March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 1
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Milk Matters
M a r c h - A p r i l
w w w. k y d a i r y. o r g
K
E
N
T
U
C
K
Y
Supported by
KDDC Award Winners
page 10
Brenda Komar Scholarship Application
page 16
US Dairy Farms Fall Below 30,000
Page 18
Newton Urges Kentucky Dairy Farmers to Engage,
Help Get Answers, in ‘Very Tough’ Farm Bill Debate Ahead
Sherry Bunting
“
This will be a very tough debate, and hopefully farmers
are at the table as this debate happens,” said Dr. John
Newton, telling Kentucky dairy farmers that the new
‘make allowance’ study and the revenue shortfall from the
Class I pricing change are what will begin driving dairy
policy discussion into the 2023 Farm Bill.
“Folks are sharpening their pencils, and we are counting on
you to help us get the answers,” he said.
Newton -- a Kentucky native and former chief economist
with American Farm Bureau now serving as chief economist for
the Senate Ag Committee Republicans -- spoke virtually to an
in-person and Zoom audience of 200 during the 2022 Kentucky
Dairy Partners annual meeting in Bowling Green on Feb. 23.
About half the attendees were farm family members representing
56 dairy farms and heifer growers, with 28 trade show vendors.
“The Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) provide
important payment enforcement and market information. But are
they doing what was intended today when more milk is being
exported than is being put in a bottle?” he observed, encouraging
producers to talk to each other and look to see if there is a better
way to price milk.
“USDA says a consensus is needed. We’ve got to find a way
to address the needs of dairy farmers everywhere. You can do
that with collective dialog, and some of that is happening,”
Newton said. “It means (all sectors) getting in the room and
working to make sure revenue is shared along the entire supply
chain. That’s a tall task, and producers should be engaged in it.”
Digging into the new study on make allowances, he explained
that these are costs embedded in the end-product pricing
formulas, “not a deduction that you see on your milk check ...
but effectively a subsidy from farmers to processors to process
their milk.”
Currently, the Class III make allowances for cheese and
whey total $3.17 per hundredweight, and the Class IV make
allowances for butter and nonfat dry milk total $2.17. Looking at
the new Cost of Processing report, Newton estimates these make
allowances could go up to $4.00 for Class III and $3.12 for Class
IV.
If implemented, he said: “The ultimate result is nearly a
$1.00/cwt reduction in farm milk checks.”
The make allowances are designed to cover the costs of taking
raw milk and converting it to (butter, bulk cheddar, nonfat dry
milk and dry whey) where the component value is captured in
the end-product pricing formulas and used to establish monthly
Class and Component prices as well as the Class I Mover.
In a USDA AMS webinar, also on Feb. 23, Dr. Mark
Stephenson of University of Wisconsin-Madison talked about
the new Cost of Processing study and previous ones he did for
USDA in 2006-08 when make allowances were last raised.
Today’s plants are more complex with a wider range of
products and innovations, so isolating the costs for the four base
commodities was more difficult, he reported. Stephenson also
confirmed that 80% of the data came from plants owned by
cooperatives. Many proprietary plants chose not to participate.
Newton observed that even though these make allowances
haven’t been raised for more than 10 years, “this hasn’t
stopped explosive growth in product production and significant
re-blending of farm milk prices in recent years.”
He said the growth in other products has reduced the
percentage of milk going into those four base commodities today
vs. 10 years ago, contending processors have more opportunities
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 2
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
2022 KDDC Board of Directors & Staff
Executive Committee
President: Freeman Brundige
Vice President: Charles Townsend, DVM
Sec./Treasurer: Tom Hastings
EC Member: Greg Goode
EC Past President: Richard Sparrow
Board of Directors
District 1: Freeman Brundige 731.446.6248
District 2: Thomas Sumner 270.991.1915
District 3: Keith Long 270.670.1388
District 4: Bill Crist Jr. 270.590.3185
District 5: Tony Compton 270.378.0525
District 6: Jerry Gentry 606.875.2526
District 7: Greg Goode 606.303.2150
District 8: OPEN
District 9: Steve Weaver 270.475.3154
District 10: Terry Rowlette 502.376.2292
District 11: Stewart Jones 270.402.4805
District 12: Jesse Ramar 270.277.7107
Equipment: Tony Cowherd 270.469.0398
Milk Haulers: Mike Owen 270.392.1902
Genetics: Dan Johnson 502.905.8221
Feed: Tom Hastings 270.748.9652
Nutrition: Elizabeth Lunsford Alltech 859.553.0072
Dairy Co-op: Stephen Broyles 859.421.9801
Veterinary: Dr. Charles Townsend 270.726.4041
Finance: Todd Lockett 270.590.9375
Heifer Raiser: Bill Mattingly 270.699.1701
Former Pres.: Richard Sparrow 502.370.6730
Employee & Consultants
Executive Director: H.H. Barlow
859.516.1129
kddc@kydairy.org
DC-Central: Patty Holbert
390 B F Brown Road, Magnolia, KY 42757
pholbert@kydairy.org
859.516.1966
DC-Central: Beth Cox
PO Box 144, Mannsville, KY 42758
bethcoxkddc@gmail.com
859.516.1619 • 270-469-4278
DC-Western: Dave Roberts
1334 Carrville Road, Hampton, KY 42047
roberts@kydairy.org
859.516.1409
DC-Northern: Jennifer Hickerson
PO Box 293, Flemingsburg, KY 41041
j.hickersonkddc@gmail.com
859.516.2458
KDDC
176 Pasadena Drive • Lexington, KY 40503
www.kydairy.org
Kentucky Milk Matters produced by Carey Brown
President’s Corner Freeman Brundige
W
here is global warming when
you need it? It’s been a long
cold winter, or that may have
something to do with my gray hair.
The KDDC staff and directors have
had a busy schedule of meetings and
conferences to attend during these
winter months. Although some have
been cancelled by snow and ice, or the
continuing battle with COVID. Sadly,
almost all of us have been affected in
some way by this unending struggle.
We had a great group of speakers at
our Dairy Partners meeting. The awards
dinner was well attended and the top herds in the state were recognized. An
exciting live auction raised a generous sum for the cheese auction at the State
Fair, to benefit the dairy youth. Some of the best news from the meeting was
notification that producers were receiving their pandemic relief payments,
that we have been promised for a year.
Nationwide, milk production is down, and future’s prices continue to
look good. But all of our input costs are going right up with them. It will
be important to work with your nutritionist to keep your ration balanced and
try to have great forages to put in that ration. Also, locking in some of these
good prices might be a good option, we all know how quickly good can turn
downhill.
The 2023 Farm Bill could be a focus point of what changes we need to
try to make in our marketing system. We plan to work with our partners to
help influence some of these decisions. The state and national Farm Bureau,
the Southeast Stakeholders, and the American Dairy Coalition are all groups
working to help dairy farmers and we have good relationships with all of
them. Again, your input is always appreciated.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!

©2020 Alltech, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
With the most researched yeast on the market, the Alltech On-
Farm Support program and our team of Elite Dairy Advisors are
able to provide the best nutritional support and service to your
herd. Our team serves as a new tool for nutritionists, producers
and laborers to analyze your needs and develop a customized
program for your operation. Our Alltech products and services
work together to increase your herds efficiency and overall
profitability.
The support behind the product matters.
For more information please contact
Elizabeth Lunsford
Territory Sales Manager
elunsford@alltech.com
859.553.0072

