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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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Check Out Our Current Issue!

External parasites of goats

Michael Metzger, Michigan State University Extension – Photo by Michael Metzger. External parasites of goats can cause a loss of production throughout the year. Producers should be aware of the potential parasites and be ready to treat their animals when necessary. Insect and other arthropod pests of goats can limit production in many ways. External […]

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Delmhorst Hay Moisture Testers: HOW ACCURATE?

Written by Tom Laurenzi • Delmhorst Instrument Co • www.delmhorst.com • tlaurenzi@delmhorst.com With rising operational costs, tighter margins and increasing labor shortages, Delmhorst Moisture Testers have been widely accepted for decades and still, the most often-asked question is – how accurate are moisture testers?  Since probe-type meters measure the moisture at a specific, small point […]

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Standard Plate Count: An Overall Process Control Parameter for Raw Milk Microbiological Quality

Why SPC Still Matters in Today’s Dairy Operations The level of bacteria in raw milk is a key quality parameter that provides an overall indication of on-farm hygiene and compliance with Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) regulations and cooperative or processor quality premium thresholds. It is also critical to quality because some types of bacteria in […]

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CRV Top Dairy Bulls

CRV Top Dairy Bulls. Every dairy farmer knows good leg structure and healthy claws are fundamental for a herd that achieves high production and longevity without issues. It’s not coincidence that CRV’s Top Dairy Bulls score highly on these traits. This April proof frequently used bulls from recent years demonstrate this with their daughters, and […]

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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.