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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
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News
Beef-on-Dairy Revenue Has Quadrupled in Four Years. Is It the Saving Grace for Today’s Soft Milk Prices?
Strong milk production and softer cheese values are pressuring milk prices, but beef-on-dairy revenue has become a major counterweight in farm income.
June 03, 2026 11:34 AM
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Taylor Leach
Cows_under_sprinklers
Education
How AI-Powered Barns Could Cut Water Use by Up to 70%
As heat stress season ramps up, AI-powered barn systems could help dairies’ cooling efforts while reducing water and energy costs.
June 02, 2026 10:28 AM
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Taylor Leach
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News
Cull Cow and Calf Risk Protection Gets a Major Upgrade Under LRP
USDA is expanding LRP coverage for cull cows and beef-on-dairy calves, giving dairy producers more ways to protect beef-driven revenue.
June 01, 2026 01:36 PM
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Taylor Leach
6a176c3f8d373abfdd5fb84f_Ice Cream Plant front 5.26.jpg
News
Idaho Milk Products Begins Production at New Ice Cream and Blending Facility
The new facility in Jerome brings ice cream manufacturing and dry blending together under one roof.
May 29, 2026 02:58 PM
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Taylor Leach
The-Balancing-Act-Behind-Beef-on-Dairy-Carcass-Size.jpg
News
The Balancing Act Behind Beef-on-Dairy Carcass Size
Beef-on-dairy cattle are getting bigger and more valuable, but the industry’s push for heavier carcasses is creating a balancing act between profitability, cattle health and steaks consumers still want to put on the grill.
May 29, 2026 11:00 AM
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Taylor Leach
School-Bus-Darrell-Smith.jpg
Education
School’s Out, Farm Safety Is In
With school out and more youth heading into summer farm work, now is the time to put safety checks in place before kids take on responsibilities on the farm.
May 28, 2026 11:01 AM
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Taylor Leach
Dairy Freestall Feedbunk TMR_Trey Cambern
Education
Should AI Be Formulating Dairy Rations? Experts Say Not Yet
Artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful tool for organizing and analyzing dairy data, but nutritionists say it still is not ready to take over one of the most important decisions on the farm.
May 27, 2026 10:06 AM
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Taylor Leach
When-Good-Employees-Create-Hard-Decisions.jpg
Labor
Promoting Your Best Worker Isn’t Always the Best Move
Strong employees are not always strong managers, and the difference often comes down to whether they’ve been prepared to lead people, not just do the job.
May 26, 2026 12:42 PM
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Taylor Leach
Run sprinklers about one minute—just enough to wet the cows. Shut off for five to 20 minutes to allow cows to dry and cool.
News
What Producers Overlook About Heat Stress
Overlooking dry cows and bred heifers during hot weather can carry long-term consequences for calf health and future performance.
May 22, 2026 01:55 PM
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Taylor Leach
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News
Meet the Female Farmer Putting Dairy Front and Center at the Indy 500
Ashley Stockwell will step onto one of racing’s biggest stages to hand the Indy 500 winner the iconic bottle of milk, carrying forward a 90-year tradition while representing women in agriculture during the Year of the Female Farmer.
May 21, 2026 03:12 PM
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Taylor Leach
soybeans
News
High-Oleic Soybeans Bring New Feeding Opportunities to Dairy Diets
Nutritionists are taking a closer look at high-oleic soybeans as farms look for ways to manage milk fat, feed costs and more homegrown ingredients in the ration.
May 19, 2026 02:53 PM
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Taylor Leach
Employee
Labor
Employee Development is Becoming a Bigger Focus on Farms
From conferences to a quick word of appreciation, dairy producers are finding that investing in employees helps keep good people and strengthen teams.
May 18, 2026 03:42 PM
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Taylor Leach
A Place to Work and a Place to Live How One Dairy Provides Housing for Nearly All of Its Employees - Brey Cycle Farm.jpg
Labor
A Place to Work and a Place to Live: How One Dairy Provides Housing for Nearly All of Its Employees
As rural housing becomes harder to find, one Wisconsin dairy is building more than a workforce by providing homes for nearly all of its employees and helping families put down roots in the community.
May 15, 2026 03:51 PM
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Taylor Leach
Dairy Forum
News
A Decade at the Helm: IDFA CEO Michael Dykes to Retire in 2026
After 10 years of growth and policy momentum, IDFA will begin a search for new leadership as Michael Dykes plans to retire in 2026.
May 15, 2026 11:58 AM
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Taylor Leach
The national average price for replacement Holstein dairy heifers continues to hover at about $1,100 per head, well below the cost of production.
News
Replacement Cow Prices Hit Records, Heifer and Beef-on-Dairy Calf Values Stay Strong
Milk cow, heifer and beef-on-dairy calf prices are all holding at historically strong levels as tight replacement supplies keep values elevated across the dairy cattle market.
May 14, 2026 11:12 AM
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Taylor Leach
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