Dairy Production
Milk yield, components and udder health metrics can reveal early disease long before clinical signs emerge. Learning to interpret these signals can transform routine milk data into proactive herd health interventions.
How cows are grouped directly influences how smoothly a robotic milking system runs.
When small town businesses grow, it creates a ripple effect that strengthens the whole community, says South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development Commissioner Bill Even.
In a world where leadership is often equated with authority, this Wisconsin dairy office manager offers a refreshing perspective rooted in empathy and empowerment.
By providing microbial metabolites directly, postbiotics help calves develop stronger gut defenses and support cows as they move through the biologically demanding transition period.
Meteorologist Brian Bledsoe says a strong ridge is keeping much of the U.S. warm and dry through mid-November, extending drought across key farm regions, but a pattern shift may bring some relief, and possibly even snow.
Transporting calves long distances at young ages is a growing practice for U.S. dairies. They do it to seek ideal rearing conditions and maximize their animal capacity and labor force. A detailed and well-executed plan can make the process relatively seamless.
As funding for activism grows, it’s more important than ever for those of us in the farm and food community to share our own stories. If we don’t speak up about what really happens on farms, we risk letting activists tell that story for us.
Experts say it’s time to feed colostrum according to quality not habit. When it comes to calf immunity, more volume isn’t always better.
Heifers have unique requirements and challenges leading to individual groups, adjustments in feed additives and rations designed to meet growth and milk needs.
As drone technology continues to evolve, it’s poised to transform how dairy farms manage their feed inventories, optimizing efficiency and productivity across the industry.
Cull cow marketing is rarely an all-or-nothing decision. The nuances of each operation should be discussed when deciding to remove an animal from the herd.
Salmonella is challenging organism for calf operations, but the serotype Dublin is especially dangerous because of its unique hallmarks of multidrug resistance and ability to also cause severe illness in humans.
New data from four calf ranches highlight the dominance of respiratory disease and the year-round consistency of health challenges in beef-dairy cross calves.
Live microbes are reshaping dairy nutrition, offering new tools to support gut health, rumen stability and production efficiency from calf to cow.
New cases in Italy, France and Spain underscore the importance of surveillance and preparedness in U.S. herds.
A clean start begins at the navel. Good calving hygiene and early care are the simplest ways to prevent costly infections and improve calf health outcomes.
Understanding and improving feed efficiency can lead to significant benefits in terms of productivity, sustainability and profitability on dairy farms.
Prebiotic supplementation is beneficial for dairy calf health and development, and may improve milk yield in lactating cows.
Analysis of almost 1,500 liver samples from beef and dairy cattle reveals persistent trace mineral deficiencies affecting herd health.
Jon-De Farms’ strategic move to a rotary milking parlor illustrates how thoughtful technology integration can drive operational efficiencies in dairy farming.
Strategic growth in cow numbers, innovative revenue streams, and expanding export markets signify a promising future.
Dr. Gerard Cramer suggests vets and producers rethink routine trimming, focusing instead on targeted interventions that deliver greater welfare and economic returns.
“We have different dairy farms, we have different preferences and we have these great new technologies and tools that let us filter for the traits we want,” says producer Kristen Metcalf. “Why not leave them as long as the data is there?”
From benchmarking to culture results, veterinarians can guide producers toward smarter antibiotic use that protects both herd health and drug efficiency.
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What True Silage Productivity Means to Farmers
U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s is partnering with Texas A&M University to advance the sterile fly technique to halt NWS reproduction.
A trusted adjuvant can make all the difference in capturing a strong immune response in young calves.
Proactive off-season investments in your dairy operation not only enhance immediate performance but also set the stage for sustained success into the new year. Prioritizing these smart upgrades can lead to improved efficiency and less stress as farms navigate the colder months.
Generics can save money without sacrificing safety or efficacy, but veterinarians and producers must consider how each product performs under their unique herd conditions.