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In a previous article, I discussed three different areas where you can work to save your dairy from possible failure. If you will recall, I had the experience of being asked what it takes to bring a dairy back to life. It’s no small job!
We discussed the need to know your production and reproduction numbers if you’re going to heal. Your feeding must be timely and orderly, because this is your largest expense. Also, don’t overlook the fact that your labor force must be able and willing to implement your protocols for you to survive.
Since we last updated the profit margin outlook for dairy producers in 2011 back in January, things have continued to improve with forward margins strengthening through the remainder of the year into early 2012.
What was projected as a breakeven to slightly positive forward margin at best during the second half of the year is now decisively in the black as increasing milk values have more than offset the impact of higher feed costs that dairies will have to absorb on their herds.
At my house, Art does the grocery shopping! “Art is well- trained,” you say ... well, maybe I am. But as one of the few “farm boys” left residing in my town these days, I find the grocery market to be a source of information. It stokes my imagination.
Mostly, I see real, fresh fruits and vegetables conveniently bundled with energy-intensive packaging. I see evidence of energy-intensive produce storage systems, energy-intensive sanitation systems and energy-intensive transportation systems.
I see neatly packaged ready-to-eat cereals and baked goods. I like what I see.
“Great herdsmen rely upon more than just their skill and experience; they depend upon their attitude …to do things right all the time.” This is the theme of an article I wrote for your herdsman in the May 2011 issue of El Lechero.
While you give lots of responsibilities to your herdsman, making decisions may be the most difficult part of his job. If he is a “good cowman,” then helping him decide if, when and how to treat sick cows requires that you provide guidelines, training and support for him.
One of the necessary elements of cattle production is vaccination against common diseases. In order to be effective, vaccines must be cared for appropriately. The Code of Federal Regulations states that “biological products shall be protected at all times against improper storage and handling.
Progressive Dairyman is excited to bring you innovative ideas on reusing what some may consider to be "junk" materials. Look for future articles from Damon Carson, and be sure to submit your own repurpose ideas to emily@progressivedairy.com.
The byproduct of industry: You drive by them nearly every single day and you probably don’t even realize it half the time. In fact, many folks argue vehemently that these objects disrupt the inherent beauty of the countryside.
What am I describing? You guessed it... advertising billboards. Yes, the big display boards advertising the likes of Chevrolet, Budweiser and the nearest McDonald’s.
What many don’t know is that the vast majority of these billboards are a printed vinyl material. Long gone are the days of physically painting and re-painting these billboards with advertising.
From the first colonies up through the present, the regulation of food sanitation, especially milk and milk products, has been a state -and local issue. Public health regulations were among the earliest Colonial laws. Early rules dealt primarily with public outbreaks of disease.
Regulations on food, including milk, evolved as the percentage of the population self-sufficient in the production of food shrank and the percentage who purchased their food grew.
Chances are that if you take the time to read this, you’ve been entrusted with the responsibility of managing and leading a team. Whether these people refer to you as coach, boss, doctor, professor or parent, your team looks to you for guidance.
No, you don’t actually need to work on a football field to be a coach ... all you need is a team.
So how can you embrace your role as a coach and excel at developing those you lead? Here’s a list of some of the roles and responsibilities you have as a leader in your organization.
Merial’s Best in Class Dairy website, www.BestInClassDairies.com, features a training module, which is part of a new comprehensive educational initiative. The new website and training module provide dairies access to valuable information and educational tools to help ensure healthy cows, the highest standard of milk and profitable operations. The web-based audiovisual training module, which addresses pre- and post-milking procedures, is the first in a series of training modules that will be offered to dairy operation workers through this site.
Rice Dairy is excited to offer a webinar explaining the basics of risk management for dairy producers. This 45-minute webinar will go over basis, futures, options and creating a risk management plan.
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