Help with my MBA ‘digital in dairy’ research and you could win £75 / €85 / $100,

 I live in the UK, work in animal nutrition globally but, in every spare moment, I am studying for a Fast Track Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is due to be completed in April 2018.

The MBA is the reason why I am contacting you today; I have been asked to conduct some research as part of my final MBA coursework and, given that the dairy industry is going through a period of massive change and unrest, I thought it would be a good area to look into. I am particularly interested in how digital will or won’t impact the dairy industry in the next few years. A recent survey by McDonald’s (August, 2017) found that over 60% of farmers around the world though that digital technology would transform their operations in the next few years. I want to test whether dairy farmers can look forward to digital making revolutionary changes to their way of working or whether there will be a gradual evolution with less marked results. I also want to test whether there is just a lot of hot air about the difference that digital could make without any real substance (e.g. is a Trojan Horse?).

As you are a key player in the dairy industry, I would really value your help and input to my short survey designed to help me clarify all of this. The only criteria for entry is that you either work in dairy farming or have enough of a connection with dairy farming/ the dairy supply chain to understand the issues that digital could address. It should take around five minutes of your time (follow the link at the bottom of this email to get to it) and you need to submit it by midnight GMT on Friday 8 December 2017 if you want me to enter your details into a prize draw for 10 cash prizes of £75 / €85 / $100 (or your currency equivalent). * The prize amount can also be donated to a charity of your choice on your behalf should you prefer.

The results will be used for two papers – one due in December and then a final dissertation due in April. Just to re-assure you, these results will be totally anonymized and, other than being shared under non-disclosure my MBA tutor, totally confidential. Even though I work in the industry, I will not use the work for any purpose other than an academic one. Your personal details will only be used to notify you if you have won a prize and all data (other than that in the assignment) will be destroyed 28 days after the survey closes.

Due to the deadline for the first paper, the deadline is two weeks from today. So, don’t delay; please help me as soon as you can and I do hope you win one of my cash prizes as a result of your generosity and team-spiritedness!


Best regards and season’s greetings,

Monica (Hart)
E-monica.hart@btinternet.com

AminoA FLO is suitable for use in all crops apart from organics!

AminoA FLO is suitable for use in all crops apart from organics!

AminoA FLO is suitable for use in all crops apart from organics! In organics use either AminoA GRO liquid ( vegetable derived full approval)  AminoA PLUS or AminoA PRO water soluble powders.

This years trials showed up to 12.1 ROI and the trials we are planning this year should demonstrate both yield increases and a reduction in agrochemical costs by adding AminoA FLO to the tank mix ( 85% of standard agronomists recommendation- not maximum manufacturers label rate).

Ongoing Trials

Current AminoA FLO potato tuber treatment trial.
Variety Orla planted out 21st October.

Growth comparision 18th November.


 AminoA Biostimulant Trial Beans.


Control plants untreated 3 left, treated plants 3 right.

Order Now.

In order for us to plan our production we are prepared to offer a 10 % discount on all orders for AminoA FLO received by 30th November 2017


Deliveries can be specified at any time until 31st December 2017.

Standard Payment 30 days after delivery.

 FREE DELIVERY ( mainland UK) for any order over 160 litres.

So what are you waiting for?

Pick up the telephone now or send us an email.

There is still time to apply AminoA FLO Distributors and Agents.

There is still time to apply AminoA FLO Distributors and Agents.  

We are appointing Distributors and Agents. 2017 has been a very successful year for us and we have brought forward products that we had in development and launched them. We are looking for Distributors and Agents to work with us nationally and internationally. If you are an experienced agronomist or grower and would like to join us please get in touch. We will be at CROPTEC this week Stand 69 Hall 1 please come and see us if you are going. For a free ticket click on the CROPTEC logo below ( Tickets are £15 on the day). There is still time to apply AminoA FLO Provided soil temperatures have not dropped below 5 oC and crops have become dormant there is still time to apply AminoA FLO. Phoma and LLS are now starting to show in OSR and most growers should consider applying a fungicide  when field conditions allow. Soil temperatures are also now low enough, in some areas of the country, to be suitable for applications of Kerb/ Astrokerb. Early drilled cereals that were not treated with Deter are also at risk from BYDV as temperatures have not been low enough to stop aphid activity, so growers should also consider making insecticide applications. If you wish increase your crop's yield potential we recommend that you include AminoA FLO in your tank mixes. AminoA FLO double dosed on the headland OSR Cambridgeshire UK 26th November 2017. Click on the photo to see short video clip. This is a biostimulant effect as AminoA FLO only contains 45 grams litre N. AminoA FLO contains every essential amino-acid that the plant needs for growth and development and Autumn treatments can have a significant influence on yield and quality. Early treatments can stimulate more tillers and  more grain sites as well as making the crop more tolerant of the environmental stresses that even a mild UK winter will place upon it. We recommend including at least 1 litre ha AminoA FLO in tank mixes in well established crops and up to 2.5 litres ha in backward or stressed crops. Please consult us or your agronomist about specific tank mixtures but AminoA FLO generally mixes with fungicides, insecticides and Kerb/Astrokerb.( Do not apply with Centurion Max). The CROPTEC SHOW.

