As milk prices continue to squeeze the dairy industry, many producers utilize overcrowding to maximize efficiency of facilities and keep bulk tanks full. Previous work from Albert De Vries and colleagues at the University of Florida has demonstrated economic benefit to this strategy, with optimal return at approximately 120% in lactating pens.

Challenges? Everyone’s got them. We certainly have them in the Southeast. Before covering the challenges, let’s mention some of the positives of cattle production in our region.

Cow comfort and welfare are often measured by lying time, the way cows enter the stalls and duration of stall movement. In fact, cows show preference for lying on softer materials.