Latest News From Milk - General

What is the Biggest Challenge in Animal Agriculture? The Answer Might Surprise You
What is the Biggest Challenge in Animal Agriculture? The Answer Might Surprise You

The list of challenges facing animal agriculture is complex and multifaceted. This is what Dr. Robert Hagevoort from New Mexico State University Dairy Extension shared at the 2023 Milk Business Conference in Las Vegas. 

How Will Dairy Fare Alongside New Weight-loss Drugs?
How Will Dairy Fare Alongside New Weight-loss Drugs?

Where do dairy products fit into the changing picture of weight management?

High Plains Dairy Conference Set March 5-6 in Amarillo
High Plains Dairy Conference Set March 5-6 in Amarillo

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.

DeLaval Launches New Robotic Batch Milking System for Large Herds
DeLaval Launches New Robotic Batch Milking System for Large Herds

As a new approach to robotic milking for larger dairy operations, DeLaval has announced the launch of their new VMS™ Batch Milking system, a method advancement in robotic milking technology.

Four Strategies to Help Cows Conquer Cold
Four Strategies to Help Cows Conquer Cold

These 4 management tips can help you keep cows productive through cold conditions.

Debunking Production-Fertility Myths
Debunking Production-Fertility Myths

Despite the myths, you can have both high production and high fertility.

Darigold Appoints New Interim Chief Executive Officer
Darigold Appoints New Interim Chief Executive Officer

Darigold, Inc. announced that Chief Executive Officer, Joe Coote, is leaving the company, and the Board Chairman, Allan Huttema, has been named the interim CEO, effective immediately. 

Athian and Elanco Animal Health Team Up to Transform Food Production through Methane Reduction
Athian and Elanco Animal Health Team Up to Transform Food Production through Methane Reduction

Athian announced the establishment of the first-of-its-kind voluntary livestock carbon insetting marketplace with the first accepted protocol aimed at reducing methane emissions with help from Elanco Animal Health.

9 Spooktacular Dairy Treats to Hand Out this Halloween
9 Spooktacular Dairy Treats to Hand Out this Halloween

While candy is always a go-to option, why not get creative and hand out some delicious dairy-themed goodies this Halloween instead?

Will the 305-Day Lactation Standard Go the Way of the Dinosaur?
Will the 305-Day Lactation Standard Go the Way of the Dinosaur?

For decades, 305 days of lactation, plus a 60-day dry period, has added up to a dairy cow’s target calving interval of one year. But is this a standard that needs to be broken?

Will the Dairy Economy Rebound by 2025?
Will the Dairy Economy Rebound by 2025?

The dairy economy is in rough shape. This is what Ken Bailey shared at the Dairy Financial and Risk Management Conference. He said that higher prices will come when domestic and global demand resurges in 2025.

Who Should Be Raising Replacement Heifers?
Who Should Be Raising Replacement Heifers?

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?

Large Herds Share the Big Benefits of Switching to Robotic Milking
Large Herds Share the Big Benefits of Switching to Robotic Milking

Aimed at doing better and gaining efficiency on their operations, producers are determining how they want to milk their cows in the future, and larger herds have leaned into technology and turned to robotic milking.

What Beef on Dairy Cross Has the Best Value?
What Beef on Dairy Cross Has the Best Value?

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.

Seasonal Depression In Colostrum Yield
Seasonal Depression In Colostrum Yield

When a cow freshens during the fall or winter, she tends to produce less colostrum than her herd mates who calved in spring and summer. It's no coincidence. Now research is shedding some "light" on the situation.

YouTube Michigan Dairy Farm Star Showcases His Farm Messages to Thousands
YouTube Michigan Dairy Farm Star Showcases His Farm Messages to Thousands

There is a reason why dairy farmer Kip Siegler’s YouTube channel is growing. His upbeat personality and his ability to show viewers firsthand what it is like to farm in fast-paced videos resonates well with his audience.

America's Largest Cattle Emissions Research Facility Unveiled at Colorado State University
America's Largest Cattle Emissions Research Facility Unveiled at Colorado State University

Nestled in a beautiful secluded mountain valley at Colorado State University beef feedlot in Ft. Collins served as the location for AgNext’s climate-smart research facility ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month.

