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Karen Bohnert

Dairy Editorial Director

Karen Bohnert is the Dairy Editorial Director at Farm Journal, overseeing Dairy Herd Management and Milk Business Quarterly since 2021. A lifelong advocate for dairy, Karen draws from both professional expertise and personal experience—she and her husband operate Bohnert Jerseys, a 750-cow dairy in East Moline, Illinois.

Raised on a dairy farm in Oregon, her editorial career spans freelance journalism and roles at organizations like Swiss Valley Farms and the American Jersey Cattle Association. She was named a Distinguished Alumni Leader by the Holstein Foundation.

Latest Stories
The High Plains Dairy Conference returns to Amarillo in March 2026, offering producers critical insights into global markets, labor tech and biosecurity to navigate a high-stakes industry.
In an industry where water is becoming as precious as milk and data is as vital as feed, the successful producer of 2026 and beyond will be the one who balances today’s “black calf” revenue with the existential necessity of long-term resource management.
As Western cattle migrate to the Upper Midwest, the 2026 market is defined by a massive regional processing boom and a relentless focus on the high-value beef-on-dairy “black calf” premium.
Whether in a blue or a red state, the message to Washington is the same: the U.S. dairy and agricultural sectors cannot remain globally competitive while their workforce remains in the shadows.
Cornell University’s Daryl Nydam explores balancing short-term beef-on-dairy profits with the three-year investment of replacement heifers to ensure long-term herd efficiency and sustainable management flexibility.
Driven by a double-digit sales surge, AMPI is converting its Blair plant into a premier cottage cheese facility, betting on the “superfood” renaissance to lead the industry’s high-protein future.
Top Story
While West Coast milk production slows, Idaho’s dairy industry is surging 7.5%. Learn how vertical integration and beef-on-dairy are driving the state’s massive production surge.
Top Story
While milk checks feel like 2016 deja vu, costs for about everything have soared. Dairy farmers are steadfast, trying to find new ways to turn a stagnant check into a sustainable future.
If December was a warning, the projections for the first half of 2026 are a siren. The latest price predictions updated on Jan. 30 suggest a sharp economic turn is underway.
Trevor DeVries reveals robotic milking boosts farmer quality of life. Explore the link between automation, mental health and reciprocal welfare in modern dairy farming.
Top Story
The outlook for 2026 is one of cautious optimism anchored by structural evolution. The U.S. dairy industry is no longer just a milk business; it is a component and beef business supported by high-tech processing and sophisticated risk management tools.
Learn how the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda and grocery inflation are reshaping voter sentiment and dairy policy ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The dairy industry is resilient, determined and entering its best years yet. Michael Dykes is calling on farmers, processors and suppliers to rise as the leaders the next generation requires.
The equation is changing: high-value beef, record components and $11 billion in new plants are redefining the milk check. Curtis Bosma explains how modern producers stay profitable in a volatile market.
Top Story
With their recent accolade of being named the 2026 IDFA’s Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award winner, the Waddell family showcases what it truly means to be modern dairy producers.