Last year was a banner year for U.S. dairy product exports, which accounted for a record 13.3 percent of all milk production in the country on a total solids basis. That's roughly 26 billion pounds of...
Sire summaries are calculated by the United States Department of Agriculture three times each year in April, August and December. Hoard's Dairyman compiled the August data on the seven dairy breeds and...
Handy Hint: August 25, 2012 Jetter cups change bulbs On our farm, safety and time are always concerns. To save time and be safe changing lightbulbs over our straw packs, we took an old jetter cup and taped...
As printed in our August 10, 2012 issue... THE WORST DROUGHT IN OVER 50 YEARS badly damaged the nation's corn and soybean crop as 40 percent is located in severe drought areas. Future contracts traded...
Corn, soybeans and hay aren't the only dairy feed staples expected to have more limited supplies this fall. A slightly smaller U.S. cotton crop is also forecast, which means the amount of cottonseed available...
Handy Hint: August 10, 2012 Counter replaces silage scale We found this manual counter very useful to keep track of loads of silage when a scale is not always en route from field to pile. We weigh a couple...
As printed in our July 2012 issue... A BLISTERING HEAT WAVE and dry conditions pushed corn prices up 28 percent in the last two weeks of June. Indiana, Illinois, eastern Iowa and Missouri have had less...
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service says 2012 will make it three record almond crop years in a row in California, which produces virtually all of the almonds in the U.S
The 2011 Guernsey Component Queens were compiled from all 305-day DHI and DHIR lactation records received and made official by the American Guernsey Association. To be considered official for production...
Gravity-flow disinfecting hose Buckets with a small amount of disinfectant solution often don't last in narrow chutes. We elevated a 55-gallon drum above the palpation chute. Then, we attach a hose with...
As printed in our June 2012 issue... THE FARM BILL WAS INTRODUCED for consideration on the Senate floor in late May. Debate was expected to begin in early June. It has been reported that Senate Ag Chairman,...
Rotary feed pusher keeps feeding safe This feed pusher makes pushing feed cleaner, faster, safer, and quieter. The materials include some 2- by 2-inch tubing, 4- by 4-inch tubing, a skid-steer adapter...
As printed in our May 25, 2012 issue... THE GENETIC INDUSTRY has released the first of two documents that will transfer evaluations from USDA to the private sector. To review the ground rules and comment...
Polish seals marker We found that magic marker often wore off our tools. To permanently mark our things, we use ear tag markers, then cover it with clear coat nail polish for a durable finish. Ethan
As printed in our May 10, 2012 issue... CHEESE BLOCKS WERE $1.52-1/4, at the close. Class III Futures for May through December averaged $15.62, October was the high, $16.25. CLASS III FUTURES DROPPED nearly...
Alarm rings when water pressure is too low Using a water pressure switch and a used bell from an old crowd gate, we installed an alarm that alerts us if the fountains in the free stall barn have low water...
Steel pieces improve palpation rail My palpation rail holds about 10 cows at once, but I normally need to manage five cows or less. My new device holds them in place. I made a bar out of a scrap piece...
It's going to happen! That was the attitude of senior staff from the House and Senate Agriculture at the Animal Agriculture Alliance's Stakeholders Summit in Arlington, Va. Anne Hazlett, chief counsel...
As printed in our April 25, 2012 issue... CORN PLANTING INTENTIONS are the highest since 1937. USDA has projected farmers will plant 95.9 million acres, up 4 percent from last year. Meanwhile, soybeans...
