Magazine

During my career, I have often been described as “unreasonable” by some Bosses, numerous Bankers, and some of the so called “Industry Experts.” While they might not agree with my approach, it has really served [Read More …]

Earlier BRD Intervention Leads to Better Outcomes for Beef-on-Dairy Cattle

Timely treatment supports lung health and long-term performance. As beef-on-dairy cattle become a larger part of the U.S. supply chain, early health decisions carry long-term performance consequences — especially when it comes to bovine respiratory [Read More …]

When and How to Safely Involve Children in Farm Tasks?

Practical information that farm parents, or any caregiver, can use to decide when children can be on the farm worksite, the type of tasks that can be assigned to the children, and the [Read More …]

There’s No “I” in Team or in Dart

“I love it when a plan comes together.” This famous quote delivered by the leader of the fictional action stars in “The A-Team” celebrates when all the pieces of a puzzle fit together in perfect [Read More …]

Natural trans fats in dairy do not raise heart disease risk

Trans fats found naturally in dairy foods such as milk, butter and cheese do not increase the risk of heart disease or type 2 diabetes, a new study has found. Researchers analysed evidence from 22 studies involving thousands of people across Europe, [Read More …]

The Hidden Costs of Employee Turnover on a Dairy

Finding and keeping quality employees has become one of the greatest challenges today’s dairy operations face. As dairies continue to grow and adopt more advanced technologies, employees are no longer simply an added labor source, [Read More …]

Magazine

Why Global Dairy Conversations Matter at Home

Global conversations about dairy foods and health have relevance beyond borders. The science and insights help inform perspectives and dietary guidance as well as consumer education and demand here at home. This is why the [Read More …]

Trusting Herd Decisions Through Standarized Data With Dart

Dairy herd management requires decisions to be made every day: breeding choices, culling strategies, and protocol enrollment all depend on reliable data. Producers don’t have time to wonder if the latest input makes sense, remember [Read More …]

Bovine Respiratory Disease: The Importance of Early Detection

One of the most common and costly health problems dairy producers face is Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), often referred to as pneumonia or “shipping fever,” an acute, stress-related form that can develop after transport. BRD [Read More …]

How a New Repro Approach May Give Dairies an Economic Edge

Research shows an $87 per head average annual profit advantage from targeted reproduction management There may be money on the table for dairy producers using a reproductive approach that combines monitoring technology and synchronization, according [Read More …]

Will You Thrive?

Currently, most of agriculture is in a challenging situation, with interest rates just starting to be reduced, costs that are out of sight due to inflation since 2021, and regulations on labor & other business [Read More …]

What DHI Milk Data Makes Possible

How does the standard DHI milk sample provide valuable research data? DHI milk analysis not only provides information for genetic evaluations and valuable real-time information for the producer to make decisions on-farm, but it also [Read More …]

Update on Fluid Milk Consumption

Prior posts to this blog have followed fluid milk sales. Chart I lists total U.S. milk sales. The decline through 2023 has slowed and leveled out in 2024. Unfortunately, the decline in sales has returned. [Read More …]

Current Insurance Expectations for Dairy Producers

As dairy producers head into peak production months, many are focused on milk price, feed costs and labor availability. Running parallel to these pressures is a growing reality: how your operation responds to them directly [Read More …]

What’s Going on with New World Screwworm? CDQAP Quality Assurance Update

Livestock producers remain understandably concerned about reports that the New World Screwworm (NWS) continues to creep towards the U.S. – Mexico border. Recent briefings by USDA, CDFA, and a webinar hosted by the NMPF, however, [Read More …]

Balancing Corn Protein in Dairy Rations

Corn remains the backbone of dairy rations across North America, supplying both highly digestible energy and a substantial share of total dietary protein. Its versatility, yield and cost‑effectiveness ensure that corn grain, corn silage and [Read More …]

Securing Texas Dairies: Protecting Herd Health and Operations from Cyber Threats

Introduction The Texas dairy industry is rapidly evolving. With the integration of “Dairy 4.0” technologies, such as automated milking systems (AMS), wearable sensors, and internet of things devices, production has been optimized like never [Read More …]

The Do’s and Don’ts of Drone Trespass

The increasing frequency of reports of drones loitering over livestock facilities has producers understandably concerned. Drones are used by criminals to scout rural property for equipment theft and by animal liberation activists to gather video for [Read More …]

NMPF Farmer Focus: Paloma Dairy in Gila Bend, AZ

Four brothers – along with their father’s guidance – have taken dairy farming to the next level, promoting sustainable, cost-efficient farming in a place where it’s necessary, using everything from effective water management to Artificial [Read More …]

Grazing Management to Avoid Soil Compaction

Grazing is a great and economical way to feed your animals. You should strive to maximize your grazing period and avoid feeding hay because one pound of hay dry matter costs about twice as much [Read More …]

Global Pizza Partnerships Growing Demand for U.S. Cheese

When farmers think about building demand for dairy, their focus often is on what’s happening here at home. But some of the biggest growth opportunities for U.S. dairy are happening thousands of miles away – [Read More …]

National DHIA 61st Annual Meeting & Leadership Session

The mild spring weather of historic Savannah, Georgia, with its stately old homes and live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, provided the backdrop for the 61st annual meeting of the National Dairy Herd Information [Read More …]

Do You Measure Up?

Not long ago, I had a meeting with one of my Clients and his Banker. We were feeling quite good about our YTD financial numbers, but we also wanted to touch base with her about [Read More …]

Butterfat Prices Continue to Fall. What are Milk Protein Prices Doing?

The prior post showed that the producer price of butterfat is continuing to fall. This post will cover the most recent price trends for milk protein. If both butterfat and milk protein prices are falling, producers will [Read More …]

When Stress Tips the Scale: A Look at Calf Immunity and BRD Prevention

How stress, vaccination timing and product choice influence respiratory disease prevention in young calves. The first months of a calf’s life are a critical window for respiratory disease risk. Their immune system is still developing, [Read More …]

Once-In-A-Generation Discovery Transforming a Michigan Dairy Farm

At first glance, the 400 acres of soybeans growing on the Preston family’s dairy farm in southern Michigan looks like a typical field. But these aren’t ordinary soybeans. They represent a breakthrough partnership with Michigan [Read More …]

How Bad Is $6 Diesel for the Farmer?

The Impact of Rising Fuel Prices on Agricultural Production: A Closer Look at Cost Implications. Here we go again. The fuel price, in addition to all other escalated costs, will impact the bottom line for [Read More …]

Dairy Margin Coverage in 2026: What Changed

A practical, source-based overview of the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for the 2026 coverage year, with emphasis on program changes implemented for 2026 and what official margin history from 2019 through 2025 implies for [Read More …]

Immunity starts with mineral intelligence

Immunity is defined as the state or quality of being resistant to a particular infectious disease or pathogen. It is not a single process, but a coordinated network of organs, white blood cells, proteins and [Read More …]

Managing Soil Nutrients in an Era of Fertilizer Price Volatility