Latest News From Profit Tips

The deadline to enroll for the USDA’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (SDMC) programs is approaching fast. The last day for producers to sign up is Monday, April 29, 2024.

Three ways to take advantage of dairy's carbon footprint.

One thing adversity teaches us is how to persevere. Dig deeper. Plow harder. At least this is what dairy farmer, Todd Benedict, has learned when he faced two nightmare situations—a barn fire and losing his milk market.

In South Dakota, you’ll find a 130-year-old dairy operation that runs on passion, perseverance and a focus on finding the right people. This dynamic trifecta is what makes up the unparalleled culture of MoDak Dairy.

Shay Foulk shares six ways to mitigate loss and plan to pilot through tough years.

Bateman’s Mosida Farms in Utah is named the 2024 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year by the IDFA because of their ability to innovate and diversify to better care for their cattle and land.

"When I arrived at the dairy that day and assessed the situation, three main objectives were clear: Increase cash flow, reduce expenses, rebuild relationships."

As milk prices continue to sink lower, more and more dairy producers are turning their attention to creating a healthy beef cross calf to generate additional income for their farms.

The High Plains Dairy Conference will be March 5-6 in Amarillo, Texas. The conference will explore alternative revenue streams, the future of exports and much more.

All leading experts—from economists to cattle marketers, share that those producers with a surplus of heifer replacements are likely to capitalize on a pretty penny in the year ahead.

Dairy replacement heifer values continue to gain ground after years of anemic prices.

Heifer availability has tightened, and prices have increased substantially. One reason is the interest that has developed in beef-on-dairy calves.

Beef cross calves are currently generating healthy profits for dairies. They also are a welcome addition to the beef supply chain, according to Dr. Zeb Gray, Beef Technical Feedlot Specialist with Diamond V.

Last week, AgriTalk host, Chip Flory, visited with two dairy farmers -- Ken Smith and Darlene Lopes at Milk Business Conference to talk about the challenges that face dairy, as well as what opportunities lie ahead. 

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.

Agility — it can be the difference between those who make it in the dairy industry and those who don’t. Learning to pivot to ­the next stepping stone to success is what leading dairies, like Van Ess Dairy doing well.

One word to describe the dairy economy is volatile. One reason that producers have managed through the up and down prices is that they have learned to balance the profit equation by utilizing risk management practices. 

Three business-minded dairy leaders will gather together during a Farm Journal Milk Business Quarterly webinar to share advice on how to future-proof your dairy business.

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.

Mike Simone, Executive Director of market Research and Intelligence with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says high beef prices are here to stay for a while for several reasons.

A massive question dairy producers often ask themselves is who should be raising replacement heifers. Should they be raised by the producer, contracted out and customed raised, or should they be purchased?

The Milk Business Conference in Las Vegas Nov. 28-30, highlights every corner of the dairy industry and has a great line-up of speakers to help producers capitalize on and further develop their strengths. Sign up today.

Producers have been wired to head to the mailbox this calendar year, as DMC payments have been triggered due to a stretch of low milk income. As expected, another round of DMC payments will hit producer’s mailboxes soon.

The beef market is sizzling hot and dairy producers have not only noticed but have taken action to capitalize on securing an alternative profit source to their bottom line.

Raising too many heifers can be costly for producers, which is why David Erf with Zoetis recommends producers to check their cattle inventory numbers as much as they do milk prices.

Producers are challenged paying the bills with the lack-lusting prices that have shown up on milk checks this summer. Dairy financial leaders share tips on what to do and not to do to survive tough financial times.

With the U.S. dairy exports documenting their worst year-over-year decline in four years, Ben Laine with Terrain says the headwinds facing dairy exports side of the equation is what concerns him the most right now.

After record milk prices in 2022, the downturn has come on quick and felt hard by those producers who milk cows for a living. A dairy financial consultant offers five pieces of advice to survive dairy’s volatile markets.

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 ongoing milk price rollercoaster that seems to be on a downward track has once again forced a Dairy Margin Coverage payment to be issued in 2023. The DMC income over feed costs for April is $5.84/cwt.

A few dairies have pushed pause on building projects due to interest rates and market uncertainties. Others are stuck in limbo not knowing whether to move forward or wait it out.

Half of success is showing up certainly holds true for labor-dependent farms. Although Brett Barlass, dairy manager of Yosemite Jerseys in Calif., shares he went nine years without a no-call or a no-show employee. 

Head to Lancaster County Pennsylvania and the sweet aroma of candy can be smelled on a family dairy farm. Red Knob Dairy has been feeding upcycled Hershey candy waste to their cows for more than a decade.

I’m a firm believer that with risk comes reward and taking on an expansion project is a big risk. However, Phil Knight, the founder of Nike says when you only see problems, you’re not seeing clearly.

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy unveiled some big moves in the private sector that may make it easier for dairy producers to capitalize on carbon credits to benefit both climate and their bottom lines.

Dairy producers have adjusted to uncertainties that face them such as rising feed costs, ongoing labor challenges and navigating a pandemic and its ripple effect. Three producers share how they tackle uncertainties.

Phil Plourd, president of Ever.Ag Insights, says that from a producer perspective, risk management decisions have gotten tougher in the past few months. Penn State offers tips to be considered when using milk futures:

For the third time this year, a Dairy Margin Coverage payment will be issued. Here's what to expect.

In 2006, dairy producer Ken Smith and family purchased an old truck stop property near their family dairy farm and began an ice cream business. Moo Thru has grown in more ways than one.

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.

As more dairies face labor challenges, the need for extra help on a farm is evident and Miguel Rangel, DVM, a past visa recipient, says that government-issued visas can help fulfill that labor need.

From gadgets to big ticket items, technology has a place in the dairy sector. Recently on a Farm Journal Milk Business webinar, three dairy producers shared what technology is on their dairy team’s wish list.

As producers continue to dial in on productivity and profitability, they also leaned into technology to help them achieve these goals. Three producers talk tech on a Farm Journal Milk Business webinar.

History likes to repeat itself. Prior to last year, the last time milk prices were great was in 2014 and we all know what followed—lackluster milk prices. Although producers are better positioned today vs. 2014.

Technology is no stranger to the dairy industry. With all the new technologies hitting the market and endless new ways to handle the tasks on a dairy, it can be hard to determine what to implement on your operation.  

The U.S. bovine semen industry reports a decline of 5% in total unit sales, reaching 69 million total units reported for all categories combined. However, Beef-on-dairy semen sales continue to increase.

As the dairy industry continues to evolve, our brand is also revolving. Farm Journal is as committed as ever to deliver high-quality content to meet the needs of top-tier industry leaders and business owners.

Warren Buffet saying, “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2, don’t forget Rule No. 1” is widely known. Dr. Brady Brewer from Purdue University said it is unlikely that Buffet spends much time working in ag.

Most producers will tell you their No. 1 goal is simple: strive for cow comfort. That goal continues as dairies look to build a new barn or even retrofit an existing facility. The key is to begin with the end in mind.

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.