When Mother Nature decides to turn on the summer heat, we have come to expect drops in milk yield and dips in reproductive performance. Another negative consequence of heat stress for today's cows is the...
Handy Hint: March 25, 2015 Adapted loader bucket moves trees and brush I made two prongs for my loader bucket to load trees onto a flatbed wagon. They are 6 inches wide, and the top is 24 inches long with...
As printed in our March 25, 2015 issue... USDA INCHED DOWN its 2015 All-Milk price forecast to a $17.35 midpoint in March. That was 40 cents lower than one month ago and down $2.85 per hundredweight compared...
As printed in our March 10, 2015 issue... MARGINS FELL to their lowest level since September 2013 as measured by the Milk-Feed-Price Ratio. January's 2.09 netted a $9.18 income-over-feed cost based on...
There is no question that local anesthetics for dehorning are part of animal welfare. I learned that in the 1970s at vet school, and not only because it reduced pain for the cow, but it also made it a...
Dairy exports have been in a constant flux. Even though dairy prices have been somewhat depressed as of late due to China's reduced purchases, the long-term dairy future looks bright for sellers. "Dairy...
Spring is coming on strong. Despite a return to warmer weather, though, we can still experience wide temperature fluctuations from day to night. With their naïve immune systems, the youngest members...
Safety is one reason why some producers are trying to keep them out of the workplace. Convenience. Nuisance. Threat. Cellphones are ubiquitous in life – which means they are also ubiquitous on dairies....
With our long-standing history, Hoard's Dairyman added a digital twist this year. Participants can enter electronically. Using a home computer, tablet or a smartphone, participants can evaluate the classes,...
Corn rootworm stands as one of the most expensive threats to U.S. crop farmers. The larvae gnaw on the roots of cornstalks, stunting plant growth and costing growers an estimated $1 to $2 billion per year
Staying ahead of the flavored milk curve Here is some additional information to compliment the March 25, 2015, article on page 202 of Hoard's Dairyman. The Dale McClellan family knows dairying from two...
When it comes to protecting health, all of humanity could learn a few lessons from their friends who raise livestock. In order for vaccines to be truly effective, the entire herd must be vaccinated to...
Among the top 10 states when ranked by farm numbers, only 3.1 percent of dairies exited the business. For the 40 remaining states, losses were steeper at 4.9 percent. Record milk checks received by U.S....
Pinpoint cows with an unseen calcium challenge Diagnostic tools provide a window into cows' calcium status. Monitoring subclinical hypocalcemia at the herd and cow level allows for informed decision making....
Every so often we are offered a new and different dish by an anxious spouse, friend or relative hoping to impress us, gain our approval and share in our enjoyment. While many times we can happily appreciate...
Hoard's Dairyman Webinar Archives March 9, 2015: "Help your dry cows avoid heat stress" presented by Geoff Dahl, University of Florida "Help your dry cows avoid heat stress" was presented by Geoff Dahl,...
Handy Hint: March 10, 2015 Level driveways and cow yards I was looking for something to level my driveways around the yard. Instead of buying a spendy big scraper, I took two pallets that were just laying...
As printed in our February 25, 2015 issue... CALIFORNIA'S THREE LARGEST CO-OPS submitted a proposal to create a Federal Milk Marketing Order that would supplant the existing state order. Groups have until...
The information provided on DHIA culling in last week's Hoard's Dairyman Intel article, "Low production tops the culling list," actually comes from a report released by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding....
"High hay prices and corn silage costs have kept California milk production and cow numbers at bay," Seth Hoyt told those attending the opening session at the 12th bi-annual Western Dairy Management Conference....