Luodate Feed Machinery 1st degree connection1st Feed pellet production line,Powder feed production line,Biomass pellet production line

Luodate Feed Machinery

1st degree connection1st

Feed pellet production line,Powder feed production line,Biomass pellet production line,

New SZLH350 5t/h automatic chicken feed production install in site

New SZLH350 5t/h automatic chicken feed production install in site

1. The capacity is 5-6t/h for chicken pellet feed, The pellet size is 2-10mm.

2. The feed plant have 12 automatic batching silo, through computer control automatic

batching system, it easy to adjust feed formulation and feed material mix proportion.it have

12 batching silo can matching 12 kinds of feed material, thus can meet customer different

animal feed production demand.it not only can produce feed pellet for poultry feed

(chicken feed, duck feed, etc),but also can produce livestock feed (cattle feed, sheep feed,

rabbit feed, etc)

WORLD TOP 20 EGG Producers

WORLD TOP 20 EGG Producers,  

Why Do Dairy Cows Die ? What Can Be Done To Decrease Dairy Cow Deaths ?

Why Do Dairy Cows Die ? What Can Be Done To Decrease Dairy Cow Deaths ?

Mortality includes that die on farm , either an unassisted death or by euthanasia , but not cows that have the farm to be slaughtered . Mortality is one form of culling , as culling refers to cows exiting the herd for such reasons as sale , slaughter , unassisted death or euthanasia ( Fetrow et al 2006 ) . Mortality rates in the dairy industry are much higher than those in the cow/calf or feedlot industries . Death losses have not been studied very intensively in the dairy industry . Estimates of these death losses are quite variable , unless they are focused on monitoring cow deaths , dairy producers may underestimate the amount of adult cow death loss on their operations . The USDA; APHIS;VS National Animal Health Monitoring System ( NAHMS) , Dairy 2007 survey reported that 5.7% of dairy cows die on - farm across the country each year , an increase from 4.8% of the January 2002 inventory and 3.8% of the January 1996 inventory . These rising mortality levels represent a problem both in terms of financial losses and compromised animal welfare . Adult cow death losses appear to be attributable to reasons similar to those for culling cows . A recent literature review identified 19 studies between the years 1965 and 2006 that focused on dairy cow mortality in countries with relatively intensive dairy production . While 10 of 19 studies provided information about cause of death none of the diagnoses were founded on necropsy evaluation . Only a single study discriminated between cows that were euthanized or died unassisted .

Recorded causes of death were relatively uniform across studies and were categorized as : accidents , calving disorders , digestive disorders , locomotor disorders , metabolic disorders udder/ teat disorders other known reasons and unknown reasons . Most dairy veterinarians focus considerable effort on dairy reproduction , but little time on mortality evaluation . This presents a very significant liability to the dairy industry because efforts to effectively decrease mortality losses are hampered by a lack of monitoring and information that provide accurate assessment of the problem .

Dairy workers could be trained to more effectively monitor death losses ad to perform on - farm necropsyexaminations in consultation with veterinarians when the veterinarian can not be present to perform the examination on a freshly dead carecasses , necropsy information needs to be combined with other historical information about the affected animals to help direct management changes . Some studies suggest that at least 50% of cow death losses are attributable to causes that could be mitigated with proper management . Because of the complex nature of dairy management systems a variety of causes are responsible for high disease and mortality rates with different rates of occurrence on different operations .

