Dairy Production
After hearing reports of milk being dumped due to the surplus of milk on the market, the recent USDA Milk Production report wasn’t surprising. The May report documented a 0.6% increase over a year prior.
The inaugural edition of the Three-Minute Student Thesis (3MT) contest with a poster component was held in conjunction with the 2023 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference in Dubuque, Iowa on June 7-8.
Weight at calving not only determines first-lactation performance, it pretty much sets in stone lifetime performance and your herd’s overall performance.
Producers know all too well that once the feed truck comes down their driveway, a bill will follow. The rising cost of feed has forced dairies to dial in on efficiency to help boost overall profitability for the farm.
The dairy industry has been impacted by overtime labor rules, rigorous permitting processes and the shortage of water. As a result, cows are migrating toward areas like South Dakota, who has seen tremendous growth.
The USDA Milk Production report for April showed a 0.3% increase. Phil Plourd says that on-farm margins have deteriorated to a degree that, historically, corresponds with less milk production or at least slower growth.
Rumen pH is highly influential on how milkfat production can be maximized.
After culling nearly a quarter million cows in January, the U.S. dairy herd currently sits at 9.435 million head – the largest since August 2021. That growth gap is being filled largely with springing heifers.
The Holstein breed is wrestling with the phenomenon of a newly identified genetic defect for Recumbency.
Excessive frame size, dark meat color, narrow loin eyes, lengthy finishing time – these are among the top complaints about feeding Holsteins for beef.
For the third time this year, a Dairy Margin Coverage payment will be issued. Here’s what to expect.
Dairy farms can often be a slippery place for both farmers and cows to work.
While dairy cattle can’t verbally tell us when they’re not feeling their best, they can give us physical cues.
With today’s market conditions, producers are capitalizing on strong beef prices. More cows went to slaughter in March, the highest total since 1986, the year of the whole-herd buyout program.
The March 2023 USDA Milk Production report showed a 0.5% increase in year-over-year milk production. Cow numbers also showed an increase of 31,000 head over last year, but production per cow only gained 3 lbs.
A late April blast could bring sub-freezing temperatures as far south as northern Texas, sparking growing concerns about the potential damage to winter wheat.
Self-locking head-lock stanchions have become a management staple on most U.S. free stall dairies. But their convenience can become too much of a good thing.
The USDA released its new outlook for dairy this year, raising its milk production forecast.
A manufacturer of Italian cheese, Grande Cheese Company announced earlier this week that it has acquired the former Foremost Farms cheese plant in Chilton, Wis., which will further enhance its manufacturing capabilities.
With drought and production costs pushing the native beef population to a record low, beef-on-dairy has a huge opportunity to keep the feedlots and processors at full capacity.
On June 11, FDA’s Guidance for Industry #263 brings 91 over-the-counter antimicrobial products from OTC to prescription oversight. Three experts weigh in on why you need to prepare for this change now.
The February 2023 USDA Milk Production report showed an 0.8% increase in year-over-year milk production with a total of 17.7 billion lbs. of milk. Also following suit, U.S. cow numbers also documented growth.
There are some sources of feed shrink you might not think of that can be causing substantial losses in terms of feed used, ration formulation and poor performance.
Dairy cow mortality rates have come down marginally, but are higher when compared to beef production.
As we transition the cows into a new facility, take time to watch the cows’ usage of the facility. Cow behavior in the facility will indicate what may need to be adjusted.
Ruminants walk a fine line in their ability to utilize cereal grains while maintaining digestive integrity.
So, you want to build a new feed center? Where to start without getting caught up in all the nitty gritty details? Start with all your wants and a wish list that fulfills your finished project vision.
Holstein springer values finally are approaching cost of production in many U.S. markets.
There’s a new face in the winner’s circle for the most lifetime milk produced by a U.S. Holstein cow, and it belongs to Chrome-View Charles 3044, owned by Mason’s Chrome View farm in Nottingham, Pennsylvania.
For the first time this year, a Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) payment will be issued. Yesterday, USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced that February’s DMC income over feed costs calculation is $7.94/cwt.