Latest From News

U.S. Dairy Cows Continue to Push Inland
U.S. Dairy Cows Continue to Push Inland

The latest USDA Milk Production report saw a mere 0.8% increase in December’s milk production over the prior year. While states, like Texas and South Dakota continue to lead the way in year-over-year cow number growth.

Bar 20 Dairy Named 2023 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year
Bar 20 Dairy Named 2023 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year

Bar 20 Dairy, owned by third-generation dairy farmer Steve Shehadey along with seven other family members, is a 7,000-cow dairy that also farms 5,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley.

Global Feed Production Estimates Released in 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook
Global Feed Production Estimates Released in 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook

Combining data from 142 countries and over 28,000 feed mills, Alltech recently shared its 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook with global feed production survey data.

SHIP IT Act Could Save Truck Drivers Up to $10,000 and Cover CDL Costs
SHIP IT Act Could Save Truck Drivers Up to $10,000 and Cover CDL Costs

Reps. Dusty Johnson and Jim Costa on Tuesday introduced the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act to expand the trucking workforce and offer flexibility in times of need.

More States Attempt to Manage Overtime Laws for Agricultural Employees
More States Attempt to Manage Overtime Laws for Agricultural Employees

More states are requiring overtime pay for ag employees. A recent USDA Ag Prices Report outlined that labor expenses were up 7.3.% compared to 2020 and is at a 20-year high.

Speaker McCarthy Selects Unruly House Rules Panel
Speaker McCarthy Selects Unruly House Rules Panel

For example, Rep. Ralph Norman in the past unsuccessfully pushed crop insurance amendments that would have cut premium incentives/subsidies by 15% for producers with specified adjusted gross incomes.

A Challenge to Farmers: Take a Day Off This Winter
A Challenge to Farmers: Take a Day Off This Winter

The idea of taking a vacation or a day off can seem near impossible, but really can be the single best thing a farmer can do. A change of scenery, time to rest, and a chance to talk about something other than the farm.

PA Farm Show Recycles 1,000 Lb. Butter Sculpture – Here’s How
PA Farm Show Recycles 1,000 Lb. Butter Sculpture – Here’s How

A bit of butter makes everything better – including farm shows. Here's how the PA Farm Show Recycled their 1,000 lb. sculpture.

USDA Announces Additional Assistance for Dairy Farmers
USDA Announces Additional Assistance for Dairy Farmers

The USDA announced details of additional assistance for dairy farmers, including a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program and a new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program.

Debt Limit Debate: $1 Trillion Coin Not Off the Table
Debt Limit Debate: $1 Trillion Coin Not Off the Table

Some legislative officials have discussed the possibility that the Treasury could use an obscure law authorizing platinum coins to circumvent Congress if lawmakers don't raise the debt ceiling.

Advice from an American Ninja Warrior on Becoming Unstoppable
Advice from an American Ninja Warrior on Becoming Unstoppable

Challenges surface—whether that is from the world around us, our industry, our farm, our family, or even the challenges in our own head. Although dairy farmers are not the kind of people who make excuses.

Bosnian Dairy Farm Makes Electricity from Organic Waste
Bosnian Dairy Farm Makes Electricity from Organic Waste

A high-tech dairy farm is among the first in Bosnia turning biogas from manure and silage into electricity.

‘Dairy-Based’ Alternative Meats Could Become a Reality
‘Dairy-Based’ Alternative Meats Could Become a Reality

There's now an 'alternative' to alternative plant-based meats. And the first ingredient just might shock you.

Delegation: The Difference Between Owning and Doing
Delegation: The Difference Between Owning and Doing

Having employees take ownership and complete tasks is ultimately what managers seek in employees. Consider these tips to help boost your team's leadership.

No, Wyoming Isn't Looking to Ban Electric Vehicles...Yet
No, Wyoming Isn't Looking to Ban Electric Vehicles...Yet

Sen. Anderson introduced a resolution last Friday aimed at phasing out electric vehicle sales in Wyoming by 2035. The resolution was referred to the state's minerals committee, who tabled it until 2024.

Best, Four-Legged Farm Hands Announced in Farm Bureau’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest
Best, Four-Legged Farm Hands Announced in Farm Bureau’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest

Providing purpose both on and off the farm, farm and ranch dogs earn top honors, selected from over 100 contestants across the nation, in the annual Farm Bureau contest.

