This year’s harvest season has now come to an end, which means it’s time to start the groundwork for next year’s crop season. Have you started winterizing your equipment? Now is a great time to start planning for the next year. Start performing any repairs that may be needed on any of your machinery before you store it. I always like to use my senses whenever I am operating equipment. I use visual indicators to let me know if anything is wrong or needs work. I also try to keep a note pad in case I need to make a note which helps keep track of repairs or maintenance procedures that should be performed on equipment.

to jump to the article. Summary: Researchers at the Cornell Waste Management Institute analyzed six farms, all with a unique way of incorporating dried manure solids into their herds' bedding. Information provided in this article included the economic implications, the potential for spread of Johne's disease and the impact on a herd's feet and legs. Because this article was so popular, we asked Mary Schwarz of the Institute a follow-up question: Q: Why are dairy producers interested in dried manure solids in 2011? A: Dried manure solids (DMS) are of interest to dairy producers for several reasons. Sawdust, a historic bedding of choice, has been hard to come by for the past several years and can be expensive. Other options include low-quality hay, straw and sand, but each of these has an added cost. Manure, on the other hand, is never in short supply and has to be managed in some way.

Dairy owners, veterinarians, herd managers and employees play a significant day-to-day role in food safety. Antibiotic residues in milk and dairy beef are an important food safety issue, as antibiotics may cause severe allergic reactions in some people. Milk All farm bulk tank milk and tanker truck milk must be tested for evidence of antibiotic residue prior to processing, according to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Milk found with antibiotic residues is dumped, with the dairy producer bearing the cost for the dumped milk.