140825
Article
Aug. 25 2014
This year's ongoing national debate about minimum wage levels from state to state should remind everyone in the dairy industry that there is nothing minimum about how much workers on their farms typically...
Gary-Sipiorski.jpg
Article
Aug. 25 2014
This volatile business of milking cows has rewarded many of its caretakers with handsome returns. We always must remember this is a business demands a great deal of capital, planning, time and good old-fashioned...
140825_534-BS-Paris.jpg
Article
Aug. 25 2014
Paris, a 16-year-old Brown Swiss, has set a new record for lifetime pounds of protein and fat produced by a cow in the United States. There is a lot of black and white at Henry Dairy Farms, but a quick...
blog_8-21-14.jpg
Blog
Aug. 21 2014
A few clicks of my heels and a quick 11-hour drive, and I will be back on my flat, home turf of Kansas, enjoying 100-plus degree temperatures and humidity
blog_8-19-14.jpg
Blog
Aug. 19 2014
There are just six more weeks until the start of World Dairy Expo, and many eyes are curiously watching the progress of the new pavilions at the Alliant Energy Center
140825_549-hh.jpg
Article
Aug. 19 2014
Handy Hint: August 25, 2014 Keep vaccination supplies handy We created a belt that makes vaccinating calves easier. We took a carpenter apron and riveted three PVC clamps to the belt. Then we cut a PVC...
140818_ph4.jpg
Article
Aug. 18 2014
New practices have been put into place to make the nation's favorite form of beef safer than ever. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced updated...
Dechow-ss-aug14.jpg
Blog
Aug. 13 2014
"Do not compare proven sires PTAs to genomic PTAs. Only compare them within their contemporaries for rankings," cautioned Chad Dechow when presenting "The new world of genetics" during the monthly Hoard's...
blog_8-12-14.gif
Blog
Aug. 12 2014
Of North Dakota's 18,000 dairy cows, one stands head and shoulders above the rest. That's because she is 38 feet tall, 50 feet long and weighs in at 12,000 pounds. Her name is Salem Sue, and she has the...
160810-editorial-comment.jpg
Article
Aug. 10 2014
Beef prices remain at record highs, in part, because the U.S. has the smallest combined beef and dairy herd since 1951. While it's true there were only 87.7 million head of cattle on inventory this past...
140810_491-milking-parlor.jpg
Article
Aug. 10 2014
Multiple component pricing has the potential to raise the value of producer milk in the pool. The magnitude of the increase will depend on the solids-nonfat and utilization of milk in manufacturing classes
editor-Corey.gif
Blog
Aug. 4 2014
While all the research conducted by the world's animal scientists is geared towards building a better agricultural system, it's important for everyone to remember that ultimately our number one goal is...
140804_ph5.jpg
Article
Aug. 4 2014
The National Holstein Convention Panel in Dubuque, Iowa (L to R): Brent Schuler, Diesel Hitt, John Meyer, Jeff Brantmeier, Dan Bolin and Ashley Abbott. by Corey Geiger, Managing Editor "Have a vision for...
140804_ph1.jpg
Article
Aug. 4 2014
At $1,970 each, replacement prices have shot up $530 on average since the first of the year, according to data published in USDA's Agricultural Prices. That is the highest value since July of 2008 when...
blog_8-1-14.jpg
Blog
Aug. 1 2014
What a crazy, incredible turnaround. Huge 2014 crop outlooks in the U.S. and other major grain-producing countries have destroyed the high prices for feed grains that made life so painful for anyone with...
blog_7-31-14.jpg
Blog
July 31 2014
Comfortable cows or easily maintained manure systems. It seems like many dairy producers feel they must choose between one or the other. Sand has a strong reputation for enhancing cow comfort and lowering...
blog_7-28-14.jpg
Blog
July 28 2014
Flies become a nuisance in the summer, especially for our cattle. An unmanaged fly population can reduce milk production 10 to 30 percent and decreases feed efficiency
140728_ph3.jpg
Article
July 28 2014
A recently published study on greenhouse gas emissions produced by livestock is placing the blame on the beef industry. The work of scientist Gidon Eshel from Bard College in New York was released last...
blog1_7-22-14.jpg
Blog
July 22 2014
Manure is a valuable commodity that provides needed nutrients for crop acres, but it takes multiple steps to get it from Point A to Point B. Most times, moving manure from storage to the field happens...
140721_ph3.jpg
Article
July 21 2014
Vermont is embroiled in a food industry lawsuit after passing a GMO (genetically modified organism) labeling requirement earlier this year. Yet, this move by the Green Mountain State set the stage for...