I still vividly remember my first farm call following vet school graduation many years ago! Lloyd had called the practice early on a sunny June morning. His message was one of distress.“One of my...
When it comes to global warming, all greenhouse gases tend to get lumped into the same bucket. In reality, certain gases behave differently, and that affects their impact on climate change. During the
The collective dairy industry leapt into action after USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack shared he was open to a proposal to modernize Federal Milk Marketing Orders. In the ensuing 11 months, hundreds of meet
Not far outside of the small western Oregon city of Albany, a friendly sign edged with bright teal welcomes visitors to Royal Riverside Farm. Down the driveway, those who stop find a place to stock up
There is a tremendous amount of care that goes into a glass of milk. I wish there was a way to capture all of the effort it takes to provide nutrition for ourselves and our neighbors. Caring for our a
There has been much recent work completed regarding antibiotic stewardship in dairy production. This includes pathogen-based decision-making (sometimes aided by on-farm culture) about which cows to tr
We usually think of agricultural limestone as a soil amendment used to elevate soil pH. And while a major reason to apply ag lime is to maintain soil pH in the desired range — 6.5 or higher for most
During a cow’s lactation, changes in body condition and body weight occur that influence future milk yield and fertility outcomes. Evaluating body weight alone is not a good indicator of body reserv
Every dairy farmer knows that raising a calf to maturity takes great care, with an appreciation of the challenge and a goal of doing what’s best rather than what’s easy
It is always nice to achieve a winning season! Like so many of you, I have witnessed both winning and losing “dairy seasons” over the last four decades
AT FIRST we could not believe what our eyes had read. After a second review, we were not as surprised to learn that some politicians who extol the virtues of green energy
Disbudding with caustic paste is typically done within the first week of life, and as early as the first 24 hours. Currently, there is only a small amount of research on caustic paste
Immigration reform has become a four-letter word, especially in conservative circles. Election year rhetoric, both on the campaign trail and political news channels, has only compounded the problem
Corn chopping season is upon us in the Northeast region, which means that all hands are on deck. Everyone is working to either keep the farm running smoothly or focused on the preparation and executio
An empty barn often reflects the emotions of the farmers who once worked in it, symbolizing the closing of one of life’s chapters. A Pennsylvania farmer has taken those emotions and channeled them...
Drug abuse means to use a drug incorrectly or excessively. I’ve been pondering this article topic for years, and now many veterinarians have asked me to write it. Their frustration and mine is that
Think like a plant breeder when looking at your corn grain and feed costs this coming year. This statement likely doesn’t make sense at first glance, but bear with me as I explain my thought process