Yes, California's pricing system is killing its dairies Leading cheese maker believes the reason isn't low prices, but the system itself. By Hoard's Dairyman Staff If the headline of this article looks...
As dairy farms continue to consolidate, intuition would suggest that those who still milk cows would garner more collective marketing power. Unfortunately, even swifter-paced mergers in both processing...
High forage isn't always your best option When inventories are short or forages don't measure up, low-forage diets have merit. When moving to a lower forage diet, you must maintain effective fiber and...
Headlocks for group feeding provide a different twist in the Holts' "fresh as outdoors" calf barn. Brian and Bob Holt keep a sharp eye on each of the calves in their new tunnel-ventilated calf barn. They...
Holds three-point hitch steady I made this three-point arm holder by cutting a piece of rerod about 2 inches longer than the width from outside to outside of the arms. I welded a washer on one end, and...
Hoard's Dairyman Webinar Archives June 10, 2013: "Group handling and feeding of calves" presented by Mark Thomas, D.V.M., Countryside Vet Clinic Brought to you by Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (www.calfandheifer.org)...
Tight window: seasonal calving's lynch pin To take advantage of peak pasture growth, graziers must closely monitor reproductive performance. These same principles can benefit all dairy producers. Compact...
Jason Yurs has served as the Hoard's Dairyman Farm Manager since 2002. In this role, he oversees the daily operation of the nationally recognized Guernsey and Jersey herds. He trains and manages employees,...
Last month brought some fairly significant changes to our genetic evaluation system that will have long-term impacts on genetic selection opportunities for dairy producers. The two largest changes involve...
Delegates to the biannual National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) once again defeated a proposal to reduce the Grade A somatic cell count (SCC) limit from the current 750,000 cells per...
In moving beyond the current government-sponsored dairy safety net, margin risk insurance would consider milk prices and feed costs. That combination would offer the greatest assistance when producers...
Generalmente creemos que el ordeño es una operación independiente del resto de la granja porque la rutina de ordeño empieza y termina en la sala, pero en realidad es un esfuerzo en...
As Europe prepares to transition towards a free market dairy economy void of production caps by 2015, we still have our doubts. While the taxpayer-funded quotas may be idled, European leaders are electing...
Mastitis control during hot summer months is important to the health of mammary glands and milk quality. In northern Europe, "summer mastitis" occurring during July, August and September is associated...
It usually takes two to tango in the parlor, but your routine begins and ends in the barn. Once the unit is on, check your alignment - it's one of the most neglected areas in milking. Whether you waltz,...
Improved system to feed calves To help improve our calf feeding situation, I built a stainless steel vat that holds 20 gallons of milk or milk replacer. Now I don't have to carry heavy pails around that...
Here are a few 2011 Handy Hints from fellow readers. 2011: Handy Hint January 10 Handy Hint January 25 Handy Hint February 10 Handy Hint February 25 Handy Hint March 10 Handy Hint March 25 Handy Hint April...
Hoard's Dairyman Webinar Archives May 13, 2013: "No more lame excuses" presented by Nigel Cook, D.V.M., University of Wisconsin Brought to you by Zinpro Performance Minerals (www.zinpro.com/dairy) In the...
Low-Cost Bottle Holder We were tired of our bottles and nipples always being in a mess, so we built this holder out of 1/2-inch PVC pipe. We put the bottles on the long pipes and the nipples on the short...
