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Winter Storm Survival: A Nightmare for Livestock Producers in Western Illinois
Winter Storm Survival: A Nightmare for Livestock Producers in Western Illinois

Despite nearly 24 inches of snow, below-zero temperatures and raging winds that some people are affectionately calling “Death Storm #2,” Illinois livestock producers are finding ways to overcome the horrific conditions.

Two Tips to Strategically Take on More Debt
Two Tips to Strategically Take on More Debt

With interest rates much higher than a year ago and inflation impacting almost every good and service, producers must crunch numbers frequently to understand their cost of production and be strategic with future debt.

World Dairy Expo Announces 2024 Associate Judges
World Dairy Expo Announces 2024 Associate Judges

World Dairy Expo has announced the eight individuals who have been selected to serve as associate judges of Expo’s 2024 Dairy Cattle Show.

Winter Hay Supplies Higher
Winter Hay Supplies Higher

U.S. hay production in 2023 was 6.3% higher than the drought year of 2022, but remains 7.8% lower than the 10-year average. Hay stocks were higher in eight of the ten states, with decreases only in Kansas and Kentucky.

The Truth Behind Wisconsin Losing 455 Dairy Farms
The Truth Behind Wisconsin Losing 455 Dairy Farms

Ask any dairy farmer how they feel about today’s markets and they will say that the economics don’t add up. This is true in any state, but certainly being highlighted in Wisconsin, as last year they lost 455 dairy farms.

How to Increase the Marketability of Beef-on-Dairy Calves
How to Increase the Marketability of Beef-on-Dairy Calves

No matter when beef cross calves are being sold, steps can be taken to make them more marketable.

Corn and Soybean Prices Tank After USDA Report Makes Surprising Revisions to Yield
Corn and Soybean Prices Tank After USDA Report Makes Surprising Revisions to Yield

USDA’s final look at crop production for 2023 caught the commodity markets by surprise. The agency increased the final yield estimates for both corn and soybeans, and as a result, prices plummeted on Friday. 

On the Lookout for Opportunity
On the Lookout for Opportunity

Bateman’s Mosida Farms in Utah is named the 2024 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year by the IDFA because of their ability to innovate and diversify to better care for their cattle and land.

Are You Ready For the Polar Plunge? Some Areas Could See Temperatures Plummet to Negative 40 Degrees
Are You Ready For the Polar Plunge? Some Areas Could See Temperatures Plummet to Negative 40 Degrees

From 40 degrees above zero earlier this week in parts of the Great Plains to now forecasts for temps to fall 40 degrees below zero, ag meteorologist Drew Lerner says the frigid conditions will be dangerous for livestock.

Contents Bankruptcy
Bringing Bankrupt Dairy Farms Back in the Black

"When I arrived at the dairy that day and assessed the situation, three main objectives were clear: Increase cash flow, reduce expenses, rebuild relationships."

How One Dairy Farmer Found Herself on the VERGE of the Climate Conversation
How One Dairy Farmer Found Herself on the VERGE of the Climate Conversation

Trust In Food recently met with Dorrich Dairy's Suzanne Vold to learn why she removed her work boots and gloves to attend talks around agriculture and its impact on climate at GreenBiz's VERGE conference.

Gas Prices Reach Their Lowest Level Since 2021
Gas Prices Reach Their Lowest Level Since 2021

The national average for a gallon of gas is now $3.07, the lowest since 2021.

Blame it on the Nutritionist
Blame it on the Nutritionist

While it's easy to immediately place blame on your nutritionist for diet related problems, these three problem solving steps need to be taken before you jump to conclusions.

Farmland Values Remain Strong, Expected To Stabilize In 2024
Farmland Values Remain Strong, Expected To Stabilize In 2024

In their January 2024 land values report, Farmers National Company shared that the sharp increase in farmland values has slowed, and values are holding strong.

Secretary Vilsack Salutes Dairy Farmers
Secretary Vilsack Salutes Dairy Farmers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is no stranger to supporting farmers and is known to hold a special place in his heart for dairy, having served as president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

Interest Growing in Inulin for Lactating Dairy Rations
Interest Growing in Inulin for Lactating Dairy Rations

Inulin is a type of soluble fiber found in plants that is not digestible by humans. However, this not-so-talked-about substance is showing considerable promise in enhancing lactating-cow nutrition.

Dairy Farm Workers Not Necessarily a Fan of Overtime
Dairy Farm Workers Not Necessarily a Fan of Overtime

With rising minimum wage and other industries competing for employees, labor prices have continued to creep higher. While we want to blame overtime rules, that isn’t necessarily the only culprit.