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 4
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Executive Director Comments
H H Barlow
I
have a beautiful ryegrass field
right outside my back door and
it’s turning greener every day. It’s
a wonderful reminder that Spring is
here.
Finally, some good news regarding
our milk checks. Our price is higher than it’s been since
2014. These increased prices should help everyone pay
any old bills, purchase needed equipment and strengthen
your balance sheet.
Dixie Dairy Reports projects 3.5 blend prices to be
at least $24.50/cwt through April. I feel very confident
in these predictions because of conditions in the U.S.
milk markets as well as globally. The American dairy
herd population is down approximately 150,000 cows
compared to February of 2021. Cull cow prices are
excellent and feed costs are very high which should limit
dairy herd expansion. In addition, the inventory of dairy
heifer replacements is lower than any time since 2009.
Globally, milk production is running several percentage
points below twelve months ago. This is happening both
in Europe and New Zealand. When considering all these
factors, it appears the higher milk prices have some lasting
power at least through the summer. The wild card is the
attack on Ukraine.
Ukraine is a major agricultural country. It has been
called the Illinois of Eurasia. I know farming is a major
endeavor there. I keep thinking about how these farmers
are feeling today. The anxiety and fear they are facing
must be devastating. Their courage and commitment to
freedom when facing a formidable enemy is extremely
patriotic and inspirational.
I personally can’t forget the image of a father putting his
young daughter on a train with no guarantee of seeing her
again. I encourage everyone to pray for the Ukrainians.
We are so blessed to live in America and this war should
remind us all that “freedom is not free”.
On all of our farms, we are preparing for our 2022 crop
year, hauling manure, working our heifers and getting
ready to plant corn. In a discussion yesterday with my
fertilizer and chemical supplier, it appears there will not be
a shortage of inputs, but the cost is over double on most
everything. He said that Roundup is up 400%. With the
turmoil in Ukraine, who knows what prices will be later in
the season.
I’ve never known a year when manure was so
important. Nick Roy, Adair County extension agent,
recently hosted a dairy short course. Dr. Josh McGrath,
an agronomist at UK, made a presentation about the
value of manure. It is imperative that we soil test our
fields. You can also analyze your manure samples at your
county extension office. Dr. McGrath has an article in this
newsletter about the value of manure.
We have just completed our 2022 Dairy Partners
meeting in Bowling Green. The program was excellent
with great speakers providing valuable information. A
summary article of the meeting is in this newsletter. I
personally want to thank Eunice Schlappi, the Kentucky
Department of Agriculture, Dairy Alliance and UK for
their efforts and especially the KDDC staff in doing the
hard work it takes to put on a successful conference.
The highlight of our conference was our awards banquet
when our top producers were recognized, and Meredith
and Rethie Scales were honored as the dairy promoter
of the year…a 50-year career of service to dairy farmers
throughout Kentucky. Thanks again Meredith and Rethie.
It is noteworthy that we have 5 herds with over a 30,000
lb. milk production average.
KDDC has an active year of events planned for our
state’s dairy producers. There will be a series of young
dairymen education and fellowship meetings. June Dairy
Month activities are scheduled. I’m excited to announce
a summer tour for July 5-6th with a visit to Prairie Farms
milk plant and some area dairy farms.
Our beef on dairy initiative will have a renewed
focus and effort. We will concentrate on education and
explaining the opportunities for crossbreeding the bottom
40% of our herds. These crossbred calves should provide
a new income stream for our farmers.
We look forward to visiting all our dairy farmers.
Please be safe as you do your work and enjoy Kentucky’s
beautiful spring environment with a milk shake on the
front porch.

B
Br
ri
in
ng
g y
yo
ou
ur
r f
fa
am
mi
il
ly
y t
to
o
“
“D
Da
ai
ir
ry
y N
Ni
ig
gh
ht
t”
” a
at
t t
th
he
e B
Ba
al
ll
lg
ga
am
me
es
s!
!
To order tickets, contact: Eunice Schlappi at 502-545-0809 (leave message) or
email at schlappifarms@gmail.com
Thursday, June 9 - 6:35 p.m.
(deadline to order tickets - June 2)
Tuesday, June 7 - 6:35 p.m.
(deadline to order tickets - May 31)
All other tickets are $5 - payable at the ballgames - please call to
4
4 -
- f
fr
re
ee
e t
ti
ic
ck
ke
et
ts
s p
pe
er
r d
da
ai
ir
ry
y f
fa
ar
rm
m f
fa
am
mi
il
ly
y
(additional tickets can be purchased @ $5 each)
2
2 -
- f
fr
re
ee
e d
da
ai
ir
ry
y t
t-
-s
sh
hi
ir
rt
ts
s p
pe
er
r d
da
ai
ir
ry
y f
fa
ar
rm
m f
fa
am
mi
il
ly
y
(t-shirts sponsored by ADA of KY/The Dairy Alliance)

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 6
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Trade Opportunities
Dr. Ryan Quarles Agriculture Commissioner
A
dvocating for Kentucky’s farmers is the best part
of my job. As your Agriculture Commissioner
everything I do centers around creating better
futures for you, your families, your farms, and the state as
a whole.
Farming is one of the oldest occupations on the planet.
Throughout the years, the farming outlook has changed. Land
once used for farming is now residential plots. Economic
demands have consolidated agriculture production resulting in
less people farming. While these developments are changing the
landscape, the main driving principal has remained the same –
people around the world need farmers.
Not only do Kentucky agriculture producers provide food and
material for Kentucky residents and United States’ citizens, we
also export our products around the globe. In 2021, Kentucky’s
total agricultural and related product exports amounted to
more than $1.1 billion. Farmers are important to our economic
outlook.
While I advocate for Kentucky throughout the state and the
country, it’s also important to advocate for you outside of the
United States. The COVID pandemic closed those opportunities
for a while. But after a two-year hiatus on U.S. Department of
Agriculture trade missions, I recently was honored to participate
in two international trade development opportunities. My goal:
to show Kentucky and the United States are ready to accelerate
trade talks to benefit farmers.
In February, my travels took me to the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) and several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The UAE is one of the largest markets for U.S. agriculture and
food among the GCC countries, and is home to the largest food
exposition in the world. While there, I was able to connect with
the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Inc. for
meetings in GCC countries to benefit Kentucky’s world-class
horse industry.
My second trip came at the beginning of March when I
traveled to the United Kingdom. British Ambassador to the
United States Dame Karen Pierce extended an invitation to
participate in a visit with a select group of U.S. agriculture
officials. The British-American trade relationship is incredibly
important, and the United Kingdom consistently ranks in the top
three export destinations for Kentucky agricultural products. The
United States is the U.K’s largest single trading partner and is
the destination for 20 percent of that country’s exports.
With people traveling again, I believe it’s important to get
back to normal, pursue international trade relationships, and put
the interests of Kentucky farmers first. Anytime we can sell more
Kentucky agricultural products, that’s a win for our state.
No state taxpayer dollars will be used to pay for Quarles’
travel expenses. The USDA mission was covered by Market
Access Program funds allocated to the federal agency by
Congress, as well as funds from the Southern United States
Trade Association and the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc.
The trip to the United Kingdom is sponsored by the British
Government
Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) Is Here!
This recently released USDA product (DRP) is designed to
protect dairy farmers from the decline in quarterly revenue
from milk sales. Contact us today for more information
about protecting one of the biggest risks to your operation.
In Business Since 1972
1-800-353-6108
www.shelbyinsuranceagency.com
sia@iglou.com
We are an equal opportunity provider

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 7
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
B
e sure to reach out to your local extension office if
you have questions or shoot me an email at Josh.
Mcgrath@uky.edu. Follow me on twitter @NPK_
Professor. It is important to understand the fertilizer value
of dairy manure
Have your manure tested to know its value. You want to
analyze samples that represent what you will spread. One way to
do this is collect the sample as you are spreading, but you might
want to know ahead of time (for example if you sell the manure
to a neighbor). It takes many small subsamples thoroughly
mixed together to make one good sample to send off to the lab.
For example, with a liquid you might want to grab 10 or 15
subsamples of about 1 pint in size and mix them up really well in
a bucket.
The University of Kentucky Agricultural Economics
Department provides several useful spreadsheets (link provided
wabove). The Fertilizer Price Calculator allows you to input your
price for various types of fertilizer and returns the value per unit
of P2O5, K2O, or N. For example, if urea costs $900/ton, potash
costs $810/ton, and DAP costs $860/ton then you’re paying
$0.98/lb of N, $0.55/lb of P2O5 , and $0.68/lb of K2O.
If your manure test returns 42 lb of total N, 21 lb of P2O5,
and 33 lb of K2O per 1000 gallons, then based on fertilizer
replacement the manure is worth about $75 per 1000 gallons.
If your soil test report does not call for any phosphorus (P)
or potassium (K) then that manure is only worth $40 to you.
Remember that you might lose nitrogen (N) value as ammonia
gas volatilizing off the soil surface. In addition, you can lose
significant amounts of N from Kentucky soils when you apply
manure in the fall or winter when crops don’t need much N.
If your soil tests do not call for phosphorus or potassium, you
might be able to sell your manure to a neighbor who has fields
that need those nutrients. With current fertilizer prices many
farmers are very interested in manure nutrients.
Know for sure if you need additional nitrogen fertilizer
If you have repeatedly applied manure to a field over the
years, or have grown a legume recently (like alfalfa), you might
not need that additional inorganic N fertilizer. That would be a
big money saver with current N prices!!
To find out if you need extra N for your corn use the Pre-
sidedress Soil Nitrate Test (PSNT). Collect a representative
soil sample for each field. Unlike normal soil samples, PSNT
samples need to be 12 inches deep and collected when corn
plants are about 12 inches tall. To get a representative sample
collect 20 soil cores and mix thoroughly in a clean plastic
bucket. Then grab about a pint of soil from the bucket. You want
to air-dry that soil before sending to the lab. Nitrogen in field
moist soil will change a lot on the way to the lab. To dry the soil,
do not heat the soil, just spread it in a thin layer on a paper plate
in front of a fan – set on low, you don’t want it all to blow away!
Many labs (including the University of Kentucky) provide
PSNT analysis. You can even test the sample yourself with a
high-quality testing kit (like the “Nitrachek” kit – beware most
home soil test kits aren’t very good). We have a lot of confidence
that if your PSNT comes back higher than 25 ppm nitrate-N
(NO3-N) you don’t need to add additional fertilizer N. Talk to
your County Agent about the PSNT if you’re interested!
High fertilizer prices provide risk and opportunity
Know what you need! Soil test for phosphorus (P), potassium
(K) and pH. Apply just what you need. Now is not the time to
apply “maintenance” rates or “build” for the future. Ask yourself
if your per acre gain in feed is worth the per acre fertilizer bill?
Stay on top of your lime program though – soil pH is the most
important variable in a good crop fertility program.
Know what you are applying! Test your manure and check
your spreader to know how much you are putting out.
If you can, use this time of high fertilizer prices to generate
extra income by selling manure N, P, K, and organic matter to
neighbors. They might even be willing to pay you to apply the
product if they don’t have a manure spreader.
Follow this link or QR code to find useful tools provided
by the University Of Kentucky Agricultural Economics
Department:
https://agecon.ca.uky.edu/budgets#Livestock_Forages