To adequately address such as complex problem ( Metritis , Mastitis , Lameness etc......) requires more accurate information about current losses followed by management alterations that address the underlying problems . This will require changing the nature of information used in dairy management systems , for example : ( Mastitis Prevalence ) . ( Franklyn Garry Colorado State University - ExtenSion 2011 ) . Recently published studied showed increasing trends in dairy cow mortality in the United State and in other countries . Mortality is the primary reason of cows leaving the herd various herd and cow level factors have been associated to the rise in mortality over the last couple of decades .Two common measures are used in describing mortality 9 thrusfield 1999) . Mortality Rate : The number of deaths ( ie. unassisted death and euthanasia ) in a population per unit of animal - time during a given period . Mortality risk : The number of deaths during a given time period divided by the population of risk at the beginning of the period .

Risk Factors of Dairy Cow Mortality : Most of the studies focusing on dairy cow mortality , mainly described on - farm mortality relative to population characteristics and only few studies investigated the risk factors of dairy cow mortality ( Raboisson et al 2011) . Similarly , Alvason et al 2012 ) reported that the associations between on - farm mortality and herd level characteristics have been extensively studied The factors influencing the on - farm cow mortality can be categorized into two groups : Herd Level Risk Factor: ( Indicative of management Style ) and Cows Level Risk Factors: ( Cow's own characteristics ) . Herd level risk factors : Increasing herd size has been consistently reported as one of the risk factor for increased mortality ( Norgaard et al 1999 - Thomsen et al 2006 - Alvasen et al 2012 ) . Increased length in herd calving interval has been associated with increased mortality among dairy cows . Alvasen et al ( 2012) observed that the risk of mortality was 22% higher in herds with relatively larger calving interval ( average calving interval > 422 days compared with herds with smaller calving interval ( average calving interval = 389.3 days ) . Likewise , Raboisson et al -2011 - reported a +1% change in cow mortality for every 10 days increase in calving interval . Access to pasture for grazing has been associated with decreased dairy cow mortality ( Thomsen et al 2006 - Alvasen et al 2012 ) . Lower annual live culling rate and culling fewer cows in early lactation has also been associated with increased mortality ( Mc Connel et al 2008 - Pinedo et a 2010 - Raboisson et al 2011 ) .

In consistent association have been reported between mortality and housing systems . In a large Danish study ( n= 6.839 herds ), Thomsen et al 2006 - documented that the risk of mortality was lower in loose housing barns with deep litter than barns with free - stalls or tie - stall . Increasing herd level somatic cell score has been associated with increased on farm mortality ( Thomsen et al 2006 - Burow et al 2011 ) .

Thomsen et al reported (2006) a 16% increase in the risk of mortality for every 100.000 cell/ml increase in herds average somatic cell count . Some other management factors have also been associated with increased mortality . A couple of studies indicated that cow mortality was lower in organic herds compared to conventional herds (Thomsen et al 2006- Alvason et al 2012 ) . The herds with higher proportion of family labor ( 100% ) had lower mean mortality rate ( 4.0 %) compared to herds with lower proportion of family labor ( < 66%) with a mortality rate of 5.6% ( Dechow et al 2011 ) . The herds with higher prevalence of lameness , respiratory problems and with more antibiotic use had higher mortality ( McConnel et al 2008 ) . Regional differences in dairy cow mortality have also been observed ( Smith et al 2000 - Alvasen 2012 ) . Indicating that local physical environment , nutrition and management could play a role in dairy cow mortality ( McConnel et al 2008 ) .

Cow Level Risk Factors : Cows producing more milk than their herd's mate seemed to have lower mortality . Pinedo et al 2010 reported that the annualized mortality rate was lower ( 2.7% ) in cows with cow - relative 305 ME Milk Yield > 2.187 kg than the cows with cow relative 305 ME Milk Yield < 2.313kg with annual mortality rate of 9.9% . The early lactation period has been reported the highest risk period for mortality in dairy cows . The period before and after calving ( Transition Period ) in a high - risk period for many disease (Shanks et al 1981- Markusfeld 1993) . The study indicate that the mortality rates differ between the breeds . Alvasen et al 2012 - reported that herd's with Swedish Holstein had 22% and 10% higher risk of mortality compared to herds with Swedish Red and with mixed breeds ( crossbred , Swedish polled and Swedish Jersey ) respectively . Heins et al 2012 - reported that Holstein cows had higher mortality ( 5.3% ) compared to crossbred cows ( 17% ) during the first 305 Days of the first lactation ( M .Q Shahid _ University of Minnesota - 2013) .

