Feature Articles
Prepare for that “what-if” scenario
In 1996, Joan and Matt Marti of Nehalem, Ore., were faced with a catastrophic flood. Residences were destroyed, 30 percent of the herd was lost, and all of the farm’s financial records were ruined. The land the farm sits on was damaged extensively and would take a full year to return to production due to 3 feet of silt residue left from the flooding.
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Feed shrink may be robbing you blind
It could be costing you thousands of dollars each year.
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Target your top heifers
Genomic testing technology can help you identify and better manage top performers earlier while finding those that don’t fit in your profit picture.
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Find out what makes your feeders tick
What do you need to do to motivate your feeders to ensure a job well done? Is it time to dig out incentives, more training, or even a performance-tracking program?
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Rising feed prices eat into profits
It’s just nuts right now.”
That is how dairy producer Pete Tiemersma, of Visalia, Calif., describes the current feed cost situation. In early March, he paid $325 per ton for alfalfa hay — the highest amount he can ever remember the farm having to pay. And, the situation with rolled corn is just about as bleak. He’s been paying $285 to $300 per ton for that.
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Be smart about making feed changes
In early 2011, Sean Jones of Massey, Md., was looking to save money on his feed cost. Jones had the opportunity to purchase some wet brewers grain. Based on an evaluation he did with his nutritionist using CPM-Dairy, it appeared that they would lose a half a pound of milk per cow per day by feeding the wet brewers grain. Jones decided to go ahead with the ration change anyway due to the savings in the ration of 15 cents per cow per day.
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7 keys to a heifer-raising contract
A handshake has successfully sealed many business deals over the years. But, as your business gets more complicated, written contracts need to replace oral agreements.
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When a colostrum replacer may be needed
There are definitely situations where the quality of maternal colostrum cannot be guaranteed and a colostrum replacer should be considered.
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Open the lines of communication
George Bernard Shaw once said the single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.
Overcoming this illusion can be a challenge for dairy owners. Years ago, nearly every dairy farm was owned, managed and all tasks were performed by the owner and immediate family, and maybe an employee or two.
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Get more out of those assets
It should always be your goal to get the highest return on investment. Many farmers can improve their asset utilization by 10 percent or more.
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Conductive cooling: a new way to cool cows
New work from the University of Arizona is looking at the use of convection cooling of free-stall beds as a new approach to reduce heat stress in cattle.
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