Magazine

There are plenty of places where we can talk with major food companies about dairy farming. Conference rooms, video calls and presentations all have their place. But there is no substitute for standing on a [Read More …]

The Downside and Upside of Increasing Exports

The Downside and Upside of Increasing Exports The prior posts covered how the U.S. is becoming a dairy exporter. The biggest change is in exports of cheese and butter. The impact on farmer protein and [Read More …]

Not all fiber behaves the same in dairy rations

The equations used to estimate forage fiber digestibility do not always apply to co-products such as canola meal. For decades, dairy nutritionists have relied on a simple rule: as lignin increases, fiber digestibility decreases. This [Read More …]

What Is Your Reason?

I recently reread an old book from my personal library, entitled The Goal, written by Eli Goldratt & Jeff Cox in 1992. I read this 34 years ago, and, assuming you can still find a [Read More …]

Preparing Grain Storages for Harvest

Properly preparing grain storages for harvest. As we approach corn grain harvest, we thought it was a good idea to remind folks to properly prepare grain storages. Several species of beetles and moth caterpillars can [Read More …]

Big GLP-1 losses could mean big gains for dairy industry

You’ve probably heard plenty about GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. These medications, first used to treat diabetes, have become increasingly popular for weight loss. What does any of that have to do [Read More …]

Managing Soils to Maximize Infiltration

High precipitation in recent weeks caused localized flooding in parts of Pennsylvania. Another clear call for the critical importance of soil management to improve infiltration and reduce runoff. This summer has brought significant precipitation to [Read More …]

Real California Milk Excelerator Launches 2026 Cohort

Products Tackling Consumer Demand for Global Flavors, Functional Nutrition, Convenience and Experiential Indulgence. 15 companies join 8th annual innovation program with growth-stage and early-stage tracks designed to accelerate revenue growth, retail expansion, investment readiness and [Read More …]

Fall Forage Management Tips

Fall forage management is important for overwintering cool-season perennials in both hay and pasture systems and to promote healthy spring growth. As summer winds down and fall approaches, cool-season forages like alfalfa and orchardgrass will [Read More …]

Checkoff’s Foodservice Partners Continue to Deliver Results

Our foodservice partnerships are a longstanding part of the dairy checkoff story. Over the years, they have helped bring more dairy to restaurant menus, inspired new product innovation and created meaningful growth in dairy sales. [Read More …]

Dietary crude protein: how low can we go thanks to the amino acid balancing concept in dairy cows?

Evonik was first to introduce the amino acid balancing concept in the animal nutrition market. It consists of matching livestock feed to exact physiological needs by precisely supplementing amino acids rather than overfeeding crude protein. [Read More …]

Why Herd Immunity Matters to Your Dairy

When it comes to preventing diseases on your dairy, vaccination is not a “set it and forget it” task. While vaccination is a key component of disease prevention, it’s important to distinguish vaccination from immunization. [Read More …]

What If You Could?

Recently, I was thinking about a Client with whom I have worked for several years and, as I reviewed their financial results, I was thankful for the positive progress they had made. When I first [Read More …]

Cover Crops After Corn Silage

Cover crops are important after any crop, but never as important as after corn silage. Plan to drill the cover crop immediately after harvest to maximize its benefits. Cover crops are essential for sustainable annual [Read More …]

Tennessee Celebrates Local Dairy Farm Families with New Statewide Campaign

Launches “From Our Farm to Your Family,” honoring the people and communities making an impact on local dairy industry. The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit organization funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, in partnership [Read More …]

Cost of Production: The Most Important Number on Your Farm

What does it cost you to produce a bushel of corn, a hundred pounds of milk, or a pound of mushrooms? It may sound like a simple question, but the answer is one of the [Read More …]

Capturing the Feedlot Value of Beef-on-Dairy Cattle

Key Takeaways With a historically small traditional beef herd and tight feeder cattle supplies, beef-on-dairy cattle, or dairy cows bred with beef cattle genetics, have become an increasingly important source of fed beef. Kansas State [Read More …]

Fall Weed Control in Pastures, Hay, and Other Forages

Weed Management in Forages We are approaching an excellent time of year to manage biennial and perennial weeds, especially in grass pastures and hayfields. Biennials such as common burdock, wild carrot, and thistles (bull, musk, [Read More …]

Featured Farm Sosnovske Family Farm Gleason, WI by Foremost Farms

On her family’s dairy farm near Gleason, WI, Mary Sosnovske doesn’t romanticize the work. She talks about it in the way that she lives it: steady, attentive and grounded in animal care. “Working with the animals [Read More …]

Farmer Focus of Natural Milk LLC in Stanwood, WA by NMPF

Change has shaped Jeremy Visser’s life from the beginning – and it’s often opened the door to something better. “There are opportunities if you are willing to change and willing to adapt,” he said. Visser [Read More …]

Checkoff’s Protein Strategy Built on Decades of Research

Protein is having a moment. Consumers are looking for protein in nearly every aisle of the grocery store. They’re choosing foods and beverages that support muscle health, healthy aging and overall wellness. The rapid growth [Read More …]

Building Confidence Through Support

Katie England understands the challenges dairy producers face because she has lived them herself. Growing up on her family’s dairy farm in Iowa and later spending eight years as a herdsman and on-farm supervisor, Katie [Read More …]

What is Causing Financial Volatility in the Dairy Industry? Digging Deeper – Part II

Part I of this analysis covered the extreme volatility in producer milk prices. The volatility of income on dairy farms makes for difficult financial issues. Managing the extreme financial issues detracts from the implementation best [Read More …]

Rethinking Protein Quality: Why Canola Meal Stands Out for High-Producing Dairy Cows

For decades, soybean meal has been the benchmark protein source in dairy rations. Its consistent supply, high crude protein content and ready availability have made it a default choice in formulation software and on-farm feeding [Read More …]

Do You Care Enough to Fix It?

Previously, I discussed the steps needed to continually move to higher levels of achievement. I understand that we are often surrounded by negative news, but we cannot let that impact our levels of achievement. Often, [Read More …]

Dairy farming in Ireland: Adapting to a changing climate