Canadian Dairy Farmer Shares Their Challenges And Screw Worm Rattles Cattle - Heinberg

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Canadian dairy farmers may be doing the same thing - milking cows - as U.S. farmers, but they're maneuvering through a completely different marketing system. Pam Jahnke finds out more about the quota system in Canada from Ben Cuthbert of Silver Maple Holsteins on Vancouver Island, BC. Cuthbert is currently facing a record drought impacting available feed, and in turn feed costs. While costs may go up, because of his quota, Cuthbert cannot increase production to offset those expenses.

While Canada may be parched, Wisconsin has ample soil moisture and surprising comfortable and cool temperatures. Stu Muck says that some of the early readings this morning in the north have temps as low as 43 degrees when they wake up.

It's probably one of the most important tools farms have to keep the harvest rolling, but it's also probably one of the most overlooked tools. Tires. Almost every machine you rely on has them, but chances are you haven't checked their conditions or settings for a while. Ben Jarboe brushes up on what to do preharvest with Niles Davis, the owner of Nihles farm tire out of Platteville. He stresses checking wear, and addressing tire pressures before you start putting loads on the frame.
Another preharvest idea farmers should consider is inviting local emergency responders and firefighters to your operation. Ryan Ripp is a farmer and chief of the Dane Fire Department. He says farms need to remember that few responders have farm experience, and may not recognize the equipment you're using. That could be life threatening if they respond to your call but don't know how to help.

Cattle are the topic of conversation today with John Heinberg, market advisor with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend. He tells Pam Jahnke that the cattle market dipped momentarily when it learned that a woman in Maryland was a victim of the New World Screw Worm. Apparently she became infected while visiting Central America. It re-energized the anxiety over that pest possibly making it into the U.S. Heinberg says the latest numbers bear out that the cattle herd in Texas is shrinking. He also notes that more cattle are moving north into states like Iowa where the weather and feed sources may be more favorable.

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