Recent studies presented at the 2008 annual American Dairy Science Association meeting or published in the Journal of Dairy Science investigated risk factors associated with dairy cow mortality in the United States Penn State University researchers summarized the association of mortality and 60 - day culling rates with various housing and management systems . Mortality rate was lower in Tie - Stall Herds ( 3.3% ) than in Freestall Herds ( 4.9% ) . The most optimal herd environment in their study - Tie - stall , component feeding with pasture access - had mortality rate of 5.3% whereas the least optimal environment - freestall use of TMR no outdoor access - had 6.3% and 9.1 % respectively . Regarding a cow as an individual rather than only focusing on groups could help reduce some of the problems leading to high mortality in our dairy operations . Look at and see each animal , and treat them early . ( Marcia - Endres - Associated Professor Dairy Science University of Minnesota 2011 -DeLaval) .

Nowadays Farmers , Veterinarians remember Morbidity and Mortality outbreak of Cattle Plague Disease ( Rinderpest ) on 1900's AD . The World Organization for Animal Health ( OIE ) was formed in response to Rinderpest and in October 2010 the FAO announced that it was confident the disease has been

eradicated .Numerous contagious disease with high mortality have been eradicated and controlled by veterinary officers and veterinarians such as Tuberculosis , Brucellosis , FMD Clostridial Disease such as Blackleg , Anthrax , Tetanus , Malignant Oedema , Red Water Disease , Sudden Death &.......... by vaccinations , hygiene condition , management etc ..... But unfortunately some of nature disasters are now a cause of cows death in the world .

(A) = 50 Head of cattle die from mysterious disease in one week ( Bulawayo 15.Dec .2013 ) .(B) = Lightning kills 32 cows , leaving them " Piled on top of each other " ( USA To DAY - May .1 . 2017 ) ( Jackie Rehwold Springfield ) .

A Veterinarian confirmed the cows had been struck by lightning .(C) = Dehydration suspected after 200 cattle found dead in SouthWest Saskatchewan : About 200 cattle have been found dead on pasture in Southwest

Saskatchewan , the dead cows and calves were on Crown pasture land south of the community of Chaplin , which was operated and leasted out by 31 patrons , the animals were discovered Friday , Saskatchewan Chief Veterinary Officer , Dr . Betty . Althouse says preliminary necropolis and test results show the animals died of Dehydration and possibily salt toxicity . One water source on the pasture is a dugout , which may have become unsuitable for livestock due to evaporation and increased concentration of salt in the water . ( The Canadian Press , CTV NEWS , Monday July .10 . 2017 ) .

(D) = Up to 1.00.000 cattle dead in South Dakota Blizzard Tens of Thousands of Cattle Feared Dead after South Dakota Storm . The Storm was just so sudden , South Dakota cattle rancher Kathy Jabgen remembers . A freezing rain , followed by an avalanche of four feet of snow and winds of the 70 miles an hour , hit thousands of cattle still grazing on " Summer pastures " at a time when the animals had not yet grown their protective winter coats were ill prepared for the harsh conditions .

The Importance of Pregnancy Rates in cows , Buffalo's , marry, Donkey. Dogs and Cats.

The Importance of Pregnancy  Rates in cows , Buffalo's , marry, Donkey. Dogs and Cats,

Fertility is the key driver to a Dairy’s performance and profitability. Poor fertility, longer lactation, less calves per year born, lower milk per cow and higher culls.

There are many factors as we know that effect fertility from lameness, feeding, climate to operator skills. In reality most of the negative factors are usually out of the control of the breeder, but the breeder is the first target of criticism when things go wrong.

Pregnancy rates measure a Dairy’s performance much more efficiently than conception rates. By taking into account when a cow is eligible for service and when a cow gets in calf, you get a far better idea of performance.

Example, cow being served once at 400 DIM and getting in calf with 1 service has 100% conception rate but is not very efficient. So pregnancy rate simply takes your voluntary waiting period (calved to when you want to start serving) say you start breeding at 60 DIM, and then every 21 day cycle is a possible pregnancy, the longer it takes the lower the results.

A good pregnancy rate is 25 – 30%. Globally average is around 15% and I have seen rates down as low as 5%. The chart below shows that this does not need to be a long battle in order to correct, if things are not perfect. The only changes to double the pregnancy rate on farm in chart, were some management changes and protocol changes. From then on its just a case of monitoring, discussing and checking daily.

