As a farmer, you put your heart and soul into what you do. You live, eat, and breathe the work you do. It is not a job but a lifestyle. It can bring you great joy one moment and heartache the next

We as an industry, not just dairy but all of agriculture, need to start standing up for each other in unison

“In 2 miles, turn left on Burr Salem Road,” Siri’s charming voice kindly reminds me.If you’re like me, Siri is now part of your drive to any new destination

You invest a great deal in making top quality feed. Do all that you can to see that it reaches the dairy cow in the best condition and that she consumes it

Knowing my cows means I know more than just their name, I know them.

My dad came from a large Midwest family where they milked 25 cows, raised some sheep, had a few chickens, and worked cropland. He was one of seven hard-working farm boys with four sisters

When discussing calf raising, most every dairy farmer will tell you good colostrum is essential to calf health

Spring has finally made its debut, but with it comes some pesky insects, the most common being flies

When I was a kid, I loved report cards. For me, it was important to measure how I was doing in my classes.Now that I’m a dairy farmer, metrics are just as important

Among farm families, it is more and more common to hear of households that also pursue off farm ventures. A report from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows that there is good reason for that

We have come to a fork in the road here at Hillcrest Farms. Like I have said in the past, we are always trying to keep up with technology and stay at the forefront of our industry

Just about every packaged food item at the grocery store comes with an “expiration” or “sell by” date on the label. My inclination is that most people heed these guidelines

I am proud to be a third-generation dairy farmer and the fourth generation on my family’s farm. There’s a definite sense of success that comes with knowing I carry on a tradition

The National Dairy FARM program is a voluntary program that promotes transparency in the food supply. It began in 2009 and has gained support from producers, milk cooperatives, and food companies

Kansas State University professor Jeff Stevenson started the monthly Hoard’s Dairyman webinar with a timeline overview of management tools that have aided in the reproduction progress of dairy cows

My kids went back to school today after their Christmas vacation, but our other Christmas break is still going. Our other Christmas break is a six-week break from calving

It’s November 8. Most Americans are celebrating the long-awaited end of the political campaign season

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pa. The show has a huge youth component with judging contests, junior management competition, seven youth breed shows,...

Passion is the main driver that shines through all the hard work and stress dairy farming can bring. Today's dairy farmers don't fit into one mold; they come in all shapes and ages, with varying levels...

Grocery stores, restaurants, and schools/work places were all popular locations for weekly food purchases. Dairy is what they have in common. Domestic dairy sales are an important part of dairy's business,...