Milk Quality
Crisis management drill hones ability to respond to emergencies.
It’s almost accepted as gospel that a high somatic cell count (SCC) cow in a small herd can throw off the entire bulk tank even if the rest of the herd is doing well. When it comes to large herds, the conventional wisdom is that a few high-count cows can get diluted by their herdmates.
Tail docking of dairy cows was already an uncommon and diminishing practice in California when a state legislator introduced a bill in February 2009 to ban the practice.
Three years ago, Tillamook Cooperative Creamery switched to using the Foss Bactoscan for determining bacterial counts of milk samples. We also decided to test every load of milk received rather than testing weekly.
From June 2005 through November 2009, Osterkamp Dairy achieved a milk quality bonus for 52 out of 53 months—a 98% success rate. Those results, says owner Mark Osterkamp, don’t happen without teamwork. In fact, getting milkers to buy in to the team concept is key to making everything work, he says.
In late 2010 or early 2011, any dairy processor exporting to the European Union will need to certify that each farm that supplies milk for those exports is below 400,000 somatic cell count.
Producers can make a significant impact on their milk checks by increasing milk fat and protein in milk. Changes in feed mixing, frequency and other feed-management strategies can make a notable difference.
Constantly utilizing antibiotics to treat mastitis is not always a viable practice.
From carcass quality to milk composition, we discuss the deeper issues within the Holstein vs. Jersey debate.
De lo contrario no se podrá tener leche de buena calidad
PeopleFirst™ trains mid-level managers, who affect the highest number of employees. On a dairy, that can be 15 to 20 people.
Dairy farmers are always looking for ways to boost efficiency on their operation. This especially holds true in the milking parlor.
Four in Minnesota sickened, including children, from E. coli in raw milk.
Farmers utilizing robotic milking facilities may have an upper hand when it comes to gradually drying cows off.
The timing of unit removal is important in harvesting the most milk possible while managing teat health.
Cows are creatures of habit, so keep it consistent inside the parlor.
April showers bring May flowers, but it can also bring mastitis and a sudden increase in somatic cell count levels.
The NBA All-Star, LeBron James is redirecting his energy toward a new commitment and has teamed up with other celebrities with the investor Neutral Foods, who claims to be the first-neutral food company in the U.S.
Reclaimed sand and recycled manure solids help farmers lower bedding costs. When bedding meets quality thresholds, farms that use recycled bedding produce the same quality of milk as those that use fresh bedding.
The workplace trend, quiet quitting, has gotten a lot of attention lately. Instead of going above and beyond, employees are wanting more from their work-life balance. The question is how do you keep employees motivated?
Wearing the crown and title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way has been a dream for Anna Euerle ever since she was little. Euerle followed around her two older sisters to county dairy princesses’ events.
A headache for most managers is putting together an employee work schedule. Trying to be considerate, but also properly putting a schedule together that aids in the farm’s mission statement is easier said than done.
In order to lower an elevated SCC score, it is important to prioritize proper milking procedures to help reduce the spread of infection.
Centered around, “A sustainable, profitable and enjoyable future in farming,” Lely invested $23 million to support its long-term vision. Recently it held a grand opening of its new state-of-the-art business complex.
Paying attention to feed-bunk behaviors can alert dairy producers to issues with diet, feed management or delivery that impact health and performance.
A barn fire was almost a blessing in disguise for the de Jong family who owns and operates ELBI Dairy in Manitoba. The family says that the fire left them with a new vision for dairy where technology became a key driver.
Over Memorial Day, a series of severe storms that brought strong winds, heavy rain, hail and multiple tornado warnings, impacted South Dakota. Victory Farms shares how the double punch storms impacted their farm.
Four months have passed since Kent and Coreena Meyer opened a letter from their milk processor, Wakefern Food Corp., owner of Readington Farms, informing them they no longer would pick up their milk.
Use on-farm culturing to determine proper care.