Sharing Dairy's Powerful Story at an Illini Basketball College Game
Sharing Dairy's Powerful Story at an Illini Basketball College Game

Midwest Dairy, and other promotional groups around the country, are meeting consumers where they are at, to tell them all about dairy’s goodness.

7 Tips You Need to Know to Keep Employees Warm
7 Tips You Need to Know to Keep Employees Warm

To create a safe and comfortable work environment for your farm employees, it’s important to address the specific challenges posed by cold weather on the farm.

New Ways To Address Healthcare Issues Are Needed For Rural Americans
New Ways To Address Healthcare Issues Are Needed For Rural Americans

From improved telehealth services to reimagined small-town hospitals, the National Rural Health Association is working to help folks in farm country tap into more and better medical care options.

8 Reasons Why Beef-on-Dairy Makes the Perfect Cross
8 Reasons Why Beef-on-Dairy Makes the Perfect Cross

As milk prices continue to sink lower, more and more dairy producers are turning their attention to creating a healthy beef cross calf to generate additional income for their farms.

USDA Awards Funds to Help Expand Export Markets for U.S. Food and Ag Products
USDA Awards Funds to Help Expand Export Markets for U.S. Food and Ag Products

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service announces more than $203 million to nearly 70 agricultural organizations to help expand export markets via the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program. 

High Plains Dairy Conference Set March 5-6 in Amarillo
High Plains Dairy Conference Set March 5-6 in Amarillo

The High Plains Dairy Conference will be March 5-6 in Amarillo, Texas. The conference will explore alternative revenue streams, the future of exports and much more.

DT_Bottle_Dairy_Calf
How a Spreadsheet Can Help Simplify Calf TPI Tracking

Routinely monitoring transfer of passive immunity is an effective way to evaluate colostrum management and identify calves with failure of passive transfer.

Are You What's Standing in the Way of Pain Mitigation?
Are You What's Standing in the Way of Pain Mitigation?

A recent survey shows that the likelihood of using pain mitigation for common procedures like dehorning, disbudding and castration was directly linked to the human managers’ perception of pain for the animal.

Now Is the Time to Pay Attention to the Weather Forecast: Severe Snowstorm Forecasted to Dump Multiple Feet of Snow
Now Is the Time to Pay Attention to the Weather Forecast: Severe Snowstorm Forecasted to Dump Multiple Feet of Snow

Major winter storms are on the way early next week. With the possibility of blizzard conditions to flooding in the southeast, the impact on agriculture could be two-fold: good news for drought but stress to livestock.

tablet_technology
The Power of Editing

I challenge you to find another industry that offers the same blessings as the dairy industry. Editing will not only remind you of the goodness, but it also will provide you with the fuel to tackle the year ahead.

3 Offense Tools to Control Crypto in Calves
3 Offense Tools to Control Crypto in Calves

Cryptosporidia is one of the most common scours-causing pathogens in preweaned calves, and, unfortunately, it strikes in the early weeks of life when calves are most vulnerable.

DeLaval Launches New Robotic Batch Milking System for Large Herds
DeLaval Launches New Robotic Batch Milking System for Large Herds

As a new approach to robotic milking for larger dairy operations, DeLaval has announced the launch of their new VMS™ Batch Milking system, a method advancement in robotic milking technology.

Two Reasons Why Feeding Hay Could Help Alleviate Cross-Sucking
Two Reasons Why Feeding Hay Could Help Alleviate Cross-Sucking

Capturing the benefits of socially rearing calves while avoiding the negative effects of cross-sucking is a challenge. An alternative to keep calves busy? Hay.

3 Leadership Trends You Need to Adopt in 2024
3 Leadership Trends You Need to Adopt in 2024

For long-term success, farm leaders should regularly assess the landscape of their operation and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Which Foreign Country Owns the Most Farmland in the U.S.? Hint: It's Not China
Which Foreign Country Owns the Most Farmland in the U.S.? Hint: It's Not China

In October 2023, Arkansas became the first state to ban foreign-owned farmland. More states look to adopt similar laws, but one policy expert says the issue is rooted in politics and warns of unintended consequences.

How Long Will the Sizzling Hot Market for Dairy Replacements Continue?
How Long Will the Sizzling Hot Market for Dairy Replacements Continue?

All leading experts—from economists to cattle marketers, share that those producers with a surplus of heifer replacements are likely to capitalize on a pretty penny in the year ahead.