Heat detection is key, it doesn’t matter if it is manual (as it is below in chart) electronic detection, per / ovsynch or any other variant, it just needs to be good. Personally I believe electronic and / or a skilled operator is second to none and most cow ‘friendly’. Ovsynch, although I recognize its place, I think just breeds complacency and is costlier.

The change here in these figures was a simple implementation of breeding protocols, no per or synchronous.

If the heat rate is 65 / 75% or more then you should achieve top pregnancy rates. One thing I have come across before is finding cows marked as ‘cull’ or ‘Do not Breed’ far too early in order to maintain the figures on paper as these animals come out of the calculation. One farm I found 11% of the herd marked as Do Not Breed, checked them all and served the ‘OK’ ones, and the unit ended up with 240 cows that would have been culled for the wrong reasons.

Staff really are the key players on fertility, a good herd management programmed should aid them too. Looking for the non-obvious signs of heat is the difference in ability, I have consistently found up to 8% of a herd can have ‘silent’ heats. I have seen this, served cows and been successful time and time again. Time spent looking and knowing the herd is the difference, size of herd is irrelevant as a good stock person can see these signs on a 2 cow herd or a 20,000 cow herd.

Financial gains of increasing pregnancy rate are simple – depending on whos research you look at and milk price, the range is $15 to $35 per cow per year.

So take mid-range at $25 per cow per year per 1% change.

On a 1000 cow herd for every 1% change the is a financial change of $25,000

Taking a look back at the example above where a 15% improvement has been made in just 3 months, for every 1000 cows in that herd $375,000 extra has been achieved.

Information is key, if you know what you are achieving, then you know your strengths and weaknesses are. It is also crucial to check the information yourself, not everything your told is always true!

We may not be able to control milk price, straights prices etc but huge financial gains and losses can be made on farm and quickly.

Good heat detection = good preg rates = significant financial gain

A WOMAN WITH A MISSION NEEDS NO PERMISSION.

A WOMAN WITH A MISSION NEEDS NO PERMISSION,

A WOMAN WITH A MISSION NEEDS NO PERMISSION. There is a myth in our society that a female CAN NOT DO work in the dairy field because the job is tough and females are only capable of doing household work like cooking and taking care of children. Most think that females are just poltroons and are too scared to even touch a dog.

When I was starting my career, I heard all these and faced a lot of problems because as a female yet It's difficult to work in a male dominant society where most of them take it negatively be it in job, exposure, culture and religion. But by the grace of ALLAH almighty, I've encountered all of these and proved them wrong and I strongly believe that "One should never Underestimate the power of a woman". My passion and dedication has took me to a place, where I stand today and I feel proud that I am the first one who is doing the job at the dairy farm since a year. Those who think that we women are coward, now look at me with so much pride in their eyes when I treat their animal by inserting my hand in the cow’s mouth to give her medicine and hear these words: “Doctor Sahiba How do you do this all? Aren't you scared?” I feel so blessed that I am treating those living creature who can't show their pain, who can't talk but they have feelings & express them.They have the same mood swings & behaviors as a kid has. I am a passionate and dedicated lady. I don't have all the answers but I know my worth. It took me a long time to accept who I am. I will not tolerate being around anyone who makes me feel anything less. So I can proudly say that Dairy is my passion and I love it. I'll not leave this profession because of people who take it negatively and say that a female can't work in the dairy field.I’ll keep working to make my country and parents proud. I am Dr. Natasha Ghafoor, graduated from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. and I'm working as a Veterinary Physician & Surgeon at Nishat dairies which is the Biggest commercial dairy farm of Pakistan.

interview with a small company and it went pretty well.

Interview with a small company and it went pretty well,

I had an interview with a small company and it went pretty well.

-Few weeks later, i got call for a 2nd interview where i spent more then an hour with the interviewer.

-Few weeks later again..i got a final technical interview and they have assigned a task to be completed for a room in a specific period of time , but as i had lot of extra time i finished the full plan which impressed the interviewer with a lot of positive feedback .

-Till today and after several follow ups..the position went on hold and they are still shortlisting candidates !

Conclusion: Candidates should do screening for the companies, and check how much the employer is serious to hire, before we proceed with this long interview process and waste time in vain.

Dr. Nadeem Siddique,

I can tell you that they had the plan ready, devised by you, and they may be trying ti implement it with out recruiting you. But such things never materialize. I have personally seen such situations many a times, and companies, or people who do it, fail on 100% of occasions. I believe candidate should never show all of its cards before hire.