison, this amount was not adjusted for changes in the number of cows milking or changes in milk price. Future areas for attention included 1) overcrowding in facilities as the herd grows (but this is also an opportunity for selling heifers and culling), and 2) keeping sand bedding clean as warmer weather returns.

Net Profit Increase = $6,388/month