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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
Top dairy leaders oppose the bill to legalize the sale of raw milk at dairy farms just passed by the Iowa Senate. If this becomes law, it would be legal to sell raw milk and unpasteurized products.
Organic Valley has offered to purchase milk from as many as 90 organic farmers whose previous contracts with Horizon Organic and Maple Hill will soon be terminated.
With recent changes to agriculture overtime laws out east, all eyes have now turned west. Oregon farmers learned the outcome of House Bill 4002, ending the state’s agricultural exemption from higher overtime wages.
USDA announced it is making $80 million available to the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. The additional funding will expand the capacity of the four initiatives to provide technical assistance and sub-grants.
Once regarded as the low byproduct of cheese making, whey was often dumped down drains or spread on farm fields. Whey has since made huge strides due the growing health awareness among consumers, fueled by the pandemic.
Labor is a top concern for dairies. Business experts say the ability to fill agricultural jobs will continue to be a challenge, but illustrates a few trends that may make it a bit easier than the last two years.
Working to make continuous improvements to their dairy – in terms of developing a functional cow that makes sense for the current market – has allowed Rosy-Lane Holsteins to remain optimistic.
JPMorgan voices concern that a spike in energy prices from the Russia-Ukraine crisis would hinder the economy. Dairy producers are wondering how much more inputs will rise, as a $20 plus milk check only goes so far.
Entering a five-year partnership, the national dairy checkoff organization have teamed up with the Mayo Clinic to conduct research to improve public health and advance consumer knowledge of dairy’s benefits.
USDA’s Milk Production report illustrated year-over-year declines in both January milk production and cow numbers. Although South Dakota hummed a different tune, leading year-over-year milk volume growth, up 18.3%.
Iowa State Dairy Association knows its farmers could use some help. Efforts are well underway to push legislation that would create free dollars to help its dairy producers automate various aspects of their 24/7 work.
Contemplating how to handle New York’s agriculture overtime ruling, New York governor Kathy Hochul has yet to decide if she will accept the state wage board’s proposal to lower overtime for ag to 40-hours a week.
While 2022 offers a sigh of relief with higher milk prices, input costs are still considerably higher than the last time producers saw $20 plus prices. Experts emphasize understanding your costs to capitalize on margins.
Producers can expect to see an increase in whole cottonseed supply this year. According to the USDA’s December cotton and wool outlet report, production is estimated at a 25% increase from the 2020 crop year.
Joe Burrow might be best known for his strong arm that is leading his team to the Super Bowl. However, the NFL quarterback is also taking advantage of the spotlight to help draw much needed attention to food insecurity.