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Will Facial and Video Recognition Manage Tomorrow’s Cows? 
Will Facial and Video Recognition Manage Tomorrow’s Cows? 

Will Facial and Video Recognition Manage Tomorrow’s Cows?  Technology continues to revolutionize dairying as we know it, offering valuable tools to address labor shortages and improve overall herd management. Most dairy producers are familiar with robotic milkers and herd management systems that use radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, collars or leg monitors to track individual animal data. These tools have become essential for streamlining workflows and monitoring herd health.  But the next evolution in dairy technology is here, and it’s looking your cows right in the face. Thanks to advances in computing power and artificial intelligence, facial recognition is emerging as […]

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Total Mixed Rations (TMR) for Dairy Cattle 
Total Mixed Rations (TMR) for Dairy Cattle 

Total Mixed Rations (TMR) for Dairy Cattle A Total Mixed Ration (TMR) is a feeding method in which all feed ingredients, including forages, grains, protein sources, minerals, and vitamins, are combined into a single, uniform mix.  This type of feeding program is often used in feedlots and dairies—especially dairies.  It helps ensure that each bite a cow takes provides balanced nutrition for optimal milk production and health. TMRs are particularly beneficial for high-producing dairy cows, to minimize feed sorting and to ensure consistent nutrient intake.  A separate TMR can be developed for different groups of cattle.  Rations are often formulated […]

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Upgrading Dairy Parlors 
Upgrading Dairy Parlors 

Upgrading Dairy Parlors  Traditional dairy parlors are the roots of the dairy industry. These systems were the backbone of dairy farms for generations, and they were characterized by their simplicity, labor-intensive nature, and a strong connection between the farming family and their animals.   A traditional parlor system consists of a long barn with a central alleyway. On either side of this alley, individual stalls are arranged in a row, each equipped with a stanchion, a locking mechanism that holds the cow’s head in place while she is being milked. This design is fundamentally non-mechanized, and for the most part, in […]

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Common Udder Injuries and How To Avoid Them

Overall udder health is crucial for mature cows and upcoming replacements alike. Being able to identify the critical and subtle symptoms of injury, infection and other issues at all stages of udder development, lactation and rest allow for swift treatment, potentially saving many future lactations. As always, prevention of serious udder issues is the most […]

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The Keys to Kid Barn Ventilation

The key to a good kid barn ventilation audit is to evaluate the air quality in many different scenarios. Weather can change the kid’s environment quickly. Monitoring air quality should be part of your daily checklist. If problems persist, enlist a trusted consultant to assess your options Daily checks: Look, listen, smell and feel Look: […]

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Heat Stress in Dairy Cows – Importance of Barn Ventilation

Hot weather can have severe adverse impacts on cattle health and milk production, so most dairies, especially in regions with warmer climates, have strategies to try to prevent or reduce heat stress. Scott E. Poock, DVM, DABVP, Associate Extension Professor, University of Missouri, says we need to remember that a dairy cow’s comfort zone is […]

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Key Considerations When Purchasing a Cattle Trimming Chute

Spring showers are a blessing for the pasture and the crops, especially after a dry fall. We often need the rain, however, it comes with its own problems. Cool and wet conditions for long periods of time are hard on cattle hoofs. It promotes an environment where bacteria can thrive, hoofs soften, a combination that […]

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Featured Story

Regenerative Agriculture on a Dairy Farm

Paul and Erin Kernaleguen are dairy farmers and soil consultants near Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, committed to regenerative practices in growing forage for their cattle. They farm with Paul’s Parents, Jos and Brenda.

“We were a very conventional dairy operation until 2012 when we started looking at doing some things differently because our weather was super-wet for a couple years.  Our average annual precipitation is about 12 inches of moisture, but we’d had two years in a row with about 40 to 50 inches, which made farming extremely difficult!” says Paul.

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Twin Rivers Media

Publisher of American Cattlemen and American Dairymen magazines. Founded over 30 years ago, Twin Rivers Media serves the information and marketing needs of America’s beef and dairy producers.