recently, I have had breeders express to me a level of concern over the number of bulls whose proofs declined substantially once they had daughters

The mosquito season continues as crops come off fields and the calendar is turning the page toward fall. Warm, humid days and wet conditions following thunderstorms are still prevalent. Inevitably, with...

Often, we think of automated milking systems (AMS) as new technology that reduces labor to milk cows; however, we may forget about the importance of testing the mechanical function of the AMS equipment

I am the richest farmer in the world. Before you pound down my barn door for money, I want to clarify that I am not talking about financial resources. I am talking about the riches of a relationship, specifically...

Investing in land remains a significant focus in agriculture, with ongoing high-profile sales sparking widespread discussion

I was recently asked what significant changes I have seen in calf nutrition and growth over my nearly 35-year career at the University of Illinois

While traveling to the airport early en route to a dairy industry meeting, I tuned into a Hoard’s Dairyman “Herd It Here” podcast episode covering feed conversion efficiency with Mary...

A small but growing number of dairies are using rotary milking parlors to enhance milking speed and efficiency. In this set-up, cows ride on a rotating platform while being milked. This reduces th

Rural living comes with a lot of benefits, but amenities that relate to delivery services are not necessarily one of those perks

In the volatile world of dairy markets, risk management has become key to many producers’ success, enabling them to gain stability and control over their margins

Historically, criminals who have been sentenced to death have been granted a sumptuous last meal before their execution

Precision management is a hot topic in the dairy industry, and rightfully so

Did you milk her for all she’s worth?” With due respect to my mentor and colleague, Don Sanders, who wrote a book by this title, I suggest that we leave a little gas in the tank for our retiring...

Bad things happen to good people. Likewise, bad things can happen to good farms

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program launched its latest Animal Care Program standards on July 1, continuing to provide science-based guidelines for the industry and...

Patience is one of those things that is wonderful if it is being given to me or my situation

It is no secret that forage quality can make or break the productivity — and profitability — of a herd

Succession planning is a process that intertwines economics with emotion, making it overwhelming and difficult for many to initiate

Respiratory disease in the preweaning period remains a challenge within the dairy industry

Dairy cattle well-being, productivity, and feeding habits are significantly affected by social interactions, and those are influenced by factors like parity and group composition