During these hot summer months, you are likely aware of heat stress and the effect it has on your lactating herd. However, are you aware of the effect it has on your calves?

Keeping calves clean, warm and dry is essential to maintain their health and productivity. From the moment the calf is born, what are the best steps to get the calf from wet and gunky to clean, warm and dry?

As today’s dairy producers look to the future, becoming an expert manager of the financial side of dairy farming is just as critical to future business viability as animal husbandry, agronomy, nutrition and every other hat dairy producers wear.

“Graduate Student Literature Review: Udder edema in dairy cattle – A possible emerging animal welfare issue.” Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 104 No. 6, 2021. This literature review article, from Colorado State University, describes udder edema in dairy cattle and the factors that may cause it.

Summer on a dairy farm can be hectic. A lot of your success and efficiency is tied to clarity on who does what and when. Consider creating more energy when you understand what I call the family roles guide.

The use of equipment is critical to getting a variety of jobs done on your dairy. Whether is it an auger, a tractor or a circular saw, there are a lot of tools and equipment you use.

Cows need protein but do not have a requirement for protein per se. Instead, they require amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Dietary protein is broken down by microbes in the rumen and by the action of intestinal digestive enzymes to amino acids.