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 8
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
today to cover costs in these other product streams that are not
captured in the pricing formulas.
On potential make allowance increases, the question for
producers is if they are willing to give up another dollar to have
increased processing capacity.
On the Class I formula, finding consensus will also be
tricky. “When we talk to organizations like the American
Dairy Coalition and to groups in Pennsylvania, there is strong
consensus to go back to the higher of,” he said.
(KDDC also supports going back to the ‘higher of.’As does
the American Farm Bureau Federation, which approved it in
January, plus an additional 74 cents.)
Consensus will be tricky because the needs of a 100-cow
dairy farm in Kentucky that is serving the Class I market are
different from a 120,000-cow enterprise in Texas with multiple
operations shipping milk for other products and for export.
On the broader issues, Newton said the next Farm Bill will
be written against a backdrop of record high crop and livestock
prices with farmers and ranchers facing accelerating inflation of
input costs. Top of mind are the cost and availability of fertilizer,
and now glyphosate, as well as labor. Newton also reported land
values have risen by more than 20% in the Midwest.
“Add it all up, and even though commodities will be at record
highs, the higher production costs and lower federal payments
are expected to reduce net farm income. When adjusted for
inflation, we expect to see net farm income fall by over $9
billion. This pressure sets the stage,” he said, urging farmers to
engage as stakeholders and identify the challenges and priorities
they want to bring to leaders on Capitol Hill.
“Climate is a big priority for this administration,” he added.
“The dairy industry has already committed to be net-zero.
We want to know how these programs are working. Are there
things Congress needs to do on the technical side to make them
beneficial to farmers? How will these voluntary incentives be
passed back to farmers?”
Bottomline, he urged: “Ag needs to stay together. Work with
your colleagues. Ag is regional with different needs and different
commodities, but this industry needs to come together and find
allies on conservation and nutrition. We stay strong by staying
together.”
Newton said the Senate Ag Committee will start field hearings
in the next few months to gather stakeholder input.
A concern underlying the process, he said, are the population
declines in rural areas affected by reduced economic viability,
with dairy seen as a big piece of this trend. “It is very important
that we find a way to make it more economically viable for
young people to stay in farming,” he said.
If make allowances are increased according to the results
of a new Cost of Processing study, the ultimate result is a
nearly $1.00 per hundredweight reduction in farm milk checks,
according to John Newton.
John Newton quantified the revenue shortfall with the Class I
pricing change in each of the 11 FMMOs, noting that the upside
potential of the new formula is a 74-cent benefit, but there’s no
floor on the value lost when market shocks create wide spreads
between Class III and IV.
Newton pegged the estimated make allowance ‘subsidy’ from
farmers to processors at $3.4 billion in 2010 compared with $4.6
billion in 2021. If the new study’s proposed adjustments are
implemented, the estimated ‘subsidy’ from farmers to processors
would rise to $6.1 billion.
From conception to consumer, production to pricing and
policy, data technologies to delivering optimal animal care,
the 2022 Kentucky Dairy Partners annual meeting covered the
gamut in dairy education, motivation and inspiration for the 200
in-person and virtual attendees in Bowling Green Feb. 22-23.
KDDC photo
Dave Roberts, KDDC, and John Chism, KDA, auction a butter
churn as part of the Kentucky State Fair Cheese Auction for
CONTINUED FROM COVER

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 9
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
4-H and FFA dairy youth that brought in a total of $3822 before
expenses during the Kentucky Dairy Partners meeting awards
dinner Feb. 22.
Meredith (right) and Rethie Scales (second from left) were
honored as Dairy Promoters of the year by ADA of Kentucky,
represented by Ronnie Patton (left), past president and Kim
Jones new president.
Freeman Brundige (left), KDDC president, presented the
Gary Lane Production Award to Joe Sparrow, Fairdale Farms,
Owen County, Ky., with an RHA of 33,150M 1237F 1028P. Not
pictured are second place Long’s Dairy, Barren County and third
place Scenic View Dairy, Lincoln County. The top milk quality
award went to Adam Ping of Pulaski County and runner up to
Wayne Martin, Todd County. The Kentucky Milk Quality Hauler
Award was presented to Mark Latham of Somerset County.
District 3 Keith Long, Barren County
District 4 Crist Dairy, Metcalfe County
District 8 Stateland Dairy/Eastern Kentucky University, Madison County
District 11 Riney Dairy LLC, Washington County

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 10
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
2021 KDDC District and Proficiency Awards
RHA Milk Fat Protein
District 1 Winner Levi E Stoltzfus Caldwell 27329 1082 646
2nd Troyer Dairy Caldwell 27190 1005 780
3rd James Leid Christian 26624 973 811
District 2 Winner Robey Farms Logan 30955 1062 960
2nd H&S Dairy Butler 30851 1104 896
3rd Sumner Dairy LLC Warren 29785 1079 866
District 3 Winner Keith Long Barren 31530 1134 916
2nd Kinslow Dairy Barren 25300 904 757
3rd Forever Farms Hart 23912 854 732
District 4 Winner Crist Dairy/Bill Crist Metcalfe 26517 909 806
2nd Moss Dairy/Keith Moss Green 25485 936 764
3rd Jim Sidebottom Green 22992 741 798
District 5 Winner H&H Dairy/David Hutchison Adair 30608 1042 910
2nd James A. Cowherd and Son Taylor 28548 1035 824
3rd Corbin Dairy Taylor 28503 1032 854
District 6 Winner Little Moo Dairy/Mervin Weber Pulaski 28599 1038 851
2nd T and K Dairy Monroe 27142 951 838
3rd Ridge Top Dairy/ Josh Williams Monroe 26299 949 792
District 7 Winner Scenic View Dairy/Kenneth and Matthew Horst Lincoln 31382 1092 950
2nd Darrel L. Horst Lincoln 29403 1032 907
3rd Hilltop Holsteins LLC Lincoln 27784 991 829
District 8 Winner Stateland Dairy/Eastern Kentucky University Madison 26855 990 790
2nd Sunrise Dairy/Phillip Horst Fleming 24837 885 743
3rd Misty Lake Dairy LLC Fleming 23834 964 710
District 9 Winner Aarron Zimmerman Christian 24088 875 740
2nd Walnut Ridge Dairy/Ephraim Stoltzfus Christian 23612 852 694
3rd Melvin L Stoltzfus Christian 23506 879 648
District 10 Winner Fairdale Farms LLC Owen 33150 1237 1028
2nd Keightley-Core/ Jeff Core Mercer 18221 739 546
District 11 Winner Riney Dairy LLC/ Billy Riney, Jr Washington 27564 993 794
2nd David Jerome Mattingly Marion 23309 829 718
3rd Jones Dairy/Timmy and Kim Jones Marion 19747 720 590
District 12 Winner Alvin Kanagy Todd 29299 968 976
2nd Sam Coblentz Todd 28321 1022 827
3rd Jonathan Coblentz Todd 26990 920 842
Top Herds - 3.5% Fat Corrected RHA Milk by District
RHA Milk Fat Protein
Gary Lane Production Award Fairdale Farms LLC Owen 33150 1237 1028
2nd Place Production Award Long's Dairy/Keith Long Barren 31530 1134 916
3rd Place Production Award Scenic View Dairy/Kenneth & Matthew Horst Lincoln 31382 1092 950
Dairy Profiency Award Scenic View Dairy/Kenneth & Matthew Horst Lincoln 31382 1092 950
Production Awards

