“The only thing that should happen at calving time is that the cow should deliver a live, healthy calf.” All too frequently, the transition period is a tumultuous time for our dairy cows: Changes in diet, new surroundings and group changes are very challenging to cattle, who can best be described as lovers of a mundane routine.

On the north side of Denver abides Commerce City. There, last fall, U.S. officials dumped millions of dollars worth of ivory tusks, carvings and jewelry into a steel rock crusher and pulverized it into dust and tiny chips. The officials’ objective was to reduce the slaughter of tens of thousands of elephants each year.

The milk industry is dynamic. Yet in the popular press, one can find a plethora of articles written from the perspective that parts of the industry are not sustainable. I read this Modern Farmer article recently. Much of what we are reading is written with the perspective of a point of view so readers will agree. That is, an article making the case for smaller herds dispersed across the countryside with grazing cows in a green pasture and blue skies appears to be the way dairy farms ought to be.

Our industry has a reputation for producing safe and healthy dairy products for consumers around the world. From my perspective, this is due to the rigid testing of all meat and milk sent to market, coupled with a team effort between dairy producers, veterinarians and industry.

Strong partnerships that grow demand for dairy have always been a driving force behind the success of the industry. While producer and manufacturer efforts move the industry forward, support groups such as the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Dairy Management Inc. and various dairy research centers are also crucial to industry success.

The bST scare – 20 years and still goingEarly research established the recombinant bovine somatotropin, commonly called bST, increased milk production in dairy cows, and it was approved for commercial use in the U.S. From the start, some consumer groups expressed fears about supposed effects of bST on human health.

The ribeye remains the king. As summer grilling season kicked off around Memorial Day, a Progressive Cattleman online survey asked readers what their favorite beef selection is for the open fire.

Mike Molitor, a seed stock producer from Zenda, Kansas, shares all the ways his customers market calves and how carcass quality matters regardless. This video news is provided by CAB and the American Angus Association.

Cost, convenience and quality – that is what Don Close, Rabobank cattle economist and author of “Ground Beef Nation,” says is determining Americans' choice of meat.

The USDA will release its quarterly Grain Stocks and Acreage reports on June 30. These reports provide important fundamental information that will set the tone for the corn market going into the critical stage of the growing season.