California’s water situation has not been good for a long time; however, this year could prove to be even worse

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” We all know the question. The question can be greeted with inaudible rumblings, flustered body language, or a decisive answer

There’s one job on our farm that everyone gets involved with at one point or another. It’s a looming, tedious task that rears its head in the midst of spring planting, school wrapping up, and...

Earlier this spring my son, a junior in high school, started a new job on a farm not too far from our home

It’s dairy banquet season, at least in Iowa. It’s the season where dairy producers and supporters come together to honor outstanding farming families, recognize friends of the industry

Assembling an “A-Team” roster and not just people on your payroll is easier than most think

When I was 8 years old, a tiny, premature calf was born that I absolutely fell in love with. Her body was somewhat average in size, but her legs were short and stubby

Cow cooling, animal care, and a well-balanced ration all go a long way in in keeping cows healthy through hot weather.

For generations of Schmitt men (my grandpa, dad, brother, and hopefully, my nephews), their hands have told the story of dairy farming

TikTok has become a unique platform to teach consumers about dairy farming in a fun way

Sustainability is a priority for today’s consumers – let’s make sure they know that farmers are already good stewards of the land

As winter turns into spring, we try to catch up on many random projects around the farm

After a year filled with trials and tribulations, dairy farmers remained as hardworking and resilient as ever

Much like a pop quiz, regular state and federal inspections keep dairy farmers on their toes

Whether it’s extreme heat in the summer, extended rainy periods in the spring, or plummeting temperatures in the winter, weather dictates every animal’s needs and a farmer’s daily routine

It’s never my intention to screw up, but when I do, I know the situation will be handled in a good-natured way. We try to make light of a bad situation

The other night, our robotic milkers called 36 times with one alarm or another. My dad got an early start on morning milking simply because he had been up since 11 p.m. the night prior tending to the robots

I was being interviewed the other day prior to a workshop, and the interviewer asked me what I did for work and in what ways I was involved

The “farm kid” identity definitely carries a weighted list of stereotypes — some may be perceived as negative while others prove to be a positive in the job and internship search

I had a great opportunity the other day to chat with an expecting dad who knew nothing about dairy. Soon after, I realized I may be a bad influence