Group housing is becoming a more popular and acceptable way to raise dairy calves. Besides feeding and health benefits, new research shows that raising calves in a group setting might also make them smarter
Bulldozers are busy again in California's Chino Valley. It's the resumption of the sad but inevitable end to what for decades was the center of the dairy world. The remnants of what used to be a sea of...
As many milk buyers push producers toward a 400,000 somatic cell count (SCC), the national average for DHI herds is already well below that level. This past year, the DHI test herd SCC dropped under 200,000...
The tie stall herds from our February 25, 2014, Round Table have more to share. Earlier this week, the February 25 issue of Hoard's Dairyman hit our readers' mailboxes. On pages 118 to 120, four herds...
Have a winter emergency plan. Winter is not just about cold weather with frozen pipes, slippery concrete and snow shoveling. High volumes of snow can lead to barn collapses. At 3:30 a.m., 70-feet of roof...
Take a stand for cows that can't Down cows deserve special care to bring them back to health or, if necessary, to a humane end. by Geof W. Smith, D.V.M. The author is at the College of Veterinary Medicine,...
New dairy cattle evaluation educational book contains over 90-plus color photos comparing each trait. Understanding linear evaluation enhances every dairy farmer's ability to make better decisions for...
Cooling cows is a simple-sounding idea that is hard to do well. The cost and attention to detail it requires can be great, but its financial rewards are even greater. An intriguing new approach –...
Healthy cows with healthy hooves are the most productive and efficient in a robotic milking system. "Healthy feet are critical in a robot milking situation," said Jack Rodenburg from DairyLogix Consulting...
It's over half of the frozen desserts consumed. There was a time when ice cream was just for the affluent. With the advent of insulated ice houses in the early 1800s, it could stay cold. Ice cream is a...
The gap between milk demand and supply is widening in the world's largest country. This is a great time to be a milk producer in China. It's an even better time to be a high-quality producer. But it's...
While dairy cows aren't always an option, dairy steers can be just as valuable as a 4-H project. Every 4-H member has a unique story. Whether they've consistently bred show ring champions or have overcome...
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...
Butter consumption climbed to a 44-year high and margarine sales hit a 70-year low. With those two trends in mind, some of world's staunchest margarine proponents are now adding butter to their spreads
"Bacteria must be kept away from the teat ends. Fundamentally, 99 percent of the time mastitis occurs when the ability of the teat end sphincter to control bacteria is exceeded. To control mastitis, the...
Dairy portion outlined in Hoard's Dairyman webinar. By Patti Hurtgen, Online Media Manager One of the earliest discussions on the farm bill took place on Monday, February 10, when Hoard's Dairyman presented...
Fresh, available drinking water is essential for healthy, high-producing dairy cows. A 1,500-pound lactating dairy cow consumes approximately 25 to 35 gallons of water per day. Drinking water meets 80...
Popular opinion is hard to dispel, especially following decades of questionable research and misguided advice repeated all too often by medical professionals and nutritionists alike. Despite the uphill...
