Latest News From Mike Opperman

ABS Moves Forward After Sexed Genetics Litigation
ABS Moves Forward After Sexed Genetics Litigation

A jury found ABS infringed on two patents relating to the development of sexed semen.

Chocolate Milk Outperforms Sports Drink
Chocolate Milk Outperforms Sports Drink

Strength test with teen athletes shows chocolate milk is best for post-workout recovery.

A New Kind Of Activist
A New Kind Of Activist

People with anti-dairy agendas aren't just your run of the mill animal activists. 

DMI Executive Salaries Under Scrutiny
DMI Executive Salaries Under Scrutiny

Recent press questions pay levels for DMI executives and the role of the checkoff in supporting dairy product demand.

DFA Recruiting Companies For Accelerator Program
DFA Recruiting Companies For Accelerator Program

Cooperative is seeking applicants for 2020 DFA Accelerator Program

Ag Startup Companies Offer Unique Solutions To Using Manure
Ag Startup Companies Offer Unique Solutions To Using Manure

Companies, selected from 63 applicants, will get help commercializing their product.

Four Steps To Avoid Milk Fever
Four Steps To Avoid Milk Fever

Focused management, proper nutrition and diligent monitoring can help reduce metabolic disorders.

Follow These Steps For Safe Harvest This Fall
Follow These Steps For Safe Harvest This Fall

Take a moment to meet with harvest staff to go through safety guidelines.

Youth from around the country show at World Dairy Expo each year.
World Dairy Expo Expands Youth Contests

Achievement awards and overall best fitter will be added to 2019 contests.

Milk is cool again.
Fluid Milk Is Cool Again

It’s no longer just plain, ordinary white milk. Brands that are different, that offer a local or premium experience, are trending with consumers.

a2 Milk Company Experiences Record Growth
a2 Milk Company Experiences Record Growth

Investment in distribution and its retail network helped feed consumer demand.

Balanced nutrition can improve components
Balance Amino Acids To Improve Milk Protein

Research shows feeding bypass amino acids helps boost milk protein

This Dairy Manages The Three Legged Stool Of Sustainability
This Dairy Manages The Three Legged Stool Of Sustainability

Here's how to be a more sustainable operation.

New research suggests producers can select cows for lower methane production.
It Is Possible To Select For Lower Methane Production

New research suggests producers can select cows for lower methane production.

Here's Where The Cows Are
Here's Where The Cows Are

The Midwest has the most dairies, but the West has the most cows.

Giving blood saves lives
Dairy Farmers Donate Blood, Save Lives

More than 400 dairies brought in more than 13,000 pints of blood.

Opperman
You Can Be Sustainable Too

Sustainability is for everyone. In fact, you're probably already sustainable and didn't know it.

Milk Price Forecast Raised by WASDE
Milk Price Forecast Raised by WASDE

Lower cow numbers and slower growth in milk per cow is keeping production stagnant. 

Counties with the most dairies are in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Here Are The Top 25 Dairy Counties

Wisconsin and Pennsylvania have 18 of the top 25 counties with the most dairies with more than 50 cows.

Greg Hooker
IDFA Seeks Nominations For 2020 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year

The award showcases dairy farms that have implemented innovative technology to advance their dairy business.

The price of milk is at its highest point since 2014.
Class III Price Now Highest Since 2014

The July Class III price was announced at $17.55. The $1.28 jump from June is biggest jump since 2016.

Alltech Offers New Employee Management Tools
Alltech Offers New Employee Management Tools

New tool helps dairy producers identify personality traits that will aid in hiring the right employees for the operation.

Foremost Farms USA
Foremost Farms President, CEO To Resign

Michael Doyle to retire after more than 20 years in food industry.

DHM How To: Kill Alfalfa The Right Way
DHM How To: Kill Alfalfa The Right Way

If you're going to kill alfalfa in the fall, make sure to plant a cover crop. Best option is to kill alfalfa in the spring.

The Manure Challenge promotes startup companies with innovative manure-management solutions.
The Manure Challenge Adds Sponsors and Advisors

The Challenge focuses on increasing collaboration among established industry companies and experts with startup companies.

Here's What An Early Frost Can Do To Corn Silage
Here's What An Early Frost Can Do To Corn Silage

Stay on top of the progress of your corn crop to be ready for the impact an early frost will have on corn silage harvest.

