Midwest dairy managers continue catching up economically after a disastrous 2009 and 2010 business year, said Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois professor of animal sciences emeritus. "Illinois milk...
Only 1,805 fewer dairy farms last year Dairy producers proved they are a resilient lot. Despite tough economic conditions during the past two years, most producers kept milking cows as only 1,805 licensed...
Dairy producers proved they are a resilient lot. Despite tough economic conditions during the past two years, most producers kept milking cows as only 1,805 licensed dairy farms called it quits last year....
TV newscasts and city newspaper articles dote on the idyllic image of small farms while deriding commercial agriculture, all the while blissfully ignorant about which group actually feeds America. But...
Total farm business operating expenditures amounted to more than $187 billion in 2008, according to a recent report from USDA's Economic Research Service. Nearly half of those expenditures were spent locally....
I’ll admit, I don’t like the heat. I side with the cows in that 50°F is far more ideal than the 100°F heat index numbers we’re experiencing in the Midwest this holiday weekend
In today's dynamic dairy landscape, exploring new revenue streams beyond traditional milk sales is an important financial strategy, especially as sustainability initiatives offer new income opportunities
Long story, short — my husband and I are in our own private book club. Let me elaborate and give you my pitch to start your own mini book club (even if it’s just you)
Robust. That’s an accurate word to describe the research to support cow cooling investments to reduce heat stress effects. The financial consequences of heat stress on dairy farms in the
Heifer inventories have flirted with generational lows, and prices for bred or fresh heifers have bumped against the ceiling. An interesting analysis in a recent Virginia Dairy Pipeline reminded farmers...
About 94% of the dairy farms in the U.S. are family owned (American Dairy Association). With this statistic being so high, it is easy to assume that the vast majority of dairy farm owners have always known...
During the busy spring season, hanging out in the house with kiddos isn’t an option. Having a 3-month-old and 20-month-old means a lot of creativity when it comes to getting chores done, spending...
Each summer, we hire a few extra farm hands, mostly high school and college students. We live decently close to Wichita, Kan., so there are many candidates. However, very few of those individuals have...
Today’s dairy cows produce more milk than ever before. Higher capacity and more precise monitoring are essential during milking. And easy-to-use controls are a must in the parlor