Heifer Supply and Global Dairy Demand Remain Flat Heading into 2024
Heifer Supply and Global Dairy Demand Remain Flat Heading into 2024

Dairy replacement heifer trade has been light nationwide. Similarly, global dairy trade has been on the decline. Will the trend continue as we head into 2024?

Dairy Producers Face Tightest Margins on Record
Dairy Producers Face Tightest Margins on Record

While we have flipped the calendar to a New Year, we didn’t necessarily say goodbye to low milk prices. 2023 was a tough year financially for dairy producers and 2024 isn’t off to a great start either.

The El Niño Effect: Is El Niño to Blame for the Historic Heat and Drought that Gripped the U.S. in 2023?
The El Niño Effect: Is El Niño to Blame for the Historic Heat and Drought that Gripped the U.S. in 2023?

From the intense heat in the South to drought blanketing much of the U.S., weather stole headlines again in 2023. What caused such extreme conditions? One meteorologist explains the culprits of the heat and drought.

Farm Journal, American Royal Mourn Loss of Cliff Becker 1961 – 2023
Farm Journal, American Royal Mourn Loss of Cliff Becker 1961 – 2023

Cliff Becker, Vice President of New Campus Development for the American Royal, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 30th while visiting family in California.

World Milk Production Begins New Year Weak
World Milk Production Begins New Year Weak

Faltering global demand could offset milk production losses.

Minnesota Lost More Than 50 Dairy Farms in November
Minnesota Lost More Than 50 Dairy Farms in November

Minnesota ended 2023 with 146 fewer dairy farm permits than the state did at the beginning of the year. The big-ticket question is with dairy’s razor-thin financial margins, how many more dairies will exit in 2024?

Danone to Sell U.S. Organic Dairy Units to PE Firm Platinum Equity
Danone to Sell U.S. Organic Dairy Units to PE Firm Platinum Equity

French food group Danone said on Tuesday it had signed an agreement to sell its premium organic dairy units in the United States to investment firm Platinum Equity.

The Calving Corner Shares Real-time Births in Pennsylvania
The Calving Corner Shares Real-time Births in Pennsylvania

A consortium of dairy industry leadership groups is bringing the birth of dairy calves to life for consumers in Pennsylvania.

New Federal Feed Additive Legislation Proposed
New Federal Feed Additive Legislation Proposed

A bi-partisan coalition of U.S. representatives has proposed new legislation to streamline FDA approval of some feed additives.

Meet the 2023 Milk Business Conference Award Winners
Meet the 2023 Milk Business Conference Award Winners

The first MILK Business Conference award winners were announced and recognized at the 2023 MILK Business Conference held at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

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Find cows quickly and easily
Find cows quickly and easily

Finding an individual cow or even a few cows in larger groups that need to be checked, inseminated, treated or fetched isn’t always as straightforward as it would seem.

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Pizza With 1,001 Varieties of Cheese Breaks World Record
Pizza With 1,001 Varieties of Cheese Breaks World Record

While most cheese pizzas are topped with 2-3 different kinds of cheese, sports 1,001 different varieties - breaking the previous world record.

Organic Valley Added 84 Farms to its Membership in 2023
Organic Valley Added 84 Farms to its Membership in 2023

During a year full of farm consolidation, Organic Valley, the largest dairy cooperative of organic farmers in the nation, added an additional 84 farms to its membership in 2023.

Be proactive in managing through financial stress
Fraud Alert: Don’t Fall Victim to These Common Schemes

Farmers routinely handle high-dollar transactions — and the nature of the payments, often through unsecure methods, leaves them susceptible to foul play.

Want to Avoid Leaving Climate-Smart Money On the Table? There's An App for That
Want to Avoid Leaving Climate-Smart Money On the Table? There's An App for That

AgWeb and Trust In Food’s beta Climate-Smart Opportunity Navigator is matching producers with Climate-Smart Commodities grants tailored to their operation.

Lack of Labor Remains a Serious Challenge for Farmers
Lack of Labor Remains a Serious Challenge for Farmers

The availability of livestock workers was ranked as more limited than crop workers and finding long-term help seen as more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.

Santa Will Drink More than 5 Million Gallons of Milk This Christmas Eve
Santa Will Drink More than 5 Million Gallons of Milk This Christmas Eve

Whether it’s whole milk, 2%, eggnog or chocolate, Santa sure loves to drink the good stuff – real milk from real, hardworking dairy farm families!