After a milk price year for the ages in 2014, producers knew 2015 would be worse. And it has been so far.But low feed and high beef prices have made it manageable, and indications are growing that this...
Spring has barely begun, yet things already look grim. Bad turned to worse for California's drought situation in 2014, which is why, on the first day of spring this year, California's 2015 water situation...
A breeding ground for bacteria, bedding is a significant source of mastitis pathogens in a confinement system. The climatic conditions encountered in many regions of the country necessitate cattle housing....
The original request by three dairy cooperatives initiated a process that will eventually determine whether or not California joins the Federal Milk Marketing Order system, but it could take time to reach...
My bout with an intestinal infection hardened my stance on raw milk. I spent most of my Christmas break helping my boyfriend on his 40-cow dairy in northwestern Wisconsin. The first couple of weeks of...
I am a dairy consultant, and just last Monday I was having a discussion with the dairy owner about employees having their cellphones with them when the Hoard's Dairyman Intel "Does your dairy prohibit...
When it comes to sustainability . . . at least agriculture's definition . . . dairy has been a leader. However, as discussions ensue on the topic, there is concern the sustainability concept is creeping...
When Mother Nature decides to turn on the summer heat, we have come to expect drops in milk yield and dips in reproductive performance. Another negative consequence of heat stress for today's cows is the...
Dairy exports have been in a constant flux. Even though dairy prices have been somewhat depressed as of late due to China's reduced purchases, the long-term dairy future looks bright for sellers. "Dairy...
Spring is coming on strong. Despite a return to warmer weather, though, we can still experience wide temperature fluctuations from day to night. With their naïve immune systems, the youngest members...
Safety is one reason why some producers are trying to keep them out of the workplace. Convenience. Nuisance. Threat. Cellphones are ubiquitous in life – which means they are also ubiquitous on dairies....
Corn rootworm stands as one of the most expensive threats to U.S. crop farmers. The larvae gnaw on the roots of cornstalks, stunting plant growth and costing growers an estimated $1 to $2 billion per year
Staying ahead of the flavored milk curve Here is some additional information to compliment the March 25, 2015, article on page 202 of Hoard's Dairyman. The Dale McClellan family knows dairying from two...
Additional milk per day is just the start. The signs of heat stress in dry cows are less obvious when there is no production to monitor. In the March Hoard's Dairyman webinar, Geoff Dahl, University of...
Pinpoint cows with an unseen calcium challenge Diagnostic tools provide a window into cows' calcium status. Monitoring subclinical hypocalcemia at the herd and cow level allows for informed decision making....
Every so often we are offered a new and different dish by an anxious spouse, friend or relative hoping to impress us, gain our approval and share in our enjoyment. While many times we can happily appreciate...
Hoard's Dairyman Webinar Archives March 9, 2015: "Help your dry cows avoid heat stress" presented by Geoff Dahl, University of Florida "Help your dry cows avoid heat stress" was presented by Geoff Dahl,...
The information provided on DHIA culling in last week's Hoard's Dairyman Intel article, "Low production tops the culling list," actually comes from a report released by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding....
"High hay prices and corn silage costs have kept California milk production and cow numbers at bay," Seth Hoyt told those attending the opening session at the 12th bi-annual Western Dairy Management Conference....
