Dairy Herd
From 1,800-lb fed cattle to 52-week cull cow coverage, the USDA’s latest insurance revisions offer livestock producers more flexibility to manage market volatility.
Producers report mounting pressure from higher diesel, fertilizer and machinery expenses, alongside trade uncertainty and rural healthcare concerns, as policy impacts and election-year sentiment weigh on the farm economy.
As producers navigate financial strain and D.C. disconnect, realities such as steep input costs, trade frustrations and E15 limbo are becoming decisive factors shaping the rural vote.
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.
After 10 years of growth and policy momentum, IDFA will begin a search for new leadership as Michael Dykes plans to retire in 2026.
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.
From Wisconsin to New York, dairy leaders are trading clipboards for cloud-based logic, building a digital nervous system to master margins and protect a 250-year legacy.
Flies can quickly go from a minor nuisance to a herd-wide problem, but staying ahead starts with finding and cleaning up breeding spots early.
New global report warns shrinking investment in animal health is colliding with expanding disease threats, workforce strain and rising biosecurity demands
Securing the “Made in the USA” label requires more than technology; it demands a stable, legal workforce and a national policy that recognizes dairy’s 365-day harvest reality.
As fed cattle weights hit historic highs, a surplus of fat trim is creating an unprecedented need for lean blending beef, pushing cull cow values to new records.
Praise God for the goodness that being a farmer is — not because it is easy and not because it is always profitable, but because it gives us the eyes to see that an ordinary Tuesday can be the best day we have ever asked for.
U.S. dairy exports continue to surge in 2026, with first-quarter volumes climbing 11% year-over-year as record cheese and butterfat demand helps absorb growing milk production.
A new survey shows teenagers trust dairy more than any other age group as schools prepare to bring whole milk back to menus under updated federal nutrition rules.
Beef-on-dairy calves are showing fewer scours cases and repeat treatments than Holsteins, adding another layer to their value on dairy farms.
After scaling back her herd, one producer used artificial intelligence to work through the numbers, test scenarios faster and sharpen decisions across the operation as she reset how the business ran.
As the gap between federal policy and dairy’s year-round reality widens, leaders in Texas and Idaho warn that a structural labor deficiency is pushing the industry toward a breaking point.
The move comes as Danone consolidates plant-based production across its U.S. network while investing in other dairy and nutrition categories.
Quick action to control bleeding, limit movement and stabilize the animal can significantly improve outcomes while waiting for veterinary care.
Researchers detected infectious H5N1 virus in milking parlor air and wastewater systems while also identifying possible subclinical infections in cattle.
Ken McCarty shares his 18-month, layered roadmap for locking in 90% of fuel needs — a scalable strategy for any dairy looking to protect margins and eliminate energy market worry time.
DFA CEO Dennis Rodenbaugh outlines a shift from defense to proactive leadership, framing sustainability as a generational legacy of stewardship that empowers farmers of all sizes to lead innovation.
Improving pregnancy rate is one of the fastest ways to put more calves — and cash — on the ground in the next year.
Diesel prices are just 20 cents from a record high, with multiple states already setting new records. Experts warn relief is uncertain as prices could remain elevated through 2026.
A late first cutting can reduce forage quality across the entire season, making timing one of the most important calls in spring alfalfa management.
Despite daily volatility, cattle markets are still driven by strong demand and tight supplies. Rising fuel costs could pressure consumers, but slow herd expansion keeps the long-term outlook bullish through the decade.
The dairies that thrive tomorrow won’t look like the ones that succeeded yesterday, and neither will the skill sets it takes to run them.
Corn silage performance comes down to a handful of decisions in the field and at the bunk that ultimately show up in how cows eat and how much they produce.
New research shows even low levels of stable flies can trigger cattle bunching and measurable milk losses, making it an early warning sign for on-farm stress.