In vitro fertilization (IVF) – it isn’t just for registered cattle breeders anymore. A useful biotechnology tool, IVF can be incorporated into any dairy system. However, the dairy’s management team must be committed to the long-term investment, selection criteria and IVF protocols.

As more robotic barns appear across the industry, the demand for cows and heifers that have been bred for an automated milking environment is on the rise, with some breeders receiving a premium when selling heifers and cows that were bred for a robotic operation.

People need real challenges in life, especially young people; they need to learn to press on even when the going is extremely difficult.

And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Not too long ago in this column, we discussed some of the different ways we cut metal in and around our farm shops; therefore, I thought it reasonable we talk about some of the ways to repair metal that either was cut by accident or broke outright on its own.

It is no secret farming is a difficult enterprise. Present economic and political conditions have made it even more challenging, particularly in the dairy industry.

When I returned to my family farm a couple years ago, my mother gladly gave up her role of managing employees. Since I had the opportunity to work off the farm for several years, I thought I knew what to do. I mean, I was a new hire myself in a new place with no previous experience.

Finally, one in the win column for dairy farmers. The FDA has decided to restrict products like soy, rice, almond, oats and even hemp from calling themselves milk. Hopefully soon, they’ll quit calling tofu bacon and taxes a privilege.

“When you have happy and healthy cows, your employees also will be happy,” Conny van Bedaf, co-owner of VanBedaf Dairy LLP, says. “It also works the other way around. If you have happy employees, they will be able to keep your cows happy and healthy.”

A.I. and good bulls are where it’s at to build a good herd of cows, says Norman Martin, owner of Martin Dairy LLC in Tillamook, Oregon. To date, the dairy is the highest genetically ranked Jersey herd in the U.S.