The author is the managing editor and covers animal health, dairy
housing and equipment, and nutrient management. She grew up on a dairy
farm near Plymouth, Wis., and previously served as a University of
Wisconsin agricultural extension agent. She received a master’s degree
from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s from University of
Wisconsin-Madison.
It may be time for the U.S. to rethink beef production. Why? Because consumer preferences for beef are changing, according to a Rabobank International article, "Ground Beef Nation: The Effect of Changing...
As new farm buildings go up, older ones stand empty. When milking herds grow, there are more calves to raise. Does it make sense to repurpose empty buildings to house young stock?
If your bulk tank took a hit during the frigid weather, you were not alone. University of Illinois' Mike Hutjens conducted an informal survey of dairy producers at meetings in Illinois and Minnesota during...
A Canadian consultant shares his four cornerstones to designing barns for robotic milkers. By Abby Bauer, Hoard's Dairyman Associate Editor Robotic milking systems can fit in a variety of barn layouts,...
It costs money to raise your calves and heifers. Should you invest in facilities and raise your own replacements? Would you be better served utilizing a custom grower? Should you raise every heifer, or...
Cows spend their days doing core activities, like sleeping and eating, and luxury activities, like playing and exploring. Luxury activity will decline when time or energy resources are limited during stress...
There are two main ways to grow profitability on a dairy farm: cut costs or grow milk production. If expenses are already tightly managed, are there opportunities for you to get more milk out of your cows?...
Digital dermatitis, commonly known as hairy heel warts, is a major cause of lameness on dairy farms. Digital dermatitis was identified in the early 1970s, came to the U.S. in the 1980s and has been a management...
Feed efficiency is certainly a buzzword in the dairy industry today. Is it the goal we all should be striving for? From a nutritionist's standpoint, Brian Perkins from Diamond V Technical Services explained...
New research found that painful procedures, like dehorning, made calves more pessimistic. Dehorning causes some amount of pain, which we recognize based on behavioral changes, such as head shaking, ear...
Last week, McDonald's Corporation announced its commitment to begin purchasing "verified sustainable beef" in 2016. Between now and then, the company plans to communicate with stakeholders from the farmer...
Harsh winter temperatures raise the needs of all animals, especially young stock, on the farm. Another harsh, cold day is upon many of us across the country. Amy Stanton, animal well-being specialist...
Typically, inflammation of any kind is considered to be a bad sign, a response to some sort of injury or disease. In the case of dairy cattle, inflammation of the udder is most often associated with mastitis....
Livestock production contributes 40 percent to the world's agricultural gross domestic product, provides income for more than 1.3 billion people and represents 17 percent of global caloric intake per person...
Make sure your bedding is doing its job by evaluating cow cleanliness and comfort. Cost and ease of handling are often the first considerations when it comes to bedding for dairy cattle. Ideally, bedding...
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has sounded the warning alarm against the consumption of raw dairy products, especially for pregnant women and young children. In a new policy statement released...
Heightened calf care can keep calves healthy and growing during winter weather. "This is the time of the year where we face the most challenges with raising calves," said Noah Litherland from the University...
Antibiotics are undeniably remarkable tools to treat both animals and humans when illness strikes. However, with concerns of antibiotic resistance in humans mounting, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration...
"Five more years! Five more years! Five more years!" That was the chant heard loud and clear last Monday at Pulaski International School in Chicago, Ill., as Commissioner Roger Goodell helped announce...
The NFL announced another 5-year commitment to the program that encourages healthy eating and physical activity in schools across the nation. You could feel the excitement the minute you entered the door...
