Some kids look forward to a summer filled with boating, camping and family vacations but, like many farm kids, the highlight of my summer as a kid was the county fair.

The world dairy markets hit the halfway point of the year in the weakest state in six years. In the first half, Oceania prices for skim milk powder averaged $1.11 per pound, down 48 percent from the first half of 2014. Butter averaged $1.56 per pound (-21 percent) and cheddar averaged $1.62 per pound (-27 percent). Dry whey from Europe averaged just $0.48 per pound (-24 percent).

Over the last 50 years, we have gone from feeding hay and grain to balancing rations for amino acids. With crops, we have gone from planting seed from last year’s crop to selecting varieties with specific nutritional traits.

Note: This is the first in a five-part series that explores the role of culture in dairy farm success and productivity. People live and work in cultures. In fact, you have spent your whole life in various cultures, whether you realize it or not.

For two Wisconsin dairies, well-designed maternity pens are leading to better outcomes for both cows and calves. In the past few years, Wayside Dairy and J&J Pickart Dairy have each made improvements to their transition cow facilities to accommodate just-in-time calving.