Raising Dairy Goats Organically

Raising Dairy Goats Organically. By Larry Tranel, Dairy Field Specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.Dairy goat milk has reported health benefits for both nutrition, skin care, and other uses. Organic goat milk is still in its infancy as the dairy goat industry continues to expand in various...

Product Channel Development

Product Channel Development. By Fred Hall - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The Iowa dairy goat industry is actually a tale of two industries. Eastern Iowa is home to over 200 licensed dairies selling raw milk to creameries and processors while Western Iowa has smaller family operations...

Milk for Methane, from Innovative Digesters

Milk for Methane, from Innovative Digesters. By Maura Keller. Dairy cows, with their four-chambered stomachs, have always been models of digestive proficiency. However, each animal produces more than a hundred pounds of manure daily. Concerns for the management of livestock waste, coupled with a desire to...

Stocking Density and Your Herd

Stocking Density and Your Herd.  By Jaclyn Krymowski. Stocking density (or rate) is a bit of a fine line for dairymen to walk. It’s a tricky subject because while there’s plenty of research on the topic, it’s still not an exact science. Not to mention, what is “ideal” for your...

Raising Replacement Dairy Heifers

Raising Replacement Dairy Heifers.  By Heather Smith Thomas. Good heifers are the future of a dairy, so it’s important to raise or have someone raise your heifers to grow optimally—ready to become healthy, high-producing cows.  Dr. Bob James, a dairy consultant with GPS Dairy Consultants and...

Team Culture: Discussions with a Master-Mentor

 Team Culture: Discussions with a Master-Mentor By Michael Cox When we think of Apple, we think of Steve Jobs; when we think of Tesla, we think of Elon Musk; Richard Branson comes to mind when we think of Virgin Airways. CEOs and founders often receive all the attention and name recognition when a...

Agriculture Industry in Need of Future Employees!

 Agriculture Industry in Need of Future Employees! While agriculture is a multi-billion-dollar industry that directly affects everyone in the world each day, employers still struggle to find qualified candidates that are enthusiastic about the industry and need. Projections indicate that there will be more...

Improving Peak Milk Yields

 Improving Peak Milk Yields. By Noah Litherland, Former Extension Specialist; University of Minnesota Extension.Quick facts• Successfully guiding cows through early lactation is key to their health and performance.• Nutrition and health during early lactation greatly affects peak milk yields....