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The modern dairy cow is bigger than ever. To maximize her performance, raisers must be attentive to growth starting at birth.

Becky Nyman of Hilmar, Calif., recently visited with AgriTalk host, Chip Flory, about being the next generation dairy farmer. Nyman works alongside her brother on the home farm where they milk 1,200 Jerseys.

When raised by farmers, our earliest lessons in leadership, stewardship and life in general occur with the rhythms of the seasons. It turns out, even in a season of loss the learning continues.

The state of Wisconsin is now requiring a negative highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) test in order for exhibitors to showcase lactating dairy cows at local fairs and exhibitions within the state.

“If handled improperly, transition events can be the death of your business. Or it can strengthen your business and clearly outline who you are and where you want to go,” says Dick Wittman.

How are you showing up on the farm? Do your actions meet up with your goals? Rena Striegel, a farm succession planning consultant, encourages the next generation of on-farm leaders to do some self-reflection.

Burnout, financial pressures and exhaustion are not just common issues for dairy and livestock producers, but also for the veterinarians who serve them and their animals.

Class III milk finished the day mostly unchanged with June down a penny at $19.77 and July up 7 cents to $20.60.

The new facility will house robotic milking systems, chambers for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, an advanced animal nutrition unit and state-of-the-art laboratories for agronomy and dairy science.

Even the most efficient and profitable herds need a transition plan from one generation to the next. Without it, they can disperse and become a statistic.