Magazine

Take time to develop a plan for building your business. Building a new dairy barn, whether a freestall barn, transition cow barn, or calf facility, comes with some excitement, cost and return considerations, and time [Read More …]

Drought is Impacting Milk Production in Both the U.S. and Mexico

Very dry conditions in the Western U.S. and most of Mexico are getting more attention. The concern is that drought could reduce milk production in both countries, which would mean Mexico would be looking to [Read More …]

Planning Ahead for Disasters Can Help Dairy Farmers Recover Faster

Dairy farms run on a strict timetable and when there is a disruption to the delicate ecosystem, economic havoc can erupt. Being prepared for any type of interruption can ensure the dairy operation can recover [Read More …]

Are You a Prime Target for Creative Destruction?

Scary thought, isn’t it? Please allow me to put a more positive spin on this concept. It was introduced by Austrian-American economist Joseph Schumpeter who lived from 1883-1950. He considered entrepreneurs (Yes, that’s you, whether [Read More …]

Dairy Labor Management: The Hamburger Dilemma

Recently, my wife asked me to cook some hamburgers on the grill. However, she specified that she wanted them juicy… and not pink. Now, I have cooked thousands of hamburgers in my lifetime—but it seems [Read More …]

Eight Strategies to Reduce Dry Period Mastitis to Improve Reproductive Efficiency

Dairy cows are most susceptible to new intramammary infections (IMIs) during the dry period. IMIs acquired during the dry period can have a significant impact on milk production, milk quality, herd removal and reproductive performance post-calving. [Read More …]

Know the Herd’s Maximum Milk Cow Feed Cost

Balancing feed costs and milk prices. Production perspective: Feed prices are rising at an alarming rate. It is difficult to predict how long they will persist but 2021 is beginning to mimic 2012 when corn [Read More …]

Cull Rates: How is Your Farm Doing?

Involuntary or biological culling happens because of poor animal health or management, especially during the transition period. The cull rate is one number that may be used to assess how well the dairy is performing. [Read More …]

California Dairy Council Wraps Up a Very Different School Year

Dairy Month, we want to share an update on Mobile Dairy Classroom and provide resources that support the role of dairy foods in healthy eating patterns. With the pandemic continuing to impact how schools operate, Mobile [Read More …]

Hindsight Is 20/20 with Heifer Raising

Imagine how much better off you would be if you could know, with certainty, the outcomes of every decision before you made it. You would know who to bet on in the Super Bowl, which [Read More …]

Heat Stress and the Often-Forgotten Heifers

Shade structures can help reduce the effects of heat stress. Heat stress occurs when cows generate and absorb more heat than they can get rid of through respiration, sweating, and from wind or fans blowing [Read More …]

Work with Entrepreneurs Puts Dairy in Unexpected Places

There are many possibilities and great potential for dairy’s future. However, it’s going to require a different way of thinking. The world is moving at a faster pace than ever before and there seemingly are [Read More …]

Are You Using “Pareto’s Law?”

Are you taking full advantage of Pareto’s Law? Vilfredo Pareto was an Italian economist who lived from 1848 to 1923. Of course, he was initially known for his observation that 80% of the property in [Read More …]

Take Your Fly Control Efforts to the Next Level

Flies on a dairy are more than just a nuisance, they contribute to a loss in production, spread diseases and annoy both your herd and employees. Protecting your dairy against fly infestations can make for [Read More …]

Dairying in Ecuador with Robbie Watson

Last time we visited with Robbie Watson about his farm in Peru. This month, we conclude the interview by talking about Ecuador, and hearing Watson’s thoughts on the future of dairying in Ecuador, Peru and [Read More …]

Insights into the Calving Process of Cattle

One of the most stressful and consequential moments in life is when something is born. In the human species, it is an experience that is never forgotten… just ask a mother. Compared to humans, the [Read More …]

WSU researchers look to quantify dairy cow health and wellbeing

Washington State University researchers are using a human medical technique to measure the impact of common diseases affecting dairy cow production and animal wellbeing. A research team led by Craig McConnel, a veterinary medicine extension [Read More …]

Dairy Calves Benefit from Higher-Protein Starter Feed, Illinois Study Says

Dairy producers know early nutrition for young calves has far-reaching impacts, both for the long-term health and productivity of the animals and for farm profitability. With the goal of increasing not just body weight but [Read More …]

Protect Your Dairy Against the Leading Cause of PI Calves: BVDV Type 1B

“Persistently infected (PI) calves are little virus factories,” said Jennifer Roberts, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “I like to think of them as a trojan horse because while the calf may look normal on the outside, it’s [Read More …]

Notes from California – Water and Milk

Recent Groundwater Data Reveal Significant Overdraft It’s dry. There has not been much moisture this past winter and surface water deliveries to the Central Valley this summer will be small to non-existent. Last winter was [Read More …]

2021 UC Small Grains/Alfalfa-Forages Virtual Field Day May 12

“UC Davis has held a field day on campus for at least 40 years, and this year we will hold a ‘virtual field day’ featuring small grains and alfalfa research,” says Daniel H Putnam, UC [Read More …]

Robotic Milking Could Be the Key to Your Dairy’s Expansion

Almost everyone is thinking about how to expand their business, or at least increase profitability one way or another, and for many dairy farmers with both large and small herds, robots are becoming the solution. [Read More …]

Feeding America, dairy industry rally to address hunger crisis

My parents opened our dairy farm’s doors to about a hundred or so foster children and families experiencing difficulties while I was growing up in Southwest Indiana. My mother instilled in me how fortunate and [Read More …]

Myth Buzz-ters

The Truth Behind Five Common Misconceptions As every dairy operator knows, flies are an unpleasant but unavoidable reality of the profession. House, stable, face and horn flies are all common threats to a dairy and [Read More …]

Are Cows Emotionally Intelligent?

Most people who work closely with cows already know that cows are much more than what they can provide for us… which is why in the dairy industry, cow comfort is a big deal. We [Read More …]

Understanding Animal Welfare Through Behavior