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 11
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
KDDC Award Criteria
KDDC District Awards
The KDDC District awards are based on 3.5% Fat Corrected RHA Milk, must have tested 8 times within the year and have a 10% or
less deviation. The % Deviation compares the % difference between Sum of Test Day Weights. and Average Bulk Tank
Weights. The denominator is the milk shipped. [Example: (4705 - 4650)/4650 x 100 = 1.2%]. This difference can be used
to monitor the accuracy of meters, weigh jars and bulk tank measurements. Milk fed to calves, used in the home, dis-
carded due to mastitis, or not shipped for any other reason should be considered in this comparison.
PROFICIENCY DAIRY AWARD
The Proficiency Dairy award is calculated based on the following information found below. To be considered for this
award it is important that correct information is provided to your tester and/or inputted into your management system.
Rolling Herd Average Milk
Average Days to 1st Service
% Possible bred after Voluntary Waiting Period
Average Days Open
% Cows with Sire ID
Average Somatic Cell Count
% Cows with Avg Somatic Cell Count Linear Score 0-3
Average Service Sire PTA$
Average Sire NM$
Net Merit
Average Days Dry
% Dry Periods < 40 days
% Dry Periods > 70 days
Calving Interval
KENTUCKY MILK QUALITY AWARD
The purpose of the Kentucky Quality Dairy Producer
Award is to recognize the producer who best exemplifies
quality milk production in Kentucky. The contest is open
to all Kentucky dairy producers. Applications are based
on a year’s criteria of SCC and Bacteria Count (SPC).
This award is a nomination-based award.
KENTUCKY MILK QUALITY HAULER AWARD
The purpose of the Kentucky Quality Milk Hauler
Award is to recognize the Kentucky milk hauler who
best signifies quality hauling procedures and who
is recognized as an exceptional representative of
Kentucky’s dairy industry. This award is a nomination-
based award.
THE GARY LANE PRODUCTION AWARD
Awarded in memory of nutritionist Dr. Gary Lane, this award goes to the overall herd within all districts having the
highest production.
Score
1st Place Adam Ping Pulaksi 85.5
2nd Place Wayne H Martin Todd 98.58
Kentucky Milk Quality Awards
1st Place Mark Latham Somerset
Kentucky Milk Quality Hauler Award

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 12
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Understanding Preg Rate
Mark Witherspoon
P
reg Rate: The percentage of cows eligible to
become pregnant that are reported pregnant
within a specific period of time. It is a measure of
how well and how quickly cows have conceived and it
accounts for both heat detection and conception rate.
The assessment begins at the end of the VWP after
calving and evaluates each 21-day period for eligible cows
to determine the percent of cows that became pregnant.
Every21-day period for a cow that lapses without a
pregnancy reduces the herd’s Pregnancy Rate. Features you
can control to help ensure pregnancy rates on the DHI-202
are as accurate as possible include:
To get preg rate calculated you have to report an
approximate number of days to preg check cows on the DHI
Option 62. If marked N for this option, no preg rate will be
calculated no matter what other info is reported.
On the DHI-202 in the Remarks box there are often notes
about reporting preg data. Some of the message include:
COWS BRED BUT NOT DIAG. PREG (option 62=Y):
you must report pregnancy results. Your pregnancy rate will
be deflated if the program does not have pregnancy status.
COWS BRED SINCE (option 62=N): the program will
use non-return to identify pregnant cows.
To change how the program uses reproductive data,
discuss option 62 with your DHI technician. Regardless of
the option you choose, you cannot compare pregnancy rates
from the DHI-202 with pregnancy rates from PCDART or
other on-farm systems unless you record all pregnancies
ASAP after breeding.
So to get accurate preg rates, these are the essential steps:
1. Enter approx. number of days you expect to preg
check cows after breeding in DHI Option 62. Up to 99
days. Herds with N for this option will not have a preg rate
calculated.
2. Be sure the Voluntary Waiting Period 'VWP' you have
reported to DHIA is correct. Cows bred even just one day
before VWP are not included in preg rate calculations at all.
So, if anything go just a little long on the VWP.
3. Report Do Not Breed Cows with repro code C. After
reported C, any repro event, even a heat adds them back into
the eligible breeding herd and calculations for preg rate.
4. Report all preg diagnosis info in a timely manner.
Use actual date of pregnancy diagnosis, not test day. If no
diagnosis date is reported to Mid-South, the date of test will
be used for the diagnosis date.
5. Schedule test day and herd repro work so your data is
current on test day. If you want it to be most correct, don't
test on Monday and do herd health on Tuesday. Do it the
other way around.
For the herds that have indicated they will be reporting
pregs based on option 62 but who do not report preg data no
preg rate will be calculated.
Questions about preg rate ask your DHIA Technician or
your KDDC consultant.
CLASSIFIEDS
New Meyer 510- TMR- in stock
Meyer 4518-forage box
Meyer 235/262 spreaders- 14 ft - single axle John Deere 35 Dtz- mini
x-$28,500 Cu 80 Stoltzfus -LIME -LITTER- FERT- spreader
12 Silage wagons to select from
John Deere 4020 -3 to choose from
Silage Carts- 5 to select from @$3500
Manure spreaders- 200 bushel and up
John Deere 5325 - 2 wd drive with loader John Deere 7200- cab -16 speed
12 ft Esch High speed Grain Drill in stock Horning Headers - 2 and 3 row
headers John Deere 3975 - base unit- $32,500 Artex SB 600 Spreader -in
stock John Deere 468 - net $14,500 John Deere 566- 567 -twine - call
New- Cloverdale 420-500 T -TMR mixers - in Stock Stoltzfus 10 ton Litter
spreader $35,000 New Holland 790 choppers-$8500 Gehl 8335 feeder
wagon $7500 Artex SB 200- vertical beater- for rental JD 6400- loader-4wd-
open-$25,000 Farmco feeder wagons-5 in stock-call John Deere 6300- 4 wd-
cab-12 speed-$35,000 WWW.REDBARNANDASSOCIATES.COM
Charlie B. Edgington 859-608-9745
COMPREHENSIVE NUTRIENT
MANAGEMENT PLANS (CNMPs).
Livestock manure management and
water quality BMPs. KY Division of
Water permitting and compliance.
Ben Koostra - Professional Engineer
and NRCS Technical Service Provider -
Lexington - 859-559-4662

K
Ke
en
nt
tu
uc
ck
ky
y
N
Na
at
ti
io
on
na
al
l D
Da
ai
ir
ry
y
S
Sh
ho
ow
ws
s &
& S
Sa
al
le
es
s
H
Ho
ol
ls
st
te
ei
in
n
Friday, April 8
Show @ 11 Am
Sale @ 1 pm
S
Sa
al
le
e M
Ma
an
na
ag
ge
ed
d B
By
y:
:
KY Holstein Cattle Club
Robert Colvin– 270-572-6046
M
Ma
ak
ke
e p
pl
la
an
ns
s t
to
o a
at
tt
te
en
nd
d t
th
he
e
2
20
02
22
2 K
Ke
en
nt
tu
uc
ck
ky
y N
Na
at
ti
io
on
na
al
l D
Da
ai
ir
ry
y S
Sh
ho
ow
w &
& S
Sa
al
le
e
A
Ay
yr
rs
sh
hi
ir
re
e/
/M
Mi
il
lk
ki
in
ng
g S
Sh
ho
or
rt
th
ho
or
rn
n
Friday, April 8
Show @ 1 pm
Sale @ 3 pm
S
Sa
al
le
e M
Ma
an
na
ag
ge
ed
d B
By
y:
:
KY Ayrshire Cattle Club
A
Ay
yr
rs
sh
hi
ir
re
e C
Co
on
nt
ta
ac
ct
t
Billy Branstetter– 270-528-6336
M
Mi
il
lk
ki
in
ng
g S
Sh
ho
or
rt
th
ho
or
rn
n C
Co
on
nt
ta
ac
ct
t
Ray Graves—859-209-0695
B
Br
ro
ow
wn
n S
Sw
wi
is
ss
s
Friday, April 8
Show @ 9 AM
Sale @ 11 AM
S
Sa
al
le
e M
Ma
an
na
ag
ge
ed
d B
By
y:
:
KY Brown Swiss Breeders’ Assoc.
Richard Sparrow—502-370-6730
Online Bidding Available!!!
Log on to www.cowbuyer.com
Online Bidding Available!!!
Log on to www.cowbuyer.com
Time Change!!
Online Bidding Available!!!
Log on to www.cowbuyer.com
For more Info & Updates:
www.kyagr.com
Facebook: Kentucky National Dairy Shows and Sales
Ethan Berry –KY Dept. of Ag
P§ 502§782§4134 E– ethan.berry@ky.gov
Kentucky Fair Exposition Center, Pavilion– Louisville, KY– All times are EDT.

