Latest News From Dairy - General

Moving to 100% polled genetics is an air-tight method of dispelling consumer concerns about dehorning pain. But the wheels of genetic progress turn relatively slowly in cattle.

If you sell your bull calves shortly after birth, it’s tempting to send them down the road with no colostrum. But those animals will be far better served if you take the time to get them the colostrum they need.

Even healthy calves can suffer dehydration in extremely hot weather.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Sen. Mike Crapo introduced bipartisan legislation to address the shortfall of veterinarians in rural areas.

As dairy caregivers, we see “Poor Doer Syndrome.” These are cows that struggle for unknown reasons until they subsequently develop an infectious disease, a surgically correctable condition or are culled.

A highly fatal intestinal disease of adult cows, Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome (HBS), draws concerns from dairy producers, veterinarians and nutritionists, as it is also known as the sudden death disease of dairy cattle.

While the milking herd is usually given top priority in management efforts, dry cows and springing heifers are arguably the more important groups to protect from heat.

While the road to becoming a better manager isn’t any easy one, there are a few steps you can take to not only improve your work performance, but your team’s performance as well.

If you watch carefully, you can tell a lot about a cow by reading her face. Know the telltale facial expressions of cows in the early stages of pain and sickness.

As the thermometer climbs, farmers are eager to make sure their fans and sprinklers are running to keep lactating and dry cows cool. But just like adult cows, calves are also challenged by hot weather.

Reproduction clicks along like a well-oiled machine at Schanbacher Acres near Atkins, Iowa, thanks in part to the farm’s routine use of blood pregnancy tests for the past 17 years.

Beef-on-dairy breeding is a growing phenomenon, not just in the U.S., but worldwide.

Merck announces 54 veterinary students from around the world received scholarships through the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. Students pursuing careers will each receive $5,000 scholarships.

Researchers are exploring whether cattle would benefit from pain management associated with calving.

When consumers think about dairy farming, one of their greatest concerns are the calves. That can be a good thing because farmers have a great story to tell. But it also may require some flexing of rearing practices.

Most research recommends 5-7% sugar as an upper limit. However, cows can certainly handle lots of sugar in the diet.

It started with a broken baler. The farmer panicked. He had recently lost his brother to cancer and his father to old age. Not to mention he had 2,500 acres to farm, 250 beef cows to attend to and his crop just froze. 

While udder edema is a common occurrence on dairies, there are several methods to help prevent it from happening.

Temple Grandin and Frank Mitloehner discuss the advancements in sustainability seen across the animal agriculture industry and what it means for the future.

Health insurance coverage and healthcare costs are among the greatest challenges for self-employed Americans, including farmers.

No one wants to have a down cow, but unfortunately it does occasionally happen.

Utilizing an effective management team can help you. As the owner or leader of your business, spend less time on the non-urgent and non-important tasks or duties that pop up every day.

Since the early 2000s, death losses have topped up to 15%, averaging 6% to 8% on many U.S. dairies.

Failure is a part of life, but how we bounce back from it determines how successful we will become.

The only certainty during spring planting is uncertainty. Farmers face many challenges: too much rain, too little rain, long hours, crop diseases and pests, machinery breakdowns.

The three priorities Andy and Sarah Lenkaitis set out to accomplish when they began their renovation remain the same – take care of the cows, take care of the people and keep the farm around for generations to come.

Why don't we finish goals? Jon Acuff, best-selling author and motivational speaker, says we often focus on the wrong thing when we talk about our goals. Here's what he says it takes to finish the goals that matter.

Merck will start manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine in its human manufacturing facilities later this month.

Take a minute to take stock in the values that define how you run your farm.

The past decade has been weird and wacky to say the least. It makes you wonder what’s in store for the next 10 years. Here are some possible hints.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected the Meat Institute’s challenge to California’s 2018 ballot initiative that imposes new standards for animal housing.

Meet the “Beacon of Hope” Recipient: Sam Schwoeppe Congratulations Sam Schwoeppe, a Beacon of Hope award winner for 2020.

Cows are at greatest risk of developing new intramammary infections during the dry period.

Elanco's new protein, planet and pet pledges aim to provide improved access to nutritious protein, reduce the company’s footprint on the planet, and support healthy pets that support people’s wellbeing.

A new report,“Beyond Antibiotics: The Future of Animal Health Alternatives,” identifies alternatives that could help support the animal health industry and producers, while reducing antibiotic use.

Californians will vote on Proposition 15, which is billed as tax reform, except neither side can agree on exactly what gets reformed. Farmers and ranchers are rightly wary of the repercussions.

While Salmonella Dublin can be a problem in adult stock, it has increasingly become a health issue affecting the long-term, potential productivity of calves.

Dairy calves can transmit any number of diseases to their human handlers or those who pet them.

Watch the #FarmON Concert benefiting the 4-H Fourward Fund with Lee Brice, Martina McBride, Justin Moore, Rodney Atkins and more. Watch a replay of the concert below.

Farmers and ranchers were most concerned about rabid dogs biting cattle 20 years ago. Not now. Today, a bite from an infected wild animal, such as a fox or raccoon, is the more common method of infection in cattle.

The common industry practice of feeding first-day colostrum and then switching calves directly to whole milk or milk replacer may be under review.

While there may not be a cure for this lameness causing disease, digital dermatitis can be easy to manage if you know what to look for.

Veterinarians have at least eight options for doing a cesarean section (c-section) in cattle, but most rely on only one.

“Courage recognizes the significant work of farmers, their families, farm communities and all who are engaged in feeding the world.”

Three trends are currently underway in the countryside.

When New York farmer Kelly Hendrickson was told she would have to start dumping milk, her milk inspector planted a seed in her mind.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend up to $15.5 billion in the initial phase of its plan to bolster the nation's food supply chain against the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

Farmers across the country are being asked to dump their milk, as food service demand crumbled rapidly due to COVID-19. Still, farmers are frustrated that consumers can't buy as much milk as they want right now.

Three U.S. schools are included in the list.

Concerns about COVID-19 have people worried about the health and safety of their families, businesses and livestock. Here’s a recap of the methods in which disease is spread.