Fortunately, drought and soil moisture conditions are improving for much of the South Central region. However, due to dry conditions during much of the growing season and a cool spring in some areas, hay supplies are low.

After a decades-long debate on allowing hormones in beef, the European Union (EU) has announced in early September it was ready to begin formal talks on giving U.S. beef a bigger “steak” in the quota of non-EU-produced beef allowed into European markets.

I am writing today with a slighter different tone and feel than posts of the past. We are finishing off one of our more challenging summers here on our farm – a “lost summer” in the words of my brother and farm partner. Let me provide some background to bring us to Sept. 1, 2018, and the feeling of a lost summer.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article was first published in the Delmarva Farmer. Breaking out of our “silos” or “dairy bubbles” is a topic I’ve written about before. It’s crucial to explore other things than just what we do on a day-to-day basis on our farms.

When it comes to colostrum, its value to the calf cannot be overstated. Most dairymen are well aware that colostrum contains high levels of immunoglobulins that protect calves against diseases present on the farm.

Building a new calf barn and completely rethinking how to raise calves effectively and efficiently can be a daunting task. At the 2018 Vita Plus Calf Summit, June 20-21, three Wisconsin dairywomen shared their experiences as they tackled this challenge on their farms.

The threat of Hurricane Florence is raising concerns regarding North Carolina’s cotton crop. For dairy farmers, that translates into what impact the storm will have on cottonseed supplies and prices.

After Sept. 14, the full House is scheduled to be in session just 12 days prior to elections in early November. With limited days and a full slate of issues to tackle, dairy organization leaders continue to push Congress for a bill to address the industry’s growing labor needs.

The USDA’s September World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report reduced the 2018 milk production forecast by another 100 million pounds, but raised the 2019 forecast by an equal amount.

USDA opening bidding process for dairy products CWT export assistance hits 1 billion pounds of milk milestone ‘Tennessee Milk’ logo introduced 2018 MPP-Dairy buy-up premiums due Sept. 28 Bill would impose moratorium on agricultural business mergers Land O'Lakes selects Dairy Accelerator program participants California producers receive alternative manure management project grants UW – Madison’s dairy product research projects launched Conferees named for ‘minibus’ appropriations bill USDA, FDA plan public meeting on use of animal cell culture technology to develop ‘meat’ products