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 14
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Dixie Dairy Report
March 2022
Calvin Covington
Dairy product prices. February dairy products sales
report (DPSR) prices for the four products, used to calculate
federal order class prices, were higher than last month and a
year ago. February butter was $2.668/lb. which is up a nickel
from January and over a $1.30/lb. higher than a year ago. Butter
production continues low with January production 7% lower,
and inventory more than 30% lower than a year ago. Nonfat dry
milk powder (NDM) moved up almost $0.08/lb. in February
to $1.7284/lb., and is over $0.60/lb. above last year. Similar to
butter, both NDM production and inventory are lower than last
year. Strong butter and NDM prices resulted in a record high
Class IV price at $24.00/cwt. for February. The previous record
high was $23.89/cwt. in August 2014. All indicators point to a
still higher, Class IV price in March.
The February DPSR cheese price was $1.9068/lb., almost a
penny higher than January. Dairy Market News reports cheese
demand is steady and supply is balanced. Dry whey set another
record high in February reaching $0.7800/lb. Primarily due to
dry whey, the February Class III price advanced $0.53/cwt. to
$20.91/cwt. Low dry whey production, 4.4% below last year, is
strengthening the dry whey price. Whey production is shifting
from dry whey to more profitable whey protein concentrate.
Due to a strengthening cheese price, the March Class III price
is projected higher than February. According to Dairy Market
News global markets are looking to purchase U.S. cheese due to
the domestic cheese price more favorable than the international
price. February Oceania cheddar price was $2.64/lb.
Higher dairy product prices moved the March Class I Mover
up $1.24/cwt. from February to $22.88/cwt., and $7.68/cwt.
higher than last March. For the second consecutive month,
the Mover is lower compared to the previous “higher” of
calculation. Under the previous calculation, the March Mover
would be $0.79/cwt. higher. The April Mover is projected more
than $1.00/cwt. higher than March.
Milk production. Lower milk projection is a primary reason
for higher milk prices, and January helped the cause. January
milk production was 1.6% below last January, a significant
year-over-year decline. The decline was due to 77,000 less
cows, and 0.7% less milk per cow, compared to a year ago.
For the 24 reporting states, production was only higher in five
states led by South Dakota + 18.3% and Georgia +5.1%. Over
the past 12 months South Dakota’s dairy herd increased 28,000
head from 142,000 to 170,000 cows. New Mexico continues
to lead the pack in declining production, down 12.1%. January
production in California and Wisconsin was down 1.9% and
0.3%, respectively.
Southeast milk production is mixed. As reported above,
Georgia’s January production was 5.1% more than last January.
Compared to last year, Georgia has 3,000 more cows and milk
per cow is up 25 lbs. January production in Florida was down
3.5% and Virginia down 3.8%. Over the past year, dairy cow
numbers have declined 4,000 head in Florida and 3,000 head in
Virginia. Combined, production in these three states was only
0.8% lower than last year, less decline than the national average.
Dairy demand tops 30 billion lbs. For the first time
in history, commercial disappearance of all dairy products
(total solids basis) exceeded 30 billion lbs. in 2021. Total 2021
disappearance was 2.9% higher than 2020, the highest annual
growth since 2005. Domestic demand was up 1.6%, compared
COMMERCIAL DISAPPEARANCE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS (2000 - 2021 – TOTAL SOLIDS BASIS)
DOMESTIC EXPORT TOTAL* EXPORT%OFTOTAL
(million lbs) (%)
2000 19,800 811 20,610 3.9%
2005 21,102 1,661 22,763 7.3%
2010 21,503 2,970 24,473 12.1%
2015 23,275 3,627 26,901 13.5%
2020 24,649 4,587 29,236 15.7%
2021 25,031 5,058 30,089 16.8%
*May not add due to rounding

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 15
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Milk Prices
FMMO 5
www.malouisville.com
February 2022
Class 1 Advanced
Price
(@3.5%BF)
$25.04
March 2022
Class 1 Advanced
Price
(@3.5%BF)
$26.28
FMMO 7
www.fmmatlanta.com
February 2022
Class 1 Advanced
Price
(@3.5%BF)
$25.44
March 2022
Class 1 Advanced
Price
(@3.5%BF)
$26.68
to down 0.2% in 2020. Fat drove domestic demand in 2021, up 3.3%, while demand
for skim solids only increased 0.6%. As the table shows, record exports were a major
reason for strong demand in 2021. Over 5 billion lbs. of milk solids were exported in
2021, 10.3% more than 2020. Exports represented 16.8% of total demand in 2021. As
the table indicates, the U.S. dairy industry becomes more dependent on exports each
year. This dependency adds volatility to milk prices.
Fluid milk sales. Even though disappearance of all dairy products was 2.9%
higher in 2021, it was another down year for fluid milk sales. Conventional fluid milk
sales in 2021 were 4.2% lower than 2020, and organic fluid sales were 2.6% lower. On
the positive side, there were three conventional milk categories with higher sales in
2021. Flavored milk sales up 14.5%, buttermilk sales up 8.3%, and other fluid product
sales (lactose free, ultra-filtrated, etc.) up 41.3%. Sales of all three of these categories,
combined, represented 14.0 % of conventional fluid milk sales in 2021, compared to
11.3% in 2020.
The fluid sales decline in the three Southeast federal orders was slightly lower than
the national average. 2021 fluid milk sales in all three orders were 9.712 billion lbs.
This is 3.5% lower than sales of 10.070 billion lbs. in 2020. The decline varied among
the three orders. Florida was 3.8% lower, Southeast order down 4.8%, while the
Appalachian order only declined 1.9%.
Dairy farm numbers. According to USDA, the number of licensed dairy farms
declined 6.53% in 2021 to 29,858, a drop of 2,067 dairy farms from 2020, but a lower
decline than 2,555 farms the previous year. Unfortunately, the Southeast States saw
a larger percentage decline, 9.33%. Licensed Southeast States dairy farms dropped
from 1,650 in 2020 to 1,496 in 2021. Virginia lost the most dairy farms in 2021, 54,
followed by Kentucky losing 30 dairies. At the current rate of decline, expect less than
1,000 licensed dairy farms in the Southeast States by the end of the decade.
Blend prices. My blend price projections moved significantly higher this month.
Market indicators are finally convincing me milk production will not rebound for
several months, exports will remain strong, and domestic demand will be steady for
the foreseeable future. February blend prices are projected $1.00-$1.25/cwt. higher
than January. Blend prices are projected to move higher each month until peaking
in July. Average 2022 blend prices will come close to breaking the 2014 record high.
However, my current estimates show 2022 feed costs averaging $2.50 to $3.00/cwt.
more than 2014.
PROJECTED* BLEND PRICES – Base Zones – SOUTHEASTERN FEDERAL ORDERS
MONTH APPALACHIAN FLORIDA SOUTHEAST
($/cwt. at 3.5% butterfat – base zone)
DECEMBER 2021 $22.08 $23.97 $22.28
JANUARY 2022 $23.72 $25.49 $24.17
FEBRUARY $25.00 $26.76 $25.15
MARCH $25.85 $27.76 $25.82
APRIL $26.81 $28.65 $26.86
MAY $26.94 $28.81 $27.16
*projections in bold
Calvin Covington, ccovington5@cs.com, 352-266-7576

