Tracking feed inventory is a valuable strategy for any size farm, especially with the growing unpredictability of Mother Nature and a more volatile commodity market
In the decades ahead, climate change is expected to make heat stress an increasingly bigger problem for dairy cows everywhere. Breeding animals with more natural resistance is one way farmers will cope,...
"SNP chips are information powerhouses," says Tami Smith with Neogen Corporation. Smith addressed the audience at the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association's annual conference last week. A SNP (pronounced...
Most of us grew up being taught that there was one gene and two alleles involved in the coat color of our Holsteins . . . with the black allele being dominant over the recessive red allele
More than 15 percent of U.S. milk was exported in 2013. That equates to one out of every seven U.S. tanker loads of milk being turned into products destined for overseas
U.S. butter usage in 2013 hit its highest level in 40 years, due in great part to growing publicity about the negative effects of trans fats commonly used in margarines. How yummy is that news? According...
Cows spend their days doing core activities, like sleeping and eating, and luxury activities, like playing and exploring. Luxury activity will decline when time or energy resources are limited during stress...
Genetics and management will change the way we feed cows. Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois, presented "Feed efficiency – What's new?" on Monday, January 13. His 50-minute presentation was fast-paced...
New research found that painful procedures, like dehorning, made calves more pessimistic. Dehorning causes some amount of pain, which we recognize based on behavioral changes, such as head shaking, ear...
Yearly family and farm goals help prioritize your daily to-do list. The new year stirs optimism and goal setting in many of us. Goals help focus your business and life. But before you charge forward with...
Make sure your bedding is doing its job by evaluating cow cleanliness and comfort. Cost and ease of handling are often the first considerations when it comes to bedding for dairy cattle. Ideally, bedding...
To avoid this, the nation must sustainably grow milk production at a price the consumer can afford. The European Union leads the ranks in world milk production. But, on an individual nation basis, India...
Interviewing tips for young dairy applicants. It is the season when many breed associations have conventions and often youth awards are presented at these annual events. Some awards require interviews...
When cows are MP deficient, they will break down muscle and other bodily protein sources. This is most severe in the first 10 days postpartum. Over the years, tremendous attention and research dollars...
We often think hooves when we think lameness in dairy cattle, but hock injuries should receive similar concern. Hock injuries range from a small area of hair loss to open wounds, sometimes accompanied...
As the beef cattle herd continues to shrink, dairy steer growers have options to consider to enhance beef production. Dairy steers are becoming a growing part of the beef industry. The number of beef cows...
State and local officials spent a day learning about Wisconsin's dairy industry. As each generation becomes farther removed from agriculture, it is increasingly more important to educate consumers about...
U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance shares what messages we should be relaying to consumers. Communicating with influential consumers is among the many responsibilities of agriculturists. It is better for...
New faces and familiar ones mark the latest sire summary. by Patti Hurtgen, Hoard's Dairyman Online Media Manager Sire summaries occur three times each year. Sometimes it seems the top bulls rarely change;...
