Magazine

COVID-19 has changed all of our lives in one way or another. Our Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference (organized by Extension specialists from Iowa, Ill., Minn. and Wis.) was moved to a virtual format. [Read More …]

Farmers, Business Owners, Community Leaders Launch New Effort to Oppose President Trump’s Rural Policies

Bipartisan group chaired by former Trump voter, local Ohio county GOP Party Chair, and USDA official; Committees of rural leaders formed in WI, MI, PA, OH, MN and IA Rural America 2020, a new national [Read More …]

Prioritize Well-being Throughout the Transition Period

Ensure a calving cow has everything she needs to thrive during this critical time period The transition period is a critical time in a dairy cow’s life. Providing proactive care is a vital practice that can [Read More …]

California: CDFA Approves Petition Request for Quota Sunset Plan; Stop QIP Petition Denied

The United Dairy Families of California was notified on July 24 by the California Department of Food and Agriculture that its petition requesting a hearing on its quota “sunset” plan had the required number of [Read More …]

California Water Update

Keeping an eye on water supply is a big part of what I do for Milk Producers Council. What follows are some tidbits I have learned along the way. The new Federal Biological Opinion, which [Read More …]

Sustainability award showcases our commitment to brighter future

A few years ago, I saw a magazine cover that I’ll never forget. It featured a millennial-aged mother holding a child in a grocery store. The headline read “Meet Your New Boss.” Like her, I’m [Read More …]

Hope Is Not a Strategy

I recently was visiting with a prospective client who made the statement, “Well, we’re hoping to get above 80 pounds per cow this year.” John Ellsworth That’s a fabulous goal, but not a very defined [Read More …]

What is Covid-19 Doing to Milk Pricing?

The COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine measures implemented to reduce the pandemic impact have turned the entire world into something different from normal operations. Because everything is different now than it has ever been, it is [Read More …]

New Studies Show Canola Meal Helps to Reduce Enteric Methane and Nitrous Oxide Production in Dairy Cows

In addition to supplying escape protein and essential amino acids, research just released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Researcher, Dr. Chaouki Benchaar shows that canola meal can be instrumental in reducing enteric methane and nitrous [Read More …]

The Art of Feeding: Gunk

Gunk by definition is an unpleasant sticky or messy substance. It is not only unpleasant to humans, but it also reduces dry matter intake, spreads molds and yeasts, and can cause disease in our cows. [Read More …]

Competition in the Dairy Barn

Competition among dairy cattle for resources such as, feed, water, and resting space, may cause stress, production loses and health issues. I’m a huge College Sports fan, and while I always want a Penn State [Read More …]

What’s Hiding in Your Dairy Cattle Feed?

July 17, 2020 DairyBusiness News Team DP 1

Testing feed helps dairy farmers identify and address costly mycotoxin issues. Creating a total mixed ration (TMR) is like a work of art – you work hard to perfectly balance ingredients to provide your cows [Read More …]

Do not forget your Dry Cows during Heat Stress

You have likely invested significantly in fans and cooling systems to minimize the negative effects of Heat Stress in your Lactating Herd. Have you also invested in their extra nutritional needs during Heat Stress? Have [Read More …]

Treating and Preventing Clostridium in Cattle

One of the primary goals of all livestock producers is to keep their herds healthy. Unfortunately, however, illness is often unavoidable — and some very easily transmitted but deadly ailments can be traced back to [Read More …]

Don’t Let Floor Resurfacing Slip Your Mind

Good footing is essential to the health and performance of dairy cattle, especially in areas of high traffic. Providing confident, non-skid footing for dairy cattle is vital to their health, performance, and well-being. Cows require [Read More …]

Being Vigilant of Livestock Property Security and Surveillance

Livestock producers have many daily responsibilities when it comes to caring for and protecting their animals. One responsibility is to remain vigilant regarding individuals that oppose the use of animals for food or other purposes. [Read More …]

Consider All the Factors When Reducing Feed Costs

Times are continuing to be challenging for dairy producers. Just when the markets were finally showing some bright spots, world events quickly altered any bullish trends of the market and left many farms reeling financially. [Read More …]

The Art of Feeding

The art of feeding are the techniques that require a person to observe or to act. This is what moves an average feeding department to excellence. Part 1 – Empty Bunks In the last couple [Read More …]

Making Sense of Your Milk Price in the Pandemic Economy

Negative PPDs, Depooling, and Reblending Background Milk and dairy product prices have been highly volatile since about the mid- 1990s. The spread from highs to lows dampened from 2015 to 2018, when average prices got [Read More …]

August 2020 Calving Traits Will Reflect Lower Breed Averages

• Calving traits that previously were problematic for many U.S. dairy farmers have been successfully improved through better genetics and management. • In August, Holstein PTAs will average 2.2% for sire calving ease (SCE) and [Read More …]

Have you Given Up or Given Your All?

John Ellsworth While I realize that the last few months have been difficult with the onset of the Corona-Virus and the severe decrease in milk prices, I hope that you are currently regaining focus and [Read More …]

Cheese and Butter Prices Skyrocket. Is it Realistic? Maybe not!

Wholesale prices for cheese and butter have been extremely volatile. Both the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) numbers have been volatile although sometimes in opposite directions with wide differences. [Read More …]

5 Challenges for a more SUSTAINABLE DAIRY

In Cainthus, we view cows as a key part of a sustainable global food system. When you grow an acre of wheat, you also get straw at about ~80% of the weight of grain. Humans [Read More …]

Amber’s Top Ten Tips: Impact of Heat Stress on Dairy Cattle Well-Being

It has been an unpredictable year so far, including the weather. Regardless of when the hot weather decides to hit, our best defense is to be prepared. We know that heat stress causes decreases in [Read More …]

MSU COVID-19 Response Is Part of Long-Time Support of Michigan’s Dairy Producers

Jeremy Beebe is facing his toughest challenge in 20 years as a dairy farmer. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has sent dairy markets on a roller coaster of uncertainty. Without government assistance, he said he could [Read More …]

BRD: Know Your Bacteria to Protect Against the No. 1 Cause of Mortality In Weaned Calves

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), also known as shipping fever or pneumonia, is one of the most devastating and prevalent diseases in calves. In fact, it’s the No. 1 cause of mortality in weaned animals.1 “Morbidity [Read More …]

California Dairy Sustainability Summit Rescheduled