Sometimes I think water is not valued enough for dairy cattle because it seems to be “free” or costs little compared to other feedstuffs. And it all begins with calves
As printed in our June 2017 issue . . .CLASS III FUTURES CLIMBED 15 CENTS during early April to late May trading to average $16.90 per cwt. for the remainder of 2017
To provide water access in our pasture, we mounted an old cast iron bathtub on skids fitted with a MiraFount valve. Water is supplied by a 1-inch buried line, and the tub is moved through the pasture
As printed in our April 25, 2017 issue . . .CLASS III FUTURES SHOWED IMPROVEMENT, climbing by 30 cents from late-April to mid-May trading. At a $16.45 average for the remainder of the year, September�
The U.S. is finding itself in the middle of an early and large spring milk flush. The last two years have seen the Northeast and the Upper Midwest grow production to the point that existing plant capacity...
THE DAIRY TRADE DISPUTE between the U.S. and Canada continues to garner national and international headlines with New Zealand and Australia now joining the U.S. in challenging Canada’s new tar
As printed in our April 25, 2017 issue . . .SOME U.S. PROCESSORS SHED PATRONS after Canadian authorities shut down market access to ultra-filtered milk sales. According to a February 24, 2017, B
As printed in our March 25, 2017 issue . . .AT A $16 AVERAGE, remaining 2016 Class III futures retreated $1.50 per hundredweight from mid-February to final March trading activity. Contracts ranged fro
While working on homework late one night, my roommate crept into my room to inform me about the wildfires, which were sweeping the Plains only a few hours from our home
As printed in our February 25, 2017 issue . . .USDA ECONOMISTS RECONFIRMED their All-Milk price forecast for the year at $18.05, up just a nickel from January. Range was from $17.70 to $18.40
Quality milk must be a total team effort. That means that dairy farm owners and managers must allow employees to openly share observations and thoughts to improve the milking process
As printed in our February 10, 2017 issue . . . POSITIVE PRICE PROSPECTS continued as USDA economists moved the All-Milk price forecast up 75 cents in January to an $18 midpoint for 2017. W
I use a bowl brush in my 1/2-inch cordless drill to clean the waterers on our farm. This picture is one that I just cleaned. It came out pretty clean and saves a lot of scrubbing
As printed in our January 25, 2017 issue . . . REFLECTING CONSUMER DEMAND FOR GOOD FATS, milkfat has been contributing a larger proportion to milk checks. Between January 2000 and August 2015, mi
The Golden State is known worldwide as a top producer of hundreds of crops and commodities. Due to the rich, abundant soil and ideal, long growing season, California farmers and ranchers have benefited
As printed in our January 10, 2017 issue . . .TWO CO-OPS PLAN TO MERGE and form the nation’s No. 12 dairy cooperative when ranked by member milk. Under terms of the agreement, Prairie Farms of Carli
As printed in our December 2016 issue . . .TIGHT LABOR SUPPLIES have placed a burden on some dairies. In November, the jobless rate fell to a nine-year low of 4.6 percent. Overall, 15 million jobs hav
