Entries by info

Cows Will Tell You Whether They’re Happy With How They’re Milked

Did you know cows can tell us if they’re happy with how they’re milked? A recent article from DairyHerd.com gives insight into our bovine buddies and their milking preferences. Just goes to show, when it comes to their well-being, every detail matters! Rhonda Brooks writes, “Teat end scoring provides Paul Virkler with some valuable insights […]

Three Ways To Tackle Inaccurate Dairy Data

Accurate and precise information is paramount in modern herd management. Whether it’s choosing the right tools, monitoring electrical interference, or regularly assessing identification accuracy, every detail matters: “Does it matter if a data point is off here and there? Or a couple of cows are in the wrong pen? Or you miss a milk weight […]

High Production Costs Could Weigh on the Ag Economy Through 2024, New Survey of Economists Finds

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor unveils helpful insights on the state of U.S. agriculture. Economists forecast a downward trend in the financial health of the sector, driven by high production costs, global competition, and more. With wide-ranging views on 2023 crop yields and commodity prices, the survey reveals a mixed outlook on livestock and a […]

Poor Air Quality from Wildfire Smoke can put Livestock at Risk

The wildfire smoke drifting from Canada into the United States has prompted a call to action for those with underlying lung conditions or asthma, including children and the elderly, to minimize outdoor exposure. But this warning extends beyond human health; it’s a risk to our animals, too. Rhonda Brooks writes “Look for the following signs […]

Tips On How To Increase Dairy Farm Cash Flow

Navigating the turbulent tides of the dairy farming industry can feel overwhelming, especially as financial pressures mount and the future remains uncertain. The challenges are real, but so are some solutions. Pauly Paul writes in his article in AGProud: “Borrowing money to pay the bills? If that is you, you are not alone. As a […]

5 Tips To Minimize Bird Damage

Amber Adams Progar embarked on a mission to assist dairy farmers in addressing the issue of pest birds. Now, after 8 years, there are five key takeaways that have emerged from her efforts: “1. Collect bird count data… now You need to know how big your pest bird problem is before you can develop a […]

What are the 6 freedoms of a cow?

“Focusing on the six freedoms of a cow proves to be beneficial for increasing your dairy’s return on investment (ROI). The six freedoms of a cow outlined by a dairy farming training organization are space, rest, water, air, light and feed. These freedoms have aligned benchmarking goals to help producers realize higher returns on current […]

All Eyes on the Milk Price

“Within dairy specifically, all eyes are on the milk price into the coming months, with values falling slowly but steadily recently. This price pressure, coupled with still high cost of production, will mean that some dairy farmers might struggle to achieve profitability this year. Data shows that cows’ numbers began to contract in November and […]

Could More Soybean Processing Plants Spell Cheaper Feed for Dairy Farmers?

“The soybean processing industry is entering a new era driven by the demand for low-carbon fuels like renewable diesel, which can be made with tallow, recaptured vegetable oil, canola oil, and of course, soybean oil. This push for more sustainable fuel is helping drive the rapid expansion of new soybean crushing facilities across the U.S. […]

Costs Hit Organic Livestock Farmers

Organic dairy and other livestock farmers are seeking emergency federal aid as they grapple with skyrocketing organic feed costs, steep fuel and utility expenses as well as the consequences of drought in many parts of the country. Two dozen U.S. senators and representatives wrote to U.S. Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack asking for emergency assistance […]