The economic health of America’s dairy sector has been among the most significant issues on the NAFTA negotiating table during the past year, as the U.S. government presses Canada and Mexico to revise the terms of the 25-year-old free trade agreement.

Installing a new milking system of any kind is a significant investment. As more farms install automated milking systems, various methods are used to measure profitability.

Once again, a federal court has issued an opinion regarding the constitutionality of a farm protection (frequently called “ag gag”) statute. This time, it was the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which upheld part – and struck down part – of Idaho’s “Interference with Agricultural Production” law.

Recruitment and selection are not the fondest areas of work for most dairy farm managers, leaders and owners. It, therefore, is important to productively focus your energies. To better understand the importance of focus, we start with a discussion of the circles of concern and influence.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017, is the largest overhaul of U.S. tax code in 30 years. Most of the tax-cut provisions are effective immediately for tax year 2018. However, many are temporary and scheduled to sunset or phase out in future years, if no further congressional action is taken.

With the current financial squeeze in agriculture, many have reduced their labor force and, therefore, asked for more work from fewer people: themselves, employees and their own family members.

Each and every day, Walt Disney theme parks put on a show for millions of guests across the globe. People dream of experiencing the ultimate Disney vacation, and cast members are taught from day one it is their job not to disappoint the guests.

A couple of years ago, we had certain assumptions about the cost savings robotic milking systems would yield, and where the bulk of those savings would come from. We expected the main advantages would come from reduced labor costs and increased milk production. But has that turned out to be the case? What’s changed in the last two years?

Results of a large, ongoing study of Midwest dairy operations show six factors that separate top financial performance herds from their peers.

Although it is easier to strategize about protecting profitability when times are good, a sound risk management plan applies to all margin environments and is especially important when the outlook is bad. When margins are low and opportunities are hard to find, producers may not consider it worthwhile to initiate margin coverage, preferring to stay open to the market.