Editorial: Sustainability could reduce food waste The work by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy has placed the dairy sector in the forefront of the sustainability movement. While dairy was an early...
Hoard's Dairyman Webinar Archives August 8, 2016: An update on raising better calves presented by Bob James, Virginia Tech Brought to you by: DeLaval Inc. (www.delaval-us.com) Research has demonstrated...
Great silage takes great planning Corn silage harvest is just around the corner and could even be started in some parts of the country. Harvesting corn for silage may be one of the most important activities...
Is your tank half full or running on fumes? Some of us prepare ahead, others act in the moment; both modes of operation can fit certain aspects of a dairy. It never fails; when my wife and I go on a road...
As printed in our July 2016 issue... WE MAY HAVE HIT THE BOTTOM of the milk-price trough, suggested the University of Wisconsin's Mark Stephenson and Bob Cropp. There has been a strong rebound in projected...
Is pregnant cows' milk really a health threat? A human health concern accuses milk from pregnant cows, which is customarily high in estrogens, of affecting blood estrogen levels in humans. High levels...
Dairy trade: Think beyond the exchange rate by Corey Geiger, Managing Editor The Mexican peso buys less goods and services these days when compared to the U.S. dollar. While that is true, USDA's Gabriel...
A case of distracted eating. Eating is a big part of our lives. Food is central to many social events; it brings us comfort; and most importantly, food provides the nutrients we need to survive. Despite...
How long can corn farmers hold on? Low corn prices the last two years have been a relief for dairy and other livestock producers. Now, however, it may be time to start worrying about how much longer corn...
Handy Hint: August 10, 2016 Keep New Calves Close By We only have one calving pen on our farm, so sometimes we have to calve a cow in her stall. We purchased a small 40-gallon water tank that works perfectly...
Feeding consistency is difficult with robots. Automated milking systems come with advantages that include customization of both milking schedules and feeding of concentrates based on individual cows' requirements....
Invest where it matters most. When margins are slim, farmers are forced to make tough decisions. While it is tempting to cut corners wherever possible, not all cuts yield comparable results. The key is...
Agriculture's bridge to worldwide customers. It ranks among the least-discussed divisions of USDA. However, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has one of agriculture's tallest tasks by linking U.S....
Dairy farms have grown for a reason. Dairy farms continue to evolve. While many of us know that, Ben Brancel, secretary of Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, delivers...
Farm wages climb with no end in sight. Labor cost is an important factor in determining dairy farm profitability. In general, it accounts for about 15 percent of total expenses for a typical dairy enterprise
Sorting behavior starts with calves. Cows are creatures of habit, and as science is showing, the formation of their behavioral tendencies begins early in their lives. According to Emily Miller-Cushon,...
Dairy manure needs legal clarity. Last year an eastern Washington Federal Judge found that storage and application of dairy manure in ways that may lead to leaching of nitrates to groundwater constituted...
Dairy doesn't bait kids with bright colors. Bright colors attract the attention of children. That's why we see brightly colored toys, vibrantly illustrated books, and vividly animated movies. The same...
