The author has a dairy nutrition consulting business, Paradox Nutrition, LLC, in West Chazy, N.Y. At one time, I was a big advocate of two dry cow groups: a far-off group (60 to 21 days before calving)...
The emphasis of dairy stockmanship training has always been on humane handling of cattle, and with that comes a secondary benefit - enhanced safety on the farm. Little did we know just how significant...
Soil sampling do's and don'ts. A soil analysis is only as good as the sample on which it was based. Therefore, sampling should be done by either the farm's crop consultant
Here is some additional information to compliment the March 10, 2014, article on page 170 of Hoard's Dairyman. photos by Paul Queck, a free-lance agricultural writer
Take a stand for cows that can't Down cows deserve special care to bring them back to health or, if necessary, to a humane end. by Geof W. Smith, D.V.M. The author is at the College of Veterinary Medicine,...
Dairy producer attitudes towards margin insurance were revealed during a series of workshops across Missouri designed to teach producers to insure their margins. In the process, we learned that margin...
Real dairy history took place when the President signed the new farm bill into law this past February. That momentous shift included the elimination of three underperforming dairy programs. Gone are dairy...
The MILC or Milk Income Loss Contract program was the first program that recognized that a safety net program needed to incorporate feed costs. However, MILC payments only offset 45 percent of the milk...
Hypocalcemia is more than a "low calcium" problem Milk fever cannot be overcome in a reactive fashion. Prevention programs must be in place to help cows successfully transition into lactation. To better...
There's no substitute for plastic on bunkers. Thomas is retired from the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute and president of Oak Point Agronomics Ltd.; Mahanna is with DuPont Pioneer and...
But simple practices can help calves survive and thrive, even after a difficult birth. Do you know how many calves you lost as a result of dystocia last year?
From the moment of birth, calves learn how to interact with us. Make it a pleasant experience, and you'll have calmer cows when they enter the parlor. Let's face it: the long-term economic health of the...
People have known for a long time that rough handling and stress is detrimental to dairy cattle. Over 100 years ago, W. D. Hoard, founder of Hoard's Dairyman, wrote that people working with dairy cows...
Review these ten decisions to determine if you can find additional income or reduce expenses on your farm or with your clients. Be a detective and make long-term economic decisions. When profit margins...
These resources are Dairyman Extras from our July issue on page 470. Milking and mastitis Milking procedures: USDA-APHIS-NAHMS Dairy Milk quality and milking resources: University of Wisconsin Cleaning...
High forage isn't always your best option When inventories are short or forages don't measure up, low-forage diets have merit. When moving to a lower forage diet, you must maintain effective fiber and...
Tight window: seasonal calving's lynch pin To take advantage of peak pasture growth, graziers must closely monitor reproductive performance. These same principles can benefit all dairy producers. Compact...
Generalmente creemos que el ordeño es una operación independiente del resto de la granja porque la rutina de ordeño empieza y termina en la sala, pero en realidad es un esfuerzo en...
It usually takes two to tango in the parlor, but your routine begins and ends in the barn. Once the unit is on, check your alignment - it's one of the most neglected areas in milking. Whether you waltz,...