Do you have questions about feeding practices for fresh cows? Contact us for more information on the specific feeds and additives that can benefit fresh cows.

“Research continues to show that management and feeding practices within the first 2 to 4 weeks after calving have a long-term positive or negative impact on not only milk production and health of cows throughout the lactation, but as importantly on fertility and early embryo survival.”

Read the full article by Donna M. Amaral-Phillips from University of Kentucky for more information on developing a plan for your Fresh Dairy Cows.

This article includes the following sections:

• Plan and Correct Housing When More Cows Are Calving
• Watch Body Condition in the Previous Lactation
• Watch Body Condition Losses in Early Lactation
• Target Expensive Additives to Fresh Cows
• Take Time to Observe Fresh Cows
• Keep Fresh Cows in a Clean Area

A recent article by Dairy Herd’s Jim Dickrell reviewed the United States Department of Agricultural Research Report from July 2020.

“While not totally surprising, a new study shows almost a two-fold difference in the total economic cost of producing milk between the nation’s smallest and largest dairy farms.”

Read the full summary, here.

Abstract from Consolidation in U.S. Dairy Farming by James M. MacDonald, Jonathan Law, and Roberto Mosheim

“The number of licensed U.S. dairy herds fell by more than half between 2002 and 2019, with an accelerating rate of decline in 2018 and 2019, even as milk production continued to grow. As a result, production has been shifting to much larger but fewer farms. Larger operations realize lower costs of production, on average, and those advantages persist. This structural change also features shifts in the location of dairy farming and in the production practices used on farms. This report, following upon two earlier ERS reports on the subject, details how the dairy sector has been transformed, and assesses the financial and productive factors behind that transformation.”

To read the full report, click here.

“Milk pricing in the U.S. is incredibly complicated. One particular feature of milk pricing that always seems to rub dairy farmers the wrong way is negative producer price differentials – a line item on the dairy farmer’s milk check that reduces the mailbox milk price. Negative PPDs occur when the classified value of milk in the Federal Milk Marketing Order pool is less than the component value of milk, resulting in a reduced minimum regulated milk price. In June 2020, negative PPDs across the U.S. were expected to be record large because of COVID-19-related price volatility, a recent change to FMMO milk pricing formulas in the 2018 farm bill, and mass de-pooling of milk, i.e., Negative PPDs to Offset Milk Price Rally.”

John Newton, Ph.D. of American Farm Bureau Federation writes about how FMMO reform is long overdue, but even more overdue is giving farmers a say in how their milk is priced and pooled. Read the full article on Revisiting Record-Large Negative PPDs on Milk Checks at American Farm Bureau Federation’s website.

Dr. Mike Hutjens shares ideas and strategies for boosting dairy producers’ bottom line.

Managing the transition period can have a significant impact on future dairy cow performance. Check out this great article from FeedStrategy’s Helen Warren including a link to July’s Feed Strategy Digital Magazine and learn how nutrition can help reduce metabolic disorders in transition cows.