One thing that no farmer ever wants to be called is lazy, and for the most part, we work our way well past that label in the eyes of the general public. I once had a friend who was contacted by a network news organization conducting a poll on work habits and work hours. About halfway through explaining his day, the interviewer proclaimed, “No one works like that!” and my friend hung up the phone on him.

You have probably heard it said the nutrition and health status of dairy animals are unmistakably linked to one another.

Quality silage is a critical component for many dairy operations. The industry has long recognized how valuable high-quality forage, in general, is in the diet of dairy animals, particularly lactating cows.

“Mooove me!” You’ve probably heard those words bellowed as an anxious herd stood at the gate ready to move to greener pastures. But as Dave Pratt of the Ranching for Profit School teaches, the decision to move the cattle to a new paddock shouldn’t be left to the bovines.

The proliferation of plant-based milk on supermarket shelves today leads us to wonder, “Is there any hope for real milk? Is milk any different from milk alternatives, or will milk simply be replaced by manufactured beverages with laboratory-formulated ingredient lists?”

Editor’s note: With lots of news affecting dairy farmers this week, Progressive Dairyman provides a second installment of Weekly Digest. 2018 MPP-Dairy premium balance deadline extended Livestock haulers could receive another ELD extension Senate rejects effort to block FDA food label standard enforcement July Class III, IV prices fall California 4a, 4b prices decline

As you’re working to improve cow comfort on your dairy, keep in mind what’s comfortable for you is not always comfortable for your cows. Dairy cows experience mild levels of heat stress when the temperature index is as low as 72ºF (see Table 1).

Adverse milk income margins continue to apply downward pressure on prices paid for dairy replacement cows.