The Moos Room™ - Episode 280 - Navigating H5N1: What Dairy Farmers Need to Know About Upcoming Milk Testing - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

Episode 280 - Navigating H5N1: What Dairy Farmers Need to Know About Upcoming Milk Testing - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

02/03/25 • 25 min

In this episode of The Moos Room, hosts Emily and Brad tackle the latest updates on H5N1 (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) and its impact on the dairy industry. With raw milk testing set to begin in Minnesota, they break down what dairy producers need to know about the testing process, quarantine protocols, and potential impacts on farm operations.

Key Topics Covered:

Delays in Minnesota's milk testing rollout and what it means for producers
Overview of the USDA’s national milk testing program and its implementation in Minnesota
Current H5N1 status across the U.S., with a focus on California and Minnesota
Step-by-step look at how raw milk samples are collected and tested
Quarantine measures and biosecurity protocols if a positive case is detected
Human health precautions and the availability of PPE for dairy workers

Whether you're in Minnesota or another state, this episode provides valuable insights into H5N1 monitoring efforts and how to keep your dairy operation running smoothly amidst evolving challenges. Tune in to stay informed and prepared!

Raw Milk Testing Update

MN Board of Animal Health - Website

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

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Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

Key Topics Covered:

Delays in Minnesota's milk testing rollout and what it means for producers
Overview of the USDA’s national milk testing program and its implementation in Minnesota
Current H5N1 status across the U.S., with a focus on California and Minnesota
Step-by-step look at how raw milk samples are collected and tested
Quarantine measures and biosecurity protocols if a positive case is detected
Human health precautions and the availability of PPE for dairy workers

Raw Milk Testing Update

MN Board of Animal Health - Website

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Previous Episode

Episode 279 - Cracking the Code: Dairy Genetics, Net Merit Updates, and Cold-Weather Cows with Katie Schmitt - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad and Emily are joined by Katie Schmitt from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) to discuss the organization's role in managing genetic evaluations and the National Cooperator Database. Katie, a Minnesota native, shares insights into the CDCB's work, including their transition from USDA oversight to an independent nonprofit, ensuring the stewardship of dairy cattle data.

Key topics include the upcoming April 2025 updates to Net Merit, which will adjust economic weights to better reflect the current dairy market, and the base change, which will shift genetic evaluations to reflect progress based on cows born in 2020 rather than 2015. The episode covers the importance of data collection for genetic improvement, how farmers can contribute valuable performance data, and exciting new traits on the horizon, such as milking speed and calf health.

Listeners also enjoy some fun moments with the classic Moos Room “super secret” questions, where Katie reveals her favorite beef and dairy breeds, adding to the ongoing tally.

For more information, listeners are encouraged to visit the CDCB website at uscdcb.com and subscribe to their newsletter for regular updates.

Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Next Episode

Episode 281 - Beef-on-Dairy Crossbreeding: What Every Dairy Farmer Should Know (Part 1) - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

Beef on Dairy: Trends, Economics, and Genetics (Part 1)

Brad takes the mic solo this week to dive into a hot topic in dairy farming—beef on dairy crossbreeding. In this first part of a two-part series, he breaks down current market trends, semen sales data, and recent research on how beef genetics are being used in dairy herds.

Key highlights include:

The growth of beef-on-dairy crossbreeding and its impact on both the dairy and beef industries.
Market insights, including beef inventory trends and projected shifts in cattle slaughter.
The economics behind beef-cross calves—why dairy farmers are seeing higher prices and how this impacts profitability.
A look at breed selection: Is Angus really the best choice, or should dairy farmers consider other breeds?
Recent studies from Wisconsin and Penn State on how different beef sire breeds affect carcass quality, feed efficiency, and marbling.

Next week, Brad will share findings from Minnesota’s own beef-on-dairy research, including carcass data from five different breeds. Stay tuned!

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!