Magazine

The natural defenses of the ruminant body are deeply interconnected, from hair to skin to respiratory function. The digestive tract is another key physical defense, housing roughly 80% of immune mechanisms that prevent the spread [Read More …]

Gen-Ace Holsteins Complete Dispersal Brings Over $2.8 Million

The Genasci Brothers’ long established Registered Holstein herd was well appreciated High Seller at the Gen-Ace Dispersal, Butlerview Door Ak 9312 (EX), sold for $3900 to Fresno State. Since 1959 the Genasci brothers, Edwin, Jim [Read More …]

Comparison of strategies to remoisturize alfalfa in the windrow for baling

Having the correct amount of moisture in harvested alfalfa at the time of baling is critical to maximizing economic return. In many of the areas of the western U.S., moisture levels of alfalfa hay in [Read More …]

Pandemic Has Not Shaken Consumer Interest in Food Sustainability

Consumer concerns about a sustainable food system have not waned during the pandemic. In fact, sustainability is even more important now than a year ago, according to a new consumer poll by C.O.nxt. What’s more, the [Read More …]

CDFA’s Alternative Manure Management Program Reaches Milestone of Completed Projects

CDFA’s Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) provides financial assistance for the implementation of non-digester manure management practices on California dairy and livestock operations, which will result in reduced emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas (GHG) 25 [Read More …]

Pandemic Rules: Keep People Fed

We are playing by pandemic rules. Unfortunately, those rules are not clearly spelled out and there are no referees to guide us. But one of the rules seems to be “keep people fed”. By our [Read More …]

Spirit of Unity Sets Stewardship Commitment Up For Success

One of my favorite sayings at California Dairies Inc. (CDI) is that we’re stronger together. Truthfully, that saying applies to the entire industry, particularly when it comes to the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment. There is [Read More …]

Outlook For U.S. Dairy

The U.S. dairy sector enters 2021 still in flux following the unprecedented disruptions brought about by COVID-19 in 2020. The sector has shown a remarkable ability to pivot in the changed environment of restrictions on [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 …]

Optimal Herd Health Starts at Birth

The triumphs of tomorrow start with good beginnings How successful your milking herd is in the future begins with the health of calves being born today. By providing proper nutrition and management, you can get [Read More …]

Who Is This Guy?

John Ellsworth As we begin a new and exciting year, I want to share with you the story of Howard Hill, perhaps the greatest archery performer ever. They say that not only could he split [Read More …]

Transition Cow Tips to Improve Milk Production and Reproduction

The transition period is a critical and high-risk time for dairy cows. During this period, cows go through drastic metabolic changes as they prepare to transition into lactation, start producing milk and repair the reproductive [Read More …]

Fluid Milk Sales Continue Downslide

Full year 2020 fluid milk sales are now available. While 2020 milk sales had a bright spot for a few months when quarantining for COVID began, in the fourth quarter, even though nothing had really [Read More …]

2020 Pennsylvania Dairy Survey

We recently released the results of the 2020 Dairy Producer Survey. The purpose of the study, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business, was to evaluate current demographics and trends within the Pennsylvania dairy [Read More …]

Updated Guidelines for Monitoring Colostrum Consumption and Antibody Transfer in Calves

February 26, 2021 DairyBusiness News Team DP 1

Dairy and beef producers have long understood the importance of colostrum for the short- and long-term health of their calves. Dairy producers manage colostrum delivery more intensively than most beef producers, but the same factors [Read More …]

Three Tips to Prevent Clostridial Diseases on Your Dairy

With death often the first sign of infection, prevention is critical The bacteria that cause clostridial diseases are widespread on dairy operations, often found in soil, rotting vegetation and manure. “These bacteria are unique in [Read More …]

Intramammary Infections: A challenging issue for organic dairy farmers

February 26, 2021 DairyBusiness News Team DP 1

Organic milk production overview The interest in organic products has been increasing, and North America is one of the largest markets for organic milk, which generates more than $9 billion in revenue per year. Results [Read More …]

Cystic Ovarian Disorders: Diagnosis, Cause and Treatment

Confusion Concerning the Diagnosis, Cause and Treatment The incidence of cystic ovarian disorders has been estimated to be 10% with a range among studies between 2.7 to 30% (1,7). There have been several definitions of [Read More …]

Lack of Precipitation Further Complicates California’s Complicated Water

Here’s this week’s Central Valley water supply headline: We need rain and snow. The storm of early February did help us get out of what was to that point one of the driest starts to [Read More …]

Checkoff Investment in Science Helps Reinforce Dairy’s Place in Dietary Guidelines

Great news for dairy farmers and importers: Your dairy checkoff’s longstanding investment in sound science played a strong role in reinforcing dairy as a nutritious food group in the recently released 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for [Read More …]

Dairy Prices Ripple Across the Industry… And Now Feed Prices

With all 10,000 of our lakes here in Minnesota currently frozen solid this may be a strange analogy, but dairy prices move like the waves rippling out from a rock thrown in the water. The [Read More …]

Management Tip: Three Steps to Avoid Calf Bottlenecks

An efficient calf raising program sets the stage for quality replacement animals and productive cows once they enter the milking string. An audit of your calf and heifer raising program can identify areas where efficiency [Read More …]

Farm Powered Anaerobic Digestion Solves Methane Emissions Challenges and Helps Support America’s Dairy Farms

These are challenging times for dairy farms of all sizes. Milk prices continue to be low and feed costs high causing dairies to look for ways to diversify and enhance income streams. Furthermore, managing manure [Read More …]

The Search for Meaning – What Does That Really Mean?

John Ellsworth I wanted to take this opportunity to revisit a story that I had written in a previous blog almost three years ago. In spite of the difficulty we have faced with our economy [Read More …]

How Can I Bring in a Foreign Dairy Employee to the USA?

January 29, 2021 DairyBusiness News Team DP 1

What Are the Options? And What Works? Many dairy farmers have turned to foreign help for their dairies—and been pleased. But right now, in this pandemic-specific world, is it still possible? With all the restrictions [Read More …]

Florida Pioneer Helped Power Larson Dairy to More Sustainable Future

Before Florida dairy farmer Louis “Red” Larson passed away at the age of 96 last July, his family compiled a book called “Papa Red Said.” It was a tribute to one of the dairy industry’s [Read More …]

Milk Sales Strengthen as Consumers Across the Country Increasingly Seek Its Health Benefits, Taste and Value During COVID-19 Challenges

While the coronavirus pandemic negatively impacted many industry sectors in 2020, it fostered a positive trend in the dairy milk category. The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), funded by the nation’s milk companies and dedicated [Read More …]

What Does 2021 Look Like?

The prior post reviewed how the year 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019. This post will review how the year 2021 may look based on current futures prices compared to 2018, 2019, and 2020. Futures prices can [Read More …]

Precision Feeding’s Positive Environmental Impact

Nutritionists have adjusted rations for protein and phosphorus over the years to benefit the environment, animal performance and improve profitability. Production perspective Precision feeding is an effective approach on dairy operations to reduce manure nutrients, [Read More …]

Dairy Producers Heard Option on Manure Digesters