Our fields aren’t the only ones battling the dry conditions and increased temperatures. Our livestock have also been suffering which poses a threat to many producers who are concerned about the consequences of economic losses. As a general rule of thumb, producers need to keep in mind the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI).

Dairy workers with YoCream International Inc., a division of global French food group Danone SA, voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 305 in Portland, Oregon. “We’re very satisfied that we are getting representation from the Teamsters because the Teamsters represent almost all of the dairies in our area,” said Christopher Greenlee, a lead pasteurizer and one of the 45 new Teamster members at YoCream. “We organized to improve our pay, have better communication with the company and have a say in our work rules.”

Professional Dairy Producers Foundation board expands The Professional Dairy Producers Foundation board of directors has grown with the addition of four dairy industry leaders: Linda Behling, who runs a 240-cow dairy with her husband and is a nutritionist with Vita Plus. Keith Engel, milk quality and dairy hygiene/supply specialist with GEA Farm Technologies. Ellen Schaefer, who owns and works her family's 40-cow dairy, Running Creek Farm. Ed Strauss, who runs Majestic Crossing Dairy with his two sons. These new board members join three other directors: dairy producers Deb Reinhart of Chilton, Wisconsin, and Logan Bower of Blain, Pennsylvania; and Erica Pagel, production superintendent for Foremost Farms USA, Chilton, Wisconsin. —From Professional Dairy Producers Foundation news release National Jersey leadership named for 2012-13 Officers and directors of the USJersey organizations were elected during the Annual Meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) held in June.

Soybeans that won't make a seed crop offer potential high-quality forage for beef and dairy producers. But the decision to cut beans for hay won't be easy, say University of Missouri Extension specialists.

Restocking after a drought can be a difficult call: Is the drought over, is there enough forage to sustain cattle, what makes the most economic sense?The answers to these and other questions will be discussed at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s Ranch Management University scheduled Oct. 29 – Nov. 2 at the G. Rollie White Visitor’s Center on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station.