It seems as though every time you pick up a farm publication there is a headline about the high level of risk involved in today’s farms. High levels of risk also mean high levels of stress for most individuals. With so many other aspects of production, risk management and financial issues to worry about, you may think business and family communication is the least of your concerns. However, open and honest communication is even more important during times of high stress.

In general, a crisis is a crucial or decisive point or situation. A turning point. An unstable condition. In calf care, a health crisis often calls for a decisive and timely intervention to treat in illness or even to save the calf’s life.

In 1986 Dr. Freeman, dairy breeding research scientist from Iowa State, stated in a research article that “continued successful selection for production may depress reproduction to where selection on reproduction may be necessary,” and then asked, “Will reproductive physiologists develop new techniques to enhance reproductive performance so that selection will not be necessary?” More recently two trends have occurred.

Organizing is establishing an internal framework for the business. An internal framework, called an organizational structure, is necessary if two or more people are involved in the business.

Milk harvesting accounts for almost half of the electricity used in dairies, but fine-tuning an operation offers ways to trim energy costs, a South Dakota State University specialist said.

As we head into winter, safeguarding teat condition becomes an important issue. Because colder, windier, and in some areas, rainier weather, all contribute to teat condition problems, maintaining teat condition becomes a year-round effort.

Dairy producers are facing a horrible set of circumstances – low milk prices and high input costs. What options do they have to try to have a profitable dairy farm business? A farm visit with a dairy farmer, his two sons and their county agent began with a look at the cows and a tour of the facilities.

Years ago I crossed the Arizona border into the village of Sasabe, Sonora. The public statuary that marked the plaza was not of Father Kino, Coronado, or Pancho Villa. It was a nose-dived Cessna 182 nestled in a pile of rubble. I don’t know if the drug smuggler walked away from the crash, but he left an indelible monument.

In the deserts of western Iraq, a new development project rises out of the sand. Today, our mission is evaluating the site and writing these comments in the form of a progress report.

As cooler weather moves into parts of the country, a greater percentage of dry cow rations will shift away from pasture to more purchased or stored feeds. Although there are exceptions, many dry cows tend to be the forgotten family members of our dairy herds.