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Taylor Leach Hildebrandt

Taylor Leach

Assistant Editor of Dairy

Taylor Leach is the Assistant Editor of Dairy Herd Management and Milk Business Quarterly, blending her background in journalism and dairy farming. Raised on a dairy farm in Kansas, she now farms in Wisconsin with her husband. She is actively involved in cattle showing and agricultural advocacy.

Latest Stories
Schedule regular and structured meetings to engage your team.
Labor
Are Your Employees Clocked in but Checked Out?
Some employees do their jobs and go home, while others look for ways to help the farm run better. Here’s how managers can encourage more of the latter.
November 10, 2026 11:38 AM
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Taylor Leach
Idaho Dairy
News
Beef Surpasses Dairy as Idaho’s Top Ag Commodity for First Time in 22 Years
Record cattle prices and higher-value beef-on-dairy calves are reshaping Idaho’s farm economy, giving the state’s beef industry a revenue boost while dairy holds close behind.
November 09, 2026 01:39 PM
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Taylor Leach
10 Million Dairy Cows.jpg
News
Is the U.S. Dairy Herd on Track to Reach 10 Million Cows?
U.S. dairy cow numbers are climbing toward a historic milestone, but processing capacity, beef-on-dairy returns and milk demand will determine how much further the herd can grow.
November 06, 2026 01:56 PM
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Taylor Leach
DT_Idaho_Dairy_Heifers_Open_Lot
News
Raising a Dairy Heifer Can Cost $3,500. Is It Worth It?
Raising heifers isn’t cheap, but spending less doesn’t always mean saving more. Dr. Mike Overton explains what goes into heifer-raising costs and where investing a little more can pay off down the road.
November 05, 2026 01:35 PM
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Taylor Leach
Beef-on-Dairy
News
Nearly 1 in 4 Feedyard Cattle Are Beef-on-Dairy Crosses
As dairy’s role in the beef business continues to grow, beef-on-dairy cattle now account for nearly 26% of cattle entering U.S. feedyards.
November 03, 2026 01:38 PM
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Taylor Leach
A long field of cereal rye grows under a sunny sky.
News
Could El Niño Give Spring Forage a Head Start?
El Niño could give winter annuals more time to grow. But less persistent snow cover and spring moisture conditions will help determine whether that head start translates into more forage.
October 29, 2026 01:40 PM
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Taylor Leach
Jersey Calf Winter Jacket
Education
Winter Calf Care Means More Than a Jacket
Winter calf care goes beyond adding a layer. Is your calf program ready for what happens when temperatures drop?
October 28, 2026 02:22 PM
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Taylor Leach
The-Grim-Reaper-Doesn’t-Come-with-a-Succession-Plan.jpg
Education
The Little Talks That Make the Big Conversations Easier
Small conversations can make the awkward “death talk” easier and help families plan for succession before a loss forces decisions.
October 27, 2026 11:13 AM
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Taylor Leach
Barb Peterson Sunrise Veterinary Services by Dylan Voyles - dairy cow blood samples testing H5N1 avian flu blood vial milk vial
News
Three States See New HPAI Cases Over the Past 30 Days
Washington has seen a spike in HPAI cases in dairy herds in recent weeks, with Texas and Kansas also reporting cases in the past 30 days and a human case confirmed in a Washington dairy employee.
October 26, 2026 04:31 PM
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Taylor Leach
Crave Brothers Digester
News
A 20-Year Decision: The Long-Term Commitment of Running a Digester
From engine replacements to routine maintenance, Crave Brothers Farm has learned what it takes to keep its digester running for the long haul.
October 23, 2026 11:03 AM
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Taylor Leach
Thunder CoffeeMilk
News
Thunder CoffeeMilk: How Two Dairy Farmers Are Adding Value to Milk
Two Florida dairy farmers turned an idea for a milk-based iced coffee into Thunder CoffeeMilk, a value-added product that brings their milk to store shelves in a new way.
October 22, 2026 02:32 PM
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Taylor Leach
Retention
Labor
What New Employees Need Most in Their First Few Weeks
A new employee has a lot to learn in the first few weeks, and farm managers can make the transition easier by setting expectations and making time to answer questions.
October 21, 2026 01:12 PM
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Taylor Leach
Cozy Nook Farm
News
How 20 Acres of Pumpkins and 2,000 Christmas Trees Help Support this Wisconsin Dairy
As nearby development limits room to expand its herd, Cozy Nook Farm relies on seasonal sales and direct customer connections to invest in its dairy and keep the farm thriving.
October 20, 2026 01:30 PM
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Taylor Leach
Browns-Dairy.jpg
News
An Oklahoma Dairy’s Recipe for Lower Feed Costs Starts with Flour
At Browns Dairy, a flour mill byproduct helps lower feed costs while YouTube gives viewers a look at the people and decisions behind the Oklahoma operation.
October 19, 2026 10:26 AM
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Taylor Leach
Dr Dairy Farmer Bethany Dado-Senn
News
The Road Home: Dr. Dairy Farmer’s Return to the Family Farm
After years advising dairy farms, Bethany Dado-Senn brought her calf science expertise to her family’s Wisconsin dairy and built a new career at home.
October 16, 2026 02:21 PM
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Taylor Leach