Minnesota Dairy Plant Announces Big Expansion Plans
Minnesota Dairy Plant Announces Big Expansion Plans

Bongards Creameries, a leading national cheese and whey manufacture recently announced a $125 million expansion project. The project will increase the plant’s capacity to take in 5.5 million lbs. of milk per day.

Economist Shares It Will Be a Tough Year Ahead for Dairy
Economist Shares It Will Be a Tough Year Ahead for Dairy

Ben Laine shares we would need a big demand surge to see a significant increase in prices. He also adds that June is likely to be the bottom of prices, although he remains cautious for the second half of 2023.

6 Ways to Boost Performance and Lower Feed Costs
6 Ways to Boost Performance and Lower Feed Costs

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.

Cows Like Candy, Too
Cows Like Candy, Too

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.

Wood Milk—Calling Attention to What People Are Drinking
Wood Milk—Calling Attention to What People Are Drinking

The “Wood Milk” ad— funded through MilkPEP —goal is to make people pause and question what they are consuming and the nutritional value of their choices.

How Can I Make Money with Beef-on-Dairy?
How Can I Make Money with Beef-on-Dairy?

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.

Cows Will Tell You What is Wrong with a Facility Design
Cows Will Tell You What is Wrong with a Facility Design

As we transition the cows into a new facility, take time to watch the cows' usage of the facility. Cow behavior in the facility will indicate what may need to be adjusted.

13-Year-Old Registered Holstein Cow Claims New Record for Most Lifetime Milk
13-Year-Old Registered Holstein Cow Claims New Record for Most Lifetime Milk

There’s a new face in the winner’s circle for the most lifetime milk produced by a U.S. Holstein cow, and it belongs to Chrome-View Charles 3044, owned by Mason’s Chrome View farm in Nottingham, Pennsylvania.

How One Farm Nearly Doubled Their Pregnancy Rate
How One Farm Nearly Doubled Their Pregnancy Rate

Getting cows pregnant is vital to keeping the pipeline full. According to Jeremey Natzke of Wayside Dairy, a 35% plus pregnancy rate equates to an outstanding repro program and a number his dairy worked hard to achieve.

How a Jersey Cow Helped Make the Perfect Proposal
How a Jersey Cow Helped Make the Perfect Proposal

A high school dance proposal used to simply consist of asking your date to the dance, but now there is a lot of hype about when and how you ask. Recently my daughter's proposal included a trip to the cow barn.

U.S. Dairy Cows Continue to Push Inland
U.S. Dairy Cows Continue to Push Inland

The latest USDA Milk Production report saw a mere 0.8% increase in December’s milk production over the prior year. While states, like Texas and South Dakota continue to lead the way in year-over-year cow number growth.

Tips to Boost Mental Health Ahead of the Holidays
Tips to Boost Mental Health Ahead of the Holidays

The statistics surrounding mental health are alarming. The reasons varied, but while the holidays can be a time of happiness, it also can be challenging. Follow these tips if you notice your mental health worsening.

Is the Great Financial Reset Now Underway?
Is the Great Financial Reset Now Underway?

The latest CPI shows that while inflation may be slowing, it still remains above the Fed's target. As inflation impacts farmers across their operation, Dan Basse looks at some of the concerns as farmers head into 2023.

American Ninja Warrior Alex Weber to Address the 20th Anniversary Milk Business Conference
American Ninja Warrior Alex Weber to Address the 20th Anniversary Milk Business Conference

The 2022 Milk Business Conference keynote speaker Alex Weber will grace the stage on Wed., Dec. 14th at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Combat Labor Headaches Head On
Combat Labor Headaches Head On

Labor shortages are no longer a stark headline, but instead a continued headache dairy farms are faced with. Recently on an Ag Future podcast, Dr. Luke Miller with Alltech spoke about training and retaining labor.

Do you have a Calf Herd Program?
Do you have a Calf Herd Program?

While Lung Ultrasound is the cornerstone of any good Calf Herd Health Program, there are many other benefits to getting your herd vet in your calf barn on a regular basis.

