Is your heifer program consistently good? Or just good?

Chuck Schwartau, University of Minnesota / ExtensionMost farmers thinking about consistency of performance have focused on the milking herd. How consistent is the milking process? How consistent is the dry cow management program? How consistent is the feed preparation process?What about the heifer program? Is it...

Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care Nothing is more precious than life

By Steve WeismanAmerica’s consumers are becoming more and more in tune with what they eat, where their food comes from and how it is grown. At the same time, America’s farmers and ranchers are raising the bar in the agriculture production systems by providing greater quality and safer products. At the...

PBI Parlor Systems Engineering Stalls to Satisfy the Needs of Dairy Producers Throughout the World

By Douglas StephensSponsored by PBI Parlor SystemsWith the philosophy of manufacturing the most durable and lasting milking stalls and equipment for dairies throughout the world, Steve Peacock, owner of PBI Parlor Systems (www.PBIParlorsystems.com), and his employees are committed to improving dairy profits and...

Profitability In a $16 Market

“Dairy Farmers dump 43 million gallons of milk in 2016.”  That was the headline in recent news publication.  43 million gallons this year, so far.  “So, . . .  How’s business?”  Hmm, not going so well for the dairy industry.  It seems that the spike in milk...

Showing More Than Cows

By Sherry NewellI grew up showing cows. County fair, State Fair, World Dairy Expo — they were wonderful parts of my youth. Even now, I get involved occasionally through my daughter and nephews.  As State Fairs wind down and World Dairy Expo gears up, it’s a good time to reflect on how fairs and shows...

Cow Comfort: Happy Cows = More Milk

By Charlie Rahm, USDA    In Polk County Missouri, dairy farmer Nelson Hostetler can think of a ton of reasons to like his new confined dairy shed and animal waste system. The most obvious reasons are documented in Hostetler’s daily production log. It shows that the 100 cows that formerly resided in a...

Verification: Where Food Comes From – Telling the Dairy Story

 By Steve Weisman | Sponsored by Where Food Comes From    We are what we eat! As consumers have become more removed from food production, they are asking more questions and are seeking validation that the food they are eating is wholesome and safe. At the same time, agricultural producers, and...

GOOD RIDDANCE: A Pest Bird Solution

By Maura Keller Good dairy farming practices are part art, part science and a whole lot of hard work. Today’s dairy farmers are faced with a myriad of challenges — from ensuring hygienic milking regimens to providing high-quality feed and water to maintaining clean housing and milk production...