Certain bacteria will grow on specific agar contained with in petri dishes.
DHM How To: Culture To Achieve A Bacteriological Cure

Set up a culturing lab to identify the causes of mastitis and treat accordingly.

More than 2,000 head will grace the covered shavings at World Dairy Expo in October.
World Dairy Expo Entries Open

Show brings together some of the best cattle in North America to parade on colored shavings.

Front row, (l to r): Jonathan Lamb, vice president; Barbara Casna, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, John M. Meyer, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Secretary; Corey Geiger, president. (Second row) Peter Dueppengiesser, John Marshman, Steve Moff, Bill Genasci. (Third row) Robert Webb, John S. Burket. (Fourth row) Steve Keene, Dale Drendel, John A. Andersen. (Fifth row) Benjamin Newberry, Dwight Rokey, Spencer Hackett
Holstein Association, USA Elects New Board Members

Elections were held at recent Holstein Association annual meeting.

Alfalfa could be a viable crop on prevent plant acres.
Consider Alfalfa On Prevent Plant Acres

Dairy farmers should consider alfalfa as a solution on prevent plant acres.

Nightfood offers sleep-friendly ice cream products.
Sleep-friendly Ice Cream Wins Innovation Award

Product offers solution to late-night snacking.

New organization will explore practices to help enhance dairy farm sustainability.
Global Alliance Will Promote Regenerative Agriculture

Best practices from 25 pilot projects across the U.S., the European Union and Russia will be studied.

Cows with mastitis need to be treated according to the pathogen causing the problem.
DHM How To: Identify Cows With Mastitis

Make sure your milker team understands what mastitis looks like and what to do when they see a cow with mastitis.

St Albans Cooperative Creamery has agreed to merge with Dairy Farmers of America.
St Albans To Merge With DFA

Merger approved by St Albans board of directors, now goes to member vote in July.

A new tool helps producers diagnose BRD
New App Estimates BRD Prevalence

A new app developed by UC-Davis helps producers diagnose the prevalence of BRD.

The National FARM program has new resources available.
FARM Program Announces New Resources

Two new manuals are available in the area of workforce development.

Mike Opperman
I'm In The Facebook Generation

To reach younger audiences, we need to go where they go on social media.

DHM How To: Protect the Cow After Milking
DHM How To: Protect the Cow After Milking

Prevent future mastitis cases through an effective post-dip regimen.

DHM How To: Remove Milking Units and Clean
DHM How To: Remove Milking Units and Clean

The timing of unit removal is important in harvesting the most milk possible while managing teat health.

Mike Opperman
I Drink fairlife And I Feel Good About It

Let's be part of the solution, not ignore the problem.

Fair Oaks Farms operates dairies in northern Indiana, including a popular tourist site.
Undercover Video Shows Abuse At Fair Oaks Farms

Undercover video shot last winter shows abuse at calf raising facility.

Technology Is Cutting Animal Health Costs
Technology Is Cutting Animal Health Costs

Letting cows tell us when they're sick leads to less treatment costs and labor savings.

Product Comparison: Calcium Supplements

There are a variety of calcium supplements available to help cows transition smoothly from calving to peak milk.

Just-fresh cows often need supplementation to avoid falling victim to calcium deficiencies.
Product Comparison: Calcium Supplements

There are a variety of calcium supplements available to help cows transition smoothly from calving to peak milk.

We're Going To Be Short On Good Forage This Year

A perfect storm of winterkill and late first-crop harvest means many producers will be dealing with poor forages this feeding season.

Winterkill and wet weather have made it difficult to harvest high quality forages this spring.
We're Going To Be Short On Good Forage This Year

A perfect storm of winterkill and late first-crop harvest means many producers will be dealing with poor forages this feeding season.

DHM How To: Create An Optimal Milking Environment
DHM How To: Create An Optimal Milking Environment

Cows are creatures of habit, so keep it consistent inside the parlor.

DHM How To: Create An Optimal Milking Environment
DHM How To: Create An Optimal Milking Environment

Cows are creatures of habit, so keep it consistent inside the parlor.

Mike Opperman
All Hail The Quesalupa

Partnerships between the dairy checkoff and retail brands help strengthen demand for dairy products.

Getting units on quickly is important for faster parlor throughput. Making sure the units are aligned properly under the udder leads to better milk harvest.
DHM How To: Properly Attach Milking Units

The method for attaching units to udders has changed as technology and equipment capacity has evolved.