Educational Workshops on Organic Dairy Management

Educational Workshops on Organic Dairy Management

Summary

In response to regional dairy industry needs and rapidly growing interest in organic management, we are offering educational workshops to give producers accurate, science-based information addressing the specific challenges of organic dairies. We selected workshop topics based on input from dairy producers.

On April 1-2, 2005, we co-sponsored the 2nd Annual Western Organic Dairy Conference which featured talks on organic livestock health care, nutrition, and NOP regulations. On November 16, 2005, we hosted a workshop on “Integrated Parasite Management for Ruminants.” In March 2006, we plan to co-sponsor the 3rd Annual Western Organic Dairy Conference, now in the planning phase.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Our objectives are: 1) to provide dairy producers with science-based information they need to manage a dairy herd organically; 2) to assist dairy producers in networking with technical specialists and with other producers; 3) to enhance sustainability of our regional dairy industry; and 4) to extend low-cost technical services to limited resource dairy producers.

To achieve objective 1, we are carefully selecting speakers with technical expertise in the topics they are presenting and by supplementing the oral presentations with written reference materials.

To achieve objective 2, we are providing opportunities for dairy producers to meet with other attendees of the workshop and to meet technical experts who can advise them individually and in person.

To achieve objective 3, we are providing dairy producers with tools they need to be successful in their transition to organic. An increase in organic dairy production will enhance the sustainability of our regional dairy industry.

To achieve objective 4, we are using grant funding to cover the costs of bringing technical experts to our region to advise dairy producers as a group, with some time provided for individual questions and concerns to be addressed.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Our first workshop was held as part of the Second Annual Organic Dairy Conference held in Arcata, CA, on April 1-2, 2005. A key topic for transitioning dairies is organic animal health care. At the conference, dairy producers heard from veterinary health care professionals experienced in caring for organically managed dairy animals. They also heard from successful organic dairy producers who shared their personal experiences about making the transition to organic management, including challenges, hurdles, and benefits. Additional topics included National Organic Program (NOP) compliance issues, organic feed, and trends in the organic marketplace (see enclosed agenda). We prepared a workbook for conference attendees containing printouts of speakers’ presentations with room for taking notes (see enclosed workbook).

Our second workshop was held in Ferndale, CA, November 16, 2005, on “Integrated Parasite Management for Ruminants.” This was more of an intensive “hands-on” workshop with both a lecture and a field component, looking in detail at parasite problems specific to the Pacific Northwest region. A flyer (appendix a) announcing the event was mailed to local dairies and creameries in other parts of the Pacific Northwest, and a news release was sent to local media sources. Nineteen people attended the Nov 16 workshop, including producers from as far away as Klamath Falls, OR, and Petaluma, CA, as well as local the local area.

Featured speakers included Dr. Ann Wells, DVM from Prairie Grove, Arkansas and Dr. Joe Snyder, DVM from Myrtle Point, Oregon. Dr. Wells has over 20 years experience in livestock production, including natural lamb and grass fed beef. She is on the board of directors for the Organic Materials Review Institute. Dr. Wells has her own business, Springpond Holistic Animal Health, working with producers and educators across the country to develop sustainable animal health management plans. Dr. Snyder has practiced veterinary medicine for the past 22 years at the Myrtle Veterinary Hospital. He is on the board of directors for Oregon Tilth and also for the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners. Dr. Snyder is very interested in grazing management and strategies with regard to both parasite control and pasture stewardship.

Dr. Snyder began the workshop by helping participants to better understand parasite life cycles. He provided an overview of common internal and external parasites of concern in the Pacific Northwest, with information on their life cycles, methods of transmission, and persistence in the farm habitat. Dr. Wells then discussed best management practices that can eliminate or minimize parasite problems, emphasizing a system approach including appropriate pasture management, hygiene, and techniques to recognize and reduce stress in livestock. Rotational grazing management was discussed, both in terms of optimal forage production and minimizing the spread of parasites. In a system that is intensively managed for rotational grazing, a high density of animals is used to achieve uniform grazing, the animals are moved promptly, and the forage is allowed a period of re-growth before animals are re-introduced. Rotational grazing helps to minimize parasite problems by breaking the parasite life cycle. Parasite eggs are shed in feces, the eggs hatch, larvae crawl onto grass and are consumed when cattle graze. If, however, the animals are promptly rotated to a clean pasture, they are less likely to be re-infested. Also, the parasite larvae tend to remain close to the ground, so it helps to move the animals before the forage is grazed too low.

Proper testing and record-keeping were encouraged to reduce the need for treatment and also to help determine the most effective timing for treatment when necessary. Herbal leys and alternative de-wormers were discussed as well as strategies for using conventional de-wormers. The morning session concluded with a focused discussion on the special challenges of raising healthy, parasite-free calves. The afternoon session consisted of field trips to two local dairies. It was fruitful to continue the discussions generated from the morning presentations within a field context.

The third workshop is scheduled for March, 2006, in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Western Organic Dairy Conference. We will work with producers to develop an agenda suited to their needs.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The information provided in this series of workshops is intended to promote good stewardship of natural resources, including soil, water, and air. A transition to organic dairy management can help to maintain and improve the quality of surface and ground water, improve soil health, and enhance wildlife habitat. We hope that the lessons learned will also help producers improve the economic viability of their operations and enhance the quality of life for themselves and their community. Through innovative niche marketing, organic dairy producers can ensure profitable self-employment, and maintain their lands in agricultural production. The entire community benefits from the preservation of open space with aesthetic values and wildlife habitat values. Furthermore, the adoption of dairy practices that reduce the use of antibiotics and hormones will be beneficial to consumer health and safety. Consumers are becoming more aware about these issues and are showing increasing support for the production of organic dairy products.

Evaluation forms (appendix b) were handed out at the November 16 workshop. Fourteen completed surveys were submitted and evaluated. On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest, 93% of respondents gave an overall rating of 4 or 5 for the workshop, and 93% said that the event enhanced their understanding of the subject very much (rating: 4/5). 73% responded that they definitely plan to use the knowledge gained in their operation (rating: 4/5). 73% said that the handout materials were very useful (rating: 4/5), and 71% said that they were very satisfied with the material covered (rating: 4/5). 50% of respondents felt that the interaction with other participants was very valuable (rating: 4/5). It is perhaps worthwhile to note that the evaluation forms were collected at the end of the morning session and so did not contain comments about the afternoon field trips. The morning schedule was full with presentations, but the field session allowed more time for interactions among participants and with speakers, which everyone appeared to feel was worthwhile.

In response to questions about how producers will use the information, workshop participants said they planned to try some of the practices described for controlling parasites, to enhance the overall health of their cows, to add value to their milk, to upgrade their calf vaccination program, to focus on overall farm planning, to improve observation habits, and to make changes in basic calf management. People reported that they liked most the information on parasite life cycles, the interaction with speakers and other participants, the practical applications of the information presented, hearing different points of view, gaining new knowledge, nice location, the clarity and conciseness of the information, and the presentation on calf management. Suggestions for improvement included planning more time for questions and going to more field sites. Suggestions for future workshops included pasture management, more time on grazing management, nutrition (including micro-nutrients), feed sourcing, more time on calf management, and mastitis management.

At each workshop, workbooks were prepared for workshop participants containing printouts of the speakers’ presentations with room for note-taking and other pertinent reference materials. Workbooks were sent to additional producers who expressed interest in attending the event but were unable to attend. Two copies of the workbook and two copies of the workshop agenda are enclosed with this report.

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