Dairy Production
According to the latest U.S. Milk Production Report the number of milk cows on farms in the U.S. was 9.36 million head, 44,000 head less year-over-year and 10,000 head less than in October 2023.
These 4 management tips can help you keep cows productive through cold conditions.
Producers are hoping for stronger milk prices next year. First quarter milk price looks less than promising - causing producers to turn to plan B which is hoping DMC payouts generate a healthy sum in the year ahead.
Despite the myths, you can have both high production and high fertility.
Organic food sales have grown over time, but it’s still only accounts for 2.5% to 6% of the food market. How much is organic farming growing year over year? John Phipps answers a viewer’s question in Customer Support.
As global dairy companies set a new goal to trace and reduce emissions, U.S. dairy researchers say feeding a small amount of red seaweed may be the secret to cutting methane emissions from dairy cattle by up to half.
More calves born on dairies than ever before are eventually headed to feedyards these days. Performance and profitability merits sending healthy animals from the calf-rearing stage to the feedlot.
Five tips to fine-tune your transition cow health protocols.
Incidence rates for displaced abomasum (DA) range from 1% to 6%, and up to 90% of DA’s happen within the first 30 days in milk.
What is motivating the increased levels of components on U.S. dairies? Jim Salfer, dairy extension educator at the University of Minnesota, says the answer at the farm level is multifaceted.
As dairy producers transition into newly fermented corn silage it’s important they pay attention to the potential for higher-than-average levels of molds and mycotoxins.
The problem occurs in nearly 50% of cows in the first 24 hours after calving, says Jesse Goff, DVM and ISU professor emeritus. He details four nutrition strategies to prevent or treat the problem so cows aren’t culled.
While the September Milk Production report showed a decline of 0.2% from last year, it also showed a drop in cow numbers, The big winner was South Dakota which produced 21 million more lbs., with 12,000 additional cows.
Manure used to be viewed as a nuisance that had to be dealt with. Now, as fertilizer prices head north, it’s viewed as a regenerative way to cut costs while replenishing needed nutrients.
“We most abolish animal ag to prevent the next pandemic.” While animal rights supporters make up a small percentage, they are loud and can mislead consumers with messages like this. Here’s the 2023 activist roundup.
Have we hit the low point for the average productive lifespan of dairy cows?
These commonly overlooked issues are holding your herd back.
The unique growing conditions of the 2023 crop year have a lot of dairy producers on edge about the quality and safety of their new-crop corn silage. But the experts advise that there’s probably little need to panic.
Down 0.2 percent, the August 2023 USDA Milk Production report did not document much change from the previous year. Following suite, milk production per cow in the 24 major states declined by 1 lb. per cow.
While the effects lameness can have on dairy cattle are easy to see, identifying lame cows can be harder to catch.
Each region of the U.S. presents its own challenges with raising calves, with the varying landscapes often dictating the layout of calf facilities.
The July 2023 USDA Milk Production report spotlighted difficult conditions in the Southwest and California. The report showed a 0.6% decrease in year-over-year milk production. Cow numbers also dropped year-over-year.
Pain can impact cow health and productivity at all stages of life. Management practices to avoid or minimize painful experiences can deliver benefits to animal welfare, productivity and consumers’ perceptions.
Austin Kings, rural crimes investigator for Missouri Highway Patrol, takes a look at how a criminal might view your farm and home—what they see that producers don’t, and how producers can prevent becoming a target.
What’s often called the “white combine” is hammering western Kansas this year, an ugly reality for an area that’s finally receiving rain after nearly five years of drought.
Technology and efficiency go hand in hand. This is what Chris Szydel says, as he shares how incorporating technology into his role as herd manager has been a game changer at Wisconsin’s largest family-owned dairy.
With no end to the higher feed cost trend in sight, farmers are looking at ways to get the most out of their rations while minimizing wasted feed.
Phil Plourd with Ever.Ag says that combine miserable weather in key growth areas such as Texas with shrinking farm margins and you get a Milk Production report showing the worst performance that we’ve seen in a while.
Do you know what the Top 5 targeted states are for animal rights activists? The answer may surprise you.
If raising your own beef-on-dairy animals pencils out, it’s important to make sure your facilities can handle the load.