Feeding for Increased Milk Protein Production – Dr. Mike Van Amburgh from Cornell University Dr. Buzz Burhans with the Dairy-Tech Group

Guests

Dr. Mike Van Amburgh from Cornell University

Dr. Buzz Burhans with the Dairy-Tech Group

Episode 2: Feeding for Increased Milk Protein Production

Podcast Topic

The second episode of the Real Science Exchange focuses on feeding for increased milk protein production. The host Scott Sorrell is joined by his co-host Dr. Clay Zimmerman for this round-the-table discussion. Clay brought with him Dr. Mike Van Amburgh from Cornell University and Dr. Buzz Burhans with the Dairy-Tech Group. The two guests bring both the academic and research perspective along with practical on-the-farm reality.

Timestamps

Dr. Mike Van Amburgh in his role at Cornell University lead the development of CNCPS. 2:38​

Dr. Buzz Burhans has been an independent consultant for more than 35 years and was one of the first adopters of CNCPS. 4:50​

Here are highlights of the discussion, make sure to tune in to hear each topic discussed: Previously, on one of the Real Science Lectures Dr. Mike Van Amburgh presented on how to increase milk protein and customer profits. He shared the key points from that lecture. This includes the current challenging times to figure how to get protein levels up and the importance of accurately knowing the cow you are feeding. 8:56​

Dr. Burhans went on to talk about practical experience when he and Mike worked together previously on an industry field day and discovered that most nutritionists did not have an accurate understanding of the cow weight. Some got it close, give or take 400 pounds 20:04​

Discussions shifts to NDF characterization and the importance of diet differentiation based on available economical feedstuffs. 28:39​

A follow-up discussion from the Real Science lecturer series focused around whether or not crude protein should be the focus or if it should be instead on amino acids 34:49​

Dr. Burhans highlighted the importance of rumen ammonia as an indicator in formulation management. 41:34​

Dr. Van Amburgh brought up the importance of honestly knowing your cows’ availability to feed vs. assumption. Trail cams can prove the truthfulness from your assumptions 43:26​

With Dr. Burhans experience both in the west and in the northeast, he discussed the sugar levels in diets 46:13​

Dr. Van Amburgh reminded the table the importance of looking at the cows to understand what’s going on there, not just looking at the data on paper 51:57​

The chat then shifts to talk about Dr. Van Amburgh’s current outlook on the push to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Some supplies are discussing the push to a “voluntary” mandate and the discussion for what role does nutrition play into this move. 52:39​

Looking ahead to 2050, both guests admitted they shouldn’t be worry about where the dairy industry is at that point, but they will probably still be involved. Dr. Van Amburgh dives into the need to retain the carbon in the soil and the potential for a different structure of the dairy production and integration. He also discusses how CNCPS will evolve to help with the future changes. 57:75 Dr. Burhans’ looked ahead and indicated that in the future as the nutrition model gets more complex, the background and education of the nutritionists will need to align. 1:06​

Additional Notes

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