One of my best childhood friends was named Fred. I trusted Fred implicitly, and never once did he let me down.

Amid higher input and machinery costs, maximizing profitability means expanding landholdings for some farmers – that’s one way to go. Another way to go is through maximizing yields on current cropland, which is the route R.L. Brown Farms of Jerome, Idaho, has chosen.

It’s an exciting time when you can grow your herd – whether it’s adding more cows because you have more forage or additional acreage, retaining replacement heifers or other factors. This can also be a challenging time and strain on your current systems and processes, so let’s make sure you are ready for herd growth and set up for success.

Dairy producers face many challenges. Animal health, nutrition, milk markets and personnel management cause many farmers to lose sleep. Maintenance and management of a semen tank is a factor that every dairy producer can control.

Even with all the available information, the challenges around heat stress still exist, and each summer we see cows struggling to maintain production and reproductive health through high temperatures and humidity across the U.S. While we know a lot about heat stress, there are still areas of learning to lean into and help support herds throughout the summer heat and humidity. 

Taking your calves to auction can feel like a gamble. But what if you could stack the deck in your favor so your calves have a better chance of fetching top dollar? Investing in the right management practices and health protocols can communicate that your calves are ready to face the challenges ahead and are a smart bet for buyers.