USDA’s first official net farm income forecast shows an expected 16% drop in 2023 net farm income, largely due to a decline in commodity prices and government payments with higher expenses and costs at the farm level.

If cash rent leases are negotiated via auction, Jim Rothermich is seeing prices drawing double – even triple digit gains. In Illinois, prices are up 90% to 120% compared to the previous year.

One standard measurement most dairies look at is the number of confirmed pregnancies in their herd. While preg checks often coincide with herd health days, more and more dairies have turned to blood-based pregnancy test.

Getting cows pregnant is vital to keeping the pipeline full. According to Jeremey Natzke of Wayside Dairy, a 35% plus pregnancy rate equates to an outstanding repro program and a number his dairy worked hard to achieve.

Practicing active listening is a way to strengthen your farm leadership skills by reinforcing relationships, building trust and better communicating with your team.

Buyers of dairy products on the spot market have not been aggressive in 2023. They see plentiful supplies and no indication of that changing anytime soon. Here’s what that could spell in terms of milk prices.