Whether an owner of a dairy operation or ag-related company, a manager or an employee looking to excel, there are four competencies everyone should work to improve.

Many calves show subtle signs of sickness before it becomes clinical. The “look, listen, smell and feel” strategy will help you identify those calves much earlier and can be used in all calf-raising systems. The key is to closely observe calves in the moment without making assumptions or overlooking small signs.

The older I get, the less comfortable I am to step out of my shell and try something new. A recent, unexpected experience proved to me that, as uncomfortable as it can be, I should continue to take some chances, as I will never know where they might lead.

In 2016, a Quebec farm lost 10 calves before learning from its veterinarian the animals had tested positive for Salmonella Dublin … like 100 percent of their 325-head herd.

Spring is just around the corner, which means field work will begin soon and we’ll be cutting first-crop alfalfa in no time. It’s amazing how much work can get done in such a short amount of time, but one process that should receive adequate time is silage packing. In recent packing density analyses, completed by Vita Plus consultants in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, roughly 25 percent of the corn silage bunkers surveyed had a packing density of less than 15.5 pounds per cubic foot. A density of 15 pounds per cubic foot has been the industry minimum for a while now and, as packing density decreases, you risk dry matter (DM) losses and losing more money. Let’s take a closer look at that financial impact.

By the lack of people in attendance during the “Interactive strategies for engaging with federal agencies” session of NCBA Cattlemen’s College in Phoenix, one could assume many ranchers feel it’s a lot like waiting for rain in a drought – hopeless.

Digest Highlights: Dean plans further consolidation. Foremost Farms’ Michigan plant gains initial bond approval. Find a summary of this and other news here.