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 16
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Brenda Komar Memorial Dairy Scholarship Application
Fabian Bernal M.S., P.A.S. Dairy Advisory Manager. MANA
I
n life, Brenda Komar was the light of all gatherings and
friendships. After her passing, all I can remember is her
smile and her kind, powerful words of encouragement.
It is very unusual to run into someone with a strong, yet
selfless personality that radiates love and kindness. But
first, let me tell you of my story and how I came to meet
Brenda Komar. With all odds against me, I came to this
beautiful dairy farm to my first ever consulting/large farm
evaluation where I was completely on my own. I had heard
of the management team and I was quite nervous, but I
knew this was an opportunity like no other. Before I had a
chance to meet with Billy Komar, I ran into a very strong
woman with a huge smile that introduced herself to me
and told me that we should chat before walking around the
farm. Not once did she question my capabilities or who I
was, she just extended her hand with a friendly welcome.
She gave me a couple of key points to look at, but more so
she gave me one piece of advice that I carry with me even
today “Fabian, let me tell you. You are better off if you
listen before you talk, and I am not only talking about my
husband, but the people on the farm and the animals too.”
I think of this often and since then it has became part of
my process when visiting farms around the world.
Thinking back, her and the Komar family were some of the
first people that gave me an opportunity when I did not have a
lot to offer. Brenda extended a helpful hand even when it was not
asked for. Over time I consulted with her on many occasions to
the point that I relied on her in some of the most difficult cases
that I have ever dealt with for some direction and deep thought.
At some point, Brenda became so close that I started calling
her mama and she called me her Colombian son. She taught me
to be quiet and that I am better off to listen than talk when the
situations are difficult and when you are in front of those that
will question your capabilities, your knowledge and your worth.
She helped many of us understand the value of friendship and
strong leadership. Never with a demeaning word, yet always
strong. The shared smiles and experiences I will always treasure,
and I know those that know her will agree that there is no better
way to remember and honor her memory than a scholarship
that helps others achieve their dreams even in the most difficult
circumstances.
In the Komar family I have found knowledge, true friendship
and complete acceptance. Please join all of us honoring Brenda’s
memory and her dedication and passion for the industry.
The family of Brenda Komar has established an annual
scholarship in the amount of $1000.00 in remembrance of
Brenda and her dedication and love of the dairy profession.
An individual must meet the following requirements for
consideration.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must:
• Be enrolled in an agriculture-related field
• Be a high school senior planning to major in a field of
agriculture
• Be a Kentucky student
• Be a student currently enrolled at an accredited college or
university
TO APPLY
Submit the following with the scholarship application:
• Resume
• Complete transcript
• One letter of recommendation from college/university or high
school faculty member
• One letter of recommendation from an agriculture
representative
• High resolution photo suitable for print
DEADLINE
Applications must be received by September 30, 2022. Mail
completed application packets to Kentucky Dairy Development
Council, 176 Pasadena Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40503 or
email to j.hickersonkddc@gmail.com
AWARD PROCESS
• KDDC scholarship review committee will review applications
and select a recipient
• The recipient will be recognized during the KDDC Annual
Banquet in February 2023
• Payment will be made directly to the student’s school upon
proof of term enrollment
• The scholarship must be used in the year following the award
QUESTIONS
For more information and questions, please contact KDDC at
859-516-1129 or kddc@kydairy.org

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 17
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
YES
NO
YES
NO
Please answer the following and submit with application.
• After completion of college, what are your career plans and how do they relate to dairy?
• What role do you play in your family dairy farm operation?
• What qualities do you posses that would move dairy forward in Kentucky?
• What is the most important management practice a dairy operation can utilize to be sustainable in the future?
• In 500 words or less, describe your future plans and how the Brenda Komar Memorial Dairy Scholarship would assist you in meeting your goals
Submit the following with your scholarship application:
• Resume
• Complete transcript
• One letter of recommendation from college/university or high school faculty member
• One letter of recommendation from an agriculture representative
• High resolution photo suitable for print
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE EMAIL
PARENT/GUARDIAN 1 PARENT/GUARDIAN 2
PARENT/GUARDIAN ADDRESS
Brenda Komar Memorial Dairy
Scholarship Application
Do you currently live on a dairy? Are you a high school senior?
HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ATTENDING
MAJOR ANTICIPATED GRADUATION DATE
2021 Komar
Scholarship
winner, Tyler
London

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 18
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
U.S. Dairy Farms Fall Below 30,000
John Newton tells Kentucky producers: Milk’s changing landscape is prompting
Sen. Boozman’s interest in revitalizing Southeast dairy, rural economies
Sherry Bunting
U
.S. milk production totaled 226.3 billion pounds in
2021, up 1.3% compared with 2020, with 1,799
fewer dairy farms (down 5.7%) milking 56,000
more cows (up 0.6%). The Feb. 23 USDA report showed
the average number of U.S. licensed dairy herds fell to
29,858.
Collectively, the Southeast region from Virginia to Florida
to Arkansas totaled 1,531 licensed dairy herds in 2021 – down
199 (11.5%) from 2020. Milk cow numbers in the Southeast
declined by 15,000 head, averaging 415,000 last year.
During the Kentucky Dairy Partners conference in Bowling
Green on Feb. 23, John Newton, chief economist for the U.S.
Senate Ag Committee Republicans referenced these dairy farm
losses in his talk about the 2023 Farm Bill. The Kentucky
native mentioned Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member John
Boozman’s concern about the decline of dairy farms in the
Southeast.
“One of the Senator’s dairy initiatives is to look at this. There
are only 30 dairies left in his home state of Arkansas. They
have lost nearly 90% of their dairies over the last couple of
decades. He wants to figure out how to revitalize dairies in the
Southeast,” said Newton.
In the Southeast, specifically, and the East, in general, the
loss of dairy farms, plant closures, and six years of poor dairy
farm profitability are shaping a landscape of change that affects
agricultural infrastructure, next generation farm transfers, as
well as rural jobs and economic vitality.
“Sen. Boozman wants to look at how do we protect the
Southeast dairy industry to grow and to revitalize these rural
economies so our next generations are not leaving the farm
for other economic opportunities,” Newton said, observing
broadband and labor as two big issues affecting all rural
communities.
“The Senator’s concern about revitalizing rural economies
extends beyond the Southeast to other parts of the country
as well,” said Newton. His map illustrated similar concerns
in the Northeast and MidAtlantic region, and anyone drilling
down into the data throughout the U.S. can see consolidation is
reaching a tipping point. For example, the loss of dairy farms in
the rapidly growing Central and Mideast regions is more than
offset by expanding herd size as those regions are milking more
cows and making more milk.
Pricing formulas and inequitable distribution of revenue
could be playing a role and will be part of Farm Bill discussions
that have already begun, said Newton.
He encouraged Southeast producers to be thinking about a
better way to price milk and bring it to the broader industry
discussions because “the outcome has to work for dairy
producers in all regions,” he said.
According to the USDA annual report, milk production
Table 1: 2011 to 2021 Decade of Change % pooled, % utilization
Table I reflects a decade of change in FMMO participation as total U.S. milk production grew 13.3% from 2011 to 2021, and as
California became an FMMO in 2018 after previously being a state order not included in the 2011 comparison -- The percentage of milk
production pooled on FMMOs fell from 82% in 2011 to 60.5% in 2021. Class I pounds as percent of total production excluding California
in 2011 fell from 28.7% to 18.6% in 2021 (now including California as an FMMO).
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

The
map
shows
the
annual
data
released
by
USDA
of
licensed
dairy
herds,
cow
numbers
and
milk
production
by
state
for
2021
vs.
2020.
The
number
of
dairies
fell
below
30,000
even
though
the
number
of
exits,
1799,
was
below
the
20-year
annual
average
(2300)
and
milk
production
grew
by
1.3%
nationwide.
Compiled
by
Sherry
Bunting
from
USDA
NASS
data.