Beef-on-Dairy Continues to See Major Growth
Beef-on-Dairy Continues to See Major Growth

With the demand for beef up, more dairy producers are crossbreeding poor genetic or less productive cows with beef semen. Over the past few years, dairy semen sales have idled while domestic beef sales have exploded.

Ag Groups File Lawsuit to Challenge EPA's "Vague" New WOTUS Definition
Ag Groups File Lawsuit to Challenge EPA's "Vague" New WOTUS Definition

Farm Bureau's Duvall says the rule puts farmers and ranchers in a position where they will have to hire lawyers and consultants to establish the boundaries of farming.

livestock_trucks-trailer_(3)
USDA Proposes Amendments to APHIS's Traceability Regulations

Under the rule, APHIS would require tags that are both visually and electronically readable for interstate movement of cattle and bison six months after a final rule is published in the Federal Register.

Young Farmers Talk About Emerging Threats to Dairy
Young Farmers Talk About Emerging Threats to Dairy

From labor to rising feed costs, to regulations —the challenges that face dairy farmers are far from small. Three young dairy producers shared their takes on challenges and opportunities that they are presented with.

corn-stover-snow-2013
Break Free from the Winter Blues: 2 Steps to Keep Seasonal Depression at Bay

It doesn’t matter if it’s spring, summer, winter or fall, weather is always on producers’ minds. While slower seasons can offer relief, winter can drain emotional batteries. Here are two steps to help find relief.

Algae Explored as a Gut Health Protectant
Algae Explored as a Gut Health Protectant

Supplementing stressed animals with algae extract could significantly reinforce intestinal barrier function.

money-funnel
Bank of America Says a U.S. Debt Default is "Likely"

Speaker McCarthy agreed that the House wouldn’t lift the debt ceiling unless Congress slashes federal spending next fiscal year. Because of this, Bank of America is telling clients to expect a debt default this fall.

California Dairy Industry Hasn’t Escaped Damage from Storms
California Dairy Industry Hasn’t Escaped Damage from Storms

As La Niña gives way to El Niño, weather patterns will shift once again but producers need to plan for more extreme weather.

Digester_at_California_dairy
Considering Carbon Markets? Follow This Advice

Powering a community by what was once considered waste is not only helping the farm’s sustainability efforts, but it’s also generating additional income. Newtrient offers tips to when exploring the carbon markets.

U.S. Could Run Out of Money by Thursday if the Debt Limit Isn't Lifted
U.S. Could Run Out of Money by Thursday if the Debt Limit Isn't Lifted

If the nation’s debt hits $31.4 trillion—it’s on track to do so by this Thurs.—the Treasury will need to take “extraordinary measures” to help pay the government's operations and ward off a historic default.

Financial Advice for Dairy Farmers Going into 2023
Financial Advice for Dairy Farmers Going into 2023

According to dairy financial consultant, Gary Sipiorski there is a real need now for producers to sit down and crunch realistic projections for 2023. He outlines tips to help maximize a margin for producers in 2023.

Better Meetings in 8 Key Steps
Better Meetings in 8 Key Steps

Meetings are an inevitable element of business, but they can be a boon or a bore, depending on how they are run.

Dairy Giant Danone Aims to Cut Methane Emissions by 30% by 2030
Dairy Giant Danone Aims to Cut Methane Emissions by 30% by 2030

Danone, one of the world's biggest dairy companies, says that it plans to cut absolute methane emissions from its fresh milk supply chain by 30% by 2030.

Minnesota Dairy Farmer Saves Stranded, Injured Drivers in a Snowstorm
Minnesota Dairy Farmer Saves Stranded, Injured Drivers in a Snowstorm

While a winter storm is par for the course for many upper Midwest dairies, the workload for Joe Vander Kooi of Ocheda Dairy in Worthington, Minn., quickly turned into a life-or-death rescue situation.

Can Somatic Cell Counts Get Too Low?
Can Somatic Cell Counts Get Too Low?

Somatic cell counts have long been an indicator of milk quality and udder health. But can a cow’s SCC get too low?

Young Ukrainian Agriculturalists Persevere Despite War
Young Ukrainian Agriculturalists Persevere Despite War

While war with Russia dragged on in their homeland, young Ukrainian agriculturalists soldiered on to represent their country and support the Ukrainian ag economy at the 2022 Agromek Exhibition late in 2022.

p10 Clock Ticks on Tax Strategies
Time is Ticking Down to Sign Up for DMC

The days are dwindling down to sign up for Dairy Margin Coverage.

