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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 20, No. 23
January 26, 2019
“It’s tough, but you have to stay positive.” – Cody Zidlicky Ven�la�on: Not only a warm weather concern Zidlickys work
Twins take on dairying together
By Jennifer Coyne & Danna Sabolik Staff writers
PERHAM, Minn. – Summers in the Midwest are unpredictable, with extreme weather uctuations affecting cow comfort and health on dairy farms throughout the region. The concern for animal welfare does not end when the sun begins to set sooner. In fact, the same challenges with temperature and moisture are present throughout the winter months, and the solution lies in proper ventilation. “Being in the Upper Midwest, we get a wide temperature range; so how do we manage that?” said Kevin Janni, professor and engineer with the University of Minnesota. Janni gave a presentation on proper barn ventilation during a Moo University workshop Jan. 14 in Perham, Minn. As cold weather sets in, barns are buttoned up; but it is crucial ventilation through the facilities remains to deter lingering stale air and the build up of unwanted moisture. “While a higher temperature in the barn will keep manure from freezing, it also raises relative humidity and increases the risk of pneumonia in the herd,” David W. Kammel said. Kammel, a professor of biological systems engineering with the University of WisconsinMadison, has worked with the state’s extension as an expert in livestock housing since 1985. During the winter, farmers should manage the barn climate to the point when manure is likely to freeze and adjust accordingly with weather conditions and the needs of the animals. Naturally ventilated barns provide a temperate climate conducive for animal welfare nearly all year-round. However, winter cold snaps make them less efcient, and for this reason mechanically ventilated barns are growing in popularity.
Turn to VENTILATION | Page 6
off-farm jobs while maintaining Ayrshire herd By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
DECORAH, Iowa – As twins, Cody and Carter Zidlicky share many aspects of life. So when both of them felt the call to be dairy farmers, starting their careers together was natural. In July 2017, the now 21-yearolds started milking cows. Today, they have a herd of 45 mostly registered Ayrshires on the farm they rent from their parents, Don and Karrie, near Decorah, Iowa. They call their herd Canoe Ridge Dairy. “It’s cool owning our own cows and looking forward to working with our own genetics,” Cody said. Both working off-the-farm jobs, the brothers put in long days. “We both knew we needed off-
Turn to ZIDLICKYS| Page 7
AARON THOMAS/DAIRY STAR
Twin brothers, Carter (le�) and Cody Zidlicky, work full-�me off-farm jobs while also maintaining their herd of 45 registered Ayrshires on the farm they rent from their parents near Decorah, Iowa.
PK program advances with industry
PK nalists go from 12 to 10, amongst other changes By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
DAIRY STAR FILE PHOTO
Twelve county dairy princesses are named Princess Kay of the Milky Way Finalists during May Event in 2017. This year, only 10 nalists will be named, among other changes to the program.
ST. PAUL, Minn. – In an effort to continually provide the dairy industry with its best advocates, Midwest Dairy is launching three changes to the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program. Most notably, the nalists named for Princess Kay will go from 12 to 10. Also, eligibility for Princess Kay will be more inclusive of young women passionate about dairy, and the Dairy Princess Promotion and Leadership Event, commonly known as May Event, will be at a different location. Such changes will begin with the selection of nalists for the 66th Princess Kay this spring. “We’re constantly evaluating the program,” said Theresa Reps, agricultural affairs manager for Midwest Dairy. “We’re always asking how we can Turn to PRINCESS KAY | Page 5