Month: April 2025

In June, the new USDA dairy milk formulas for pricing producer milk will be implemented. When that happens, financial comparisons to past milk Class prices will not be compatible with historic prices. (See this post for details.) [Read More …]

Early Spring Weeds in No-Till Fields

Note: The following images were taken by D. Lingenfelter, Penn State Weed Science Warmer temperatures and rainfall occurring across much of the state are causing weeds to flourish. Many of these weeds started their growth [Read More …]

Are We Getting Too Comfortable?

I recently spoke at the Amelicor Corporation’s Conference in Las Vegas and while I was there, I saw someone win $1,000. I asked him what he would do with his winnings, and he responded [Read More …]

Get the Scoop on Safe Manure Storage

This time of year, manure lagoons get emptied before the crops go in. It’s a good time to empty manure storage facilities and apply valuable nutrients to fields. Handling manure brings a new set of [Read More …]

Rollin Ag Resources Makes Its Debut

Newest distribution partner Donny Rollin is no stranger to the dairy industry—in fact, he’s a well-known former farmer with years of practical experience. Last year, he and his family exited the dairy production business, and [Read More …]

2024 Semen Sales Report Reflects a Return to Sales Increases

National Association of Animal Breeders regular members unit sales show domestic and global semen use continues to shift with changes in economics of production. The National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) members report annual units [Read More …]

You Might Already Be Using Artificial Intelligence Without Knowing It

For many of us, artificial intelligence (AI) inadvertently became part of our lives. What are some common and potential applications of AI in agriculture? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it [Read More …]

Is Soil Compaction On Your Dial?

As temperatures rise and soils thaw, the potential for causing soil compaction increases. Is soil compaction on your radar screen? As average farm size increases, farm equipment typically becomes bigger and heavier, posing an increasing [Read More …]

The Impacts of the Reproductive Microbiome on Dairy Cattle Fertility

Reproductive failure, which includes failure to become pregnant and pregnancy loss during any point of gestation, financially devastates the dairy industry each year. With over $2,000 in loss per pregnancy failure, understanding how to mitigate [Read More …]

The New World Screwworm: This Is a Threat to the Dairy Industry

The New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly that poses a significant threat to the dairy industry. This pest, known for its flesh-eating larvae, can cause severe damage to livestock, leading to economic [Read More …]

Wood Boards for Cheese Affinage: A Review of New Science and Findings

Wood boards have been used by cheesemakers for centuries to age cheese. Wood boards support the growth of surface microflora of desirable yeasts, bacteria and molds that help ripen the cheese and contribute to the [Read More …]

What we’re watching: Bills at the Capitol and the Mexican screwworm

The 89th Texas legislative session is likely about half over when you read this, which means it will be extremely busy at the Capitol until session ends on June 2. Texas Association of Dairymen staff and [Read More …]

Herds and Her: Empowering Women in Dairy

May 20, 2025 Robesonia, PA Gain practical skills in dairy farming through hands-on learning in milk quality, farm safety, breakeven costs, hoof health, and more. Build confidence and connect with fellow women in the industry! [Read More …]

Targeted Use of Tariffs and Robust Negotiations Essential to Successful Results

Leaders from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) released the following statements today in response to President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements. “Tariffs can be a useful tool for [Read More …]

Experience The Future of Animal Agriculture and Learn How to Protect It at NIAA’s Annual Conference

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will host the 2025 Annual Conference – Securing Our Future: Don’t Just Talk…Act! at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City, Missouri next week, April 7 – [Read More …]

Feeding High Oleic Soybeans and Balancing Diets for Milk Fat

Put the Latest Science into Practice at the American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting The 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA)–the scientific organization behind the Journal of Dairy Science and JDS [Read More …]

Global Flavors and Spicy-Sweet Pairings Delight at 2025 IDFA Innovative Ice Cream Contests

Welcome to the ultimate flavor face-off! America’s top new and prototype ice cream flavors and novelty products competed for the title of “Most Innovative” this week at the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) annual Innovative [Read More …]

USDA Announces Agricultural Trade Promotion Programs for 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for 2025 and accepting applications for four export market development programs. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service has opened funding opportunities for the Market Access [Read More …]

Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Protect Common Names

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) praised yesterday’s reintroduction of the Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields Act (SAFTEY Act). Led by [Read More …]

Ready for a new feed pad?

We’ve never heard anyone say, “Gee, I’m so sorry I put in a new silage pad.” Feed quality goes up; feed losses go down. Maybe it’s even more fun to feed cattle when you’re not [Read More …]

The Dairy Alliance Teams Up with SEC and ACC College Basketball Stars

Last fall, we took the field with four elite SEC college quarterbacks, Carson Beck of the University of Georgia, Nico Iamaleava of the University of Tennessee, Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss, and Brock Vandagriff of [Read More …]

Producer Sentiment Slips Due to Rising Policy Uncertainty

A breakdown on the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer March results can be viewed at https://purdue.ag/barometervideo. Find the audio podcast discussion for insight on this month’s sentiment at https://purdue.ag/agcast. Weaker expectations for the future led to a decline in farmer [Read More …]

When to Introduce Dairy Foods

The first 1,000 days between pregnancy and a child’s second birthday are a critical time to nourish early brain development1. Dairy foods provide seven of the 14 nutrients identified by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as [Read More …]

NMPF Celebrates Senate Support for Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

The National Milk Producers Federation celebrated strong bipartisan Senate support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act as senators begin considering this critical legislation. In a Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry hearing [Read More …]

Grant Program Now Open for Large Animal Veterinarians to Review Biosecurity Plans

The Grants Will Reimburse Veterinarians For Time Spent Assisting Their Dairy Farm Clients in PA The Center for Dairy Excellence is now accepting applications from large animal veterinarians for the Biosecurity Plan Veterinary Review Program. The [Read More …]

U.S. Senate Hearing Highlights Broad, Bipartisan Support for Reinstating Whole and 2% Milk in Schools

In a hearing before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee today, lawmakers, nutrition experts, and school officials emphasized the need to restore whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk to federal school meal programs. The focus of the hearing was [Read More …]

USDA’s ECAP payment information

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency, ECAP will [Read More …]

DairyBusiness News (USDA, Flickr/Creative Commons)

AIR Parametric Expands Heat Stress Insurance Coverage for 2025

U.S. based general agency AIR Parametric, Inc. has announced expanded coverage options for its heat stress insurance product, Milkshake™, in 2025. Following a successful 2024 launch, the innovative parametric insurance solution will now be available to [Read More …]

New bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House and Senate proposes innovative solutions to the farmland access crisis

Today, the bipartisan New Producer Economic Security Act was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate by Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Zach Nunn (R-IA-03), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Don Davis (D-NC-01), Eric Sorenson (D-IL-17), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), and Gabe [Read More …]

C-CHANGE: Advancing Anaerobic Digesters with Innovation