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 20
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
nationally was strong the first half of the year, but in the second
half, cow numbers began to shrink nationally, along with output
per cow.
The USDA semi-annual All Cattle and Calf Inventory Report,
in fact, estimated 1% fewer milk cows and 3% fewer dairy
replacement heifers on farms as of Jan. 1, 2022.
At issue as well, is the big decline in the percentage of U.S.
milk participating in FMMO pools. In 2011, an estimated 82% of
total U.S. milk participated. This fell to 60% in 2021.
The swath of states in the Mideast, Central U.S., and West,
where milk production has grown substantially, is in part due to
state initiatives started more than a decade ago to specifically
attract dairies and bring processing plant construction and jobs to
those rural economies.
The trend in the Southwest hit speed bumps in New Mexico
and Arizona, but Texas, Kansas, and Colorado continued to be
big gainers in 2021, with Texas surpassing New York as the 4th
largest dairy state.
The Upper Midwest and Central Plains are also strong areas
of growth in the past two to three years, followed by the Mideast
region of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Both regions have built
new plants and added significant Class III or IV milk processing
capacity owned jointly by cooperatives and global corporations.
Looking over the data for the Eastern Seaboard, we see
declines in milk production and cow numbers, along with
declines in the number of dairy farms except for New York and
Georgia, where farm numbers declined, but cow numbers and
milk production increased.
Digging into the Southeast numbers, the two major reporting
states of Florida and Georgia went in opposite directions.
In Georgia, where the average herd size has grown by more
than 300-head over the past five years, there was an average of
110 dairies in 2021, down by 20, but they collectively milked
1000 more cows to produce 1.5% more milk. The average
herd size in Georgia grew from 400 cows at the start of 2017
to 745 at the start of 2022. January’s monthly milk production
report shows Georgia is starting the year with strong gains in
production and cow numbers as well.
John Newton talked about the average loss of 2300 U.S. dairy farms annually from 2003 to 2020. States heavily shaded in gold and red are losing
dairy farms at the fastest rates, but for different reasons. In the Southeast, Midatlantic and Northeast, the decline in farm numbers is accompanied
by a decline in production except for New York, Georgia and North Carolina. Elsewhere, the rapid decline in farm numbers is replaced by larger
dairies. States in the Central U.S. like Texas, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin are seeing significant milk production increases along with a
decline in the number of dairy farms. This is also true of the Mideast region -- Michigan, Indiana and Ohio
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 21
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
By contrast, the number of dairies in Florida fell to 75 in
2021, milking 5000 fewer cows and producing 5.1% less
milk than 2020, with the average herd size stable for the
year at 1440 -- up 400 compared with five years ago.
North Carolina is not among the 24 major reporting
states, but their annual production grew by 2.5%, according
to USDA, even though they lost five dairies and milked
1000 fewer cows. Average herd size is 286 compared with
219 five years ago.
Virginia is among the 24 major reporting states with
annual production down 3.4% on 54 fewer dairies milking
2000 fewer cows in 2021. Average herd size is 173
compared with 146 five years ago.
Kentucky and Tennessee each had 2000 fewer milk cows
with production falling 3.4 and 6.3%, respectively, with
30 fewer dairy herds in Kentucky, 20 fewer in Tennessee
compared with a year ago.
An average of 46,000 cows were milked on 420
Kentucky dairy farms in 2021, representing a loss of 12,000
cows and 210 dairies over the past five years. The average
herd size at the start of 2022 is 110 cows compared with 92
at the start of 2017.
An average of 28,000 cows were milked on 160
Tennessee dairy farms in 2021, representing a loss of 14,000
cows and 140 dairies over the past five years. The average
herd size at the start of 2022 is 175 milk cows compared
with 140 at the start of 2017.
Innovation grants, avid promotion partnerships with
retailers, and a strong focus on heat stress mitigation,
heat-resistance genetics and crossbreeding as well as milk
production and quality programs throughout the Southeast
help progressive herds take advantage of opportunities
to grow and diversify, but more initiatives are needed as
cooperative base/excess programs, reduction in Class I
sales, displacement of Southeast milk by increased packaged
milk sales from other areas, and other mailbox milk pricing
factors get in the way
Changing Data into Information and Providing Dairy Producers the Tools to Increase Profitability and
Sustainability for Their Operations
PREG RATE OPTION: Reproduction efficiency has a direct impact on herd.
GENOMIC OPTION: The genomic information collected and used in management decisions on an
operation can potentially expedite a dairy's genetic potential by up to 3 years or more increasing profits and
sustainability of the dairy.
SCC OPTION: A direct correlation has been found between lowering SCC score and milk production
improvement.
FINANCE OPTION: Understanding and knowing the financial analysis of your dairy opperation is a key
driving factor in maintaining a profitable dairy operation.

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 22
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Wildcat Wisdom
Donna Amaral-Phillips
UK Dairy Extension Group
Selective Dry Cow Therapy: Should You Consider Using this Management Practice?
Prevention of mastitis and successful treatment of clinical
cases when needed are the hallmarks of a cost effective
and successfully implemented mastitis program. The use of
correctly-applied pre-dip, stripping of foremilk to check for
clinical mastitis prior to attaching the milking machine, post-
dipping the lower 3/4rds of the teat with a germicide at the
conclusion of milking, routinely serviced and properly operating
milking equipment, and maintaining a relatively “clean” resting
environment are vital parts of any mastitis prevention plan. In
addition, the use of dry cow therapy plays a key role in these
on-farm mastitis prevention protocols.
Dry Cow Treatment Is Important
Treating all quarters of all cows with a long-acting antibiotic
at dry off, known as blanket dry cow therapy, has been an
important component of mastitis prevention/treatment plans.
Dry cow therapy offers both a therapeutic and preventative
component in reducing the risk of a cow getting mastitis. Long-
acting antibiotics found in dry cow treatment tubes are designed
to cure cows with sub-clinically infected quarters (therapeutic
role) and prevent new infections during the high risk period
around the time of dry off (preventative role). These products
along with soundly implemented milking practices have been
very effective at reducing the overall incidence of mastitis,
eliminating Strep. ag infections, and controlling Staph. aureus.
Properly used teat sealants provide a keratin-like plug which
decreases the entry point for bacteria into the teat canal. At
dry off, many cows, especially higher producing cows, may
have a delay in teat end closure and a higher risk of developing
mastitis. Teat sealants are recommended to be used in addition
to antibiotic therapy.
Selective Dry Cow Treatment
Selective dry cow treatment, where only cows having an
infected quarter(s) are treated with antibiotics, has been shown
to decrease the use of antibiotics and might be an appropriate
protocol for some herds. However, one must realize that this
practice requires more attention to details, the use of well-kept
individual cow records, and additional on-farm protocols. All
cows still receive a tube of a teat sealant into the teat canal of all
quarters and this practice is a vital part of decreasing the risk of
new infections at dry off.
Studies that have compared selective to blanket dry cow
therapy have seen a mixed bag of responses related to risk
of mastitis infection post-calving. Some studies have seen
no differences when comparing cows receiving a blanket
versus selective dry cow treatment, whereas others have seen
an increased incidence of mastitis with selective dry cow
treatment. The success or failure with this approach relates back
to the organisms causing mastitis in the herd (Staph. aureus
in particular) and the incidence of not only clinical mastitis,
but also prevalence of subclinical mastitis. (Cows with a SCC
greater than 200,000 cells/mL are considered to have mastitis.)
To use this approach, one must be able to correctly identify
those cows which do not need to be treated.
Is Your Herd A Candidate?
Mastitis researchers suggest one start by identifying if
your herd is a candidate for selective dry cow treatment.
The specific criteria suggested to identify herds that might
be a candidate to consider selective dry cow therapy varies
somewhat between mastitis researchers. However, some
common recommendations do occur. These include: (1) average
bulk tank SCC below 250,000 cells/mL, (2) conduct monthly
cow SCC tests, (3) no quarters are infected with Strep. ag and
Staph. aureus is controlled or non-existent, (4) the herd has an
ongoing system to monitor and record (written or electronic
records) clinical mastitis cases, (5) clinical cases are cultured
to identify organisms causing mastitis, and (6) attention to
details regarding implementation of procedures at dry off. One
critical component, if a herd is a candidate for selective dry cow
treatment, is to routinely monitor outcomes post-calving and to
detect mastitis related problems early. One also must assess the
risks versus the financial gains of adapting selective dry cow
therapy.
Once one has decided the herd is a candidate to try selective
dry cow therapy, decisions need to be made for each individual
cow as to whether she should be dry cow treated or not. All
cows need to receive a tube of teat sealant in all 4 quarters
at dry off regardless of whether or not they receive dry cow
antibiotic treatment. At the time of dry off, cows with a SCC
less than 200,000 cells/mL, no clinical mastitis cases in the
last 90 days, and cows with a CMT score less than 2 (no gel
formation- a way of detecting SCC at the day of dry off)
are candidates for selected dry cow therapy. Other mastitis
researchers prefer a SCC below 200,000 the entire lactation
and no more than 2 clinical mastitis cases detected during the
entire lactation. Another approach is to culture each quarter
individually 1 to 2 days before dry off and those with no growth
do not receive antibiotic dry cow treatment. Some researchers

