The link between nutrition and reproduction has become more evident and supported through research in recent years. Through controlled research trials and on-farm experiences, we’ve known for some time that cows not eating well or eating an unbalanced diet won’t get pregnant as fast as those provided a sound ration.

Each dairy operation has its own set of unique challenges, but most dairy producers have a common concern: reproduction. When cows don’t maintain healthy pregnancies, money spent on animal health products, veterinarian visits and artificial insemination (A.I.) is wasted.

IPS releases No. 1 Red Holstein and much more As the result of the January 2008 sire summaries, International Protein Sires (IPS) added five highly qualified sires to their proven lineup, announced recently by Ron Sersland, President and CEO.

With Valentines a few days away, I can’t help but think about the bold-faced lies the media is telling our young people about this thing called love.When I was growing up, love meant something beautiful and enduring. L stood for Loyalty; O stood for obedience to God first; V stood for vigilance about virtue; and E stood for eternal bonds.

He was a good Dakota rancher with the stubborn Norwegian determination that allowed him to break even in the unforgiving country north of Mobridge.

Looking for a few hundred extra dollars? Try beefing-up dairy cull cow condition before marketing.

Selection of corn hybrids for silage production is confusing at best. It used to be so much easier. We simply chose the hybrid with the highest grain-yield for both grain and silage. However, we now know that other important factors affect farm profitability.

The National Animal Health and Monitoring System (NAHMS) has conducted three surveys in 1991, 1996, and 2002, of U.S. dairies that includes information on health and management practices involving dairy calves. The pre-weaning mortality rates ranged from 8.4 to 10.8 percent in these surveys.

A fundamental rule regarding diet formulation is that one never knows the true value of anything. Although we have reasonably accurate estimates of the average requirements for most nutrients, we have less certainty regarding nutrient requirements of a specific herd or animal under specific circumstances.

Developing a remodeled parlor can be an exciting process. It can also become complicated and sometimes overwhelming, but it can be done by following the process step-by-step. Determining your likes and dislikes is the most important part of the process and will affect whether the resulting facility is something you love, tolerate or hate.