Premium Alfalfa Hay Delivered by Amazon Prime
Premium Alfalfa Hay Delivered by Amazon Prime

California dairy farmer, Steve Maddox found a newfound love for Amazon Prime, who hauled premium alfalfa dairy hay from his Logan, Utah hay ranch to his Riverdale, Calif. dairy farm.

A Dairy Farm Summer Camp: Fun for All Ages
A Dairy Farm Summer Camp: Fun for All Ages

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.

Could South Dakota be the New Dairy State?
Could South Dakota be the New Dairy State?

In 2021 the USDA reported the state with the largest milk production growth by percentage in the nation was South Dakota.

The Heifer Discussion
The Heifer Discussion

The increased cost associated with raising heifers has made producers retool their thinking. Earlier management decisions are happening on dairies, with a more dialed-in, strategic breeding philosophy being adapted.

Air Force Pollution Forces New Mexico Dairy to Euthanize 3,665 Cows
Air Force Pollution Forces New Mexico Dairy to Euthanize 3,665 Cows

Art Schaap, owner of Highland Dairy in Clovis, New Mexico, has been living a nightmare for the past four years. His nightmare is finally coming to an end, but not without the heartache of euthanizing 3,665 cows.

The Gift My Late Mother Gave Me
The Gift My Late Mother Gave Me

The power of a mother is enormous. A mom is more than a chauffeur, a cook or someone who does the laundry. A mom shapes self-esteem and responsibility in her children and makes endless sacrifices to empower her children.

Dairy Semen Sales hit 17-Year-Low: What Will the Trend be Going Forward?
Dairy Semen Sales hit 17-Year-Low: What Will the Trend be Going Forward?

With the cost of inflation impacting every corner of a dairy, the producer’s breeding strategy has been forced to become finetuned. More and more producers are keeping just enough replacements to fill the pipeline,.

USDA Publishes Origin of Livestock Final Rule for Organic Dairy
USDA Publishes Origin of Livestock Final Rule for Organic Dairy

A long-anticipated “origin of livestock” final rule has been released by the UDSA that illustrates the uniform standards for transitioning dairy cattle to organic production.

Multiple Routes to Cattle Methane Reduction Explored
Multiple Routes to Cattle Methane Reduction Explored

There are a range of efforts underway worldwide to curb methane production by cattle.

Cow Numbers Witnessed a Rollercoaster Ride in 2021
Cow Numbers Witnessed a Rollercoaster Ride in 2021

Dairy cow numbers started 2021 at an all-time high in January, with 9.445 million animals in the U.S. milking herd. However, those numbers would steadily drop throughout the summer and fall months.

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Which Dairies will be the Most Profitable in 2022?

The most profitable parts of the U.S. in 2022 will be the Northwest and Northeast, but smaller farms in those regions won’t participate in this success. Here's why.

COVID-19 Disruptions Causing Historic Economic Changes
COVID-19 Disruptions Causing Historic Economic Changes

Nearly two years after COVID-19 invaded our world, we are still living with its disruptions, but we should not overlook the more traditional factors also at play.

Sleeping With the Cows: A Unique Bed and Breakfast Experience
Sleeping With the Cows: A Unique Bed and Breakfast Experience

Dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment. At times it can even feel like farmers are literally with their cows nonstop. Nestled in the small Northeast Iowa town, Dan and Lynn Bolin offer an experience to do just that.

9/11 Two Decades Later: A Personal Story from One Washington Dairy Farm Family
9/11 Two Decades Later: A Personal Story from One Washington Dairy Farm Family

Caring for calves, milking cows, chopping corn – pretty much every farmer remembers exactly what they were doing and where they were at on 9/11. Dan Baginski is of no exception.

Wanted: Ruminant Nutritionists
Wanted: Ruminant Nutritionists

It’s currently a seller’s market for qualified ruminant nutritionists, especially in the dairy industry.

When Your Plate Is Too Full: Delegate More to Stress Less
When Your Plate Is Too Full: Delegate More to Stress Less

Think about the tasks and duties that fill your day. Do you continually put some off? Are there ones you just don’t like? If so, it’s time to delegate.

“She’s A Poor Doer…”
“She’s A Poor Doer…”

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.