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 23
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
suggest a lower SCC threshold for first lactation cows,
such as 150,000 cells/mL. These protocols attempt to
identify those cows which do not need antibiotic therapy
at this time. Always consult with your veterinarian as to
the criteria to use in your respective herd.
One might also consider just using a teat sealant and
not treating any cows within the herd with dry cow
therapy. Organic dairy farms routinely use this practice
as the use of antibiotics is restricted. In a recent study
reported at the National Dairy Science meeting, clinical
mastitis during the next lactation was decreased by 44%
with antibiotic therapy plus a teat sealant versus using
a teat sealant alone in mature cows in a single large
dairy herd. Individual farm responses will vary and can
be related to the mastitis-causing organisms found on
farm, subclinical and clinical infection rates, housing
environment for dry cows, cleanliness of calving areas,
and successful implementation of effective milking time
mastitis prevention practices; all of which can change
over time. Thus, using no dry cow therapy on any cows
within the herd does carry a higher risk that cows could
have a higher prevalence of clinical and subclinical
mastitis, resulting in higher SCC.
Decisions on the best approach to use at the time of
dry off need to reflect the current health of cows within
the herd as well as the level of risk that is acceptable
to the farmer. These decisions need to be made with
the best information available in consultation with your
local veterinarian. Hopefully, these decisions can reflect
your assessment for the best outcome on your farm and
not driven by market availability of products to use at
dry off.
Southland Dairy Farmers Mobile Dairy Classroom Instructor, Haley Fisher,
continues to serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky, by visiting schools and events
all over the state.
The Mobile Dairy Classroom features an educational milking parlor with a
live cow, which is used to highlight the value of dairy and healthy nutrition by
demonstrating the basic milking process and promoting dairy and milk from
farm to table. A typical week for Fisher is traveling with her cow to schools and
events across the entire state to teach and promote on the importance of dairy
farming and nutrition.
The Mobile Dairy Classroom is open to all schools and events for free, courtesy
of supporting Kentucky dairy producers. Haley is continuously booking and you
can visit www.southlanddairyfarmers.com to request your free visit. Tell your
local teachers and event coordinators about this great opportunity to educate
about dairy and dairy nutrition. Slots fill up fast and it is never too soon to book
for summer of even fall!
Book Your Mobile Dairy Classroom Visit

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 24
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Kentucky Dairy Development Council
BOD District Map
(as of Feb 2022)
Kentucky Dairy Development Council
Regional Consultant Map
DISTRICT 1: BRUNDIGE DISTRICT 2: T SUMNER DISTRICT 3: LONG DISTRICT 4: CRIST
DISTRICT 5: COMPTON DISTRICT 6: GENTRY DISTRICT 7: GOODE DISTRICT 8: OPEN
DISTRICT 9: WEAVER DISTRICT 10: ROWLETT DISTRICT 11: S JONES DISTRICT 12: J RAMER
WEST: DAVE ROBERTS
(859) 516-1409
CENTRAL: PATTY HOLBERT
(859) 516-1966
SOUTHEAST: BETH COX
(859) 516-1619
(270) 469-4278
NORTHEAST: JENNIFER HICKERSON
(859) 516-2428

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 25
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Hit Your Fly Control Target
Across The Entire Farm
In Glasgow: On the Web: In Danville:
1-800-589-2174 www.burkmann.com 1-800-786-2875
In The Calf Hutch
Milk Replacers with Clairfly
to stop flies in their tracks.
On The Cow
Rubs, sprays, tags and feed
thrus to keep flies at bay.
In The Barn
Strips, aresols,
cleaners, permethrin
and more to un-invite
flies from your barn.
Consult With Your Territory
Manager About Your Fly Control
Goals Today
Dr. Heersche
Retirement Celebration
May 21, 2022
2:00 PM
Centenary United Methodist Church
Lexington, KY
Cards, notes of appreciation or stories
send to: Larissa Tucker
larissa.tucker@uky.edu
Or mail
403 W. P. Garrigus Bldg.
Lexington, KY 40546
Thomas Sumner
Thomas (left) graduated from the University of Kentucky
with an agriculture degree in 2018 and came back to be the herd
manager of the families 200 cow dairy farm in Smiths Grove,
Kentucky.
“I believe I can make a difference in the future of dairy in
Kentucky. As a young dairy producer, with a passion for all
things dairy, I look forward to bringing a fresh experience to the
board. I am excited for the future of dairy in Kentucky.”
Jesse Ramar
Jesse and his wife Belinda have three girls and four boys and
farm in Todd County. There they milk one hundred cows and
have four broiler houses. Son Daniel helps manage the dairy
and son Martin helps to manage the broiler houses. Jesse is very
well versed in forage production and is a seed distributor for Alta
Seeds, America Alfalfa, and Barenbrug Seeds. Jesse moved to
Todd County from northern Indiana in 2003.
Welcome New Board Members

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 26
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
H
enry County High School in New Castle, Kentucky,
recently received a $12,000 grant from The Dairy
Alliance to purchase a bulk milk dispenser and its
corresponding equipment.
According to the high school’s nutrition director, Anna
Lusk, the bulk milk dispenser was chosen to ensure fresh,
cold milk is always available to students. Out of the available
programs, the dispenser was selected for the high school as
these older students won’t struggle to transport the open milk
from the dispenser to their seat like younger students, while also
providing the independence of pouring however much milk they
would like.
Beginning in January of this year, Henry County High
School’s approximately 600 students have the option of
choosing plain or chocolate milk from the milk dispenser.
Though it is too early to definitively say if the dispenser has
improved student participation in breakfast and lunch programs,
staff have reason to believe so, noting students’ enthusiasm.
“We have had great feedback from the kids,” said Lusk when
asked about the dispenser.
Students are thrilled with the new dispenser, especially with
the chocolate milk option. In fact, two of the three dispenser
valves are connected to chocolate milk to keep up with student
demand. Several students have noted that the milk from the
dispenser tastes better than the original milk served in cartons.
Bulk milk dispensers provide unique opportunities to schools.
The reusable 8-ounce cups reduce mealtime packaging waste for
the school by eliminating the need for cartons. The opportunity
for students to fill the cups with as much milk as they want is
another benefit. Replacing cartons with cups gives students the
opportunity to return for more milk once their glass is empty,
providing the exact amount desired instead of either too much
or too little. Served on demand, the milk is always fresh and
cold thanks to the refrigerated unit holding the 5-gallon bags of
real milk.
Bulk milk dispensers are beginning to appear in schools
across The Dairy Alliance’s 8-state region. The bulk milk
dispenser is one of several new dairy optimization programs
begun in recent years to raise milk consumption in schools by
appealing to students’ changing tastes. This is the second bulk
milk dispenser to be introduced into Kentucky schools through
The Dairy Alliance grants.
Benefits of Bulk Milk Dispensers Shown
at Henry County High School

March - April 2022 • KDDC • Page 27
KDDC is supported in part by a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund
Allied Sponsors
PLATINUM
Alltech
Bel Cheese
Bluegrass Dairy Food
Burkmann Feeds
Cowherd Equipment
CPC Commodities
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Kentucky Farm Bureau
Kentucky Soybean Board
Prairie Farms
Shaker Equipment Sales
Southland Dairy Farmers
Trenton Farm Supply
Zoetis
GOLD
DFA
KAEB Services
Mid-South Dairy Records
Owen Transport
Select Sires Mid-America
SILVER
Advance Comfort Technology
Givens Houchins Inc.
Grain Processing Corporation
Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association
Luttrull Feed
Nutra Blend
South Central Bank
BRONZE
AgCentral
Agri Feed International, LLC
Bagdad Rolling Mills
Bank of Jamestown
Central Farmers Supply
Day Day Feed
Hartland Animal Hospital
Kentucky Corn Growers Association
Limestone Cooper
Mammoth Cave Dairy Auction
QMI Quality Mgt Inc.
Smith Creek Inc
Wilson Trucking
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
TRENTON
FARM SUPPLY

176 Pasadena Drive
Lexington, KY 40503
859.516.1129 ph
www.kydairy.org
Non-Profit
US Postage
PAID
APR 8 Kentucky National Show Sales, KY Fair Expo Center, Louisville, KY
APR 16 State 4-H Dairy Camp, Metcalfe County Fairgrounds
MAY 19 KDDC Board Meeting
MAY 21 Dr Hersche Retirement
MAY 21 Mercer County June Dairy Day
JUN 7 KDDC Dairy Nights at Lexington Legends Ball Game, Lexington KY
JUN 9 KDDC Dairy Night at Bowling Green Hot Rods, Bowling Green KY
JUN TBA State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, EKU Meadowbrook Farm, Richmond, KY
JUL 5-6 KDDC Summer Producers Farm Tour
JUL 14 KDDC Board Meeting
JUL 20-21 Annual Value Added Conference, North Carolina, TBA
Calendar of Events