The second USDA Crop Progress Report of the year shows farmers are already ahead in planting the 2024 crop with six states pacing ahead of the five-year average.
With the start of the new year comes the setting of resolutions for personal habits, behaviors and practices. Dairies can and should do the same for their operations. Here are six places to start.
Droughts, high rainfall and other weather events affecting the corn harvest have made it even more critical than ever to analyze mycotoxin risks across the nation. Here's the latest report from Alltech's analysis.
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.
Farmers have learned to live by one of life’s biggest lessons – always expect the unexpected. But sometimes even the unexpected can still cause us to pause and scratch our heads.
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.
Feed costs will continue to be the No. 1 expense. Jim Salfer, Extension dairy educator with the University of Minnesota, offers some best practices to help producers lower feed costs.
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.
After consecutive years of drought, areas of Texas are now breaking records for the wettest May ever. With most of their crop left to plant, it's also forcing tough decisions about silage, as wheat is ready for harvest.
For the second time this year, a Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) payment will be issued. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced that March’s DMC income over feed costs calculation is $6.19/cwt.
The challenges that face the Golden State have quickly changed from drought to flooding and played havoc with the California agriculture landscape. This has forced several dairies to move their cattle to higher ground.
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.
Recently, three dairy producers from coast to coast talked about the biggest, unexpected challenge that faced their dairy this year on a Farm Journal Farm County Update webinar.
Enrollment for the USDA’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) is now open until Dec. 7, 2022. FSA administrator says this year showed why enrolling in DMC makes good business sense.
While dishing up meals in Styrofoam to-go containers happens simultaneously with the roar of a diesel tractor, signing its harvest season, some farm families go with plan B.
Rainfall has been lackluster throughout parts of the country. With fields deprived of moisture, don’t be surprised if this year’s corn silage crop is drought stressed.
Dairy farms are a hustling and bustling place. Last year, the Berning family in Illinois opened their dairy farm barn doors and offer Farm Camp for kids of all ages. Camp includes farm chores, scavenger hunts and more.
An often-over-looked expense is having excess corn silage inventory. The decision has to be made soon, when you are chopping—to sell it or use it on the farm.
As we soon will be flipping the calendar to August, you likely already have your chopper in the shop. Mike North, president with ever.ag says there is a narrow window to get things priced in terms of silage.
The high temperatures and lack of rain that face south-central Missouri have not only played havoc on Michelle Eilenstine’s mind, but also with her corn crop.
Putting a value on corn silage, even when it never leaves the farm is also necessary. Gary Sipiorski says that most farms do not put any kind of a cost on planting corn for silage – and they really ought to.
The recent historic high milk prices have been overshadowed by the feed costs that continue to climb. However, producer, Ryan Junio, owner of Four J Jerseys, number one concern is water scarcity facing California.
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.
The Neuenschwander brothers have thrived during a tough dairy economy because of their ability to maximize cow comfort and produce excellent genetics on their Indiana dairy.
Ongoing issues with grain moving to areas of the Southwest and West due to delays in rail service has California dairy producer Darlene Lopes frustrated. She worries that soon no corn will be available to feed her herd.
While feed costs have significantly increased year-over-year, leading dairy nutrition consultants says don’t shortchange feeding heifers, even if they are viewed as an expense for your dairy.
A more traditional approach to feeding ration elements separately could help address concerns related to overhead costs, labor shortages, and fuel usage.
The biggest conversation in 2022 for McCarty Family Farms, LLC has been centered around finding a balance of taking care of their cattle and land and avoiding any catastrophic mistakes.
Rising early to feed his cows is part of Wisconsin dairy farmer, Chris Pollack’s morning routine. He paused long enough from his routine to go on live network television to talk about issues that impact his dairy.
Once farmers get to the field, they will have plenty of tractor time to think about all the challenges that face them. Reach out to your dairy team leaders to to maximize your dairy’s profit while you're in the field.
The challenges that farmers face can be overwhelming. Factor in Mother Nature's wild ways, and there is only so much a farmer can do. Texas dairy farmer, John Boer worries about the outlook of his corn.
From the adaptation of technology to increasing efficiencies and overcoming challenges that seem to come at a fast pace, a producer must sharpen more than their pencils to continue in this tough dairy industry.
Just announced, a broad-based agricultural service cooperative specializing in laboratory testing, AgSource Cooperative Services, acquired Dairyland Laboratories, Inc. Agronomy Services Division in Stratford, Wisconsin.
The question begs to be asked or at least discussed. How will rising corn prices impact farmers' planting decisions this year? And, will farmers allocate more or fewer acres to corn silage, given current corn prices?
JPMorgan voices concern that a spike in energy prices from the Russia-Ukraine crisis would hinder the economy. Dairy producers are wondering how much more inputs will rise, as a $20 plus milk check only goes so far.
USDA’s Milk Production report illustrated year-over-year declines in both January milk production and cow numbers. Although South Dakota hummed a different tune, leading year-over-year milk volume growth, up 18.3%.
