Dairy producers today have more genetic tools today than ever before. Genomic testing is the big player, and there are also new selection traits and indices, better methods to track and interpret data,...
We all know the sad story surrounding fluid milk consumption. Since the 1940s, milk consumption per capita has been trending downward in the United States. The good news is that consumption of dairy products...
Transition cows face one of the most difficult turnabouts. As soon as the calf is born, they naturally move from no milk production to a significant ramp up both in quantity of milk and the energy required...
For more than three decades, the checkoff-funded Dairy Foods Research Centers network has operated with a purpose of making every drop of milk more valuable for our dairy farm families while meeting ever-growing...
Every piece of advertising matters for a small business, especially when it can be done for free or little cost. For dairy farms marketing their own products, social media is one way to reach potential...
Corn silage has long been known as the cornerstone of the dairy ration, providing a valuable fibrous energy that is difficult to replace in the diet. Over the years, land grant institutes have invested...
When challenged by illness, young dairy calves can become dehydrated quickly. Producers are often faced with the question of whether oral fluids will get the job done or if they need to call their veterinarian...
In business, a top customer is a very important relationship, one that requires careful tending and cultivation to maintain. The best business relationships are two-way streets, with each party tending...
When a person sets out to be a dairy farmer, they’re probably not doing it with the goal of leading a team of people. But that is an increasingly important role dairy farmers are taking on, whether...
Margins in the dairy industry have become more pinched over time. Some farms grow larger to keep margins profitable, but if your goal isn’t to get larger, what does the future look like for a small...
A quick internet search showed me that the term rumen bypass protein was first used in the 1980s. Though it may not be the most perfect technical description, it certainly has staying power
A serious injury to or death of a farm’s owner sets off a chain of events that can be devastating if the business and family aren’t prepared. In too many cases, it can lead to the farm exiting...
Can we select cows for reduced methane production? This is a question that genetics researchers around the world are tackling, as we seek to reduce the environmental footprint of dairy farming. Dairy cattle...
Since I was an undergraduate student in college, I have always been very passionate about forage quality and ruminant nutrition. Almost 25 years ago, I started my research internship at the USDA Agricultural...
One way to improve productivity and efficiency on farms is to simplify management. When it comes to making high quality milk, Michigan State University’s Pam Ruegg, D.V.M., offered this straightforward...
