In an increasingly competitive and complex industry, producers are looking for an edge. Whether making nutritional decisions for herd management, conducting research to learn more about how genetics can improve traits such as milk production or managing more with less, today’s dairy producers are getting busier every day.

It may be termed a changing of the guard at Quality Holsteins, but long-time herdsman Don Schwartz describes it “as a transition much more than an overthrow.”

Paul Ekstein, who began a Holstein herd as an offshoot of his forage seed business, is turning over leadership of Quality Farms to his son, Ari, and the most noticeable difference is the way genetics are marketed.

Designed for people who want to improve their knowledge and decision-making abilities in dairy production and management, the 29th Western Canadian Dairy Seminar welcomes dairy producers, extension specialists, researchers, and dairy service and supply representatives.

This time of year a variety of catalogs appear in the mailboxes of rural landowners. These catalogs have the latest offerings in seed corn, soybeans, vegetables, flowers, poultry and beef breeding stock, especially bulls.

Whether in sports competition or the game of life, there are turning points that elevate the underdog to victory, redefining the anonymous as the unforgettable. In the face of mounting challenges, how does one identify and seize these pivotal moments to create a catalyst for success? In Lexington, Kentucky, from May 22-25, Alltech’s 27th Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium will be dedicated to just such a pursuit, exploring The Game Changers for the animal health and feed industries.

Global dairy company Fonterra is now closer to the heart of Europe’s dairy and food innovation hub with the official opening of its new Amsterdam office in The Netherlands. The Amsterdam office, opened by Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovations, Mr. Verhagen, will bring Fonterra closer to its partners and food manufacturing customers and open the door for new ideas and products.

The annual meeting of the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation will be held on Thursday, March 10, at the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation Dairy Center near Calmar, Iowa.

As today’s dairy industry continues to change and evolve, the perception is that producers can do very little to control milk price and on-farm profitability. But, this isn’t true; producers can learn to manage risk to control their future. In March, Penn State Dairy Alliance will host a series of one-day workshops across Pennsylvania titled Managing Your Milk Margin to Improve Your Dairy Cash Flow. This workshop is tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual dairy. During the workshop, annual cash flows will be evaluated for each farm, and producers will learn more about risk management as it relates to their operation’s income over feed cost and milk margin breakeven.

A half century ago Harold Gould was looking for some good land to start a farm. The Delaware County native in 1956 picked a spot on South Street Road in Pavilion, New York. The high limestone soil has a good pH for growing crops. But Gould, now 82, noticed some spots didn’t drain well. He installed tile to move water off the land so he could plant crops sooner in the spring. He was rewarded with better yields in the well-drained soil.