Let’s Applaud Innovation
Let’s Applaud Innovation

It’s been said, “What you plant today, you will harvest tomorrow.” Applaud innovation from your farm kids. The world needs hardworking and inquisitive youth who can think past their Xbox and iPad.

Why So Many Broken Tails?
Why So Many Broken Tails?

The acceptable threshold for broken tails in adult dairy cows listed in the National Dairy FARM Program standards is 5%. Does your farm meet this target?

Four Ag Topics Discussed in Mexico City During USMCA Meetings
Four Ag Topics Discussed in Mexico City During USMCA Meetings

Mexican President López Obrador hosted President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau this week to discuss everything from methane reduction to the U.S./Mexico border wall.

John Deere Adds to Baler Lineup with New L341R High-Density Large Square Baler
John Deere Adds to Baler Lineup with New L341R High-Density Large Square Baler

John Deere is adding to its lineup of balers with the introduction of the new L341R, a high-density large square baler.

A Deep Dive into Sustainable Innovation
A Deep Dive into Sustainable Innovation

Innovation can be defined as taking two things that exist and putting them together in a new way. This is exactly the case for Bar 20 Dairy the recipients of the IDFA 2023 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award.

USDA is Making Additional CFAP 2 Payments
USDA is Making Additional CFAP 2 Payments

The additional payments will be equal to 15% of the producer’s previous CFAP 2 payments.

How Often Are You Training and Monitoring Procedural Drift?
How Often Are You Training and Monitoring Procedural Drift?

Often the first focus of a dairy isn’t on human resources, but more importantly on the day-to-day tasks. However, leading dairy experts strongly encourage producers to start dedicating time to HR.

Employee Perks and Policies that Pay on the Farm
Employee Perks and Policies that Pay on the Farm

The first step to winning the war for workers is to keep your star employees happy. Here’s how three farmers retain and attract employees.  

Young Dairy Farmers Offer Fresh Perspectives at Milk Business Conference
Young Dairy Farmers Offer Fresh Perspectives at Milk Business Conference

Called the ‘participation trophy’ group, often the younger generation gets a bad rap. However, younger generations have a lot to offer in terms of technology, fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

Vilsack Lists USDA's 4 Policy Objectives for 2023
Vilsack Lists USDA's 4 Policy Objectives for 2023

Farm Bureau hosted Secretary Vilsack at its annual convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he announced the details of ERP Phase 2 and PARP, U.S.-made fertilizer and new meat and poultry processing facility plans.

Southeast Milk Ceases Operations at Milk Balancing Facility
Southeast Milk Ceases Operations at Milk Balancing Facility

Southeast Milk, Inc., a full-service dairy cooperative operating across six states in the Southeastern U.S., announced today it has ceased operations at its reverse-osmosis plant in Baconton, Ga.

Sponsored
Convert manure into money. Faster.
Convert manure into money. Faster.

Turning agricultural waste into renewable natural gas (RNG) is a win-win for farms: it generates an additional source of income and also mitigates the methane emissions from livestock manure.

Sponsored Content
Bomb Cyclone: Not Helpful in Ending California's Drought
Bomb Cyclone: Not Helpful in Ending California's Drought

The bomb cyclone has sucker punched California. While farmers have prayed for rain to end the drought plaguing the state, a leading expert says that the bomb cyclone will not end California’s persistent drought.

3 Consumer Trends Farmers Can’t Afford to Ignore
3 Consumer Trends Farmers Can’t Afford to Ignore

Consumer preferences can totter between fads and trends. For farmers to capitalize on consumer demands, they must be able to sort out which market opportunities to pursue, says Rob Dongoski with Ernst & Young.

Micotil® Gets New Safety Packaging
Micotil® Gets New Safety Packaging

The label change accommodates a change in packaging for the injectable cattle drug, which was designed to prevent accidental injection by human handlers, and promote human safety.

Title 42 Talks Continue with Biden at U.S./Mexico Border
Title 42 Talks Continue with Biden at U.S./Mexico Border

President Biden traveled on Sunday to the U.S./Mexico border amid a surge in illegal border crossings. The administration announced a new program for up to 30,000 migrants a month to enter the U.S. legally.

Kevin McCarthy Finally Won the House Speaker Gavel, Now What?
Kevin McCarthy Finally Won the House Speaker Gavel, Now What?

After four days and 15 rounds of voting, McCarthy’s wait to become Speaker of the House has ended. During his first year as Speaker, he will need to raise the debt limit and fund the government.